Job Discussion Forums

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

I`m in "trying to sort out my life" mode right now. Looking into a US teaching credential, which may involve another MA (how many of those things does a person really need?!?!?), but since I will miss the start of the fall 2006 semester while I finish my current contract, I've got a bit of time to kill...

A while back, I heard/read/saw something about teaching English on cruise ships--basically teaching the staff, since they come from all over the world. After a bazillion google searches, I have found loads of links to cruise lines and agencies with tons of jobs on offer, but no teaching jobs. (Fluency in English is a requirement for non-native applicants, it seems.) Has anyone heard of such teaching jobs? Any ideas on where to look? Links/websites? Was I just imagining the whole thing?!?!?

d

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I have a Hungarian friend who spent a few years working on cruise ships. Proficient English was a prerequisite, and the cruise company had a school in London where they did practice/polishing up for specific jobs. It was my understanding that, because space below decks for staff is tight, they don't basically want even one person there who's not absolutely necessary to the day-to-day running of the ship. Also, if my friend's work schedule was typical, staff on ships have NO TIME for anything resembling English lessons. They were basically expected to get by on six hours sleep in 24, and they were required to hit the shore after a max of five months stint, I think. Wow, looking back on that - it's slave conditions!! Maybe things have changed? This was 1997................
Maybe someone's got more recent (relevant) info?

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Have you looked into the Peace Boat?

http://www.peaceboat.org/english/gvld/teach_e.html

They have volunteer teachers (accomodations and board are covered, though).

Sheikh Inal Ovar · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 1208 Location: Melo Drama School

Who are John & Sheena ?

Confused

.. check properties on OP's image of Dionysus ...

tedkarma · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 7:44 am Post subject:

My experience with cruise lines was with placing students to work with them. All interviews were in English and they hired no one without good language skills.

They also expected - at nine month stretches - 12 hour, 7 day work weeks. US$1000 per month was the norm.

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

Slave conditions?!?!? So it's not the glamorous life of adventure and romance (and big bucks!) like the agencies say... Much like TEFL, I guess! The Peace Boat looks interesting, except for the "must interview in Tokyo" bit!

Hmmm........ Any other creative ideas for killing time for a few months?

d

MELEE · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:54 pm Post subject:

Denise,
There are a couple of schools in the Galapagoes that offer salaries just to cover your room and board, in exchange for the pleasure of working in the Galapagoes! I was considering that for my sabbatical, but I had babies instead! There is also a volunteer gig in Dharamsala that I toyed around with the idea doing for my sabatical.

khmerhit · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 6:25 pm Post subject:

http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:xAY2WgKqV_4J:www.loveboatonline.com/+love+boat&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3 Laughing

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

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

I broke my contract in Chile, and I felt really bad about it! (even though the school was, shall we say... flawed.) I had always thought that I wasn't the sort of person who would do that... And I don't know if it's adventure or "ohcrapI'm30andIneedastablelifenow!!!" Stable in an ESL context, at least.

d

MELEE · Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:14 pm Post subject:

seaulateoar · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

Hi first one I could help with.

They have training schools in the countries they recruit, such as Indonesia, India and Phillipines to train workers in English, they are usually tested using the Marlins Language tester and for different levels different scores are required on the test, so a waiter would not be required to have excellent english, but the person who works at the front desk (reception) will be required to score better in the test.

Most times there is someone onboard who will double as an English teacher (usually someones partner who is sailing with them for the long term)

Been in the industry for over 10 years - now left to follow the teaching route, have never heard of anyone employed specifically to teach English onboard, but there are kids minders - so that might be worth considering, the pay and conditions are not great, you will be sharing a cabin in some forgotten lower deck, often though its in port the children need entertaining, so thats always a drawback if you want to actually get off.

Hope that helps with the decision.
all the best

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

seaulateoar · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 2

Hi Denise,

Reason I suggested kids was with teaching background it would be easy to get in on that one... depends on what you are looking for, can you pin it down for me a bit more?

Do you want to get off the ship, do you want to just have fun?
Do you have a hidden talent like hairdressor or have retail experience, or even bar experience..how about internet manager, you will end up saving money...but some are better choices than others.

PM me with your ideas of what you fancy out of it all, and I will dredge what info I have out for you..

For a few months it would actually be quite fun, the bigger cruise ships, the ship is the destination - not the repeated itinerary. If you enjoy it, then its easier to move around departments when you are on the ship, just by asking..Its also quite addictive, went for a couple of years, stayed 10, the lifestyle (more the time off!) and night life can be a blast.

I have a lot of info on who recruits for what and all that stuff, might save you a bit of time trawling the net. Please whatever you do, don't waste your money on one of these agencies that asks you to pay, or buy one of these books that promise to get you a job, there is little in any of them (that I've seen and I've looked at a few) that isn't available on the internet.

Might be possible to double up, I will ask a few people I still know there, see if they have heard of any teachers onboard.

cheers

Mchristophermsw · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 228

Denise!

Hey Sweety, how have you been?
I just read your post and Iam wondering what happend?
Stability? Your 30? Hmm, I was under the assumption you were enjoying were you were at?

Well, first dear I want to address the cognitive need for stability?
First what is stability for Denise? We all have our own twist on the defination. A teaching Job in the states for some would not be considered stable especially since on a teachers salary owning a home and being debt free (no mortgage) is unlikely. But for others having the stability of a fully benifited teaching job (with a union ) is the defination of stability.

Just a few things to consider?

Also, ask yourself were in this big big world would Denise want to lay down roots? Geopraphy plays a big part of ones happiness. This is kinda of exciting, its like drawing a picture of the life you want and filling it in with all these great textures and colors Very Happy

As far as 30 goes Denise, your young girl and you have your whole life ahead of you to bask in this grand adventure of life! Laughing

I know you will make the right decision--from your post and our own private communication, I can tell your Intelligent, talented and awsome human being!

BTW, since you got some time on your hands, get a hold of Anthony Robbins, AWAKE THE GIANT WITHIN.....Great book!

Love and Blessing
Jah Rastifari

Michael