Job Discussion Forums

[housecattn]

Hello all,

I have been lurking here a bit and would like to see if anyone has any useful input for my situation.

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.

i am not particularly interested in making a lot of money, but I do want to see more of the world and experience it while I am still young enough to enjoy it. And do something where I feel like I am making a difference.

While I have no real class room teaching experience I have taught Sunday school to teens, young adults and seniors for much of the past 20 years. Enough to know I like to teach not to claim any practical teaching experience.

I am currently taking the OxfordSeminars class to gain a bit more knowledge. I recognize it is not CELTA but given that I am not in a position to go somewhere for 5 or 6 weeks right now I thought it was better than nothing.

So what is my point? I would like to eventually teach in Russia or the Ukraine, but am also interested in China, Korea and Japan. I expect to be re-orged out of my current position by mid fall and would like some feedback on what next steps would me worth considering.

Thanks for your time.

[Chancellor]

[spiral78]

Seconded. Eastern European employers generally have a clue about certification and whether it meets the basic standard.

[Glenski]

Japan is flooded with teachers right now, and many with experience are being turned away at the employers' doors. Unless you can get more experience and certainly more training, I would suggest looking elsewhere. You might want to look at business English agencies, however, since you seem to have plenty of computer experience. See the sticky FAQs in the Japan forum for links.

[housecattn]

Thanks Glenski, spiral78, and Chancellor,

I am looking to Asia as a place where I can, hopefully, get some real experience before trying to settle in the Russia or the Ukraine.

Though now I wonder if I might not be better once my job as been reorged to just take some of my savings and go to St Petersburg or Kiev and take a CELTA class.

It seems that most positions there require real teaching experience as well as a CELTA. I will move this part of my question to the Russia board.

Thanks very much for the useful responses!

[spiral78]

Actually, as the approaches and methods used and expected in Asia are quite different to what's expected in a European context (Russia and Ukraine included) experience in Asia may not count for as much as a CELTA...not that it's not valuable at all, but it's very different.

Here in Western Europe (and at the uni where I worked in Canada) we were a little wary of teachers with ONLY experience in Asia, as some were notably unable to alter teaching styles to fit a western teaching context.

[housecattn]

Thanks spiral78,

That is certainly not one aspect I considered.

I also then have to wonder if volunteering here in the US would be much help since the classes I would teach might have a very different focus.

Thanks again, Mike

[spiral78]

Yes, having taught in Canada, I can make an educated guess that any classes you're likely to encounter in the States are likely to be composed of students from different mother tongues, who all have a similar motivation for learning English - 1) to integrate into the community as immigrants 2) to have fun and to improve their English before they go home.

Comparing such classes to groups of people who all share a first language, and whose motivations probably vary far more - well, I can say from first-hand experience that the focuses are pretty different.

You might really be just as well off to go and do the CELTA in one of your target countries and get started there. Many (if not most) newbies take just this route (I did myself, come to think of it!) and end up quite successful, in many different ways:)

[Chancellor]

[housecattn]

I will indeed. Thanks for everyone's assistance.

Interesting enough it real doesn't seem to be all that much more expensive overall to do the CELTA abroad as it is in one of the few US cities where it is offered. This would seem to argue for being in the target country if nothing else for more exposure.

[Chancellor]

[english_tutor]

Oxford Seminars is an ok certificate to start with. However, you may find your opportunities limited with this certificate alone. You will find lots of good and bad advise on the job boards. Do your homework and detailed research about the jobs and the contract details. Also read the Oxford Seminars reference guide to finding jobs overseas from cover to cover. Then you may want to contact Oxford Seminars and activate their job search service you paid for.

Also take a look at TESL certified courses like the Vancouver Community College (VCC) TESOL Diploma program. It is TESL Canada certified and is recognized for professional certification (level 2) by TESL Canada. There is also a fast track for someone wanting to complete the diploma in a year and a distance learning component. It has a solid practicum and evaluated observations.

VCC link:
http://www.vcc.bc.ca/programs-courses/detail.cfm?div_id=8&prog_id=212#program_description

TESL Canada:
http://www.tesl.ca/Secondary_Navigation/TESL_Canada_Recognized_Teacher_Training_Programs.htm

If your not concerned about the money you may want to consider jobs in
Thailand, checkout Arjarn.com

http://www.ajarn.com/

Good luck.

[spanglish]

spiral - how is teaching English experience in Asia different from Europe?

[Glenski]

[spiral78]

European students generally aren't afraid to speak and are more highly motivated to do so, English also being the language of travel and, to a large extent, business as well. Further, they are often multilingual and have far less reticence regarding language learning in general.

They are very often not taking language because they need to pass tests, but because they need to use it.

Also importantly, the approach to teaching and learning is far more student-centred - students generally expect to have quite a lot of control and input into how classes function and what the goals of them are.

Not having worked in Asia, but with many friends who have and do - I think it's quite radically different.