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wildnfree · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 134

Waring:This is a long and philosophical post...

So on an extended holiday from my ESL, and having recently celebrated my 30th birthday, I have come to a dilema - leave the ESL world and establish a career in my home country, or continue with the esl buzz.

I must admit that ESL teaching doesnt arouse passion in me, never has - but that buzz I get from working and living in a foreign country does. I have been in ESL teaching for over 6 years now (worked mainly in Hong Kong and Spain, have lived in Cuba) but am starting to question my choices. For example, we dont get superannuation, our industry is low-paid with often little job security. That's great in your 20s, but later on, is that instability worth it?

With my recent birthday, Ive started thing about the need to buy a house and secure myself financially to not always be paying rent in crappy places or living with my folks (who welcome me, but im not 15 anymore!) . That would mean settling down and changing careers (to have a stable teaching job in Australia, I would need a graduate diploma in education to enter a high school, unlike overseas - and the cost and time doesnt inspire me Sad

. I m thinking of pursuing options in other areas that interest me, such as environmental protection - but its a long haul as well changing one's career. Employers want to know why and might not understand.

So there is my dilema . I would be interested to know why people teach overseas if not for the love of teaching, and how they changed/adapted to life in their own country again, or those who decided to give it up.

Forgive my spelling, I havent wrote/spoke English like this since 2007

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

To be honest, teaching is ok. I'm not as gung ho about it as I was in the beginning. Could be because of Peru, long hours, little pay. Anyways, I'm in it now, because I do it well, it pays the bills, and I wouldn't know what else to do. I've done it since I graduated at age 20, now I'm 27.

I'd like to get out, go into interior design, sometihng like that. BUt for now, I'll be doing it for a wihle, at least until my husband gets his degree, so probably five more years.

In the meantime, I'd like to move up, management positions, etc. And work on a distance MFA.

As for going to the US, I left when I was 19, have no credit, don't really know what I'd do there. I'd like to go back, maybe in 15 years or so. BUt by then, I'm hoping we'd have enough property here in Peru, that we can just live off of that.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:28 pm Post subject:

ESL sucks as a long-term career.

Unless somebody owns their own language school (How original!) working for others in a foreign country never seems to give one much in the way of long-term prospects.

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

The British Council seems to provide a legitimate career path.

But it's true. Some of English teachers I know who have been teaching for several years are burnt out and bitter.

Atlan Training · Joined: 02 Apr 2009 Posts: 76 Location: Spain

I know the feeling wildnfree! I'm on my way out as well. If I were you, with your interest in environmental if issues and itchy feet, I'd do a permaculture course in Australia and then travel doing permaculture training.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:09 pm Post subject:

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 5:26 pm Post subject:

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

in Korea, too?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Anywhere, you just need to be in the right place at the right time and have connections.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:26 pm Post subject:

Hi there,

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