Job Discussion Forums

[Aussie Chick]

This is a question for newbies and oldies alike, but I wasn't sure where to post it:


We all have our own expectations of what being a ESL teacher is going to be. Some of us may be coming from English major backgrounds, or teaching backgrounds, or maybe from some where totally unrelated.

Whatever the case, we all became ESL teachers with certain expectations. Maybe we did it to see the world. Or to expand our teaching experience. Or to write a book

So how have you found teaching ESL? Has it been a good or bad experience?

Were you naive in your expectations, or is it everything you expected it to be?

Curious minds want to know

[Glenski]

If you find anyone who says it was exactly what they thought it would be, I would be very surprised.

To answer your other question, it has been good and bad for me. Mostly good, so far.

[cgage]

I am an ESL teacher in the US - elementary school. I will be teaching a little in Mexico this Summer. For me, Esl is the best job in the world. Mexican and middle eastern students are polite and hardworking. I dont have much experience with Asians. I could no longer teach American kids. For the most part they're careless and undisciplined. Many public schools are just plain madhouses where its unsafe to park your car.
America has gone to hell (but that's another subject )
I have come up with some good ideas to teach writing and would be glad to share info.
PS In my travels, I have found that Australians are some of the most charming people in the world.

[JZer]

[Mike_2007]

It was pretty much as I expected it to be.

I expected to have some good students and some bad. I expected to make a decent living out of it and to be able to save and build a little. I expected it to be mostly satisfying but with occasional bouts of boredom or 'WTF am I doing?'.

All in all, that's how it has been...

[tedkarma]

I'm with JZer - I had few expectations. My intent was to let it be whatever it was and to explore the new possibilities.

Certainly my path has changed direction several times even while in TEFL - as it is about to do again.

[nickpellatt]

I dont really recall my expectations as I earned my position through a volunteer program in another local school. My expectation as a volunteer was probably different to the expectation of a new teacher signing a one year contract. as a volunteer I knew it was only short term.

But my feeling echo some other posts. Its just the best job ever!

Having worked in many other unrelated fields from the civil service to factory work. From new car sales to working in a health club, this beats every single thing Ive done hands down.

Its the easiest job Ive ever done.
I have more free time than ever before.
I find it more rewarding than any other job.
I work under less pressure than before.
I have a high standard of living due to the low costs of just about everything.
I have more respect both at work, and in the community in which I live.
Its fun!

Of course, some classes are not as good as others. Sometimes lesson plans fail, sometimes life is frustrating.

But I still recall, clearly, the 10 hour day with a regional manager berating you....whilst you earn just enough to keep your head afloat and enjoy a good meal out once a week.

This week will be a 10 hour working week! Ill eat out twice a day...and no one chases me for figures/results etc.

Being responsible, in even a small way, for the dreams of some of my kids is a far greater motivating factor for me...than the commisions etc I used to earn in the UK.

[tedkarma]

Beautifully said!

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

^ ditto nickpellatt and tedkarma. I love my life.

[denise]

It is what I expected because what I expected was variety--students, job requirements, housing, salary, social life, etc. depend on location.

I love teaching and I have not once regretted my decision to get into this field.

d

[tedkarma]

[JZer]

[Serious_Fun]