Job Discussion Forums

Mackthefinger · Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 7

Hello all,

I'm about to embark on a CELTA course and am really keen to get stuck into what I hope will be a rewarding profession.

I'm in my thirties, based in the UK, with no prior teaching experience. I want to earn enough to live on.

Of course there's not a definitive answer to this question, but I'm just
wondering where's the best place to start teaching? What were your first experiences starting out? Are there any countries you'd suggest?

Mackthefinger · Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 7

oops, probably should have posted this topic in the newbies forum.

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

Lots of people start in China. BUt each person is different, ask yourself what you want

To learn a language
meet people
save money
relax
travel

etc.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

johnslat · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject:

Dear Stephen,
Not necessarily - incredible as it may sound, I thought it was a "rewarding profession", and I suspect there might be a few others who share that belief (delusion?).
Regards,
John

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

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

MO39 · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject:

Whether or not a profession is rewarding depends greatly on what your expectations are.

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

To learn a language - When I first arrived in (Beijing) China the few foreign teachers spoke little Chinese.Today the foreign teachers seem to speak more Chinese in English class than the Chinese English teachers...and anyhow, learning English to live in an overseas Chinatown is wise?

meet people- I agree with this one
save money - ...to go back to school
relax - huh?
travel - Not if you want to save money;unless you mean to travel to the foreign destination and stay put.
Additions:
Global citizen/nomad - As you become estranged from your home country.
Reinvent yourself - Can tell tall tales of your global exploits.
Staying young - 63 years old and still clowning around in front of your kiddie class.
Mysterious - 7 countries and 25 years later and your new colleagues in X country have known you for all of 6 months.

parrothead · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 342 Location: Japan

To the op.
With the qualifications you will have, and being from the UK, you could probably land a job in the EU, Latin America or Asia.
Without experience, it's perhaps easiest to get a job in Asia, and the pay is generally good enough to live on. I reckon a lot of first time teachers get their start in places like Korea, Taiwan, China and Japan.
I started out at a language school in Japan, and I feel it was a good way to get my feet wet. The money was good enough to save a bit and travel the region. I also realized that I rather enjoyed the TEFL field.
You might want to base your decision on, in addition to money matters, a foreign language you would like to study, a cultural skill you would like to learn, or a region you have always been fascinated with.

Mackthefinger · Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 7

Thanks to all who took the time to respond.

I had originally intended to teach in Spain, but looking at job
adverts, it seems like a competitive market where experience is
preferred. For that reason, I'm considering the far east as a
destination.

As for reasons, probably similar to lots of people. In my current
employment, routine is biting hard, and I fancy a new challenge
in a new profession in a new country.