Job Discussion Forums

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

It seems like a lot of people in this profession get burned out quickly. After five years or so. HOw do you cope with this? Did you stick with teaching and just wait for it to pass?

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

Naturegirl--

Just out of curiosity, where did you come up with five years? I've heard that it can be as little as two years.

I think there are two types of EFL/ESLers (oooops! Not to dichotomize, or anything. A wise TA of mine in undergrad, who I have quoted a gazillion times, said, "There are not two sides to an issue. There are more like 16.")

But anyway--I think there are two types:

1) Those that do it temporarily--which could range from just a few months to a couple of years--just to take a break from their lives, travel around the world, etc. (some of whom get stuck with that pejorative "backpacker" label)

and

2) Lifers.

I'm not sure if those in group #1 get burned out or if they just decide that it's time to get on with their lives. And what burns out potential lifers? Low pay, lack of respect, unmotivated students, culture shock... I'm sure the list is endless!

d

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

Duh... I answered a question that you didn't even ask--just like some of my well-meaning students do sometimes!

You were inquiring about how people deal with burn-out, not what causes it. I think a healthy dose of masochism gets me through the rough times... And the knowledge that as long as I focus, I can only improve.

d

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

In Japan I didn't. I was ill several times (stress.) In China I have to. It's either tough it out until the (money eating) MA gets done or give up. Fortunately, my headaches are not about the job itself. So far.

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

V A C A T I O N

Preferably somewhere warm where they put little umbrellas in your drink.

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

Go to the Middle East if u want 2 c burn out.That's where many of the lifers end up.

nomadder · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:55 pm Post subject:

And on a tangential note: How do you know when you're a lifer? Do you just wake up one morning and think "God where did the last 6 plus years go? Am I staying here forever?" Does it just sneak up on most people?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Well I will never see 50 again. But it seems that I just woke up one day and realised I have spent most of my adult life in this racket. Sheech !

Cope with burn-out ? HOLIDAYS, like the earlier post says

Vacation

and then MORE VACATION.

And if that does not work try another holiday. But these things cost money so if you are working in XYZland for 100 bucks a month forget it !

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

If you enjoy teaching can you get burn out from it. what's the difference between burn out and just wanting a holiday or a short break

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

I think burn out is more serious. It's when you've needed a holiday for a long time and haven't been on one. Then it leads to burn out.

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

M. · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 65 Location: Moskva

Well,

I heard two years was the average. I have been at it at five years. I think change of venue( I did five years in Russia, One in Germany, and am new to Japan) helps. but the defo is a nice holiday every year or so. I had 2 months off before coming to this Humidity infested Country. I suggest a Holiday In Russia, or Georgia or the Black Sea.....or even Siberia.

I dont get burnt out any more. I got thru the burn out stage and became Numb. Now I enjoy it and get Numb once in a while.....then I take a nice Holiday.

M.......

Belmont · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2003 5:34 am Post subject: burnout

Teaching ESL/EFL is extremely draining. The fewer hours per week you teach the longer you put off burn out. TEFL'ing is great way to finance world travel. However, as we age, burnout does set in much faster. And to make matters worse, because you make so little teaching EFL overseas (at home too!), you lose out on establishing a financial base in your home country. Even teaching in the Middle East is not all that lucrative if you really examine the pay and benefits of the higher paying institutions--they do get their pound of flesh in the long run. But if you can hack it for many many years, you can do fairly well. IF you can hack it.

Getting an MA, as someone suggested, is a good idea because you could possibly get a position at a junior college in the US teaching fewer hours but not get less $. Ideally, the best deal is to get the MA, NOT in ESL but rather in English with an emphasis on lit and composition. This will open doors job-wise, but it does take some committment. And you can still teach overseas but are not limited when you come home with just a degree in TEFL.

So get that MA! lol Smile

If you can hack it!!!! Laughing

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

I think a good teacher cares about his/her students. Sometimes you forget to care about yourself. If you don't learn that balance, if you don't continue to develop yourself as a person, or if you put the bulk of the responsibility of your student's learning on your own shoulders, instead of where it belongs, on the student; all these things lead to burnout.

The other kind of burnout is the guy who wants money. They teach 30 plus hours a week ( i did it one semester, my teaching definitely suffered). I think this kind of life also leads to burnout.

I think one key is remembering/knowing what personal priorities are, what you really want to do, and not trying to do what isn't in your power.

IMHO

Debalky · Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 79 Location: hell on earth

I'm burnt out after a year. How sad. I'm losing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!