Job Discussion Forums

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

Hey, guys. Listen, I'm still planning on teaching English abroad as a life-long career after I get out of college, but I'm thinking about the long run and part of me wonders how long a person can keep this up. It seems to me that there will likely be times when I'll want to, or have to, come back and live in the states for a while, but right now I don't really intend to stay here, y'know what I mean? I even plan to retire abroad. My questions are, how long do you guys think a person can do this kind of work? What do you do for a job if you want to, or have to, come back and live at home for a while? What do you do when your parents start developing medical problems with age and you want to be there for them? I'm determined to do this for the rest of my life, but I'm thinking about the possible family issues I may have to deal with back home. I don't want to completely abandon my family and leave my sisters holding the bag when it comes time to deal with things like whether or not mom or dad needs to go to an assited living facility. I'm also thinking about what kind of temporary jobs a person can do if they have to come home for more than a month or so. Say I need a year or more away from teaching to deal with problems at home. I'll probably want to return to teaching, but what do I do while I'm at home? What kind of employer is looking for someone with our experience who doesn't mind hiring someone who's probably not gonna stick around for much more than a year? It seems like there's plenty of summer jobs out there, but it just seems like any summer job you get is going to expect you to devote your full attention to your job and not give you a lotta time to deal with any issues you came home to deal with. Again, I'm not backing out of the idea of teaching, I'm just trying to figure out how I'm going to deal with any problems that might arise at home, y'know? Thanx in advance for your thoughts and advice.

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

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:03 pm Post subject:

Don't plan your life to far ahead- if you feel now that you want to TEFL all you life, then all that means is that you feel that way now.

But until you're doing it, you don't really know- life has a way of surprising us.

About how to make a living back home, it depends on a lot of things. What are you good at, and what do you like doing? If you're a career teacher, get an MA, and teaching back home is a natural possibility.

To make the most of however long you spend abroad, learn some languages- the last time I was working at home, and it's been a while, I found my Spanish to be in serious demand. (Hospital interpreting can be pretty good short term work, and a lot of agricultural companies need people to communicate with all the migrant workers. Even telemarketing is beginning to look for other languages.)

Justin

tedkarma · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 9:23 pm Post subject:

Aging parents is a major issue. Both of my parents have passed away since I have been overseas. Both were quite difficult to deal with - but I never felt that my parents wanted me to pull up stakes and post a death watch.

How your siblings deal with your absence and family responsibilites, not only at that time but at other times of family stress can be an issue also.

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

I'm actually 28 right now. After high school, I went to college for a couple years, dropped out and moved to San Diego for a year and a month, joined the Army for four years, and came back to college when I got out. I don't graduate for another year. By the time I get to my first TEFL job, I could be 30. Guess I'm kind of a late bloomer.

Yeah, it sounds more and more like getting an MA is a good idea. I don't think I wanna do that right now, though. I feel like I'm too old to still be in school. I wanna get out there and join the adult world. I don't mind going back to school later, though. Is it hard to earn a decent MA on the road? Would I have to come back home for that?

I guess my sisters and I can handle my parents when the time comes. But, like I said, part of me feels like I'm leaving them holding the bag when it comes to this. But then, we'd mostly be handling it by phone even if I lived in the states, so what difference does it make if I'm out of the country? Part of my concern is that they've had a harder time getting along with our father than I have and they'll probably be more reluctant to deal with him and want me to do it.

Mira · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 16 Location: Raleigh, NC

Our paths have some similarities. I graduated from college and then spent 6 years in the army. I took a job in the private sector when I got out and have been doing this for 6 years. About six months ago, I decided to make a change and started working on my CELTA. I'm in the process of finishing it up and putting together my plan to move sometime early next year. By the time I start my first TEFL job, I'll be 35.

I've had similar thoughts about what I'll do if / when I decide to move back to the U.S. I have 2 bachelor's degrees but would either need to get a Master's degree, or at a minimum become licensed to teach here in the US. The School for International Training offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) that looks pretty interesting. I talked to some of the professors, students, and former students at the TESOL conference in Tampa two weeks ago, and was surprised and reassured when I saw that their students appear to be late 20s / 30ish. This gives me some faith that if I choose to go back to school to get an advanced degree, I won't be the only 'old lady' in the class!

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Omeo, Im what you would call a 'lifer' teaching in Japan. Came here at 23 and still doing it 20 years later. I can not speak for other countries but have recently been through the process of deciding whether to relocate (Japanese wife is moving to Australia with kids, long story) and Im originally from New Zealand. My dad died while I was in Japan after a long bout with cancer.

Yes you can make a career in TEFL, raise families, buy houses (in US and in your host country and even move around. I know several people who have taught in four or five countries. I have a pension plan and own real estate back home. Last time home was 3 years ago.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan