Job Discussion Forums

[haopengyou]

I started plundering this site back in '99 but have never become involved in this part of it.

I just returned to the U.S. after being in China for 10 years. While in China I taught in almost every possible situation, from kindergarten to university to private language school to senior citizen's college. I would like to get a masters degree in some variation of crosscultural studies and then return to China and work with kids on the street - job would be a combo of teaching/counseling/social work and vocational training. While I am studying for my masters degree I would like to be in a different culture - different from the U.S. but also different from China - to give me a significant introduction to a third culture. I think this would help me in my studies. I would like to teach english while studying - most of the degree can be taken through distance ed - to give me a structured way to learn the new culture but also to help me earn $$ I would prefer to work in a non-asian culture. I also hope the position will be somewhat lucrative. I am willing to take a 2 year contract but would prefer to stay for one year.

As I already mentioned I have taught English in China for ten years. I am a licensed teacher in the state of California in the subjects of business education. I taught in the U.S. for ten years before I went overseas. I would be willing to get the CELTA certification this summer if it would mean getting me a job.

I have thought of teaching in the middle east. I have also read through some other posts and someone suggested Alaska as a place where teachers are well paid. I did some searching and found that, in the past ten years, salaries and benefits have dropped considerably, so teaching is no longer as lucrative as it was before. California and many other states are not hiring as many teachers. If they do, they will more than likely hire new teachers because they can pay them 65% of what they would have to pay me.

Suggestions?

[naturegirl321]

Off hand, I don't know andy MA degrees where you could do it, maybe try google? BUt like you said, distance education works wonders.

Problem with teaching is that saving is hard. But try Japan and the middle East.

Since you're a licensed teacher, have you considered intl schools? Look at www.ibo.org and www.tes.co.uk That wuold probably be your best option, lots of paid vacations and a high salary, just get recruited in the US and not overseas, more pay that way. Go to intl school job fairs.

[Chancellor]

Perhaps this: http://www.umassonline.net/degrees/Online-Degree-Master-Applied-Linguistics.cfm

Or this: http://oedb.org/online-programs/education/k-12-education/master-of-education26

Or this: http://www.cvc.edu/students/programs?degree=4&delivery=traditional&subject=ALL&type=search

Usually when people talk about degrees involving cross-cultural studies they're pretty much looking at religious colleges/universities.

[haopengyou]

Thanks! I already have a couple of schools to study at in mind. I am trying to custom make my own masters field that will focus on how to implement change and provide leadership in another culture. After a couple of years I plan to return to China and continue working the displaced and disabled kids in the country but I do not feel I have the skills now to do anything but impose all of my western thinking on them. Some of western thinking is good - please don't get me wrong -but I want to learn how to be as efficient helping as I can. I am trying to find the school to teach in to fund the education but also to give me an experience with a new culture. That is one reason why I am looking at a local school/uni vs an international school. The environment in the international schools I have visited is fake - neither from that country nor from the home country.