Job Discussion Forums

[cormac]

I went back about 20 pages but didn't see any posts relating to this. And i did try the search function without any luck (not that i could figure out exactly what to search).

Basically, I'm curious about teaching long-term as an english teacher. I was originally in Debt recovery, and while its a job in high demand, I got burnt out with being lied to every day. So I went and taught for a year in China, and loved most of it. Sure, there were issues with my employer but I've learnt alot from it.

Anyway, I'm considering getting a formal qualification in teaching (I have a 3 yr Diploma in Business), and returning to Asia (probably China again). This is a question for those who have been teaching abroad long term (3 years plus).

Is it a viable form of employment? I'm also wondering about whether its viable if you're married, since I'm at an age (31) when i'd like to settle down with someone.

[spiral78]

Like any career, EFL is what you put into it. To make it a 'real' career, you usually need upper-level qualifications (DELTA, related MA) plus experience, plus the local lanugage skills and contacts that you build up by a long-term commitment to an area. In the Middle East, good jobs are still to be had from abroad, but to get into universities and international schools and other good jobs in most parts of the world, you need the local reputation and contacts.

I've been 'in' for nearly 13 years now. It's my career, and, yes, I can live like a normal adult and save for the future.

[cormac]

Thanks for that. As i said before, i have a diploma in business which would only need a year to bring up to a full degree. I got the tesol last year, but... well, it wasn't much help really. I also have a number of qualifications in nlp and psychology spheres although they're not really much use.

I'll be going home to Ireland to settle up my affairs there and since I'm going to be there for a while, I figured I'd finish my degree and get some more formal teaching qualification than the Tesol cert.

I've found a "peace" in living in Asia which i never had living in the west, and teaching seems the best way to stay here. My previous work is more suited to the west than asia..

[Nabby Adams]

For every 10 non career jobs in TEFL there is probably only 1 or 2 jobs that have certain career type qualities. But lucky for us that 70% (I believe) of TEFL teachers quit within 2 years anyway as they only used it as a form of travel. So in order to make TEFL a career you only have to "out do" 1/3 to 2/3 of those that are left.

I believe that teaching English in a high school is a career for example. Of course the trouble is that how rewarding a career is it actually? I mean can you imagine teaching the same classes year in year out to, for the majority of teachers, unintersted teenagers?
TEFL also usually has a glass ceiling. No high school English teacher in Japan for example will ever make head of the department let alon make principal.

So in the words of Captain kirk, "It's a career Jim, but not as we know it."

[spiral78]

Yeah, teaching high school in Japan may not be everyone's idea of a 'dream' career. But at the 'career' level, there is a wide range of jobs (not to imply that there are tons of openings for them, though). I teach at a university where we work across faculties, from Economics, to Psychology, to Law, to Cultural Studies. We work at all levels, from first year up to Phd. It's never boring, very rewarding.

I have many friends with similarly interesting/rewarding jobs.

High school in Japan may well be a dead end, but not every EFL career-level job is like that.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

It is a viable career. To make it one:
1) Get qualified;
2) Be reliable; and
3) Find the right place.
Follow those tips and you should be fine. I make more now than I ever made as an editor in the States.

[Nabby Adams]

But Spiral do you have any realistic chance of moving up in your university? Could you, in theory, make head of the department? That's what career means to most people. Weare not talking about finding a good job here, we are talking about whether TEFL is a career or not.

[spiral78]

Yes, Nabby, I could. I am already on management teams and development teams that reflect my professional interests. Our current management staff all started as teachers 10 years or so ago.

Further, the uni will support my Phd financially and in terms of paid time to pursue it.

I got paid time and expenses to fly to Canada to speak at their national conference last May.

Even more, there are positions in other faculties throughout the uni for which I could also be eligible, if I cared to transfer.

It is entirely possible to find real careers in EFL - though I'm not arguing that they are abundant.

[naturegirl321]

Been here six years, married 3. It's viable, but you'll have to work in high paying countries, save a lot or invest. We're going for property, because the 5 dollars an hour just doesn't cut it.