Job Discussion Forums

[Greg 09]

Hello All,

First post and lots of half-hatched ideas. I did read here on the forum many hours before posting this and I've tried to narrow my mind, in a good way of course. I'm taking all comers at this stage of informed confusion.

Here I am:

American, age 51, soon to be semi-retired. BA in politics, never professionally used (should be to my credit).

Want a third career, and intend to devote myself to it. I've always loved teaching, and developed a literacy program for a homeless mission, as well as leading a teen Sunday school program and volunteer tutoring middle schoolers. In other words, I'm serious about this.

Spent last 12 years successfully starting/growing/running my own business. Time to move on, and develop other passions.

I have a specific interest in E.Europe. I won't mind "paying dues" in a "less desirable" location for a year or two as long as the situation is legitimate. I can take a certain amount of admin BS, but not copious amounts. I know I know I know, ESL is like the rest of life, unpredictable at best. But If you've ever started (or run) a business you'll know how deep that stuff can get, I'm used to it. Cultural differences are not a problem, and I also understand that a "less desirable" location for some might just be my cup of tea.

I plan to get a CELTA in an as yet undecided location, based on feedback and research. Cambridge CELTA in Budapest? Prague? Or should I go to Asia for the first years? Turkey or Ukraine? The ME pays well but can a newbie get a job? I've read that its best to get your Cert. in the country where you plan to work, but what if you don't?

As an American is there a unique "best" plan of action? Certify in Prague (or somewhere), work in the the best place I can find, and move later to EE when I can find a decent position? You get the picture, I'm flexible.

I've read a little about being American, and older, might have some disadvantages. I suppose it depends on where you want to go. Different places, different standards. What can I expect along these lines, and what are the best options, considering my limited experience?

I understand too that there are many here who'll be devoted to a certain place or plan. Unleash your passions, along with the other part of your brain.

I'm in the position of being able to settle personal matters, get a CELTA anywhere, and be available by Aug/Sept.

Not hurting for money but need to be in the black eventually.

Think of this as an almost - but not quite - unlimited opportunity to do what you'd do when the first inkling of your first ESL future spawned in your mind. As a newbie, with my limited creds and experience, what would you do?

[naturegirl321]

If you're an American, you might have problems with visas in Europe

You can find the best jobs here or at www.tefl.com . Where you decide to live is up to you, different people like different countries. To work in the ME, you'll need at leats two years experience. I got my TEFL in Czech rep, then went to China, no prob.

[Greg 09]

Thanks NG, and yes, I read through your, and many another blog at length. Could not ask for a better intro, fantastic work!

Seems nobody here has any enthusiasm or imagination though. I was hoping for someone, anyone, to kick in with a "if I had it all to do over again here's what I'd do" kind of thing. I'm a blank slate looking for very current floor plan. Objective, subjective, I don't care much. I can write my own ticket. To be sure, there are a zillion options, and the impression I get is that TEFLers would rather be selling used cars.

As I read here more and more I don't see much satisfaction among TEFLers, not to mention enthusiasm. Sure, we all get jaded at times with our vocations, and sometimes want to choke the nearest animate life form, but sheesh, I don't think I've ever seen such a negative bunch. A lot of complaining and dissatisfaction here. Why are you doing this? Is this what I have to look forward to?

I've grown tired of reading here, but for the "practical" bits. But I won't let it get me down, my current colleagues bitch and whine a lot too. I just hang out on the balcony at parties.

[Marcoregano]

Hi Greg. From what I've garnered on the forum Prague/Czech Republic is still an option for US citizens. I did my TEFL training in Prague and it's a great city - I'd certainly recommend it. Asia offers a totally different experience which in turn differs depending on which country you're talking about - China is very different to Thailand, for example!

Re. the best course of action for you - it's difficult to say without knowing more about you. Much depends on money. If you don't have to send hard currency back home your options expand hugely, because that means you can work just about anywhere. Some of the poorer countries in hard currency terms actually pay better in local terms - e.g. although you don't earn much in US$, your salary can make you comparatively wealthy locally because you might earn far more than the national average.

For me the most interesting and rewarding jobs are in places 'off the map' - remote countries and/or remote areas. But if you're a 'city person' such places might be daunting and/or unenjoyable. If you don't need to earn at the higher end then why not learn the trade in a place of your choosing - and again, the Czech Republic wouldn't be a bad place to start. If I were to start all over I'd certainly consider it an option, and would probably go for a school in a small town out in the country somewhere. After a year or two learning the job and making contacts you will have a better idea of where to go next.

[naturegirl321]

That's true. There are still places in Eastern and Central Europe that will help with a visa

[JZer]

[Nabby Adams]

Greg, if the "real" you is accurately portrayed in your op then you'll fly where ever you are. You seem to be a do-er with a zest for life. I think you'll find that many in this field, er don't have the same dynamism. In fact I see the biggest potential downfall in your quest to be one of disapointment. You may not be as challenged as you thought. But I'm sure you realise that life and work is what you make it.
For example, there is no need to "pay your dues" in a less desirable location IMO. Many people make this mistake, including me. I thought Japan was a place only the more experienced and able could come to. I went elsewhere first. There was no need. I've done very well here and in part it is because of the less than stellar competition.
Go where you want. Sure you'll have to take an opening position somewhere, but after a year you'll be in a position to move on and up. People get stuck in entry level positions, but I don't see that happening to you.
In order to recommend places I think that we need to know how impotant these things are to you;
weather
crowds
nature
learning the language
women
educated locals
desire for foreign contact
food......spicey or not being the main consideration
night life
and maybe ont or two others

See I believe that the teaching takes care of itself really. I mean a good teacher can teach anywhere. Teaching high school is teaching high school. Teaching business English is.....you get the idea. So location is more important.

As your heart seems to be on E. Europe I'd go there. Choose a country where Americans can get a visa and just go. Whether you do the TEFL in country or not is not that important I'd say. The fact that you are in a better finacial position than most so you can wait a while to job search and the impression you give in the job interview will be more key.

And don't be afraid to move on if the region is not what you thought. Thailand wasn't for me and I never imagined that I would end up happier in Japan.

[Greg 09]

[Greg 09]

[beetlil]

hey Greg,

I've just been reading through this post and was wondering if you had come to any decision and if so what was the deciding factor?

I too am going for the sea change and I've chosen Vietnam. I'm from Aus and fell in love with Vietnam during a recent visit. My idea is that if you're going for that real change of life experience, you should pick a country that is so different from what you're used to (and Saigon is certainly the opposite of the quiet beach town i'm from in Oz) and strive for experiences that are very different from your current daily life.

I'm 42 and don't know much else than how to work hard and raise kids, so my sea change is going to be a little more about doing what I love (teaching and traveling). So, if you find that teaching is something you enjoy doing, then go for it and take that jump.

Good luck!

[stillnosheep]

In which country you get your cert is almost irrelevant. Far more important is which cert you get (Cambridge and Trinity are the brandleaders, while SIT, championed by our very own Justin Trullinger, is carving out its own niche while coming up nicely on the rails, but at the very least it should have 120 contact hours and at least 8 hours of observed teaching practice).

Now while it matters little in which country you get your cert (some consider it preferable to train in the country where you wish first to work as you can put out feelers while training, are on-hand with experience of the mores and customs, and the training company may have contacts through which you can find a job; others consider that doing it from home is easier and less stressful; while for some price and living costs are a determining factor, not forgetting to factor in the airfare on to where you want to go next), it matters much which particular school you train at as some are better resourced than others and some trainers, quite frankly, are better than others, just as some girls are bigger than others and some girls' mothers are bigger than other girls' mothers, and these facts and others are reflected in the completion, pass and distinction rates of the various training centres.

So so do some research, ask the training centre for its completion, pass and distinction rates over the last few years (beware if they have just lost their course leader or have a high staff turnover); ask the ceritficating organisation if they will provide such info on the centres you are interested in; check out those that seem promising here on EFL cafe and other such forums: then cover a dart board with a map of the world before blindfolding yourself, get a friend to spin you around three times and point you in the right direction, and let fly. Because at the end of the day when all's said and done at end of play how well you do at initial training has more to do with sheer luck; random, or at least unknown, factors; and your own character, mood, circumstances and temperament than it does with any of the other things I have mentioned and after a few months in the job no-one about your TEFL certificate anyway, as long as you have one.