Job Discussion Forums

[william wallace]

In around 1999-2000 I made a few posts hypothesizing the coming end of ESL, or EFL.A few respondents didn't care -Those that come and go into ESL quicker than a shooting star. A few dismissed it as preposterous,but I suspect they lacked any vision beyond the here and now.

Source: "Internet Archives" Dave's ESL 2000 CE

Taiwan :American Eagle School
"...Working hours 8:00 am to 6:00 p.m daily, Mon-Fri; overtime potential. Monthly salary range NT $55,000-$60,000 (approximately US $1730 - $1890"

Saudi Arabia: Roevin Technical People Ltd
"...Package comprised of salary paid in US dollars ($34k), paid accomadations (shared with private bedroom and bathroom). 21 days vacation the first year, plus 10 stat. holidays.
Flight-in paid for. Travel pay of roughly $3000US, twice annually and flight-out paid for at completion of one year contract"

Vietnam:New Star ELT Center
"...Salary: $2000+ USD monthly salary (negotiable depending on experience and qualifications), genuine opportunities for review. Worker�s insurance, sick leave, 3 weeks paid annual leave, 4 days public holidays, visa supplied, $500 yearly contract completion bonus, $300 yearly insurance subsidy, refund on airfares upon completion of contract."

Qatar:ELS Language Centers/ Doha
"...$1700 to $1800 US monthly,
one month vacation,
round trip ticket"

Japan: Gunma Language Center & Language Academy
"... Teaching average 25 hours / week...Standard base salary: 250,000 yen per month ..."

Egypt:AMIDEAST Alexandria
"Benefits include salary starting at LE 3800 per month (approximately USD 950 per month) with health insurance. Reimbursement of up to half of RT air fare on arrival (max $750)"

Mexico:Canadian Center
"Salary $ 6,200.00 pesos after taxes"
(2001 CE)

China:: Education Services Group Inc.Shanghai
"...One-year contract, renewable on mutual agreement
�� $600 US per month for a maximum of 22.5 contact hours per week (Mon. to Fri.) for candidates with both TEFL training and experience. Whenever possible, fewer contact hours will be assigned in order to allow ample time for lesson planning.
�� Overtime work (voluntary) is paid at $8 - $12 USD per hour"
China:Santana American English School(Zhuhai)
"...8,500yuan for airfare expense, limited accident and hospital insurance, bonuses and a starting monthly salary of 4,000 yuan"
China: English International
"...* Modern furnished accommodation including gas, electricity and local
telephone calls.
* Visa
* Chinese language lessons
* One-way airfare after six months' service, return airfare after one year
* Base salary of 5000 RMB per month for 20 teaching hours per week.
Additional hours may be available by negotiation at an overtime rate of 100
RMB per hour. Teachers who choose to teach 25 hours per week could expect
a monthly salary of approximately 7000 RMB. "
Korea:Seoul English Academies
"...a. A competitive salary - 1.8 - 2 Mill Won upto the condition of the contract
b. End of contract bonus - 1.8 ... Round Trip Air fare furnished"

[william wallace]

The Internet Archives used to have Dave's jobs going back to 1997, though those from 2000-01 tell the same story -Stagnant or falling salaries, fewer perks.I'm not sure how to interpret the decline of the previous greater variety of countries advertising on this site,such as Iran,Peru,Bolivia,Italy etc

There has been a major fall in salaries in China; I'm now seeing salaries for as low as 3,500 RMB per month(1996),but without 1996 perks.
Japan,if I recall, has been at 200-250,000 Yen since the early 90's.

I'd say within 10 years ESL will primarily be taught by L2 English teachers from the Philippines, India, Africa...

Rising oil and university tuitions will dissuade many TEFL certified
university graduated native English speakers from seeking overseas work...though more B.Eds/PGCEs may need to do so for the foot in the door.

Translating/voice recognition software likely will reduce the need for further English instruction past K12.Then traditionally English instruction universities setting up branches in non-English speaking countries,they likely will adopt that foreign language as the language of choice.This will maximize attendance/revenue.

Mandarin will continue to challenge English for foreign language study.

[phantombedwetter]

And the point of this post is what?

Are we all supposed to go into the bathroom and 'self harm'?
Or, do we all leave our countries so you can take our jobs?

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I think these are interesting observations, william. However, as most EFL teachers don't look beyond next weekend's party schedule, you will have a hard time convincing most out there that this is important.
I do think it's important, but don't plan to be in this same position (ADOS) another two years, to say nothing about a decade.
We'll see if your predictions become prophetic!

[phantombedwetter]

[Llamalicious]

^^^^ There has to be a story there...

[Nozka]

So wages are stagnant (or declining) and there are fewer perks - tell me how this is different from any other profession these days.

Despite what you think, there will be no shortage of people on this planet who will want or need to speak English as a second or foriegn language any time soon. Yes, some jobs will be outsourced, and those with fewer qualifications will be squeezed out, but as long as English remains the lingua franca, the English teacher will still be in demand.

Adapt or die - it's the same old story.

[mandalayroad]

[parrothead]

Pardon me, but I don't completely understand how the state of the ESL field differs from any other. The same stagnant salary statistics can be given for just about any job in the U.S. You are making some fairly dire predictions without providing any non-anecdotal evidence.

[Nabby Adams]

I think the OP has made some good ponts and that some others have failed to see it. Wages in TEFL are moving nowhere but that is not the same in ANY OTHER JOB.
Name one in England other than a very few specialist skills that were over supplied that has not risen in pay in the last 10 years? Even the minimum wage in the UK has gone up about 30% How can you say that is stagnant?

I think the OP is right about the future of well paid TEFL gigs, but little Taro/Mikel/Trisna/kim's parents will still believe that a native speaker will be the best choice for teacher. But there are also an increasing amount of people both young and old that are willing to work almost as a volunteer just so they can live abroad. I forsee jobs for the next few decades at least but at ever lower wages (in real terms)

The minimum wage in the UK in 5 years will be around 6.6 (US13$) I'd guess. Up 20% on today. What do you think will be the entry level TEFL wage in the country you are compared to today? I'd guess, the same as it is now.

[slaqdog]

Yes wages are falling generally in Tefl/esl.
The unprofessional nature of the industry; the lack of Unions or professional bodies defending and promoting the interests of teachers due in part to the global nature of the work is a big warning sign: If you really want to improve conditions then join a union and help organize.
Or as advised work hard and continue your pers/prof development.
Otherwise enjoy the party and don't worry about the future;it'll come soon enough

[william wallace]

My first two posts are more than ample evidence,and I've never been one to try and defend the obvious.
China is my favourite example:
1994- 1900-2400 RMB (8.3= 1usd)
1996- 1900-6000
1998- 3000-12000 (inflation about 5%)
1999- 3000- 18000
2002- 3500- 20000
2004- 4000- 18000
2006- 4000- 15000
2008- 2200- 12000 (inflation about 10-15%) (7.5=1 usd)
I often talk with a former colleague who's been in ESL since 1952, and he agrees with me.
Also Korea is about to allow folks from the Philippines into ESL.
It is not unusual to have cheerful newbies(with the sacred qualifications CELTA,DELTA,TESOL et al) happily accept 3500 RMB(2008) with only a portion or airfare,NO health come to China oblivious to the previous years payments-For the very same work
Where are the jobs advertising for Spain and Italy now?? Check out those boards to see how viable it is to work there now.
If oil continues to rise...that would be enough there to end ESL.

A real "On The Beach" phenomenon here!

[jpvanderwerf2001]

[naturegirl321]

But this is only the news. All over the place, peopel are working more hours for less pay. Not just in TEFL.

[Fike2308]