Job Discussion Forums

carmo85 · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Ireland

I am 24 and I am about to do a TEFL cert in the hope of spending a year and half teaching and earning (of course seeing a bit of the world in the mean time). Every country I research all I see is doom and gloom. I tried Czech Rep and people tell me its "DIRE". I try Mid East and people say "wrong time of the year". I try South America and people say "its terrible pay and you are only surviving". I even have somebody telling me that the whole TEFL thing is a big scam and since I'm young I should be getting another degree?? ARRGGHHH!!!!

Please, someone, anyone tell me some good news. Something, to put the plan back on track. Anything!!!!

Deicide · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:54 pm Post subject: Re: Positive stories please!!!!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:49 pm Post subject:

THere's an old saying in business schools that a satisfied customer tells their friends, an unsatisfied customer tells everyone they meet.

What we've got here is a lot of unsatisfied teachers. Most of the satisfied lot are having too much fun to get on internet forums. Let me see if I can speak for som of them.

I don't know what you're looking for, but so far, for me, EFL has been really good. I'm a strong believer, though- life, and therefore EFL, is what you make of it. A lot of folks seem to want things handed to them on a platter- if you work, and think, and don't make silly decisions, I know of no reason you can't be happy teaching EFL.

I took my first teaching job because I was broke and couldn't find anything else. Liked it enough to get a cert, and have got a few other pieces of paper for the wall since. Started teaching in my mid-late twenties, and am now moving into mid-late thirties, having one heck of a time.

Seen a lot of places, aiming at a lot more. Partied some, studied some. In recent years, I've seen a volcano erupt, an angry mob depose a president, and a bunch of other stuff.

Financially speaking, I have less $$ than some friends "back home," but then I don't have their expenses either. COmes out about even.

Welcome,
Justin

PS- Yeah, you might be sort of broke for the first year or two. In what way is that different than any other job? And if you're looking at this short term, you won't get a lot of chances to advance. But you can still have a good time.

mozzar · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:59 pm Post subject:

I spoke Spanish before my time in Spain, but my girlfriend, who I me there, didn't.

She had to learn, is all.

Best,
Justin

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

Don't totally ignore what people are telling you. What had you expected in the TEFL world? Lavish furnished apartments, with high salaries and easy lifestyles that allow one to sip wine in an outdoor cafe while tossing out a few tips about past perfect?

What are you looking for in a TEFL job? You only stated that you are looking to get a certificate (good!) and that you want to spend 1.5 years working (ok, better than saying less than a year). What are your goals? Entry level work is never going to be fantastic, but we all paid our dues, and one has to get over that hump.

carmo85 · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Ireland

Thanks guys for the response. What am I looking for? Well I am looking for an experience I suppose. I am sick of living in the rainy depressed village in the South of Ireland. I have traveled a lot for my short 24 years and i love it. In short, if I can be sure (and I am aware such a thing is impossible to predict) that if I go somewhere as an English teacher and earn enough to gt by, not barely survive mind you. Enough, to meet new people, travel and have a whale of a time whilst working then I will be happy. The reason it's 1.5 years is that at the moment I am considering going somewhere local for.5 of a year then head to the mid east to earn money and then return and do my msaters. I have no real intention of making a career out of ESL, but I have no real idea what I want to do for the rest of my life anyways.I'm a too young for

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

And there was a Mongolian language school that advertised on Dave's that offered $100 a month, free internet access, and a fur coat provided on arrival at the airport.

carmo85 · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Ireland

Is that because I will be dead??

Not sure that that's the kind of adventure I'm looking for. But thanks.

mozzar · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:18 pm Post subject:

Sarcasm is big in the TEFL profession.

THere are some people here who like EFL. There are some people here who don't. And there are a lot more of us who know that EFL, like anything else, is a mixed bag.

Depends on what you mean by "barely get by." We don't know you. What do you need to feel that life is comfortable. I've seen people start, and freak out, in EFL because they didn't have all the comforts of home. Yet, there are new and different comforts everyplace.

It just depends on what you want!

Best,
Justin

carmo85 · Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 45 Location: Ireland

I'm easily pleased Justin. I would just like enough for accommodation, nice food and a few beers on the weekend. An aspect of ESL that appeals to be is that I am basing it the notion or principal that I work to live and not live to work, like a lot of my friends who went straight into "big industry".

Deicide · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:44 pm Post subject:

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

You should get enough to pay for a shared flat and a few beers in quite a few EU countries as long as you don't mind going back home over summer China would take you, and you should be able to find a job in Thailand.