Job Discussion Forums

AjarnIam · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 95 Location: Thailand

I'm new to this forum, so forgive me if this topic has been beat to death already.

After reading hundreds of posts, it's quite obvious that there are different motives for TEFL.

So, on a scale of 1-10, where do you fall?

1. You are a dedicated professional in TEFL/TESOL either teaching or administering ESL. You are well educated in this field, and considering even higher formal education. You see the need for further developments in TEFL, and want to participate in these changes. You research and apply innovative teaching methodologies. You attend seminars and lectures to improve TEFL delivery methods. You have strong inter-cultural skills. Renumeration, although important, is not your motivation for TEFL.

10. You have no experience or related education in TEFL, however you are considering the cheapest online TEFL program to put on your CV. You see TEFL as a means to subsidize your travel adventures. You work contract to contract, travelling from country to country, and probably considering moving back to your home country to pursue a "real" career someday.

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

kazazt · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 164

Sadly though, wherever you are on the scale everyone else sees you as a 10.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

AjarnIam · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 95 Location: Thailand

I'd say I'm 4-3. I'm spending a ton of cash on higher education, but I certainly have my eye on a more financially secure future as well. I'd say my colleagues are about the same...somewhere between a 5-8. That's probably because we won't hire the 1-4's, but they do apply.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:38 pm Post subject:

I don't like applying numbers to myself, so I won't.

I'm a professional teacher, though. I have encountered a lot of circumstances where "native speaking English teacher" is seen as similar to your number ten. I wouldn't say this is everybody's view, though.

I dare to hope that my students would know better! Those who set my salary certainly seem to.

Best,
Justin

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Dinah606 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 23 Location: China

I�d say I�m a five or six, aspiring towards one or two. When I started out teaching TEFL, I just wanted to learn Chinese and experience a new culture. Before coming here, I thought of everything but the job, and didn�t really imagine myself teaching. Once I arrived, however, I found that my teaching job was my favorite thing about being here. I had an oxford seminars TESL certification and a BA in English prior to arriving overseas, but this summer I did a better TEFL cert course rather than returning to the States. I�ve also been doing an online cert related to teaching TEFL to children. Although my experience is less than most of the posters on these boards, and I don�t yet have a masters degree, I do my best to conduct myself professionally, and put my all into the job. I do expect I�ll move back home and pursue a career there eventually, but not for awhile yet.

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

runthegauntlet · Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 2:07 pm Post subject:

I'm pretty much a ten. I work for a year and then go travel for 6-7 months. Finishing up my second year this week and have a 6 month trip planned before I come back and do my third year.

Although I'm under no illusion about what I am and the impact I have, I do strive to meet the expectations of the boss lady and help the kids as much as I can.

Anyway, I want to go back to school and get certified to teach when I return home, but I don't plan on it being in ESL. So...yeah. Ten it is.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Interesting question. Not quite sure where I would put myself...I find it hard to fit into categories in many things in life, not just this one!

I definately started as a 10 (2006), and have since then completed relevant and recognised qualifications, but 4 years later I find myself in a job that would typically be identified with backpacker teachers. The contradiction is whilst Im in a backpacker environment, Im trying to plan and teach more professional lessons than all my peers (and if anyone can help me with some really good lesson plans full of target language and grammar points do let me know!).

I do plan on working from contract to contract, and probably country to country too. Again, closer to a 10 I guess. However, I do intend looking into a DELTA later, but probably not because Im looking at a career path.

I guess in the classroom, I would put myself at about 4 ... but my lifestyle choices in terms of where and why I teach, would be closer to 9. Hmmm, I think Im probably making this more complicated than it needs to be!

Jerkstores · Joined: 17 Feb 2010 Posts: 5

Was this post inspired by my newbie question that you answered?

I am looking to get the cheapest ESL cert because, while I've read here that these companies don't require much from new hires, I still don't feel comfortable since I have no ESL certs and no teaching experience. Some of the people who post here make it seem like all that you need to get into ESL is a bachelor's degree and a passport from a rich English-speaking country, and that it helps if you're white and have a North American accent. Given that, the very fact that I'm looking into a "cheap" cert should be a clear indicator that I'm not just going into ESL to subsidize backpacking. There are only a handful of places in the US where I can obtain the CELTA, and I'm 3 hours away from the nearest one. I contacted my local United Way about their ESL volunteer program but haven't heard back from them. So other than reading these forums, taking an online cert, or perhaps reading some ESL books I don't think there is much that I can do to prepare.

Yes, travelling is part of why I want to go. Another part of it is experiencing the culture and learning the language of the host country. If I find that I like teaching I do plan on making a career out of it, and yes I do plan on getting into a TESL master's program if I do find that I like this. I'm looking into this because I want to see the world, but at the same time I do see it as a potential career. So put me down as a 5. I'm not over there, but I don't think you'll find a lot of people in the ESL world who'd put down 1.

Insubordination · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 394 Location: Sydney

I used to be a 1 but I find I'm taking things less seriously over time and concentrating more on my life outside of work. I guess I have enough experience now so that everything is easy. I find the employers aren't overly concerned about us and I reciprocate. I would say a 4 now but I would never walk into a class unprepared.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

Started as a 6 (some non-TEFL teaching experience, but unqualified), now a 3.

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

{quote=jerkstores} Some of the people who post here make it seem like all that you need to get into ESL is a bachelor's degree and a passport from a rich English-speaking country, and that it helps if you're white and have a North American accent.

Well, this is true for the most part especially if you want to enter Korea. As I said before, not requiring EFL-specific qualifications is part of the reason for the lack of respect the profession receives. It also allows some employers to keep their pay/benefits at the bare minimum.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/