Job Discussion Forums

[leeroy]

Initially, one might think that London is an excellent place for a student to come and learn English. Evidently lots of students do - there are 'language institutues' on every corner. On the surface at least, there are lots of reasons why students should come to London:

Firstly, of course, there is being in a native English speaking environment - this has to be better where you are surrounded by the language day in and day out than for a few hours a week in your own country.

London is multicultural, it is accepting of foreigners - no matter where you're from, the odds are there will be some of your fellow countrymen/women to help "ease the blow" of arriving in a foreign culture. There's a lot to see and do here, and a great deal to keep foreign visitors interested. There is an entire job market almost exclusively set aside for foreign students - and although it is typically low-paying, it offers the chance to interact with 'real people' in London.

There is a lot of opportunity for au pair work with British families - an excellent chance to experience British culture first hand and practice your English with a real native-speaking family.

The climate, no matter how much anyone complains, is never severe. British food is bland as hell - but that doesn't matter because there is cuisine available from all over the world at reasonable prices.

(The rest of) Europe is an easy hop away - flights are ridiculously cheap.

So why not come to London? So far, it sounds great...

But...

The vast, unregulated, chaotic world of language institutes is not a reputable one. No formal qualifications are required to be an English Teacher - although most will require a CELTA. English teachers' pay averages around �10 an hour - less than a manual labourer and far less than a bus driver. Those with qualifications and experience tend to head elsewhere, the profile of the average English Teacher in London is not that of a dedicated professional, rather it is someone doing it for a little bit before they get a "proper job". Currently, I am teaching 7 hours a day, from 9-1, then from 4-7. I don't get paid for holidays or sick days - meaning that the three weeks off for Xmas will mean a very poor December for me.

Now don't get me wrong - there are plenty of English Teachers who take their job seriously (and are good at it!). But the conditions for teachers have a knock on effect for students. Often, teachers simply don't care - and taking their conditions into account, it's sometimes understandable. They are not treated like professionals, and so feel less of a need to behave accordingly.

The vast array of dialects and accents in London make "communicating in English" outside the class a daunting task. Advanced students complain of not being able to understand a word Londoners say - to be honest, I'm not surprised. "Street English" in London is, in many ways, a different language to that presented in course books.

Not only is the language hard - but it is infamously difficult to make friends in Britain. Our culture does not readily allow spontaneous discussioon between strangers - most friendships are made at work, through mutual friends, or from school.

Students will typically live with those of their own nationality. Though it is easy to blame them for this, it's understandable. They work with other foreigners - and although they may be selling sandwiches to 'native speakers', this is hardly meaningful communication. It is not uncommon to have a student living in London whose only opportunity to speak English is in the class (and this is usually in groupwork with other foreigners).

London is oppressively expensive - apparently The Most Expensive City In The World. A big night out on the town could easily set you back US$150. I don't have that sort of money - my students sure as hell don't. With cigarettes costing US$7.50 - and a beer almost $5, students end up spending a lot of time at home.

I often hear complaints from students doing au pair work. British families, apparently, are not very welcoming. You are expected to do your thing, and they do theirs. It is not "being part of a family" at all - it is babysitting full-time.

It is a myth, in fact, that Londoners are tolerant of foreigners. It would be closer to the mark to say that we simply don't notice or consider them. You are nothing special if you are Mongolian/Brazilian/Tanzanian - no one will be interested to get to know you.

As fascinating as London can be - it's only really the centre that's of any interest. No-one can afford to live there, students usually live in crime-ridden hell holes on the outskirts (I've seen student housing first hand at 'parties' - it's not unusual to have 2 or 3 people sleeping in a room designed for one).

London's a great place - but not for students/teachers of English.

[Mark-O]

I agree ... so why stay?

[SueH]

London is certainly a place apart -even from the rest of the south-east.

What I don't understand is why people take the �10 on offer. Last year even newly qualified here on the South Coast (also expensive) I made �12 on a temporary pick up job although I was only initially offered �11.

Your point about the exposure to language is also true - and possibly worse than one might think - the kitchen and serving staff in this restaurant will all be Spanish, that cleaning gang will all be Kurdish and so forth.

Must be getting old (and poor!) but you can get away with a cheaper night out than that - but certainly London wouldn't be my first choice as far as expense is concerned. I just travel up to London to visit friends and the free museums. Always glad to leave though, and shower all the grime off when I get home.

[Capergirl]

The expense of living in or near London is certainly "food for thought". Big nights out on the town isn't my main concern, however. I'm still tempted to move to England for several reasons, not the least of which is the multicultural aspect (having grown up in a place that might as well be called Waspville). I actually found people to be quite amicable when I was there in April. Then again, I didn't understand everything that people were saying, so maybe they were being rude to me when I thought they were just being friendly.

At my current place of employment, I don't get paid holidays or sick days either. I only get paid for "teaching hours". Don't teach, don't get paid. My lesson planning, correcting, researching, etc. are all calculated into my teaching wage. December will not be a lucrative month for me either, Leeroy. In addition to this, I have an erratic schedule that changes weekly most times. That is probably my biggest gripe, though it could certainly be worse. So from what you have posted, I think I could handle teaching ESL in London...or maybe somewhere outside of London (preferably). Maybe someday.

[scot47]

When people ask me about going to learn English in Britain, I tell them to avoid London. Other options are on offer ! As for working there for a tenner an hour, words fail me...........................

[Lynn]

Sounds a lot like New York City. Many students have even said to me,"This is not America!"

[Mike_2003]

Many of my students here in Turkey ask me about learning English in London and I strongly discourage them, mainly for the reasons set out by the OP. Great place to visit, but not to live in.

I often recommend other southern cities. The language is more understandable, less likelihood of ending up in a group of people from your own country, friendlier au-pair positions, cheaper prices and less daunting than the big city. London is never too far away for regularly visits.

Most of those who have gone to the UK (outside London) to study have come back having had a great time and, most importantly, a better command of the language.

[leeroy]

Mike-o

I'm waiting for my DELTA certificate - next March I'm out of here!

[MacMahon]

I've often considered introducing students to those little sing along gems that allow one to access the true fruits of a culture by song, maybe you would all like to join in? "Ooo may b it's becuzime'a Londana, the'die luv Londan taan?" Or rather, maybe it's due to the posts above that I was forced to seek opportunity abroad... Everyone's a floating Island in my sweet old London anyway. As for Ss abroad, I always hear reports from them about how a month in London was a constant cash converter scenario when planning day trips, "Wait" we can't go there, thats equivalant to a Sheep and two Hens! That type of thing. Most def. the S.East is the normal option for Ss wishing to gain some fluency based on prices. The far north however, would be an option for Teachers looking to find reasonable living standards like Middlesbrough, Lancashire and so on. Sure, you could even teach the natives English?
Well, London, she can wait. I gotz to roam the earth a little more.

[voodoochild]

Im from London.

London is a sh#thole..

overrated, overpriced, overpopulated

[Mark-O]

Fair enough, Leeroy! Get in, get out. Keep your chin up in the meantime - it can only get better!

[Mark-O]

[Roger]

Sounds like it would be a great idea to send Chinese students to Nairobi or Gibraltar for total immersion in an English-speaking environment.
I can safely promise them they will find a more uniform English pronunciation, a thrilling (or more thrilling) social life, and no headaches about the bill to be settled after the big party!

But, as an afterthought, I am still craving a visit to London..
Last time I was there was in the last century!

[nomadder]

What are the best southern cities?

Last year I was in Europe and met various Non-British people who had worked or studied in England and they said that all of their friends were not British. It was hard to believe. Of the people I met travelling the British were the least apt to return emails. I don't even ask any more.

Still I did like London-got some decent weather during the spring(not so when I came back in the fall). I hadn't even wanted to fly in and out of there since I'd already lived and worked there once before but visiting was much nicer and I was glad I did. Guess I agree with everything said then. If I were to spend more time there I would pick some place smaller but within reach of London but then again that's my strategy for any place I plan to live. Also need some ocean access.

[MacMahon]

Hey, steady on! One step at a time! Learn how to crawl before you run![/quote]

Ok, as far as my last advice goes it wasn't entirely sincere. I retract any insinuation that our cousins up north are in need of English classes.