Job Discussion Forums

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

aye, scot47's hemorrhoids are just acting up again so he's in a tiff (as usual).

But surely a succession of jobs in the same field can equate to a career?

Bus driver? Naw, I would have gone for tour guide...or gardener...or brewmaster.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

scot47,

But surely, Saudi Arabia is a "groovy place," no?

f_c

johnslat · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2003 2:56 pm Post subject: On grooviness

Dear fat_chris,
Ah, grasshopper - to one who is truly in the groove, there is no place in the world that can't be "groovy". Grooviness lies within.
Regards,
John

Deborann · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2003 7:13 pm Post subject: More money - plus caveat

I disagree with the comments about more money becoming more important. Money is certainly VERY nice to have, but I think there also comes a stage where it loses importance and other stuff takes over again. I am leaving a very well paid senior position in gov't in Oz to teach in China - and will not be making anywhere near the money that Jen and others are able to.

I will add - in the interests of honesty - that I have the option of returning to this job in 12 months if I choose. However I would also be happy to take other options at the end of the contract. In my previous life I have also owned in partnership a substantial property portfolio, but for a variety of reasons literally gave these away, and have no desire to go back there.

It is more important to me now to fulfill some long-held dreams than to be making money. Without speaking for her, I also think that Rhonda Place would probably agree with me to a certain extent.

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

I think that teaching english can be a career. After all, people like Scot47 have been in it for years, so that must qualify as acareer. Maybe a lifetime persuit is a better word for it. I want to get my MA, as soon as I can afford it. Teach in a variety of countries. And remember to travel a bit and not work to death Smile

Maybe get a DELTA or become a Cambridge examiner. who knows what the future will bring though.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Plans ? In this world ? Remember that life is pain and then you die.

Irish · Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 371

Ahh, nothing like a little pep talk from scot47 to make one feel the warmth of the season. Keep rocking, guru!

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

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

Let's not fight, yet again. This is supposed to be about plans, let's just agree to disagree.

Belmont · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:13 am Post subject: career path

For those of you thinking about doing the MA TEFL: I'd seriously think about doing an MA in another area of language, like rhetoric and composition. I started in on the MA TEFL last year and realized I'd have to retake every single linguistics course I took to get the certificate (24 units) and then do a seminar and project. I did the cert more than 7 years ago so no credit given.

This really discouraged me; but I was also discouraged to realize that the TEFL MA wasn't going to get me any higher pay or job security than I have teaching adult ed. with my BA, credential and linguistics background. It's still mostly part-time at the community college and uni. level where you'd be pounding the floorboards in the ELC.

However, I do see jobs avertised at unis and junior colleges for composition teachers, English 101 teachers, etc. It's a growth industry given the fact that so many kids entering college can't read or write. Surprised

I've scrapped my idea for the MA. Now I'm going to explore career options in the adult ed field where I am now.

Traveling around the world and teaching EFL is fantastic for a while, but when you reach middle age reality slaps you in the face: "I can't afford to go home!"

Belmont · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:36 am Post subject: Re: career path

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

When it gets deeper a groove becomes a furrow and then a ditch.

So rethink the "groovy"-ness of EFL as a "career".

If you want to go back home, you would be better thinking of a way to escape from EFL-ing.

I hear that driving a bus can be very rewarding.

Belmont · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 3:44 am Post subject: grooves and ditches

Scot....bus drivers here in the SoCal area make around $58,000 p/a...and it goes up.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

That is it. In my next incarnation I will be a bus driver in California. TEFL ? Who needs it !

guty · Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 365 Location: on holiday

Be careful about MAs.
Contrary to one prvious posters experience, I have found that quite a few organisations DO mind the lack of observed teaching on an MA. The British council is one who do not credit an MA if there is less than 8 hours teaching practice on it. In one University department where I worked this situation was resolved by having my own classes observed by my co-teacher, who was not MA qualified, but had a Diploma, the glorious BC were pacified. But many institutions are aware of this and will take the easy way out and employ someone who has had observed lessons as a part of their course.
An MA does open many other doors however, but be warned, it is not a universal fix.