Job Discussion Forums

china-1994 · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 36

I came back to Beijing after almost 4 months back in Canada.Every time I return home I get marveled at for having the gall to have lived abroad doing ESL for almost 15 years,as well as concern.

Years back, when I started this work, it seemed that the risk-reward of staying in Canada seemed to me riskier to stay in Canada.Now that my disability(middle-age) is creeping up on me, I've started to wonder how risky ESL is. Maybe ESL is only for the 20-30ish folks who have other options,if they choose to leave it.

On my trip home, I saw that many jobs paid significantly more than many entry level ESL jobs,though the growing number of McJobs counter that argument.
When I think that a person will accept a job halfway around the world with little knowledge of what lay in store,little if any financial and emotional support (being friends and family) for a job that actually doesn't pay that much...seems to hold undue risks.
Those with better than average qualifications, going into international schools, or having meaningful medical coverage- those jobs, I can understand.
Maybe this level of risk is palatable to the younger ESL-er or the semi-retired,but financially secure older person.
Agree or disagree ?
Cheers,
BH

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

My opinion would be that if you stay in this field for any length of time that you�ll get better qualified and not stay in the entry level jobs a moment longer than you have to. In a few years I don�t want to be applying for the same job as a newbie. No different to any other career where you gain professional qualifications along the way.

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

china-1994 · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 36

I love this long held dysphemism "backpacker" to divorce them from us.
I got it. I'm to blame for my lot. All that I've seen in all my years in ESL, would have been poofed away by an B.Ed or M.Ed. Well, here in China this higher plane of ESL-ism would shrink the pool of schools from a guesstimate of 300,000 to about 50.
If I had only made enough money to afford more education...I get it ! If I had had a B.Ed/M.Ed, I could have earned enough to...huh?
A tad smug ?

johnslat · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 2:44 pm Post subject:

Dear china-1994,

A tad defensive?

Regards,
John

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

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

I agree with John and Denise. Pretty much the only way to differentiate between ESL teachers is through qualifications. It might not be fair, but further degrees open doors. A Masters is going to count for more than 15 yrs experience in China - especially if you want the higher paying jobs in the Gulf.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Working 15 years without gaining more quals? Shocked

Sorry, but, well... what would anyone end up with after 15 years of doing most any job that requires a 30 day certification course or less?

Yeah, sorry, but it simply takes some commitment in terms of energy, money, time, and etc. to get ahead, regardless of the field of employment. If you haven't got such commitment and are content to continue long-term in entry-level jobs, competing with raw newbies....well, yes, it's the majority of the work base.

There will always be more McDonald's restaurants around than better/nicer places that require more professional skills from their workers. But pay and benefits will always be tied to skills and quals and reputation, and how professional those are.

It's not as simple as backpackers versus 'us' - but in the end, it does boil down to commitment and professionalism. Just like in every other job that leads to a career.

Signed - a career teacher who's invested.....