Job Discussion Forums

[Dolma]

Hi all,

I have been working as an academic librarian for the last 10 years and am looking for a career change. I am 40 years old and female. I taught English briefly in Italy, mostly private institutes as well as some translation work since I speak Italian fiarly fluently. I also have some volunteer teaching experience in Nepal and the U.S. I have a BA in Art/German, an MA in Art History and an MLIS. I teach library and information literacy skills as part of my current job and that is the only part of it I can say I truly enjoy. Frankly the only reason I didn't become a teacher in the first place is the horrible teaching conditions in U.S. public schools, especially the less desirable locations where newbies are placed.

I am debating what route to take as far as training is concerned. Earlier I considered taking a CELTA course in Thailand but I am wondering if that will serve me for the long haul, since I am looking for a true career change and not just an alternative to the Peace Corps for recent college grads before entering their 'real' career. Do I really need the MATESOL? There is an online MATESOL program offered through the New School in NYC - would this be worthwhile? The problem is it is horribly expensive($30K - 30 credits at $1K each) which means I would need to do it part time and take out loans. My take home pay now is only $25K per year!! If I go that route I would most likely not be able to actually leave the US and start teaching for 3-5 years or more - it would take 2-3 yrs part time to get the degree and then I would need to teach in the US for 1-2 yrs to pay off my loans. I really want to leave the US and don't want to take on such a financial obligation unless I absolutely have to. If I save money for a year, go to Thailand and get the CELTA will I have an opportunity in the future to get the MATESOL overseas?

My dream country is Nepal but obviously paid teaching positions are hard to come by and the political situation is unstable. I read one poster say the market there might be opening up(tourism is increasing) so maybe in 2-3 years I could hope to teach there. Korea and Japan do not really appeal to me(sorry ) - Taiwan or China would be better I think. The ME is also a possiblity. I could see alternating stints in high-paying countries with volunteer/low-pay positions in Nepal, one year here, one year there.

Thanks for any advice!!

[Glenski]

International schools let you teach any subject, not just English, and they pay better (in Japan anyway) than most other teaching jobs. You need a teaching license from your home country, plus a couple of years of experience there.

Otherwise, what sort of teaching career in EFL are you considering? Universities? Secondary ed? Elem ed? Sometimes the requirements are vastly different.

Just breaking in (in Japan anyway) usually means taking some low level work like conversation schools, but if you are serious about making money, you'll find ways to take on side work tutoring. Work here a year and you can self-sponsor your visa, which means you take on as many PT jobs as you can handle to make money. Many people claim this is where the real money is.

[Anda]

Here is a good course by distance from Australia at about a third the cost of what you are talking and can be done in one year and will give yo the same results in getting a job.


http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/edu/MAPL.html

[naturegirl321]

try working at an IB school www.ibo.org