Job Discussion Forums

[Aussie Chick]

Hi there,

I'm considering changing careers, and I am seriously considering teaching ESL as my new career option. I have been scouring the net about courses, teaching websites, countries I can work in (without a degree) etc.

I sometimes get the impression that this is a "young person's job". I saw one ad for a teacher on this site where they specified the age of applicants they would consider, 18-40.

I'm 37, so if the world of ESL is geared towards young graduates and backpackers, then I'm probably looking at the wrong career path.


So, my question is, do you consider ESL to be a long-term career option?

Does the experience you gain working overseas something you can use when you come back home, older and wiser in years?


Any comments will be appreciated.

[ls650]

Think of the food industry: would you consider making hamburgers at a McDonald's franchise a solid career? No, probably not. On the other hand, how about working as a gourmet chef at a fine restaurant?

It depends on you. If you want to have a long-term career in ESL/EFL, you have to get out of the entry-level franchise jobs and into the higher end teaching institutes.

[Glenski]

I agree with ls650. Living and working on entry level work for years is not the way to go.

If you don't have a degree, it is probably wise to get one. More countries ask for teachers to have them than not. Why limit yourself? Getting professional training should be an obvious given, too, but you'd be surprised how many scoff at that.

[Justin Trullinger]

Good answers, guys.

ESL certainly can be a long term career. But if you read through the numerous threads on this topic, you'll notice a theme: For it to be a long term, satisfying career, you need career level qualifications.

This probably means a degree. And teacher training. If you look at the seemingly "most satisfied" long termers on this board, you'll notice that many have post grad qualifications in EFL/ESL/TESOL.

It's like most areas- if you prepare, and try to move up, you often can. But if you do the minimum preparation, then stay at the bottom rung, what do you expect?

Best,
Justin

[spiral78]

I started at 37 with a BEd. and a 30-day TEFL certification course. Have since finished an MA TESL/TEFL. The work's great, and I am always able to find interesting (and decently lucrative) work. Wouldn't go back to the business scene for anything.

[tedkarma]

I started at 42 (in 1992) - but already had an M.Ed. and an MBA - it has been a GREAT career. I only recently got out of EFL (Nov. of last year) but only as I plan to semi-retire soon - though I might continue to teach part time.

Financially I have done well and I have lived in four countries (for two to six years each) and had extended vacations to another 16.

Personally, I can't think of a better way to have lived my life over the last 15 years.

You certainly wouldn't want to stay at entry level very long (for me it was only a few months) - get yourself a graduate degree and you will have the pick of the best jobs.

[denise]

Your second question confused me a bit. It really seemed like a "young person" question--wanting to transfer EFL teaching skills to a so-called "real" job back home. If you want to make EFL a career, you will likely be teaching back home, so the skills would definitely transfer!

As to the age question, I agree with the others. I took my TEFL course when I was 23. I'm 31 now and I decided several years ago to make this my career. I did what the others suggested, though: went back for more training. With basic training and qualifications, you can work in language institutes, but with more qualifications university jobs (and others, but I have gone the uni route) open up to you.

A lot of people who don't have degrees have very valid reasons for not having finished school and/or not wanting to. The truth is, though, whatever your reasons, you will be very limited in this field without one.

d

[naturegirl321]

I think that you always need to keep studying, get certs, dips, MAs, go to workshops and cenferences. That way you can move up into higher positions like trainer, DOS, etc.

[Aussie Chick]

[Justin Trullinger]

[spiral78]

Pension? Teaching abroad and then freelancing in your home country isn't going to contribute much to a pension....

Not to be discouraging, because I think you can find ways to make it work. But I also had to play catch-up with a degree, and it's tough going for the duration. Worth it, but expect to be working overtime to support yourself and get the education you'll need. And this can go on for years! Not easy, but highly rewarding.

[eslstudies]

As the OP is Aussie, there is an old age pension waiting at 65. This should cover stale bread and prune juice.

Aussie Chick: I agree with all the advice re: qualifications, but I can see your point. Try this plan. First, do a CELTA at home, or in Thailand. This will give you a base level qualification and some knowledge for teaching in parts of Asia. You could find work in China, for eg., though only in a limited number of locations.
Next, enrol in an Aussie uni course, external mode. I'm thinking a B.Ed with an ESL specialisation. This can be done part-time when you are working OS, and costs next to nothing. You don't have to repay until you're back home, earning good money. Arranging practicums could be tricky, and you might have to come home during your Asian vacations for these, although with a suitably qualified supervisor it may be possible to arrange O/S.
With this under your belt [it will take years, but there are no short-cuts: also, most teaching jobs in Chinese schools involve short hours, with housing and internet supplied] you can start to look at more lucrative work in places that require qualifications and experience.
When you're ready to come home, you'll most likely need a post grad TESOL, which can also be done online, to work in migrant ed or in an ELICOS setup.

Its my understanding that if you are resident in Australia at the time of enrolment, you'd also be eligible for an Austudy allowance, even when OS. You don't declare OS income on your Australian tax return, as you are paying foreign tax.
So, a timeline could be
-do a CELTA at home
-apply for mature age uni entry for 2008
-enrol in the best course for you
-line up a job in China/Thailand, maybe Vietnam [not sure what you'd need there] to start Feb
-study at least half time at no cost and you should get 0.5 Austudy

As an ESL teacher in Australia who has worked extensively in China, as well as doing distance Post Grad studies while there, I'm familiar with this situation. Please ask any questions you have.

[Aussie Chick]

Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone for your replies. You have all given me something to think about.


Eslstudies has pretty much nailed what I have been thinking of doing, except that instead of China/Thailand/VN, I have been looking at Russia as the place to start my training/working experience. Yes, I know Russia is a hard place to live - similiar to the above Asian countries - but one thing is that I have already been to Russia (as a tourist in 1993). Plus, I am more European-oriented, than Asian, if that makes sense? In other words, it would be a bigger culture shock for me to live in Asia, than to move to Russia, or some other Eastern European country. At least I can read a little bit of Russian, whereas I would be TOTALLY out of my depth in Asia.

I am looking at saving up during this year while I continue to work fulltime in my present job. Then enroll in a CELTA course towards the end of the year (November/December) and start looking for positions in 2008. While I am looking for ESL work, I can still temp in my current line of work until I go overseas.

It's not something I am about to jump into, so I am endeavouring to find out as much information as I can at this stage. Forums like this have been a goldmine of information.

[sheeba]

You can do what you want with this career . It's up to you .

I've been told by professionals , friends , family and strangers that I'd never be able to do what I'm doing . At interviews I 've been told I'd never be able to do what I'm doing and achieve what I have so far . I was even told at 26 by someone(a 'professional') that I was 'a bit old' to start TEFL as a career !!Funny that I'm doing it quite well now and am looking at getting on the TESL Masters in the next few months .If I had no self belief and worryingly enough if I listened to others I'd be stuck in a rut right now.

Do what you wanna do. Of course you can make a career out of this .

[eslstudies]