Job Discussion Forums

[Susie A]

Hello there

I am considering a career change and ESL teaching is an area that really interests me. I am 27 years old and live in Australia. I have completed a Bach. of Commerce and a Bach. of Arts and currently work in Human Resources for a multinational company. The work that I do can be challenging and sometimes rewarding but, ultimately, I do not feel it is what I am meant to be doing.

Last year I completed a short course in Mandarin and it triggered my interest in language learning/teaching. As a result, I made contact with an organisation that runs a volunteer English language tutoring program and I am now volunteering as an English language tutor- I work with a woman in her home and we meet once a week. I really love the volunteer work that I am doing and it has inspired me to investigate ESL teaching as a career option. I am applying for the CELTA later this year and am seriously considering leaving my job to complete a Diploma in Education (this is a 1 yr full-time course that would qualify me to work as a secondary school teacher).

I would like to work overseas but would also like to know that I will be able to find work in Australia.

I know that no-one can say to me 'yes, you should definitely do this- have no fear!' but I would like to learn from people who have pursued ESL teaching as a career so that I can understand what is great about it, what is challenging about it, how difficult it is to find work, and any other critical factors I should take into account when considering life as an ESL teacher (sorry, I know these are big questions!).

I do feel scared about pursuing a new career in ESL teaching (because it seems like it would mean giving up my regular income and steady job) and to reduce my fear I am seeking to learn as much possible before taking any serious steps (such as resigning from my job!).

I would really appreciate any input from people who who have pursued ESL teaching as a career. If anyone has had or is having a similar experience, I would love to hear from you.

Thank you in advance for your wisdom and insight!

Susie A

[august03]

I also had a secure job with the government in Aust, I was also bored, so I took the plunge and here I am in China! Go China!

It's a great idea to do the Grad. Dip of Ed and a CELTA course because that will enable you to be qualified to teach at schools in Aust, plus England, plus International schools here in China, plus Canada ahh the list goes on. You will be very qualified to teach in all other countries. If you enjoy ESL teaching then after teaching overseas you will be able to work in ESL schools in Aust too!

You must be aware of the demand for teachers in Australian and English schools, well the demand for ESL teachers throughout the world is even bigger!

The world is open to you, just do it! I highly recommend you to get the qualifications first, (I will have to home again to get mine) then go wherever you please. Don�t worry about leaving your job; you have the experience to get back into if you find you don�t like teaching.

Also, to help out with cash while you study again take on private tuition once you�ve completed the CELTA course, there are so many language schools in Melb it should be a breeze. Then you�d be prepared to teach o/s with Education qualifications, a CELTA, plus experience, couldn�t have thought of a better combination!

[Susie A]

Thanks august03- I really appreciate your thoughtful response.

august03, what are your thoughts on the difference in the type of job you can get teaching overseas if you have an education qualification (e.g. Grad Dip in Education) as opposed to a general degree and a CELTA? You recommended that I get the qualifications first (and this is what I am thinking of doing) but I would like to understand the difference that this would make when seeking employment overseas.

And august03, thank you for the suggestion of seeking private tuition work after completing the CELTA. Having an income (no matter how small) while I am studying is important to me and this sounds like a great idea. Does anyone have any thoughts on how hard it is to find casual work with language schools in Melbourne (or anywhere) if you have completed the CELTA?

Thanks again august 03.

[Gordon]

Susie,
I wouldn't recommend getting any more qualifications other than the CELTA. That will be enough to get a job overseas (and in Oz I suspect)and for you to see if this is the kind of business you like. Why get a Diploma and then find you hate it? You seem to be taking a serious approach to the work and I applaud you for it. I have been teaching for 9 years, have a CELTA and am just about to start my Masters through USQ.

[august03]

Hey Susie which part of Melbourne are you from (PM me if you like)? I too am a Melbournian from the Richmond/ Hawthorn area).

The reason I believe getting the Grad Dip first is a good idea is because (I�m not sure about other countries) but in China you'll have more doors open to you, particularly International schools. You can earn up to 16,000RMB per month in Shanghai at one of those schools and they often run many subjects in English. That's almost $3,000AUD a month and remembering that it only costs about $800 - $1000 a month to live very well in Shanghai, it's a pretty good deal. Plus when, and if you return home you could get a teaching job straight away rather than going back to school again for another year.

I have checked out many ESL jobs in Aust and usually you need teaching qualifications, plus a TESOL Grad Dip, plus experience, due to the competition being quite high.

I was so eager to get here that I bypassed the extra qualifications, now I'm going to have to go back and do that extra year of uni because I enjoy teaching so much.

If you have any questions at all, let me know.

[Susie A]

Hi Gordon and august03

Thank you both for your responses. I can understand both of your points of view.

august03, thank you for highlighting how the education qualification would make a difference in China. I would love to know if the situation would be similar in other countries.

Do other people have any info on the difference in job opportunities if you travel as a qualified teacher rather than holding a Bachelors degree (not in Education) and a CELTA?

Thanks again

Susie

[naturegirl321]

[august03]

I e-mailed a few uni's and they all said that yes you can do a Grad Dip of TESOL however it won't qualify you to teach in Aust schools, you must have either a Bachelor of Education or a Grad Dip of Education. A GD TESOL is more a specialised stream. Most people do the Ed part, get a job teaching in a regular school and do the TESOL part time. Some language schools will take you with a GD TESOL, others want the Ed part. I don't how it is in other countries though.

[naturegirl321]

I think that I'm going to go for the Grad Dip of Primary. I figure I can alwasys go back and do a MA in TEFL.