Job Discussion Forums

daffy duck · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

I am writing to ask for some advice on the location where I should choose to teach English as a second language. I have a BA and some instruction in my background, however have never taught a classroom. I have a certificate in TESL.

I am planning to start teaching in the spring of 2009 at which time I will be 53 years old.

I am looking for a place where I am certain that the teachers who are already there can help me with the adjustment to living there and to teaching.

I do know someone who is already teaching in China where I would get that support and be shown �the ropes�. I, however, have an affinity for South America. Maybe life there just seems simpler? I don�t know. What do you think? Should I go where I know people for the support and help or should I go where I would prefer to live? Does anyone have any suggestions for me? At this point in my life I want to make some choices that are prudent.

tedkarma · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:57 am Post subject:

Well . . . a one-year contract is only one year and you will be very surprised how fast it will pass.

My opinion, would be that it would be very worth going somewhere that you are confident will give you the support you would like. Once you feel that you can handle the situation comfortably - then move on to anywhere that strikes your interest.

Your first experience living and working overseas is pretty formative - so go somewhere where you think you have the highest probability of being successful.

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

I think that unless you end up at a completely awful school, the other teachers and staff will be willing and able to help you out no matter where you go. I've had help adjusting everywhere I've been. You shouldn't worry that just because you don't already have a friend in a particular country, you'll be left on your own to sort things out.

d

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

When I started at my school in Italy, nobody in the staff room even introduced themselves to me. I couldn't believe it! I literally had to interrupt conversations between other teachers to say, "Hi - my name is Sarah, I just started working here..." After about six weeks I walked into the staff room and found a new teacher just sitting there. I introduced myself to her, and she said she'd been there all morning and nobody else had acknowledged her! After that the two of us went out of our way to welcome new teachers. This created a bit of a divide between new and old... but I really didn't care about what people that rude thought of me. My advice for you would be to be prepared to go way out of your comfort zone and, as nicely as possible, FORCE people to welcome you! If you end up working at a school that doesn't already have that kind of positive culture, it will be up to you to change things for the better.

tedkarma · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:12 am Post subject:

I agree with Jetgirly . . . I've worked two, maybe even three places where people didn't even greet each other at the beginning of the day, would walk right by you without even making eye contact - as if you weren't even on the planet.

I've always forced the issue and cheerfully greeted the sourpusses every day - and eventually some of them do come around and start at least saying, "Good Morning" or even "Hi" - good for a start anyway.

Some schools will have heavily entrenched cliques and social circles that are not always welcoming to the newbie.

But, as Denise indicates, these schools are the exception (I hope!).

daffy duck · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks for your replies!

I am not afraid of change and have always taken risks, however I would really prefer to have a better sense of the setting where I am going to teach and most importantly, the people at the school BEFORE I land there. How do you know you can count on what the school administration tells you?

Any concrete ideas about how to investigate a school and its staff? I have thought of taking a vacation to check it out and with any luck, be interviewed for a position to return to. If that is too much $$ is there any other way to get to know a school and teachers beforehand with some degree of reliability? I am most grateful for any sage advice from you "oldbies" out there...

tedkarma · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:18 am Post subject:

Adahma · Joined: 09 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

This is all great information, been a good read for me.

mcsam · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Posts: 65

Hi
Depending on how much time off you can get...................A lot of language mills in China have summer school placements. They usually pay air fare and accommodation. It could be a good way to get your feet wet and decide if you like a particular place/country.

portmac · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Australia

I'm a total novice at this! Your discussion has been most valuable to me!

I am a registered teacher, and have taught in Australian schools and TAFE (as an English teacher) since 1980. I supposedly "retired" in 2000, but have

portmac · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Australia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Told you I am a novice.......sent the last bit accidentally!

So..........to continue......(blush)........since "retiring" I have taught casually. (Still love teaching and can't give it up yet!) I am 62.

Now I have these really itchy feet, and want to use teaching English as a means to travel. I taught in Vietnam for four weeks (October to November, 2007). I loved the experience, but will need to get paid work next time. I don't need megabucks, but the job will have to pay enough to cover my expenses.

Would the "summer schools" in China be a good idea for me? Will I need CELTA or something similar? (I am a registered teacher.)

Where else would you suggest? I am really open-minded!

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I've taught in China and Peru and am now in Korea, but will be going back home to Peru in five days! I like Asia, but I guess after so long in Peru, being back in Asia is cultural shocking.

The thing is China will get you a visa much easier than most places will in LA. And paid accommodations and a flight.

One year is only one year, but it can seem like eternity if you-re at a bad school.

portmac · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Australia

Naturegirl, what are the major differences in teaching in China or Korea? Which did you prefer?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

Korean cities are always close to mountains so if you like hiking is great but having your own car helps a lot.

Seoul in Korea and Shanghai in China are similar in that it is easy to find people who speak English easily.

Currently getting a visa for Korea is a headache.

Honesty in institutes is about the same and government jobs also in both countries. If anything government jobs in China are a little less honest than Korea.

Pay for an average job in Korea is much higher than China. China you can live well on your wages but in general not save much. Korea you can save if you want. Korea it is easy to buy a car on your wages and run it. You can forget about it in China.

China in small cities is much like Korea in that if and when you start to make a good name for yourself where you work you will find people at a street level become friendly towards you. Nothing you do is private you will find. You will be a local gossip topic and every one will watch you in the hope of getting something to talk about.

I like small cities that are out of the way but I would advise to start in a big city first and get the feel of things.

Both countries can be fun but both place you will find yourself having highs and lows.