Job Discussion Forums

lucy k · Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 82 Location: istanbul, turkey

Clearly, my M.A. paid off as you all may have noticed by my brilliant statement "I started doing in this field....". Oops! Oh well, it's Friday!

MELEE · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2003 4:19 pm Post subject:

Ria · Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 34

I just voted, although I am not yet a teacher. Do I count? I'm 37, and my goal is to have at least 2 years teaching experience under my belt by the time I'm 40. Oh, and btw, I'm both a leftie and a Cancer. Will this help?
P.S. to Isabel --we share the same b-day!

kattie72 · Joined: 31 Oct 2003 Posts: 49

FGT wrote: 46. Libran. Left handed ( I suspect a higher than average number of left-handers pursue this career).[/quote]

Yep I'm a left-hander...would be an interesting new poll wouldn't it?.....

31 (yikes) got into teaching by chance after uni (aged 24), found that actually I was quite good at it, never left, no regrets![/quote]

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 2:01 pm Post subject:

I'm a lefty virgo, but I think I may have said this before, a few pages ago. .. this topic has been active for quite a while...

Deborann · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2003 4:32 am Post subject: Beautifully balanced Libran

50
Libra
Snake
Right handed
Whale totem

D.

princessofquitealot · Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Posts: 38 Location: Malaysia

I'm 56 - Capricorn - and teaching in Yemen.

Isabel and Desultude -- how did you get a job in Korea at your "mature" ages?

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Steve--

I did Toastmasters also, and the results were amazing. I suppose I'd still get nervous if I had to get up in front of a group of strangers and give a prepared speech, but now being the center of attention (yeah, yeah, I know we're supposed to have "learner-centered" classrooms, but still, the Ss do tend to stare at the teacher...) is no problem.

I use a lot of Toastmasters ideas & tips in my speaking classes now.

d

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

I got over my fear of speaking in front of strangers early on in life. I used to take singing lessons and from the age of 7 did recitals and sang regularly in church in front of big crowds. Talking in front of a class is a piece of cake compared to singing/playing music in front of them. I know my confidence in the classroom can be attributed to my music lessons.

Guest · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2003 12:59 pm Post subject:

Hi
I arrived here at 56 with no Degree, No teaching experience and no qualifications and even though I have to put in a lot of hours per week preparing for my classes, I now realise that age is not really a problem.

The women in China I think retire at 55, but nobody seems worried about my age - except me. I am now realising that I could teach for a few years, if my health holds out. As long as I think I am being effective and actually doing some good, I would like to continue.

Everyone has their own agenda for being here. Some come to China to learn Chinese, some come to see the Country and travel on weekends and during the breaks and I have come to work in the local Orphanage.

After 3 months in the Orphanage (which, by the way is CLOSED to visitors and I had a hell of a time getting in there initially) I cannot see how I can possibly leave and turn my back on those 60 children. God knows how long I will end up here!

Guest · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2003 1:00 pm Post subject:

Hi
I arrived here at 56 with no Degree, No teaching experience and no qualifications and even though I have to put in a lot of hours per week preparing for my classes, I now realise that age is not really a problem.

The women in China I think retire at 55, but nobody seems worried about my age - except me. I am now realising that I could teach for a few years, if my health holds out. As long as I think I am being effective and actually doing some good, I would like to continue.

Everyone has their own agenda for being here. Some come to China to learn Chinese, some come to see the Country and travel on weekends and during the breaks and I have come to work in the local Orphanage.

After 3 months in the Orphanage (which, by the way is CLOSED to visitors and I had a hell of a time getting in there initially) I cannot see how I can possibly leave and turn my back on those 60 children. God knows how long I will end up here!

cypher · Joined: 07 Nov 2003 Posts: 2

just 30

, lefty leo, absolute newbie, more than a newbie in fact...on my way to korea next week (fingers crossed, etc)

Midnightstar · Joined: 07 Nov 2003 Posts: 20

I was 35 when I started my ESL teaching "career" in Japan. I left the U.S on my "world tour" to escape the incredible professional oppression I was undergoing. At that time, I was going to travel around the world and teach English so I could feed myself. This was going to be a two-year stint. Well, five years later I am still teaching English , traveling, and exploring different hobbies with no end in sight. In the meantime, I have earned a TESL certificate.

The point of my rambling is not catharsis, but a point I am trying to make for new-comers. Even though the initial move overseas was a tough decision to make, I have never regretted it. You will discover things about yourself that you never dreamed possible (I know, this is beginning to sound corny, but its true). If your thinking about "taking the plunge", do it. If you have already done it, don't worry about the initial shock - these are just growing pains. THIS IS JUST MY "TAKE" ON THIS SITUATION.

Best Regards,
MS

foster · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 485 Location: Honkers, SARS

Like Capergirl, another Canuck, I turned 32 this past month. A Scorpio as well (Nov 7th), I taught for 6 years in Saskatchewan before moving to Japan to work for Nova for 2 years. Now, I am in Hong Kong as a NET and loving it.

32
red head/blue eyes
right handed
Scorpio
Year of the Pig