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Ernie Cuba
Joined: 09 Jan 2008
Posts: 24
Location: Amsterdam
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 Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:19 pm Post subject: Why be an ESL teacher? |
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I know this may evoke some passionate responses but why do some teachers pursue ESL to MA level and not pursue a career as a normal English teacher, ie; PGCE-trained etc?
I'm currently studying for a B.ed. after years of EFL teaching in institutions which have treated me badly, been badly managed and under-paid.
I know that when I complete my course and especially if I get myself a PGCE I will often be making twice as much as the highest paid EFL instructor in the country of my choice.
Any thoughts? What are the benifits of English language instruction over English teaching?
Thanks. EC |
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Justin Trullinger
Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3110
Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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You knew you'd get some passionate responses, but I'll try to be measured and logical. I'm an EFL teacher who likes it a lot, though, and honestly wouldn't consider a "regular" school position unless they offer a whole lot more than they seem to! The fact that I simply like it better has to figure in there somewhere. We spend so much of our time working in this day and age...having a job you enjoy is a blessing that shouldn't go unremarked.
Also:
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| years of EFL teaching in institutions which have treated me badly, been badly managed and under-paid. |
This explains your view clearly, but experiences vary. I've taught EFL in some badly managed institutes that treated me badly, but have also been fortunate to teach EFL in some great places; places that were truly interested in the contributions that language education can make to the community, and places that were willing to support me and invest in my development as a teacher. And I've rarely been simultaneously badly treated, badly managed, and underpaid. (Never for long.)
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I know that when I complete my course and especially if I get myself a PGCE I will often be making twice as much as the highest paid EFL instructor in the country of my choice.
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You don't specify your country of choice, and I've probably never been there, so I can't really comment; again, though, it's worth mentioning that this isn't universal. In my (current) country of choice, it's possible to do very well as an EFL teacher. Were I PGCE qualified, there are many jobs here that would still pay less than I'm now earning in EFL. Admittedly, there are also a few that would pay more, and a couple that pay a LOT more. All these are in Quito's most exclusive, prestigious, and frankly filthy-rich private high schools. Simply put, I haven't got the stomach for it. I'm not criticizing others, but I'm not willing to become one more advantage that Latin America's super-rich offer their children. I'm also not prepared to put up with the spoiled sense of entitlement that is rampant in these schools. (This is too-often an apt description of students and their parents.)
Also, travel is one of the BIG things that attracted me to this gig in the first place. As an EFL teacher, hopefully soon to be masters qualified, I'm eligible for a lot of short term teacher training projects that rarely open up to "normal" high school or elementary school teachers. I've seen the heck out of Ecuador, often travelling for a few days or weeks to other cities to train teachers, or evaluate English teaching programs. If I were a PGCE classroom teacher, I'd see the inside of my classroom, day in and day out, and little else except at vacations. (Admittedly, vacations are a big advantage of going the route that you are- You're sure to get more vacation than I do.)
And finally, there is the issue of career progression. There are a heck of a lot MORE "normal" teachers than EFL teachers. And a much higher percentage of the normals have post grad qualifications, to MA level and beyond. So these teachers often stay in the same jobs for years and years, competing for the same few better spots.
EFL, though, is largely populated by cowboys and gapyears, those with no intention of sticking around. Which means that those of us who really choose to make a career of it get all the breaks, and sooner. With the right qualifications and experience, at least in my current country of choice, the sky's the limit, and the competition is pretty limited.
Best regards,
justin |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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My answer is simple: I like my job.
d |
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SueH
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Posts: 1022
Location: Northern Italy
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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Since you mentioned PGCE I'll give a little UK perspective - although for me teaching is a second 'career' after 25 years in industry.
I've taught ESOL in the UK to adults as well as a foreign language to English teenagers. The behaviour of the respective groups made a big difference to the pleasure derived from teaching, and I leave you to determine which group were the pain in the **** with no wish to learn. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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| I have a permanent, well-paid contract with benefits in a university thanks to my MA. Entirely worth it. |
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kaw
Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 302
Location: somewhere hot and sunny
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I've been teaching EFL for 9 years now and have had some bad experiences as we all have but on the whole have enjoyed it. Why don't I do a PGCE??? because I don't want to work in the UK and would hate to spend my days teaching kids, can just about manage a couple of hours. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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I was against international schools, but came to realise that yes, you put up with kids who can be little pains, but three months of paid vacation, 15 salaries a year is great. Espeically if you want to make a career of EFL and have to bring in the money in your family. If I taught at an institute or uni, I'd make about a third of what I make now, and not have vacations.
Luckily, my school often sends people abroad to study as well, completely paid for. THey give time off, up to a year to do courses as well. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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"normal" English teacher? Without being too passionate, I suggest you choose your words a little more carefully. I'm as normal as the next person.
Why EFL?
Living abroad is different than living in my home country, and I like it that way. It shows me more of the world, gives me a chance to meet more worldly people, and affords me a better chance to learn a foreign language.
Salary. I'll repeat Justin's question: where did you want to teach that makes so much less than you do now? Where I work, the salary is pretty fair, and with only a mildly frugal lifestyle, one can save pretty much. Just how much are you making/saving? (Oh, and in my situation, being American gives me the tax exemption on anything I make overseas up to US$87,500.
Other thoughts related or unrelated to my own situation:
teaching in Japan doesn't require a teaching-related degree, so it's easy to get started.
getting private students to supplement one's income is not all that hard to do (keeping them can be, though!).
living abroad gives one a perspective on life that you can't get at home. Perspective on what it really takes to live, as well as perspective on the world news around us. |
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Ernie Cuba
Joined: 09 Jan 2008
Posts: 24
Location: Amsterdam
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:51 am Post subject: |
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| kaw wrote: |
| I've been teaching EFL for 9 years now and have had some bad experiences as we all have but on the whole have enjoyed it. Why don't I do a PGCE??? because I don't want to work in the UK and would hate to spend my days teaching kids, can just about manage a couple of hours. |
Who says I want to teach in the UK? That would be a nightmare!
I haven't yet chosen my country. Generally, they all seem to pay more. I'm looking at C.A. or somewhere in South Pacific. With my research, I've found that there is always a school that the diplomats send their kids to and the school often pays a UK salary which makes for a very comfortable lifestyle.
For example, I saw a job recently on TES in Kaduna, Nigeria that offers a house with all utilities paid, a car and driver, 1500 GBP a month plus 400 GBP in local money. 25 hour working week with seven weeks paid summer holiday a year.
You are very right though, Justin. It would bother me to be helping these corrupt oligarchs educate their spoilt little kids... but, if I were to go there and take the place of another teacher and use some of that huge salary to send some kids to school... then how would it all look then? |
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guty
Joined: 10 Apr 2003
Posts: 365
Location: on holiday
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Yes, and for that job in Nigeria, just send them �500 to begin the visa processing and arrange the flights. |
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Justin Trullinger
Joined: 28 Jan 2005
Posts: 3110
Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
"normal" English teacher? Without being too passionate, I suggest you choose your words a little more carefully. I'm as normal as the next person.
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I can see why that rubbed you the wrong way, Glenski, but I guess I'm getting used to my lack of normality. I could say I was as normal as the next guy, but my girlfriend, who lurks on this forum sometimes, might feel obliged to post and correct me.
Another reason that occurs to me re reasons for choosing EFL is the variety...
If you do the PGCE, mainstream education is where you're likely to get the most for it.
In the last year, I've taught English for aviation, English for cultural exchange programs, academic English for overseas postgraduate work, and have trained a lot of English teachers, both native and local Ecuadorians. Also designed courses for English for aviation, supported course design for English for jungle guides, and am working up some literacy program ideas... I find all this immensely interesting. I find it unlikely that very many regular school (or international school) positions would offer me this kind of range of activities.
| Quote: |
| You are very right though, Justin. It would bother me to be helping these corrupt oligarchs educate their spoilt little kids... but, if I were to go there and take the place of another teacher and use some of that huge salary to send some kids to school... then how would it all look then? |
A bit like collusion, from my point of view.  If you're spending 50 hours a week on a teaching job (and most first year international school teachers will spend at least that) then putting, say, 50% of the money you earn into education for the disadvantaged, you're still serving the oligarchs at least as much as the disadvantaged.
I've never spent time in Africa or the South Pacific, so don't know much about the specific areas you're aiming at- In Ecuador, the differences you're talking about are much less stark. The few highest level international schools may pay more than EFL, but there are plenty of nice living options within EFL.
International schools pay a heck of a lot more than entry level EFL; they aren't entry level positions. (Requiring, as they do, postgrad quals and experience.) If you compare like with like, though, the kind of EFL that requires postgrad and experience, I'm not sure that, lifestyle-wise, EFL teachers don't, in many cases, come out ahead.
But so what if, too frequently, we don't earn more? You say that serving the corrupt oligarchs could bug you; I understand this. You don't have to do it. I'd rather economize on an appliance or two, and live in a smaller house, than spend my time doing something I don't agree with.
Maybe the part of this question which is pending is an important one, though- How do you feel about teaching kids (or teens)? I enjoy it, but admit that doing it all the time isn't for me. If you'd REALLY like to spend your days in an elementary schools, or high schools, more power to you. I respect that a lot! It isn't for me, but somebody's gotta do it, and if you want to, and to do it well, terrific. This is the question that makes sense out of the PGCE ("normal") teaching versus EFL teaching debate. Because where the lifestyles argument is concerned, the debate will never end. There are plenty of good lifestyle situations for EFL teachers and for PGCE teachers- equally, there are plenty of crap positions available for both! But if you know what you want to do, then for you, the debate evaporates.
Best regards,
Justin |
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fat_chris
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 3198
Location: Beijing
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| Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:52 am Post subject: |
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| guty wrote: |
| Yes, and for that job in Nigeria, just send them �500 to begin the visa processing and arrange the flights. |
Hey! You got that email too? Let me guess, it was from a woman whose wealthy husband died and she wants to give you, yes YOU! a hefty portion of his savings. If you would only send your bank account information and...
Heh heh heh. Good ole Nigeria. Even the other Africans in West Africa dis Nigeria.
Regards,
fat_chris |
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renzobenzo1
Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Posts: 85
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| Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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Nigeria offerings 
I like the buzz living and working in a foreign country even though I am out of sync from 'my normal life'.
One day I will get too tired of travelling but for now the mundane and tedious offerings life back home provided are the last things I want right now. So I keep on keeping on. |
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fat_chris
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Posts: 3198
Location: Beijing
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| Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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| renzobenzo1 wrote: |
I like the buzz living and working in a foreign country even though I am out of sync from 'my normal life'.
One day I will get too tired of travelling but for now the mundane and tedious offerings life back home provided are the last things I want right now. So I keep on keeping on. |
I wholeheartedly agree with this. RB1, you hit the nail on the head. ESL affords me the opportunity to maintain this lifestyle...for now.
Regards,
fat_chris |
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arioch36
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 3589
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| Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject: |
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Nature Girl
| Quote: |
| If I taught at an institute or uni, I'd make about a third of what I make now, and not have vacations |
huh? don't uni's have the best vacations? My current school I actually teach 28 weeks a year (for some reason 15 weeks instead of the usual 18 weeks, with at least one week off because of national holidays)
Two-four hour mornings, and one six hour day. four days off a week. As much extra work as I care or don't care for.
Are unis different elsewhere? |
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