Job Discussion Forums

[BigGuy]

What's the ESL professional scene like in Hawai'i?

I have a Masters degree in TESL/Applied Linguistics and 28 years of expereince, mostly overseas. I'm a USA citizen.

Is it possible to get decent jobs in Hawai'i?

Thanks,

Big Guy

[ls650]

Possible, but they are few and far between. I knew a fellow who taught in Hawaii. he had a Masters in TESOL,and several years of experience in various countries. He had to work two or three part-time gigs at different colleges and private schools simultaneously. He told me it was very difficult to find full-time teaching work as there is a lot of competition for any positions that open.

[johnslat]

Dear Is650,
In that case, Hawaii doesn't sound at all different from the mainland 48.
Regards,
John

[Sherri]

Hi
I moved to Hilo Hawaii with my family about 5 years ago from Japan. I had been teaching EFL for about 15 years at that time. I have an MA in TESOL. It is possible of course. There are many more jobs on Oahu. But there is a community college on Kauai (no ESL program that I know of, but who knows--I think they have a demand) and Maui has a CC with a thriving ESL program. The Big Island has a university and a CC. You have to be prepared to string together PT jobs until a FT job opens. That is how I started. So just like anywhere, you have to have enough money to support yourself for a while. If you can teach remedial reading or writing (or math) at a CC, then you have more opps because these departments are usually looking for teachers in the lecturer pool. When unemployment is up, so is enrollment at the CCs.

Check the Hawaii TESOL website:
http://www.hawaiitesol.org/

Keep an eye on the work at UH website, this is where ALL FT jobs are advertised.
http://workatuh.hawaii.edu/faculty.php

All the best
Sherri

[ls650]