Job Discussion Forums

nellychess · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 187 Location: USA

I am 39 years old American male with a Bachelors degree. I teach tennis, and run a club in the states from April-November. I am off the rest of the year, and would love to go somewhere to teach English and live the rest of the year. Money is not important. i mainly want to have a good time, meet women and cool friends, and maybe just make money to live on while I am there. Any ideas?

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

Don't you think students deserve more than someone who shows up for half a year just to have a good time? In what way are you qualified to teach English? This career is as serious as any other. Ever heard of someone wanting to show up on foreign shores to do surgery for a few months, with just a bachelor's? What if you called Delta and said you'd like to fly planes for a little while, just to support yourself and meet cool girls?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

The kind of job you describe is FAR less available than it was years ago.
Simply being a native English speaker isn't a ticket to fun and a paycheck any more.

There are few contracts available in the time period Dec-March, and few employers who will hire someone for four months - particularly one whose stated focus is fun rather than providing serious quality teaching to his/her paying students.

You might want to google CELTA, which is a standard newbie-starting-out certification course. A bit of info on what's required to get a starter job might help to give you a more realistic view of the field.

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

But anyway, if this is what you want to do, I recommend Asia or Europe.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

How do you think an American is going to get a legal gig in Europe?
Particularly with no qualifications, experience, and wanting only Dec-March??

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

I'm sure there are a few Americans running around somewhere on the continent ...

Where there's a will, there's a way!

nellychess · Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 187 Location: USA

I'm sorry if I'm off base, but that is why I asked this question. I don't know. Not worthy of being attacked.

The whole point is that I don't need money. There's no short term opportunities for someone who doesn't need much money? Anywhere in the world?

If you don't know, don't hate.

I'd be happy to be an assistant or whatever.

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

I don�t think it�s that there are no opportunities, it�s that you haven�t said anything about WANTING to teach, or to get the training to do so.............do you have any plans to get a CELTA or other entry level qualification? If not, what makes you think you can teach? Do you think it is fair to your students to go into the classroom with no training? I think if you gave some indication of treating this as a job and not as a vacation you might have gotten better responses.

VikingElvis · Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Posts: 31 Location: China

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I did try to offer some concrete info in my original post. Wasn't sneering at your motivation, either.

The kind of job you describe is FAR less available than it was years ago.
Simply being a native English speaker isn't a ticket to fun and a paycheck any more.

Yeah, there used to be many more gigs around like this, and the myth persists. You can be forgiven for imagining that it's still common.

There are few contracts available in the time period Dec-March, and few employers who will hire someone for four months - particularly one whose stated focus is fun rather than providing serious quality teaching to his/her paying students.

Market reality, info regarding.

You might want to google CELTA, which is a standard newbie-starting-out certification course. A bit of info on what's required to get a starter job might help to give you a more realistic view of the field.

Useful place to start learning what it takes to get a start as an English language teacher.

Look, most of us are genuinely happy to help a would-be newbie, but of course we are (mostly) qualified and experienced teachers. To suggest that you're seeking fun and sun and not to at least add that you're willing to get some minimum quals is sure to put backs up on a board like this.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Zero · Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 1402

Would you be interested in Germany? I hear it is awesome there.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Camps in ASia might work for you, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea may have some. Maybe a couple weeks to a couple months max.

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I assume Zero's being facetious. Anyway, I doubt the North Sea coast is the kind of scene the OP had in mind Cool