Job Discussion Forums

FM3 · Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 15 Location: Philadelphia, PA

Hello!

I've been reading esl message boards for a while now, and often feel as if I know less now, than I did before!

Perhaps I am just setting myself up for harsh criticism here, but I must ask some perhaps foolish questions.

I have only a associates degree; my life allowed for no further formal education. So, I fear that even considering teaching English overseas may be absurd. I just do not know.

I speak Russian, although I still make some mistakes. Already, I have been to Russia and Ukraine several times. Now, I have an incurable fascination with these places. There were several informal opportunities for me to teach people English, which was greatly simplified by my ability to speak and write Russian. It was great! I truly loved the experience.

So here I am, thinking the unthinkable! I am 44 years old, and thinking about teaching English in Russia or Ukraine. At my age, perhaps this is insane. I am not financially independent, and would need to rely upon whatever I could earn. Is there any future in this? Would I be simply digging myself into a hole? I have no idea. Something like this would really be a career change at my age, not just a break from my "normal" life.

So, as I read through these posts, I feel the need for more information than I am finding. Perhaps there is no good answer for my question. Certainly, a large component of such a question is wether or not I am prepared to do this at all, something only I can answer. Yet, I feel that I do not know what to expect from doing something like this.

A basic issue, is the fact that I have reached the peak of my earning potential in my field of work. It's OK, but nothing great. Should I just stick it out, or make a change? Considering that I really can not advance myself further here, in my career, I find myself thinking about esl in Russia or Ukraine. It is something which holds a strong appeal for me. However, I could simply be "shooting myself in the foot" by making such a drastic change such as this.

So, is my lack of formal education a death blow to such an endeavor? Is this option, teaching esl in Russia or Ukraine, a dead issue for me in any case?

Thanks for any useful advice! I appreciate it!

konyoku · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:27 pm Post subject:

The Ghost of Bankston Past?

Belmont · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:30 pm Post subject: return to school first

Before you do anything, return to school ASAP. It is true about the saying....It's never too late. Set up a counseling appointment at your local uni. You can go part-time as well as do some coursework online. Get the college degree. You can obviously write well, so do it in English and work some linguistics courses in there. It will go fast; and if you want to pursue teaching later on in the U.S. you'll be able to do it.

If you take off for Europe now you'll have a fantastic time, but you'll never be able to come home with enough money to live on let alone attend college. However, with even a BA and teaching credential, you'll always be able to put food on the table and live a fairly decent life.

i_teach_esl · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 15 Location: san diego, CA

belmont is right. youre so close, just finish the BA, major in english, you will find a job. it wont as super easy as the young white fresh out of college usuals, but most certainly can be done. its very brave, to make such a drastic change this late in life, commendable, do-able. do it.

you'll finish college and get that BA in a year or two. b/c really, where you will be in a year or two if you dont go?

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Try posting this in the Russia forum, if you haven't done so already.

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

You're not too old to teach EFL. However, as an American with no bachelor's degree, you are severely limited. I agree with those who say finish your BA/BS degree. It's the only way you are going to get a work visa in most countries.

For those countries that don't require it for the work visa, learn what the living and working conditions are before leaping into the fray.

tedkarma · Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 1:40 am Post subject:

I agree with the previous posts. Finish up your degree. Life in EFL without a degree will be quite limited. If you are worried about being maxed-out where you are now, you will quickly find the same thing in EFL without a degree.

You aren't too old. I was 41 or 42 when I first headed overseas.