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Deicide

Let's be honest folks, if we TEFLers actually had a real choice, that is if we could choose any career at a whim, would we really choose to be EFLers? I doubt it. I have every now and then encountered people who claim to love it and make a 'career' out of it but I am at a loss as to why. Between bored, disinterested German business adults to bored, disinterested Korean brats I cannot say that it has been a pleasant ride. Why did I get involved in EFL? Well in 2001, after an egregious year in France I decided to do my CELTA at the Paris centre with the idea in mind that I could see the world and learn languages (my real passion, though strangely enough with Korean it never clicked). Ah, the dreams of youth. I realise just how naive, romanticised a notion that was. After about 6 years of off and on working as a TEFLer I realise the necessity of getting out before it claims my 'soul'. The repetition (how many times can it be fun to explain the difference between present perfects and simple pasts or any other grammar point for that matter) is soul crushing, the intellectual stimulation is NULL (I remember teaching Siemen's executives something about...yeah, it was THAT boring) and the hopes for advancement (well what the hell is advancement in EFL) are minimal. I have no problem with education, in fact I would like to teach...albeit something interesting. I know a host of people who have felt the same way and DID get out before it claimed them (good for them) and I will try to do the same or die trying. Let's face it; EFL is a dead end. Sure, there are some people who have made it their lives and are content but by and large do any of us current TEFLers really want to be doing this till we drop dead? I would assert with NEAR certainty NO. Not getting out on time can have disasterous consequences and Korea seems to be one of the worst stews to be plopped into as a TEFLer.

A Non-TEFL anglophone had once stated, some what prophetically that 'we' will not be English teachers in Korea. Let us hope that he was right. Still more prophetic I would hope, is the statement that we will not be English teachers period. May the gods lead us from the path of EFL to a truly rewarding, interesting, stimulating and profitable career, and if they don't to quote Conan, then the hell with them, we'll just have to do it by ourselves.

This thread is dedicated to a TEFLer I knew once back in the days who made me realise the truth. I don't know if he made it out but I hope he did, he was a good guy and deserved better, peace be with him...

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

'Kay. Bye.

Deicide · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:13 am Post subject:

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Where do you get the idea from that jobs should be intellectually stimulating?

Most work is routine. And there is plenty of intellectual stimulation to be had in TEFL. I'm sure your Siemens executives could have told you loads of interesting things if you gave them the chance. And trying to work out why English uses certain constructions and not others might be frustrating, but its not boring.

There are plenty of things wrong with teaching as a career, and plenty of reasons to want to get out of it, but be careful not to over-romanticize the alternative.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Deicide · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:39 am Post subject:

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

Deicide · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:50 am Post subject:

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

saint57 · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:40 am Post subject:

It took me about six month to come to the same conclusion as you. I suggest getting a B.Ed which will open up more options for you. I really like my job after being here for 10 months. My school will actually pay for me to get an M.Phil at Monash, but my schedule won't allow it. I'll persure an M.Ed through a Canadian school if I decide to stay here a few more years.

I was only in Ulsan for one weekend, but I was depressed about Korea for weeks after. I think that town is messing with your mind. Seriously, Ulsan is reject central.

billybuzz · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 219 Location: turkey

I think most of us go through a time of disillusionment and question the value of what we have done ,are doing and hope to do in the future .You are going through that phase and it may have to run its course for a longer span than you would prefer .You have to review and re-evaluate and make choices accordingly ,some of these may be painful others could be to your mutal benefit .I feel most of us end up at this time and place becaus we are searching for something worthwhile .Teaching to the bored and disinterested is a chore but for me just one willing student can make the whole thing seem worth the effort ,even on the bad days I remember those that I have touched or reached in some small way and even changed their lives . That will stay with me forever . I don't feel my time in this profession ,industry or whatever you want to call it has been mispent,I don't believe in your heart and soul you feel differently ,you just have'nt come to terms with it yet .
What ever you choose to do outside I think you will not easily forget you time teaching ,unless you really want to .

Deicide · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 11:40 am Post subject:

Deicide · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 11:55 am Post subject:

merlin · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:01 pm Post subject:

Don't let the dor hit ya ...

I'm always a bit suprised that year after year people make these announcement to the TEFL world as if it's a rare event for people to decide one career isn't for them and that they should try another.

Yeah, I might or might not get into another field, but I suppose I'm emotionally balanced enough to realize that decision has more to do with me and my personal goals than anything else.

Can you imagine a forum for bus drivers where every few months some enlightened soul smarter than the rest of us reveals bus driving in fact isn't the path to economic and spirutual freedom?