Job Discussion Forums

[MamaOaxaca]

Some great answers, like I said, there are probably as many answers as there are TEFLers.

Like many I got into this to see the world, and didn't think it would become a career at the time. I stumbled into a job I don't want to quit, and I've held the same job for 9 years (my anniversary is Feb. 22nd). I feel like I've had success because my job pays me enough to support a family, I have job security and a retirement plan. I find my work rewarding and challenging and my job gives me lots of opportunities to continue learning and to share what I've learned with others in the field.

When I hear someone say, "I've taught for six years in five different countries." It's my first instict to think, "Why hasn't that person found a job worth staying at?" But I need to step back and remember that we all have different goals, and if his or her goal is to experience the world, then they are certainly doing that. There are many who would knock our field and say it is not a career. But there are many many different TEFL paths, that allow us to meet our many different goals.

[tedkarma]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

OTOH, I know a lot of people who have come to Japan and just never left. Are we missing out on other cultures? Sure, but we also probably know Japanese culture better than those who are her for a couple of years and then move on. I personally don't think it's really possible to really feel at home anyplace where you don't really speak very much of the language. As English teachers, we learn/ are trained to understand that language is the culture of the people. Therefore losing a language is losing a culture (there's an article in the Toronto Star about he loss of Aboriginal languages in Canada right now, btw). And so it also follows that very little knowledge of the local language means that there is going to be a big barrier between the English language teacher and the culture in any more than a touristy sort of a way.

[tedkarma]

[spiral78]

I agree with Ted that speaking the local language doesn't impact one's ability to teach.
But I think the previous poster is addressing the issue of living longer-term in a country where one doesn't speak/understand the local language well.
No, I don't use my second or third languages in the classroom (well, nearly never - it can save a lot of time, on rare occasions, so long as it doesn't become a crutch for teacher or students).

But I entirely agree that living somewhere without making an effort to learn the local language seriously limits the experience. Not to mention that language teachers should have some experience of language learning!

[dmb]

I've been doing this for almost 15 years and I can honestly say that I have never done a hard day's work.... is that because I am a lazy git or because I like teaching and don't see it as work? A bit of both. That's pretty successful.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

HEY! I've worked for six years in five countries!?
Each job has had its pros/cons. Mostly I haven't found where I'd like to "hang my hat".

For me, success is waking up in the morning and not dreading going to work. When I had a white-collar job in the States every morning was like this. Now I would say I look forward to going to work 85% of the time, which is a pretty good clip.

I get to see other countries and learn about other cultures and getting paid while doing it.

I don't work too hard, either.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[The_Prodiigy]

[Sheikh Inal Ovar]

What is TEFL success?

Making it to (early) retirement in shape enough to be able to enjoy it ...

[dmb]

[The_Prodiigy]

why not ?

[dmb]

you get shot.... with a gun..... and usually results in death.

[Guy Courchesne]

[thrifty]

TEFL success is thinking that your pathetic salary and few benefits coupled with derision by non-TEFLers is OK because you are doing something different. NON_TEFLers of course are losers because they do 9-5 jobs, have careers, own homes and have holidays. They of course do not have new food experiences and cannot watch major sporting events.