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housecattn · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 26 Location: Baltimore, Maryland

In General what sort of opportunities are there to teach business English and/or ESP from the pov of computers/software?

As I mentioned in another post here:

I am 56 with a BS in computer science, 25 years experience as a Systems Analyst. The last 15 have been in top 20 US Universities. I am currently an IT manager but I am not satisfied as I do not feel I am making a difference. With my position about to be reorged I have concluded that it is time to consider new career options.

I am considering ESL as a serious career change not just a lark. Once I am in a position to do so I will take a CELTA course.

Thanks in advance.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Well, basically, over my 12+ year of experience teaching, most computer stuff is essentially in English anyway - in my personal experience, I've never run across students with any serious lack in their command of technical English in the computer field in general...

Maybe others have had different experience?

spanglish · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 742 Location: working on that

I took the CELTA at the British Council in Bogota. One of the teachers there who gave us a lecture is also the IT guy for the center. So I guess there are some places where your skills would be a plus combined with teaching English. I suppose you could also help with course development stuff from a technology viewpoint (running blackboard, using computers in classrooms).

housecattn · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 26 Location: Baltimore, Maryland

I can definitely use them, often fix them and even help with development and customization. I was a programmer/software designer and technical lead most of those years.

I am certainly looking for niches that will take advantage of my strengths and differentiate me from the newly minted ESL folk while I get the teaching experience I do not have.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

It could be useful to get into some school (university for preference) that is currently installing stuff like smartboards and pushing CALL (computer assisted language learning).

If it were me, I'd highlight this skill on my CV, not linked only to the language of technology, but with my personal skill in working with the technology and your ability to convey that skill through English as well...

You could even google CALL and see what comes up....I'm not personally a big believer in CALL, but I know it's a trend some institutions want to push (economically attractive - squeeze more out of fewer teachers:))

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Contrary to what spiral wrote, my experience has been that whenever you deal with computers here in Japan, you face Japanese menus and terms. Heck, even with my university students, they don't know the English term "reboot"! (And, these are science students.) Here, people are using computers less and less, and using their high tech cell phones more and more.

With the experience you have, I earlier suggested looking into business English. I think you may not understand what that is, though. Usually, it is not teaching the content of the field in English. That is, you don't teach a pharmacist about pharmacy using English. The client already knows the field. Business English gives crossover vocabulary, sure, but the main point is to get the students to use the English, usually in conversation, but also in other ways (written/reading form, listening).

The customers may want to know how to conduct a meeting, write a business letter, talk with clients, etc. and it has to be in English. That's where you come in. Someone familiar with the jargon can offer the vocabulary (not always an easy job, though, because you would have to learn many of the L1 equivalents yourself), but you are there to support their weak/nonexistent English grammar skills and cultural awareness of how to use them.

housecattn · Joined: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 26 Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Glenski,

Thanks for the clarification. Your description extends my understanding of what teaching business English is about. Now I see that there is more to it than I realized. Looks like my leadership roles in IT have more relevance than my IT experience itself.

I did realize that it is different from ESP and computer jargon.

I suspect that things in the non-latin alphabet world are more similar to Asia than Europe in IT.

Education here at least at the University level is just beginning to feel the impact of the new phones on learning styles and expectation. I think we have a significant revolution on the horizon in that sphere.

Thanks again.