Job Discussion Forums

mick_luna · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 115 Location: toronto

I'm asking up front for helpful advice, rather than flames, but i know that won't deter the hardcore angry people who think that only those with degrees should ever teach ESL, the rest of us can rot in hell. Presumably all of my teachers had degrees, but 80% of them sucked, so i don't think the degree makes a good teacher. I've actually often learnt a lot from stupid people, so i guess that should prepare me for any knee-jerk negative posts ;0) Anyways, flame on...

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Rather than taint your post with such negativity right from the start, why don't you provide some background on yourself so people have something to go on when responding? This is a very general question you are asking.

Also, people don't need degrees to teach in some parts of the world, and they don't need degrees if they are under certain circumstances. For example, married to a local, married to a fellow foreigner with a work visa, being a student overseas, studying under a craftsman, or being eligible for a working holiday visa.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I agree with Glenski about the tone of your post. No offense, but why should we help you when you have already started the flame war?!?!

And, believe it or not, not everybody on this board thinks that a degree is absolutely, positively, 100% essential to be a good teacher. What usually happens is that somebody will say that such-and-such country requires one for a visa (Japan, for example), and then the anti-degree faction will jump all over that person for saying that only people with degrees make good teachers.

Anyway, rather than start your post by assuming that all of us are your philosophical enemies, why not be positive and tell us what sort of alternative qualifications you do have? I think you posted in the past about looking for an artsy, Bohemian life. Refresh our memories!

d

mick_luna · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 115 Location: toronto

OK, i realize i jumped to the offensive, but once bitten, etc. I had a very, very bad time on the Korea board over a similar post. Two girls got very offensive, one told me and another poster to go screw ourselves, the other merely wished i got cancer and died, hippy scum that i am. not sure where the mediators are on that board. I've never seen such fascist obscenity come out of such a cute looking avatar before Confused

So i decided to attempt to forestall that kind of rudeness with my own warning.Sorry if it was over the top, that wouldn't be very Canadian of me,eh? Wink

I try to keep it more passive than agressive, but when in Rome (or Seoul)....

Anyhoo, yes, I am a graphic artist ( www.portfolios.com/exotica and www.exotica.freeservers.com ), freelance journalist (Vietnam Investment Review, Think Magazine (Prague) and ESL teacher. Most recently i've been tutoring uni students for writing essays, here in toronto.

I am looking for an artistic, friendly,accessible community, either with work in my fields or cheap real estate. I would eventually like to open a cafe/gallery/bar/music space/emporium, perhaps offer conversation classes there as well. Seems E. Europe might be the most likely spot for this, but not sure where. I only have experience with Prague and Liberec in Europe, but found it a little expat-saturated there.

Aramas · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 7:16 am Post subject:

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

yawn...

khmerhit · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:15 am Post subject:

Mick---try budapest or sofia, or kiev. i hear theyre good. then there is always phnom penh b ut it is rather hot and full of dyspeptic antipodeans, kinda like around here!! but it has its artsy side too, lotsa wats and stuff... or maybe you dont wanna do southeastasia again..... what about .... uh.... hmmm..... i dunno.......about.........geee............lemme think..
I KNOW---------------KABUL!! No, maybe not. I hear the Toronto Island was pretty bohemian till the house prices started to rise...and rise.....

Yeah, thats it--Kabul, Kiev, Cali, or cambodia. There is also a place called Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire -- no joke---- which is an artisans community of longstanding. One place i dont recommend is Aramasville, New south Wales---it's teeming with intolerant wiseacres. Wink

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

No degree is required for Indonesia. Any native English speaker from the USA, Canada, UK, etc. can easily get a job there.
IMHO Jakarta sucks, but there are smaller cities there that would make for a good teaching/life experience.

mick_luna · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 115 Location: toronto

Thanks for your input, everyone.

I would really like to find out more about Kiev, Sofia, Budapest,etc. Anyone have any contacts in those places, or any more info?

Indonesia sounds a tad Muslim for my taste ('Islam' means 'submission'), so probably not the best place for a liberal humanist. Thailand sounds interesting, but i don't know if there are areas that haven't been consumed by tourism and similar corrupting factors.

Cambodia seems like a bad idea. Vietnam was bad, but they didn't undergo the psychic scarring of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. That can leave a nasty taste in a culture. Also, the deep seated conservatism and conformity i saw in Hanoi is not something i want to experience again.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

mick_luna · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 115 Location: toronto

isn't Indonesia largely known for genocide, terrorist bombings of tourists, and like that? i'd rather go to areas i won't be automatically considered a target because i'm white and N.American,i've got enough troubles as it is Wink

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

mick_luna · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 115 Location: toronto

well, that's actually why i'm on this forum, to do some research and find out things from people who have been places i haven't. if you have some useful info, please let me know.
cheers
Mick

khmerhit · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:11 pm Post subject:

Ever thought of Quebec??? You've got it all---arts, women, wine, and cheap accomodation!! Check it out. Failing that, try Indonesia.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

Since joining Dave's Cafe in mid-2005, here are the topics that the OP ("mick_luna") has started on various forums, in chronological sequence. Anyone notice a pattern? Most people would have stopped asking and started doing!! Rolling Eyes

where�s best for teaching and freelancing in the arts
Are the artists in taiwan starving?
where�s the next Prague? seeking Bohemia
Teaching and creative opps. in Newfoundland?
freelancing in shangri la?
degree or not degree, that is the question
quality of life for creative types
quality of life for creatives:asia or e.europe?
finding bohemia:best live/work site for creative types
finding Bohemia: live/work for creatives
fair sex? (�Where is your pick for friendliest women (not pros)?�)
nice laaadies: Japan, Korea or Taiwan?
Bulgaria, Ukraine,Poland or...?Teaching and art in E.Europe
best country in E. or Cen.Europe? culture,etc.
Best paying Eastern Country?
Best place in Eastern Europe:work,culture,girls,etc.
best place to teach sans degree?(culture,quality of life,etc