Job Discussion Forums

[anyway]

Let us take this opportunity (already ten years after we partied like it was 1999) to ponder an important question - what is the state of the job market for ESL/EFL pros, temps, backpackers, monkeys, and newbs?

As an avid job board watcher, I lament the demise of some boards like edufind, funland, aa jobcircle, tesolislamia, etc. They still exist (except edufind), but they have basically kicked the bucket. It's puzzling.

What's the deal? We all know the halcyon days are long gone, but it seems the job market has really diminished even in the last say 4-5 years.

Has the demand for American slang plummeted? Or are more jobs nowadays filled by word of mouth? Tourists? Locals? Mail order?

Could it be the advent of Robo-teacher (software)? Online/distance instruction? I once met a Turk who could've passed as a native New Yorker. He told me he learned his English from some video game called 'Chuck Johnson: Thug Life' (or some such)...blew me away...

Or are institutes the world over busy retooling for CSL (Chinese as a second language)?

Discuss.

[spiral78]

Unless your unholy three are responsible for the economy, I don't see an option for 'current financial difficulties.' When I hear that businesses in the greater region where I work are scaling back on extras, including English lessons, I guess that's the primary reason.

For Central/Eastern Europe, I could theorise that the regular public schools (and their non-native language teachers) are generally doing a better job than before teaching English and other languages. Perhaps young adults already don't have the same need here as before - but I'm speculating based on the few high-schoolers I know personally, so this obviously is just a theory!!

I'll be interested to know what others think, both in Europe and in other regions...

[denise]

I agree that there should be a financial option in the survey, although I suppose that the economy is behind some of the other reasons. Less demand--as spiral78 said, English lessons could easily be considered nonessential "extras." Glut of teachers--lay-offs at home have led some people into this field. And in a lot of places it's cheaper to hire locals/non-Westerners.

d

[norwalkesl]

The Internet, the spread of info about ESL and the places people go to teach. Unlike 1979, now many people can get over the barriers to entry and make that leap and be well informed after a few weeks of diligent web surfing. As a result wages are lower and there are many more teachers. In 1979 this was not the case and the old timers constantly remind us how much more they were paid 30 years ago. Increased competition will do that.

[santi84]

I guess it really depends on the ESL/EFL market that you are actually teaching in.

Here in Canada, a university ESL instructor might say technology is the biggest influence. A great deal of university ESL courses take place in CALL classrooms. Of course, the amount of money that goes into CALL at a university here is pretty amazing (considering the tuition that most of those international ESL students pay!).

I taught ESL in a community services church basement, so I had to bring in my own laptop to use if I needed to show a video (not to mention the broken CD player donated by the church). Technology did not get used often! However, the students were able to speak with classroom volunteers (usually 2:1, which was fantastic), rather than a computer. Perhaps technology isn't all it is cracked up to be!

In Canada's ESL environment, I'd have to say that a glut of teachers is probably the biggest influence. While there is probably more demand for teachers, the amount of qualified teachers means that everyone gets a low amount of hours. Since I've got a baby, it works well for me, but I had other classmates that either worked three jobs or shipped off to Korea

But don't forget~ There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

[robertokun]

Greed.

From the corporate execs, mortgage lenders, politicians and stock brokers who don't mind wrecking the world economy for personal gain, to the private conversation school owners and local governments who are squeezing every last penny out of their teachers.

Combine that with an abundance of over-educated, underemployed people with the internet at their fingertips and the "good old days" seem to be getting smaller and smaller in the rear view mirror.

It's not all doom and gloom, though. I'm sure this slump we're going through right now is nothing Chuck Norris can't fix with a flurry of roundhouse kicks.

[anyway]

No one can deny the economic downturn has had an effect, but my question is really about the whole decade, the bigger picture, hence the inclusion of the unholy trinity.

My theory is actually decreased demand and I guess it's a function of all the other options combined. More and better local training in the schools, increased exposure (software/internet/media), and the growing realization that native speakers aren't necessary in the learning process. I imagine that there are some who choose to pursue other languages besides English, too.

The point about the internet enabling the new wave of teachers is a good one too. Increased tourism/study abroad also provides more teachers and decreases recruitment abroad.

Then again, we shouldn't discount the growing awareness that George Bush uses only a simple set of commands, Bigfoot uses only telepathy, and Chuch Norris uses only body language.

[Mike_2007]

Here n Eastern Europe there are a few factors.

1. Schools are now teaching English as the main foreign language. It used to be French, Russian or German. Now it's English plus one other.
2. A lot of kindergardens are introducing English language programmes and with parents working more, the kids are starting earlier and attending more after-school programmes, where often English is taught. The quality of the teaching isn't necessarily better, but more exposure means they do at least get a head start.
3. Computers. All kids have or use PCs regularly and the language of the 'net is English. Although they exist, Romanian-language versions of software like Windows or Office are very rarely used. Lots of manuals are in English and anyone working in IT will at least be able to read and write well in English. Loads of people here also do online gaming, where English is the predominant language. Five or six years ago it was rare to own a PC here.
4. Media. All films here are broadcast in their original language (i.e., mostly English) and subtitled rather than dubbed. Romania is the land of the pirates and the young 'uns are constantly watching series and films downloaded from the net...in English.
5. Language schools. Although there aren't many, and the quality is a little suspect at best, they have started to spring up around the major towns. They generally don't generate enough income to fund a native teacher's salary though.
6. Travel. More and more young Romanians are travelling abroad for holidays, work or training programmes and therefore taking an interest in learning English.
7. Spread of global companies. They pay the best, everyone wants to work for one, everyone knows you need to learn English to get a job at one, hence and increase in interest in improving/remembering language skills.

As a result, there has been a steady increase in demand over the last twenty years, although I expect the it to level out over the next ten years as most of the younger workers entering the job market have already developed their language skills to an acceptable level.

[fluffyhamster]

[anyway]

[slaqdog]

Extremely low wages

[Sadebugo]

Yeah, when I first started in '95, there were few teachers in my area. Now, you can't swing a dead cat . . .

Sadebugo
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