Job Discussion Forums

[Chris_Crossley]

I didn't start a family (which, in my case. meant becoming a parent for the first time) until I was 38 1/2!!! So I do not see any reason for the tearing hurry to start a family by the age of 30!

I am doing an MA in Education degree online at this moment, and, all being well, I will finish it by December next year. I have been able to finance myself through the program by virtue of the fact that my current job in China pays very well, indeed. Oh, and I have a mortgage here in China, too, would you believe?

I have been in China for five years now, so I have been in the business for quite some time, as you can probably guess. One cannot expect the well-paid jobs to fall into one's lap with no experience in the field no matter how qualified one thinks one is, be it a bachelor's, a master's or even a doctorate.

I already had an MBA by the time I started teaching ESL five years ago, but that was not a passport to a highly-paid ESL job by any stretch of the imagination! I had to start at the bottom like everyone else, so be realistic with regard to getting your first taste of overseas experience, whether it is teaching or something else that you think you want to put on your resume in order to impress somebody who might employ you back home when your stint is over and done with.

Once in-country (overseas, that is), you can search around for a better-paid job and thus be in a much better position to check out future employers, especially if you can get friendly with expatriates currently working at any school you might want to consider. Their own perspectives should be invaluable and might even be more trustworthy than those of managers of local, privately-run schools who might otherwise be economical with the truth (if not downright lie to you to your face), since their motive would primarily be money rather than education.

[MELEE]

[ls650]

[NathanRahl]

Yes, thats pretty much how it works here. The most prolific posters seem to have been here for eons, with a few who have not. HOwever those few follow the lead of the most senior here, which is usually a bad lead.

Truth be told, I have seen very little help offered by the most "Senior" here, and more offered by the more junior, who have, while perhaps not being here in china very long, have done a lot of research, and actually wish to help.

Seems to me that the most "senior" here, while not all, most of them seem to just want to make rather smart remarks, bicker amoung themselves about who is smarter, and generally waste everyones time.

That's just one mans view point, garnered from about 2 months of lurking, but no posting. Anyone else have any views on the more senior members here, let me know.

[Chris_Crossley]

[Jizzo T. Clown]

[NathanRahl]

I feel sorry for you Chris if you truly believe the nonsense spewed by the seniors here that I create "aliases" and make up stories to get laughs.

This is just a way to confuse others and discredit someone, if you look at their replies and how often they change their view, you'll see they don't actually believe any of what they are saying, it's just a good tool to keep things under control.

You have fallen into the trap as well Chris, disparaging others, and generally assuming the worst.

Oh and Chris, I do not think who is senior here matters very much. The most senior here have already acted in ways that are so juvenile and provactive that they really are not to be trusted.

If you want tyo know the real skinny on china, ask the newbies. We are not so impressed with ourselves and our knowledge that we rest on our Laurels. We study and research, and are likely more up to date on things then they are. This has been my experience anyhow.

True, a few of the long timers here are worth talking to and getting advice from, but as you see, they rarely give it, and when they do, it is often couched in a way designed to make you feel stupid, and them smart by comparison, so don't waste your time folks, believe me.

[JZer]

[JZer]

[Craig!]

jennjenn,
it's great that you're planning and researching, BUT, like the others advise, ''be flexible''. You will find, ''Life is what happens to you when your making other plans.'' You may change your mind and priorities, and MANY other good opportunities will arise -when you least expect it.

[Glenski]

[jennjenn]

What I meant when I said that I don't want to teach in a conversation school is that I'd rather teach in a public school, even if less money is involved.

My language class next semester will depend on where I choose to go, not the other way around...which is why I am in "turmoil" because I don't want to sign up for Japanese 101 and then end up in China. What would be the point?

I do have a little experience actually...for the past several months I have been a facilitator in ESL classes for college-age students. It's kinda like an ALT, I think. I come up with lesson plans, clarify definitions and meanings, explain idioms and colloquialisms (sp?), take over the class when the teacher is lazy, etc. It's fun. I like it.


I don't expect to get some wonderful fantastic amazing job, but I think the experience helps a bit...doesn't it? Also, I am Asian-American so I am bracing myself for major rejection, maybe not quite so much in Japan but definitely in Korea (again, all based on what I've read on the boards.) This is a reason why going abroad "with" JET or Fulbright (or PC) feels so safe, because I have been told that my looks won't matter in the selection process.

[westonw]

wow, it sounds like you're ready for quite the adventure. a couple of your options sound very familiar as to the path i'm currently on. after working a couple seasons in florida & alaska i was able to save up enough cash to move to central america. i originally was planning on investigating teaching opportunities but ended up working with habitat for humanity doing volunteer coordination. i was a long term volunteer which meant my cash flow was flowing in the WRONG direction (got paid $200/month stipend). after a year i was still determined to try teaching so i've since ended up in south korea. ok...enough about me, let's talk about you.

Teaching in Korea
korea has been great to me thus far and if you get the fulbright i'd hop all over it. but even if that doesn't work out i'd still suggest considering south korea. it's not a tourist destination but i still find the culture fascinating. the money is great and after a year you could have easily saved up enough money to pay off some bills and go spend a year teaching/volunteering in latin america. if you're taking language into consideration for using it as a skill later in life, i'd say learning korea, japanese, or chinese in a 2 year period is pretty ambitious unless you have solid prior knowledge of the language. but then again, some people just seem to absorb languages and you might be one of them.

Peace Core & Latin America
i've known a lot of people who have done the peace core and everyone has said the experience was a rewarding one. any grievances i've heard were mostly about the lack of a strong support system. i think you can finding teaching in latin america on your own and you'd probably just earn enough money to get by. there's a bunch of opportunities volunteering with NGO's if you're trying to improve skills in another field. you may not get paid much but if you've saved up elsewhere it shouldn't be a problem since the cost of living is much cheaper. here's a personal pro and con for you...

pro - central america especially has really utilized the brilliance of hammocks. for some reason i really miss that.
con - one things that really got to me was the crime. you really have to stay on your guard. i got robbed 3 times there. it's a complete 180 from what i've experience in south korea.

all else aside i loved latin america and plan on returning there for another year or two before ever 'officially' settling down.

China or Jet Program
i can't comment on the JET program (but have heard good things) since i have little knowledge of either one.

hope the decision process goes well jennjenn and safe travels. suerte!

[jennjenn]

Thanks everybody.

I also have just applied to the NYC Teaching Fellows program. God only knows why.

Wes, I really like your website. And in the hopes of not sounding pretentious, I have to say do have an "ear for languages." But especially with formal study of Japanese or Chinese, I know I could do well.

[JZer]