Job Discussion Forums

[johnnykamikaze]

So I'm disillusioned. I grew up in a few places here and there and spent my college life in the United States, and am an American citizen. I was rejected by JET for Japan, Hess for Taiwan, and EPIK for Korea, under grounds that as cultural exchange programs as well, I may not be the best representative of the Americans for living overseas before (!!!). So, I don't know if it's a sign I shouldn't be teaching English overseas or if it was just my bad luck from circumstances that I don't qualify for these cultural exchange teaching programs.

Any advice or programs you recommend?

[Glenski]

Did JET actually tell you that was the reason? Frankly, I'd be very surprised. Most employers never tell candidates why they are not hired.

My advice.

1. Keep trying. One application per country is not going to give you much odds of success or much in the way of feedback about how well you would do here.

2. Get some TEFL training.

3. Get feedback from friends (or preferably from teachers) on a demo lesson.

[naturegirl321]

Might be because you're too experienced with living overseas that they don't want to hire you because you'll ask for more money

DOn't give up. Apply to smaller schools, better pay and treatment. Less applications as well.

You say you grew up overseas, did you go to American schools? I don't see why you growing up overseas should come up in an interview. Just say that you went to American schools. Concentrate on college in the US.

I was rejected by EPIK as well, look at it as a blessing in disguise. EPIK and HESS tend to prey on new teachers who work a lot for little pay. can't speak for JET though, I've heard it's good.

[johnnykamikaze]

Yes, I went to American and Canadian schools overseas. I played it down a little the first time it backfired and said I only did it for one year when I've actually been doing it most of my life. I say this because apparently, the whole concept of international schools for westerners seems foreign (no pun intended) to many people.

JET was pretty good, but some of the scandals running amok make me and a few people question its current state. For example: some schools request specific teachers of particular ethnicities [this I know from a former employee who was disillusioned with the politics] to give them an "authentic" foreigner, with their logic (not all, just some) being that they don't need a teacher of Asian descent, he or she may not be as good as a real native speaker because of a preference for whites, apparently. Again, not all, but some schools believe this in the JET program; and I still respect the program highly.

Next, I was told only because a friend in the hiring process told me (when she wasn't supposed to) why JET rejected me.

As for TEFL, what's a good place to look for training around Los Angeles?

Thanks for your feedback folks.

[naturegirl321]

You're going to have to deal with that type of mentality in Asia. Why is your HS coming up in interviews though? Focus on your uni yeras in the US and brush over the HS stuff. It's not importnat.

About LA, I've got no idea, maybe try a search at www.teflcertificationabroad.com

[Chancellor]