Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear sharter,

Ah, but it's all so subjective, isn't it? I mean I suspect most people would consider Saudi to be a "krap place," but if someone doesn't need or even want a lot of "social recreation," (and even that IS available there if one pursues it - and has a car,) well, Saudi can be quite tolerable, even pleasant. Moreover, working there affords one the chance to visit so many other places during those long summer breaks. I got to see every country in Europe/Africa/Asia that I had long been interested in visiting, some of them more than once or twice.
My students there were all pleasant - although I will admit that some of them were not especially industrious. My hours were quite tolerable: 7:30 am to 2:30 p.m., there were no "awful diseases," and the only time it was a "war zone" was back in 1991 when Saddam scudded Riyadh. Oh, and back in 2002/2003, there were some terrorist attacks (but these days, they can happen anywhere - moreover they don't seem to be much of a problem there now.)

Just so I don't appear to be all contrarian, I agree wholeheartedly with this:

"Most people in EFL are classroom teachers and the CELTA and DELTA are aimed at classroom performance. Doing and MA and learning about Krashen, Skinner, Chomsky, Prahbu et al might be interesting but is FA use in the classroom. I mean...have you ever used the 'Silent Method' or god forbid, teaching rods? Anyone can read a book on Course Design or Needs Analysis.....I think some people are intellectual snobs. With all my quals I still get more satisfaction from a shared classroom activity that's a goer."

Regards,
John

[naturegirl321]

A bit of a tangent, but with such low salaries and few benefits, you can see why TEFL teachers often get a bad rap, since they're sometimes not prepared or trained. BUt it's a Catch 22: why pay lots of money for training if you're going to get a low salary? And why offer high salaries if the teachers aren't well trained?

[Teacher in Rome]

[Teacher in Rome]

[cwgirl]

[naturegirl321]

[artemisia]

(basiltherat)

[spiral78]

Actually, I think the US chains do have some sort of comportment requirements that urge enthusiasm for the flippin' job

[Hod]

[Hod]

[johnslat]

Dear Hod,

I guess what I'm saying is that, in my personal experience, almost all of what I learned in class while getting my Masters, while very interesting and often thought-provoking, has had little opportunity for practical application (unless you count sounding pompously erudite) during my thirty-three years (so far) of teaching (mostly EFL - 22 years, and ESL -seven years.)

Regards,
John

[spiral78]

Maybe things have changed, but my MA was research-based and studied theory applied to classroom contexts. I still find it highly relevant, many many classroom hours later.

[naturegirl321]

I agree. My MAs have made me think about new concepts and things I'd like to do in the future (like TAFE admin), but they're theoretical, not to practical. My TEFL Dip on the other hand was FAR more practical.

[timsan]

[PierogiMonster]

After over 5 years in Krakow, Poland, I shall be shortly leaving for a break somewhere in Asia.

It's tough to save any money teaching in Poland, but it can be done.

This year I'm making 8000 to 9000 zlotys per month (just under 2000GBP mostly tax-free as some of it comes from privates), where the average Polish salary is something like 3500zl per month.

I do very well right now: I am qualified, work hard and have more enquiries for students than I can handle. And the quality of life in Krakow is great (besides the weather!)

Please please please ... if you are in EFL teaching for more than a couple of years and don't consider it a career, please get out and let us professionals get on with the job!

And, by the way, there are loads of students here for serious, EFL professionals. Trust me.