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Steinmann
Joined: 17 Mar 2009
Posts: 255
Location: In the frozen north
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 Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 6:30 am Post subject: Undesirable Locations |
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Question:
Of the possible ESL destinations in the world, where would you not want to teach and why?
My question stems from results of repeated application of a principle I learned in army messhalls: Learn to like what others do not, and you'll always have plenty of chow.
I got pretty good at it without developing masochistic tendencies.
Don't flame me, fellas. The question is an honest one. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 6:39 am Post subject: Re: Undesirable Locations |
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| Steinmann wrote: |
Question:
Of the possible ESL destinations in the world, where would you not want to teach and why?
My question stems from results of repeated application of a principle I learned in army messhalls: Learn to like what others do not, and you'll always have plenty of chow.
I got pretty good at it without developing masochistic tendencies.
Don't flame me, fellas. The question is an honest one. |
The difference is that unlike the chow line, there are more than enough opportunities for work and there is usually a very good reason why people don't go to the others.
Another difference is YOUR passport.
Being American rules out the best part of a continent to you (Europe) because of visa rules.
It also means that in some of the more desirable markets (ie: better paying) you are also MORE IN DEMAND than teachers from some of the other countries and in some cases you can get a visa when many others can't (because of their country of passport).
Another difference would be the visa rules in place for each country.
Some people CAN'T qualify for a work visa (inadequate qualifications) so they head for the places where they can get work. Others who have qualifications (degree, experience, TESOL cert. and clean CBC) can literally choose the more lucrative locations and finding a job in many is about as difficult as falling off a curb because they do qualify for a visa, can obtain said visa in a minimum of time and be on the plane within a couple weeks and many job applicants don't.
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Steinmann
Joined: 17 Mar 2009
Posts: 255
Location: In the frozen north
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| Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 6:54 am Post subject: Re: Undesirable Locations |
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| tttompatz wrote: |
| Steinmann wrote: |
Question:
Of the possible ESL destinations in the world, where would you not want to teach and why?
My question stems from results of repeated application of a principle I learned in army messhalls: Learn to like what others do not, and you'll always have plenty of chow.
I got pretty good at it without developing masochistic tendencies.
Don't flame me, fellas. The question is an honest one. |
The difference is that unlike the chow line, there are more than enough opportunities for work and there is usually a very good reason why people don't go to the others.
Another difference is YOUR passport.
Being American rules out the best part of a continent to you (Europe) because of visa rules.
It also means that in some of the more desirable markets (ie: better paying) you are also MORE IN DEMAND than teachers from some of the other countries and in some cases you can get a visa when many others can't (because of their country of passport).
Another difference would be the visa rules in place for each country.
Some people CAN'T qualify for a work visa (inadequate qualifications) so they head for the places where they can get work. Others who have qualifications (degree, experience, TESOL cert. and clean CBC) can literally choose the more lucrative locations and finding a job in many is about as difficult as falling off a curb because they do qualify for a visa, can obtain said visa in a minimum of time and be on the plane within a couple weeks and many job applicants don't.
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Ah. Why be content with having all the hamburger I can eat when steak is easily available to me? Is that it?
Part of it is to be able to say that I did it. Chicks dig scars, right?
Your arguments are sound, though. I lack only a TEFL cert (and maybe an M.A.) to put myself just about anywhere I like (Europe excepted). How to choose, then, when so much of the world is just waiting out there?
Thanks, man. You're certainly one of the most level members of this forum it's been my pleasure to know. |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:47 am Post subject: |
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| Peru, hands down |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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Once you consider visa/passport and qualifications issues--ruling out Europe for you, but probably not much else--there are other factors to consider.
* Money. I don't know if you've mentioned it in other threads. Do you need to save? Are you in debt?
* Climate preferences
* Language/culture preferences
* Ability to mingle with/date the locals
* Ability to mingle with/date ANYONE, if the locals are off-limits
etc., etc.
For you, rather than looking at and ruling out the places other people don't want to go to, I'd look at the places that interest you. Unless your heart is set on Western Europe, you can probably go where you want to.
d |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Steinmann,
It's a pretty reliable rule-of-thumb:
The more pleasant a place is, the less money you're likely to get - and, of course, the less pleasant a place, the more money.
Of course, this is only a "general rule." I mean, there are people who find the Middle East pleasant. And there are others who find the adventure of teaching in, say, Mongolia or some sub-Sahara African country worth the low salary.
Regards,
John |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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| johnslat wrote: |
Dear Steinmann,
It's a pretty reliable rule-of-thumb:
The more pleasant a place is, the less money you're likely to get - and, of course, the less pleasant a place, the more money.
Of course, this is only a "general rule." I mean, there are people who find the Middle East pleasant. And there are others who find the adventure of teaching in, say, Mongolia or some sub-Sahara African country worth the low salary.
Regards,
John |
Hm, I'd have to disagree. Love where I am now and the money's great. Hated Peru and the money was bad. Guess it's win-win for me now  |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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Dear naturegirl321,
Well, there ARE exceptions, but I get the distinct impression that where you are now is not a very widely liked place:
"For those that have a very good time here in (where you are now), though rare, great for them. If only everyone could be so lucky. For those in the majority that hated some to many aspects of their job in (where you are now), it creates a generation of people who will hate their experience here for the rest of their lives. They will tell others of their experiences one way or another. Create enough of these people and it creates a bad overall image of (where you are now). By the way, (where you are now) doesn�t have a great image to begin with; no real tourist attractions, lack of diverse and distinctive foods, and lack of a friendly society. How do you hire people for jobs that no one wants� throw more money at the problem and hope it goes away, which seems to be the procedure here."
I'd add the link, but . . . .
Regards,
John |
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