Job Discussion Forums

[adshunt]

I've been reading this forum for a good couple of months now, trying to soak up everything I can ahead of my CELTA course that starts in a few days. I'm no nearer making a decision on destination, but I do have all my documents ready for when I finally take the plunge!

The one thing that has really stood out whilst researching is the amount that moderators have to step in to 'calm' the discussions, issue warnings or simply ban members. Should I expect to meet these angry teachers at every turn on my teaching travels, or are they (hopefully) just a vocal minority?

I don't mean to belittle the contribution of most members - I wouldn't still be reading if there wasn't a wealth of useful information on the site. On the other hand I'd be lying if I wasn't slightly worried about entering a world of bitter old folk who hate their lives and are trying to run away from them (a horrendous exaggeration of what I believe is the case - I don't want anyone getting angry at me!).

[spiral78]

I think most of us regulars really love what we do (well, I do for sure). Maybe we sometimes come across as argumentative because

1. The regulars know each other a bit, and we sometimes clash - it's natural and no real reflection on the profession.

2. We try to patiently answer the same questions over and over many times through the years and occasionally our patience wears thin (especially when the newbie asking the questions doesn't happen to like the answers, which we have no control over).

Overall, don't worry - there are good/bad/everything in between TEFLers in terms of general mood, and you mostly make your own circle of friends. If you're going to approach it positively, you'll be fine.

[Steinmann]

[denise]

You will find those bitter types in the field, but they are easily enough avoided. As to why there is some negativity on the forum... well, it bothers me, too, when an otherwise or potentially useful thread turns into a spat between a few members. (I have been involved on a few occasions, sadly...) But that's normally when I tune out and stop reading a thread.

No, it's not always like that in the teacher's room! You might have to put up with a few oddballs in meetings, sharing classes, in shared housing if your school offers it, etc., but as spiral said, you can choose your own friends. Just choose the sane ones!

d

[Glenski]

Despite the large number of people signed up to this and other forums, there are far more out there that don't use forums at all, and even those who do sign up may not look at the site after some time.

As for bans or moderation, read the posts carefully (and the FAQ rules), and you'll often see why such things happen. Some people troll. Some have thin skins. Some misinterpret what is written in cold, hard text. Some just don't like being told they are wrong. Like I said, see the threads carefully to know more about why sanctions are taken.

[Zero]

Negative people are in every profession. More so in ESL than other fields? I don't know.

The negative people are probably more apt to go to forums and post. Or at least they attract more attention when they do.

I do think that ESL has an inferiority complex. That's somewhat true of teaching in general. People who have made a career in it may sometimes like to emphasize credentials, degrees and specialized techniques in order to compare favorably to other fields, and even to other types of teachers/instructors/professors.

[mimi_intheworld]

[Vaporate]

I don't know why people 'back home' attack the TEFL industry.

There are thousands of unemployed graduates in the UK who are applying for simple GCSE level admin work yet get declined before interview.

Simply because they have found some 40 year old with years of experience, thus not giving the newly qualified a chance.

With no prospects in the UK at all, by no fault of my own, TEFL sounds like a god send lol

Yes the grass is not greener but it beats JSA claiming and applying fruitlessly for crap jobs with low pay.