Job Discussion Forums

peacenik · Joined: 25 Apr 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Bellingham, WA, USA

Hi there, 43-year old newbie here. I sure hope that everyone here will forgive my not taking more time to search and read through older threads here that likely could provide answers to my questions, but I did read for a while, couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, and I need to make a decision about something very soon and need your advice. (Sorry for how long this is.)

I'm currently taking Linguistics 401, the first in this year-long university TESOL program:

http://www.wce.wwu.edu/Resources/TESOL/Options.shtml

It's my first college course in 20 years and it's kicking my butt, but I'm passionate about traveling to Thailand in the Fall of 2009 to teach English, so it seems worth it...I think.

Truth is, after looking at all the requirements and the sheer number of credits (27 quarter credits), since I have to continue working my 40-hour/week job, I really don't think I can finish the program and be in Thailand teaching in the Fall of 2009.

So, here's my question:

If I only complete a portion of the TESOL program (and I'm VERY much sold on getting training before I teach), which will include, at a minimum, this Linguistics class, perhaps a separate grammar class, and a teaching methods class, will I be able to get as good a paying job as I would if I completed the whole TESOL certificate?

I should also mention that my wife and our son, who would be close to 12-years old by then, will be going with me. Originally, my plan was to have the TESOL certificate as a credential that will allow me to get a good job abroad, but which would also enable me to get a job teaching ESL when I get back to the U.S. The job market is tight where I live, so having this extra credential would make coming back to the states without a job a little less scary.

However, as I mentioned, I really don't think I can do this, particularly given the way the summer courses are structured, 2-3 days per week, each class is four hours, during my normal work hours.

The plan for my wife was for her to do one of those shorter TEFL programs when we get to Thailand, and for her to teach as well. And our son, well, we haven't figured that part out yet, so if anyone has any info on what school options might be available I'd be grateful for that info as well.

I'll shut up now and hope for the best from everyone. Thanks!

peacenik · Joined: 25 Apr 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Bellingham, WA, USA

48 views and no responses? Did I break a forum rule or something? I'm totally sorry if I did, but I do really hope such a large, active community might be able to offer some advice.

Please let me know if there is something I should have done differently.

Thanks.

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

I'm one of those non-responding viewers. No, you didn't do anything wrong. I certainly can't speak for the other 47, but the reason I didn't respond is, quite simply, that I had nothing to say. I have never taught in or even visited Thailand, am not married, and do not have children.

I would suggest that you make sure you have a plan for your son's education before you get on a plane. And in terms of future jobs, what sort of teaching do you want to do when you return? K-12? University? What you want to do in the future should help you determine what qualifications to get now. The ESL job market in the US is tight--at least for the sort of jobs (university IEP programs & community colleges) that I periodically look for.

d

johnsmither · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 43

I have only just read your post, and hope I can help with some of the questions you have asked.

First I am in China and not Thailand, I am here with my wife and teenage daughter. Our daughter is home schooled, all her books etc come from the USA, she also joins in some of the classes in the school giving her many instant friends here.

We considered Thailand over China, but were a little concerned with having our teenage daughter with us in that country, she is very safe here in China.

Before coming over we completed an online TEFL course, took us about a month to complete.

I would suggest having a job to come to is much easier than arriving and looking, especially as there are three of you to consider.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

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

The money is poor there as far as I know so I'd be thinking twice with a wife and kid.

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Distance

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peacenik · Joined: 25 Apr 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Bellingham, WA, USA

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

Can't talk for Thailand but here in China a house help babysitter cost about 600 to 700 RMB a month in most places. Wages for us in the main go from 4,000 to 6,000 RMB a month. A few earn up to 40,000 RMB a month but very few. There are plenty of jobs teaching English to small kids where your wife could have you kid in tow while working.

Many Thais in the countryside earn very little something like 1 to 2 US $ a day. There are jobs in the public schools in so places in Thailand.

jr1965 · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175

Hi Peacenik,

A few years back, I was in grad school pursuing my M.A. in linguistics and midway through, I took a few years off to teach in Asia. (Originally, I was granted a one-year leave of absence from the program, but when my 1 year turned into 4, I had to reapply to the university and be readmitted into the program.) My reason for stopping at the halfway point was that I wanted to get some full-time teaching experience and I was not able to do this while going to school full time and working 25 hours a week to support myself. I applied to schools in Europe and Asia and (long story short here), I went to work for a good school in Seoul, Korea where I made good money, got lots of experience, and made some work and personal contacts that I maintain to this day. I think you can easily do the same, though you're right to make sure you get as much training as possible before you move.

A word of caution, too: When I returned to the US to finish my grad degree after 4 years in Korea, let me tell you it wasn't easy being back in the classroom as a student, working to support myself, etc. (and I was in my late 20s then, single, no kids). If you spend time in Thailand (or somewhere else) and then try to return to your program, will this be easy for you to do? As other posters have mentioned, you could continue your studies online, though if you're looking to get certified as a K-12 teacher, I'm not sure this is an option.

As far as your situation goes, getting a job in Thailand will be the easy part, I think, though as others have said, pay isn't esp high there, particularly for those with only basic credentials/qualifications/experience. What will be far more challenging is 1) making sure that you have a good job and a decent place for you and your family to live and 2) that your son makes the transition well. You need to think very carefully about where he will go to school and what kind of social network he's going to have. My husband, daughter, and I moved to Madrid (where my husband is from) at the end of 2004. Our daughter was 8 years old at the time and made the transition fairly well because my husband had gone ahead to get the apartment set up and to locate a good school. We chose a school where she was able to continue her studies as least part of the time in English and where the student body was a mix of Spanish kids and children from other countries. This made her transition MUCH easier in part because she was able to use English some of the time and in part because the other kids accepted and welcomed her (she wasn't some "strange foreigner") and this made it easy for her to make friends. I would strongly urge you to do something similar if you can. Also, assuming that by the time you return to the US your son will still be in school (perhaps high school by then), you need to make sure that he continues his studies--particularly math/science and his writing skills in English--while you're living and working abroad. Otherwise, his transition back into the US school system could be another challenge for you and him.

BTW, have you talked much with your son about your intention to move to Thailand? How does he feel about it? Has he ever traveled outside the US before? After about the first month in Spain, my daughter turned to me one night and said, "Mom, I want to go home now." And she'd visited Spain and other countries several times before. I had to tell her, "We are home now." I suspect your son will experience similar feelings. Which is why anything you can do to make the transition easy�by having a good job, a decent place to live, a good school/social network for him�will be very important. Have you considered going over to Thailand first and getting things set up? Even if you secure a job from the States first, I'd still suggest going over, finding a place to live, searching out schools for your son, etc. Then your wife and son can join you. This really worked well for us.

I have other thoughts on this but will stop here. Feel free to ask Qs or to pm me.

jr1965 · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175

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

Well he could home study of an evening on Thai and assist a parent and practise Thai at the same time in Class. Down the track once he had a basic level of Thai he could attend other classes for the other subjects at a public school.

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

I think your main concern would be pay. Sure, lots of people do this while being married and having kids, but they usually
A. If they are married with kids, have a connection to the country, ie. their spouse, or get into the higher paying jobs with quals and experience.

B. Meet their spouse overseas.

It-ll be easy to get a job, and you could probably live Ok, provided that you live like a local. Also, consider flights home. For the three of you, I-m sure that would have about 3K USd, that-s probably two months salary.

Try looking at job adverts and seeing what the pay is like compared to the cost of living. try also posting on the Thailand forum and seeing what people have to say over there.

Try looking at school jobs and university jobs, they will probably pay better than institutes.

About the programme, do you already have a teaching cert? What-s your background?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

peacenik,
I realize you wrote something about your wife teaching, too, but at that time I didn't think she was dead serious. Hard to tell with what you wrote, and especially since you mentioned uncertainties about your son.

I can emphathize.

I think you've gotten all you can from the general Newbie forum and now need to hit the Thailand forum. Perhaps more people there can help you with relevant experience in Thailand.

I'd want to know whether a single person's salary can support 3 people, and what schooling options are open, what housing is available (different cultures, different lifestyles) and at what costs, whether employers pay for housing, etc. A colleague of mine used to live there on and off between 3-year stints here in Japan, but his wife was Thai, so they had no problem arranging things, and they both lived very spartan lives.

Lastly, if you were to homeschool (and you could afford to live with only one parent working), are you comfortable being a homeschool teacher? Not everyone can do that, nor are all materials available around the world.

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

It's hard if only one person works. I've done that. Juggling three jobs, long commutes and an MA at the same time. It takes a toil on you and your relationship. We live very simply and although it's ok at first, it's gets very tiring after a while.