Job Discussion Forums

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

Good question. I'm not sure why but I would never consider teaching english in the UK. Although I surprisingly enjoy teaching and more surprisingly am not the world's worst teacher I just can't see myself teaching back home. BUT I can see myself living back in the Uk working in another field and I can see myself teaching in another country after Japan. But EFL in the UK it gives me the shudders. Mad

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

I did my TESOL to get my feet wet teaching. Travel and living abroad was the means to that end, not the attraction. I had rather mixed feelings about that part. It has been no surprise that I haven't travelled as effortlessly as some, but on the whole I think I've adjusted to life in another country rather well. As I told my family, "Living in China isn't always a picnic, but I love it. I'd make a new home for myself here if I could". Second (small) surprise, I enjoy the job; so much so that I am thinking about returning to Canada to get a B Ed and teaching certificate and teaching in my home province. I can certainly see a need for ESL teachers, and for me the hook is knowing that I'd be doing something rewarding. Would I stay in Canada though, return to China, or leg it out to some place more exotic? Where I can't say, but what I'll do is pretty well settled.

Shaman · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Posts: 446 Location: Hammertown

Capergirl · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 5:17 pm Post subject:

James_T_Kirk · Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 357 Location: Ten Forward

Mark-O · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 12:11 pm Post subject:

[quote="Shaman]You stated, "At Home" teachers could be perceived as more dedicated ("wheat") choosing vocation over location. Another distinct possibilty is that they are simply suckers for punishment. Wink

Shaman[/quote]

Shaman: I think you have a point there, mate! The prospect of me teaching ESL in the UK is a far from tempting one. Doing it in another english-speaking country such as Canada or New Zealand would be tantalising though. I wouldn't mind doing that as a contrast to TEFL once I'd spent a few years in Asia.

gugelhupf · Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 575 Location: Jabotabek

Absolutely not! I taught EFL briefly in the UK some years ago (without a TESOL/CELTA) and while I had fun there is no way I could subsist on the terms and conditions available for most TEFL work in the UK. I currently teach biological subjects at university on an horly paid basis instead.

I'm off to Indonesia later in the year where I WILL be TEFLing!

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

As someone who has taught about 3 years abroad and 6 in Canada, I can see many of the benefits of both. I loved my last job in Canada and would have worked there happily until retirement had it not been for a little thing called layoff. The good jobs at home are few and far between though. I don't think there are many for those without a Masters.

I loved my "new immigrant" students in Canada and they came from almost every country on the globe. It made for some interesting discussions and they were some of the most motivated people I've ever met. The schools which catered to the young int'l students were not very rewarding. They were rich and spoiled and were often only interested in having a good time. Those kind of students I can do without.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

I guess I'm in the minority here. I was a teacher in the States for 20 years before going into ESL/EFL. Basically, I had burned out on working in public schools in the States but couldn't think of anything I'd rather do for the rest of my working life other than teach. My original plan was to get an MA in TESOL, which I did, and then find a nice job teaching ESL at a community college somewhere in the USA, which I didn't. I came to Mexico with the idea of staying 3 - 6 months to get teaching-abroad experience on my CV, then return to the States to continue looking for that community college ESL job. That was about 10 years ago, and I'm still here in Mexico teaching EFL.

Magoo · Joined: 31 Oct 2003 Posts: 651 Location: Wuhan, China

Divorced a few years back, was forced to live with my Mother and could not find a nursing job in her crappy little town. One day, she said,"Instead of moaning about England, go back to China. You've always said you want to go back [my B.A. is in Chinese/French], so do a thingy course and go. You're a free agent, now." She's a teacher, I had taught in China, Hong and Taiwan-badly-so I did. I'm now planning to spend the greater part of my life, here, as I now have a Chinese wife, with adorable 14 year-old daughter thrown in, free of charge (until she starts university, that is), and love it. My students can drive me nuts, at times, as can the Chinese, generally, but I agree with the other Brits, here; NEVER in the UK. I'd strangle the little b a stards. I'd wholeheartedly recommend it; as Mater said, you can always go home if you don't like it. Cool

Shellbell · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Leeds, UK

I know this is an old thread but I've just joined and had to put in my tuppenny worth.

I used to be a primary teacher.I loved the teaching but wasn't that keen on working with kids. I now enjoy the stimulation of working with fantastic adult students who want to learn English. I also feel that I'm doing a good job.I only wish I'd started doing it sooner.

I teach EFL in the UK and have done for the last 6 years. I certainly don't think of teaching EFL in the UK as second best. I love my job; the students are bloody fantastic. In which other country could I teach Albanian, Iraqi, Iranian, Italian, Georgian, Sudanese, Chinese, Japanese, Czech, Angolan, Korean, French, Turkish, Spanish, Thai etc etc students (the list is endless)? Compared to many EFLers who work abroad and some who work in the UK, I know I'm the lucky one. I get decent pay and conditions and I actually enjoy going to work. The only thing that stresses me is when we have inspections (BASELT or OfSTED). Apart from that ,I would say it's the perfect job.

As for teaching EFL in other countries, I'm quite happy to leave that till later.

For those of you who haven't taught EFL in your own country I would say give it whirl. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. You might actually like it Exclamation

Ultimately, I think EFL can be pleasurable wherever you are. It's down to you, the students, the institution you work for and where you're living.

Boy Wonder · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 453 Location: Clacton on sea

I decided to do EFL away from the UK due to the grabbing hands of the Child Support Agency.
And until they and my ex wife rescind their outrageous financial demands....away from the Uk is just where i shall stay!!!

nomadder · Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 2:20 pm Post subject:

I'm not so sure it's better to leave overseas teaching to later as quite a few places seem to favor younger people. It's still possible but options may be more limited.