Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Defining a "professional" ESL Teacher
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
 
Post new topic   This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Mexico
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
PlayadelSoul



Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 346
Location: Playa del Carmen

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

the peanut gallery wrote:
"...If I were a student, I would want a teacher who was more interested in my learning than he was in telling me how "professional he was..."

Are professional teachers interested in telling their students how professional they are? Didnt know that was the case. So to be a true professional one must also be vain? Wow, the qualification bar keeps rising while the pay stays frozen.


I don't know. I guess I just figure if someone takes every available opportunity to adverstise that fact on Dave's, they must do so in their regular working life. I think it is a logical conclusion to come to.

BTW; whose pay stays frozen? Is that a personal situation or a general observation?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
the peanut gallery



Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 264

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

"...a good teacher, IMHO, has more to do with attitude than with how much "paper" I can wave in your face....."

Why do other careers require "paper" but ESL teachers no? Would you go to a doctor, dentist, or take your dog to a veterinarian with a good attitude but no formal qualifications? Why are people in this sector allowed back door entry into professionalism? Its not an ego trip, its called having an expectation of professional standards across the industry.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
PlayadelSoul



Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 346
Location: Playa del Carmen

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

the peanut gallery wrote:
"...a good teacher, IMHO, has more to do with attitude than with how much "paper" I can wave in your face....."

Why do other careers require "paper" but ESL teachers no? Would you go to a doctor, dentist, or take your dog to a veterinarian with a good attitude but no formal qualifications? Why are people in this sector allowed back door entry into professionalism? Its not an ego trip, its called having an expectation of professional standards across the industry.


You are seriously comparing teaching ESL to being a doctor?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
gregd75



Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 360
Location: Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

But yet we have already gone over the fact that EFL teachers need a CELTA / TEFL certificate. This is paper.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
the peanut gallery



Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 264

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

"....BTW; whose pay stays frozen? Is that a personal situation or a general observation?...."

Greg posted an article on the EFL YEAR END BONUS thread. According to him thats how things are going, unfortunately.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
the peanut gallery



Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 264

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

"You are seriously comparing teaching ESL to being a doctor?"

Are you seriously equating a telf certificate and a good attitute to a good language instructor?

Greg,

We have gone over it. You value those certificates however you like.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
gregd75



Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 360
Location: Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
According to him thats how things are going, unfortunately.


Excuse me... I was just posting a news report that I thought may be interesting. It is NOT my opinion at all.

Quote:
Greg, We have gone over it. You value those certificates however you like.


Yet peanut, you say in your post;

Quote:
Why do other careers require "paper" but ESL teachers no?


You're the one going over and over the same point. I'm just trying to highlight your constant inconsistancies. You say that EFL teachers don't require 'paper' but we have been talking about CELTA / TRINITY / TEFL certificates... if employers didn't require paper, why would people take the courses??

I'm not commenting on the value of the 'paper' - thats for recruiters to decide- but people are certifying.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
the peanut gallery



Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 264

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Perhaps not your opinion, but you posted it because it suited your argument.

"I'm just trying to highlight your constant inconsistancies."

Stand up guy, thanks! Now could you do me a favour and work on your own?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
TeresaLopez



Joined: 18 Apr 2010
Posts: 601
Location: Mexico City

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don�t think there is a one size fits all qualification that makes someone a professional, I think it is an attitude one has, that they want to do a good job, that they want to help their students learn, that they do that extra kilometer to help those that are falling between the cracks. I am in a position to hire teachers, and I have hired some with a TESOL certificate, some with a background in education, some with no formal training, but with some experience and a knack for teaching, as demonstrated by the sample lesson presentation I ask people to do at the interview. And all of these people have turned out to be decent teachers. I do shy away from people who obviously have no training or experience and just see teaching English as a way to stay in Mexico for a few months. And their attitude is often off too. And as a person who is self taught in many skills, I think there is a place for that even in ESL teaching. I don�t have a CELTA, but for me, personally, an intense month long program would not be the way to go, I need more time to absorb what I am learning. I have been looking at some of the Teacher Diploma classes offered here in Mexico, and some of them look pretty good. (And some look like total crap), There are a few that are taught in English, part time, so you have time to digest what you are doing. I might actually take one just for the refresher.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
the peanut gallery



Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 264

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds good Teresa! As Guy said, its an ongoing process isnt it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
PlayadelSoul



Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 346
Location: Playa del Carmen

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

the peanut gallery wrote:
"You are seriously comparing teaching ESL to being a doctor?"

Are you seriously equating a telf certificate and a good attitute to a good language instructor?



Impossible to compare, seeing as a TEFL certificate plus a good attitude may very likely lead to a good language instructor. Just as years of schooling and an attitude of entitlement and resentment would make for a crappy one.

I probably am less "qualified" than you (in your mind, anyway), yet could probably teach circles around you. How could we judge such a competition? Success stories, perhaps? How much we earn? How many lives we have touched? When you figure that out, you have your answer as to what makes a good teacher.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
gregd75



Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 360
Location: Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Support what arguement? I just don't understand whats being said here.

I simply posted the article because I thought it would be of interest.

This constant attacking and failure to answer constructive questions and simply shoot down any point of view other than your own is tiring. Really tiring.

You show me an inconstitancy in my posts and I'll either clarify my point or apologise for any mistake.

The inconsistency you continually refer to is 32 pesos an hour paid at my school- are you man enough to admit you got this wrong? (I doubt it)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
the peanut gallery



Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 264

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

"I probably am less "qualified" than you (in your mind, anyway), yet could probably teach circles around you"

Please address the message, not the messenger. You just got very personal Playa.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
TeresaLopez



Joined: 18 Apr 2010
Posts: 601
Location: Mexico City

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

the peanut gallery wrote:
"
Would you go to a doctor, dentist, or take your dog to a veterinarian with a good attitude but no formal qualifications?


No, but I go to an herbalist with little formal training that I have complete faith in.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
the peanut gallery



Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 264

PostPosted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 1:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

".... shoot down any point of view other than your own is tiring. Really tiring."

I feel the same about your posts....shall we simply not engage in any future conversations or debates?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Mexico All times are GMT
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
Page 2 of 3

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China