Job Discussion Forums

[RollingStone]

First, I have been inspired to post this due to the high quality of honest, intelligent and useful feedback people generously provide (have been lurking awhile).

Second, I hope this doesnt come across as another `so, what do you think i should do with my life` post (sometimes it sounds like Im asking that, hope Im not).

I have read posts concerning age concerns (too young ie 19ish or too old 60ish). I am in between. Early 40s. The past several years I have been in the process of completing a BA and MA in a social science. Am trying to put together the next step. My previous experience has a bit of this and that, custserv, some admin, currently staff supervisor, nothing that seems too sterling (by this I mean that, though I have excellent and professional work ethic and generally great rapore with employers, supervisors and coworkers, the job titles arent too sexy) and definitely nothing I was interested in doing long-term, hence the return to school.

Am looking for a career. One plan is to finish the MA this summer, get enough money together and get on with an ESL school in Japan. I understand my MA will not help me in this. Will my age work against me? Recently, my application to the JET was turned down. Anyway, with a year or two of ESL experience I would then return home and enroll/complete teachers college, obtaining certification for secondary teaching. Then the plan would be to return to Japan and teach at the international university level.

Ive read experiences here of those in the same age range but who have been teaching ESL for years. Anyone in/know of/run across from time to time the situation of starting this as a career at this point? (this is where it sounds to me like a `what should i do with my life` post). I guess Im looking for experiences of those in similar situations, or friends or acquaintances or general impressions/feedback from those `in the field` as it were.

[nickpellatt]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=46345

Might be of interest. That was one of my first posts here, and I updated it fairly recently, Im in a similar position to you. Your plan sounds quite solid to me, and definatly do-able.

Im not quite where I want to be yet, but am making lots of progress towards it.

[Chancellor]

[Glenski]

Your age will work against you in some cases. Some employers want only the young and youthful. Deal with it. I got into the business at 41 (yes, in Japan and yes at a conversation school). It can be done.

There are many employers who value life experience over a nice set of teeth and teen complexion and that 90210 look. Finish the degree, get certified (if you are planning on this as a next career), learn how to make a good resume and cover letter, learn the market, study some Japanese, get a feeling for what is acceptable behavior in an interview and general office situation (yes, the list is long, but the 90210 types often ignore 80% of this), and you should be good to go.

[RollingStone]

[RollingStone]

[RollingStone]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[RollingStone]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

In the past, you could get a university job with an unrelated MA, but it's becoming more and more rare (competition is increasing because there are more people with MAs in TESOL, and universities are facing decreasing enrollment because of the population, so some universities will actually close). 'Publications' usually means publications related to the subject area.

You should look at it like that you are changing fields from Sociology to Applied Lingusitics becuse that's actually what you're doing (I would recommend concentrating on sociolinguistics during any MA TESOL that you may do- most universities have their own particular bent when it comes to MA TESOL types of courses).

[RollingStone]

So essentially -

a TESOL MA would put one on university track. No previous teaching experience necessary.

A secondary certification alone would put one on international university track, and would require additional 2-3 years of domestic teaching experience post degree.

This basically correct?


You are right though.. that is the way to approach the whole thing, as changing my area.

[RollingStone]

It turns out that the Applied Linguistics MA requires 2 years of field experience teaching in a paid environment.

[Glenski]

[dkbarnes]

I'm really grateful to see others in a somewhat similar situation as mine. I'm mid-career too but a bit further down the road (about to turn 49) and I am considering this as a new career as well. I have a BA in Education and taught elementary school a couple of years back in 1983 - 1985, then did youth and family programming for the YMCA. I then spent about 11 years with a company that contracts the management of non-profit trade and professional associations. Last spring that kind of fell apart re: an unworkable partnership/ownership arrangement and I ended up selling out my share of the company and moving on. My goal was to relocate internationally and get back to something more mission-service oriented like teaching. If anyone would care to take the time my online resume is at http://www.dkbarnes.info.

I have always had, but suppressed the urge to "go global" in favor of more stability and money, but in the end that has left me feeling extremely unfulfilled.

I'm thinking about taking a CELTA course in the UK late March to late April, but having no income for the past 9 months is getting me worried about my finances and I'm wondering if it is worth it. My biggest hesitation is money. I haven't had an income for 9 months and I only have about 8 months worth left. The cost of taking the class would reduce that by 1 month and basically take me out of circulation for another month. So to do this would be a pretty big risk and I'm trying to determine what the chances would be that it pays off.

So here are my questions:

Based on my profile, do you think I've missed the boat on successfully doing this?

If not, how difficult/easy would it be for me to get a decent job?

With a degree in education, extensive work experience and a clean, successful work history, do you think the CELTA is worth it?

Being at the point of life I am I also have to think about retirement, what sort of retirement does this work provide for?

[Glenski]

dkbarnes,
Is your teaching license still valid? If so, look for international schools. Those in Japan start in the fall like their western counterparts do, so now might be a good time to start looking.