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desultude

Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Stephen Jones wrote: |
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1) Approached classroom teahcing as a faciliator of student learning, providing a wide range of learning actiivities in a warm, non-threatening environment
2) Dedicated to maximizing students� learning by means of outstanding teaching.
3) Created courses in EFL for vocational training.
4) Participated in committee work (CALL committee, testing committee).
5) Enhanced students' learning in intensive English immersion program. |
Lucky I'm not involved in hiring any more. I'd run away screaming from a resume like that. |
Except for points 3 and 4, the other points are not specific, and too hyperbolic.
Anyone can say that they are dedicated and excellent and enhance student's learning. Only specific examples of how you expertise allows you to do this, for example, CALL training, should be mentioned. Your reference letters, as well as any awards and any long-term jobs, should make the case for your teaching excellence. Just saying you are excellent is meaningless. |
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ecocks
Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject: Generally |
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| I would go with a chronological presentation unless your qualifications are overwhelming. The time-based sequence is logical and easy to see the progression mentioned earlier by another poster. Within the positions you can note normal functional responsibilities and related accomplishments. As for TEFL, I suspect it would be a rare hiring owner or DOS who would look at a resume and think, "wow sure wish they had outlined functionality rather than the chronological presentation here.." A one- or possibly two-page resume with supporting material (certs, diplomas, passport photo, etc.) is your optimum presentation. Also, as another person noted, your cover letter is where you can present functional competence and accomplishments in a more understandable format anyway. I doubt anyone in TEFL really needs a functional resume/CV for positions in this industry. |
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SueH
Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="Glenski"]
| Teacher in Rome wrote: |
| After all, the person got that far in the application screening process, so the reviewer(s) will know enough about the profile. |
Not necessarily.. I leave my CV on spec in various places (the latest at the local Chambre du Commerce). Having a brief profile on the front might help where all someone remembers if they are asked is that they have the CV of a 'madrelingua' somewhere on file. When they hoik it out they can see quickly what I might have to offer. |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="SueH"]
| Glenski wrote: |
| Teacher in Rome wrote: |
| After all, the person got that far in the application screening process, so the reviewer(s) will know enough about the profile. |
Not necessarily.. I leave my CV on spec in various places (the latest at the local Chambre du Commerce). Having a brief profile on the front might help where all someone remembers if they are asked is that they have the CV of a 'madrelingua' somewhere on file. When they hoik it out they can see quickly what I might have to offer. |
I suppose if one is going to shotgun resumes that way (or even by leaving them scattered around the Internet where anyone good or bad can see their private info), a profile would be necessary. However, if you want some employer whose ad you actually see and can customize your resume and cover letter to, I'd suggest my approach instead.
How would you like to be the BOE staff member who saw "I am an excellent teacher, etc.", copied the resume and sent it to the school, only to discover later that such an excellent teacher was not even available anymore and hadn't notified the BOE? |
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Teacher in Rome
Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:10 am Post subject: |
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[quote="Glenski"]
Teacher in Rome wrote:
After all, the person got that far in the application screening process, so the reviewer(s) will know enough about the profile.
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Actually, I didn't write that! |
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Imdramayu

Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 394 Location: South Korea
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Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:32 am Post subject: |
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| Well, it looks like I bombed all 11 job interviews at TESOL Arabia so I think I'm gonna slink home and go to sleep...for a very long time. I'll cover myself with my worthless CV (BTW, chronological) |
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SueH
Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy
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Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:32 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| However, if you want some employer whose ad you actually see and can customize your resume and cover letter to, I'd suggest my approach instead. |
Quite - I'd naturally do that for an ad that I saw. I'm not going for full time jobs, and the companies here who are after an English-speaking teacher to run a course do things by word-of-mouth/contacts and rarely advertise. I imagine that's quite common in a number of other parts of the world. |
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Teacher in Rome
Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286
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Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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| baedaebok wrote: |
| Well, it looks like I bombed all 11 job interviews at TESOL Arabia so I think I'm gonna slink home and go to sleep...for a very long time. I'll cover myself with my worthless CV (BTW, chronological) |
Sorry to hear you didn't do well. But isn't it true that employers in the Gulf can sit on applications for a while? Maybe it's too early to say...
There are some very knowledgeable posters on the Middle East forums - they might be able to give you some specific info on what employers are looking for.
Good luck, anyway. |
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naturegirl321

Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home
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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:49 am Post subject: |
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| baedaebok wrote: |
| Well, it looks like I bombed all 11 job interviews at TESOL Arabia so I think I'm gonna slink home and go to sleep...for a very long time. I'll cover myself with my worthless CV (BTW, chronological) |
arew you serious, or is this an April fool's joke? |
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Imdramayu

Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 394 Location: South Korea
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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 1:34 pm Post subject: Interview prep should pay off |
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Well, Teacher in Rome, I hope you are right. My CV looks good (MA, 10 years EFL instruction) but not with that special "edge" that sets me apart from the umpteen others with the same qualifications. I'm still looking for that "edge". What have others used for "edges"?
NatureGirl21, no joke. I think I just don't interview well unless I spend days on end (1) practicing and (2) getting familar with that particular school. At TESOL Arabia, I only had a few days to practice for 11 interviews. I think I blubbered too much. I usually record myself (using a MP3 player) and evaluate myself afterwards for my voice quality and how I answered Qs. The interview Qs themselves seem to revolve around a dozen or so. These are what I work on...fine-tuning them for my own teaching background/style. I role play (the job interview) with my colleagues, wife, daughter, or even strangers in the coffee shop. |
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naturegirl321

Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:21 am Post subject: |
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| WHat exactly is TESOL Arabia? Is it that hard to get into? |
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MO39

Joined: 28 Jan 2004 Posts: 1970 Location: El ombligo de la Rep�blica Mexicana
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:38 am Post subject: |
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| naturegirl321 wrote: |
| WHat exactly is TESOL Arabia? Is it that hard to get into? |
TESOL is the international professional organization for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Many countries and/or regions have their own affiliate group associated with the international one. For example, in Mexico it's called MEXTESOL. I imagine that TESOL Arabia is the organization for teachers in that part of the world, and, like TESOL and its regional varieties, holds an annual convention/job fair. |
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naturegirl321

Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:46 am Post subject: |
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| MO39 wrote: |
| naturegirl321 wrote: |
| WHat exactly is TESOL Arabia? Is it that hard to get into? |
TESOL is the international professional organization for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Many countries and/or regions have their own affiliate group associated with the international one. For example, in Mexico it's called MEXTESOL. I imagine that TESOL Arabia is the organization for teachers in that part of the world, and, like TESOL and its regional varieties, holds an annual convention/job fair. |
I get it, it's like APPI here in Peru. But they're not teachers, they just organise congresses, etc. And there's only about five here in peru, pres, vice pres, etc. And to boot, the positions are voluntary, here at least |
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Takahiwai
Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 93 Location: Libya
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:10 am Post subject: |
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| To go back to your original question re CVs, I spent many years sifting through hundreds of CVs a day when I worked for a large NGO, and I have to confess that the first thing I looked at was the list of free-time activities! |
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Stephen Jones
Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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| These are what I work on...fine-tuning them for my own teaching background/style. I role play (the job interview) with my colleagues, wife, daughter, or even strangers in the coffee shop. |
Jeez! I don't think I've ever practised for an interview in my life. |
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