Job Discussion Forums

prigorka · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 2

I apologize if this has been discussed before, but I did a search and I came up with nothing. Can anyone comment on the state of teaching esl in Calgary? What are job prospects like?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

If you're happy making peanuts at a chain school, come on out.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Sorry, I realize that I sound completely negative.
The rest of the story is that there are jobs to be had, but positions that pay more than subsistence require significant qualifications and experience (related MA + years abroad). I am lucky, have both...but
I started out here at a chain school, and must say that pay is appalling.

VanKen · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 139 Location: Calgary, AB Canada

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Good point. I shouldn't be picking on Calgary.

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

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I'm in the international department of a university. Uni jobs are sometimes available, but it takes serious qualifications (related MA + overseas experience, usually). The openings are pretty rare. Quite honestly, besides having the quals, I got lucky. A few others do, too.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

^ Do you work for the LEAP program at U of C?

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

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Sorry, guys. I'm with SAIT, the technical uni, working away with professionals in the oil industry. Feels a bit unclean sometimes, as I have moral objections to big business and personal cars, but there it is. Not being Canadian, much less Calgarian, my connections outside my immediate working context are few, and I don't know anything much about U of Cal or their programs.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

I think calling SAIT a university is stretching it.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
It's an offical, government-recognized university.
Just like Virginia Tech and other U.S. technical universities.

It's not John Doe's college of whatever.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Although, to be fair, I wouldn't personally want a degree from SAIT - wouldn't fit into my career at all....but they are turning out people with degrees in relatively lucrative stuff like computer sciences, along with the auto mechanics division.

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

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

But doesn't Virginia Tech offer a wide variety of four-year undergraduate degree programs? SAIT offers what... a handful? And you don't even do your entire degree at SAIT (from what I understand). The other programs are all diploma and certificate courses.