Job Discussion Forums

[vallillo1983]

Hello, I recently read an article stating that more and more graduates are not opting for a career in ELT these days and the number of EFL teachers is slowing decreasing as graduates look for more secure careers in their native homes. So, what do you think? Do you think that where you are there has been a decrease in 'newbie' teachers?

[chacma]

I hope it is true. Less competition would make it easier to get a job and it might also help with the salaries being offered. Do you have a link to this article?

[Gordon]

I'd say it is bunk. China and Korea are only growing.

[Glenski]

Would you be able to cite a source for that article, so the rest of us could read it?

Here in Japan, dispatch agencies are growing, so while some conversation schools are floundering or folding ("some", mind you), there is still a market for the relative newbie with little to no skills/background in teaching. And, those dispatch agencies have penetrated the university market as well (scary situation!). DAs may have convinced some BOEs to slash JET Programme ALTs, but I would have to look into recent stats to know whether the trend in JET ALTs is to be decreasing or not.

[sigmoid]

In my opinion it is true. If you post your CV/resume on any job board on the internet you will get dozens of messages per day for months from China, Korea and Taiwan. Try it. Most of the ads aren't particularly attractive.

Schools in Thailand are hurting and friends in Ho Chi Minh City tell me it's the same there. Japan is probably the exception.

There is probably not a great decrease in new teachers, but an overall increase in jobs. Schools and the governments of their respective countries don't seem to realise that they're are competing for teachers from a limited pool. Some schools in Taiwan, Japan, the mid-East and Vietnam recruit in Thailand on a regular basis. It's pretty easy for us to move if we are not satisfied with job conditions or visa/work regulations.

[chacma]