Job Discussion Forums

[think_balance]

A bit of a long post, but I hope all this information will garner me some good advice.

My demographics:
Age: 37
US Citizen
Taught as an English Assistant in France in 2005/06.
B.A. in English
Graduating next week with an M.A. TESOL from my local university.

My situation:
I had surgery for cancer in 2009 and have been cancer free for two year. However, in order to be 'certified' cancer free, I need to be tumor free for five years, thus I have three years left in my count down.

My financial situation:
I have a good job in the tech industry currently. I'm debt free and have a bit saved for retirement. Whatever initial job I take needs to pay enough for me to live comfortably and send home at least $500 a month.

My current thinking:

Once I get my certification, I'd like to move abroad.

I know money is insanely good in the Middle East, but I also hear that one should wait until one is a bit older to teach there - as life there is a bit more mellow and settled.

I've planned on teaching in Japan for a few years, but with the EQ / Tsunami, I am not sure what the TESOL situation will be like in three years.

I've also wanted to teach in the Peace Corps (preferably Morocco) but I am not sure if I should do this as my first move in my TESOL career or wait.

I also hear that Turkey is looking to start something similar to the JET Programme - though, obviously, not in Japan .

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-239130-turkey-to-hire-40000-native-english-speakers-as-guest-teachers.html

Lastly, it might be nice to teach somewhere that is somewhat carefree and fun loving for my first gig.

My questions, then, are all about timing. Which should I do first? Am I going to be too old for Japan when I am finally cancer free? Should I jump in to the more lucrative areas first? Get some experience and connections in the Peace Corps?

How would you handle this? I have three years left - that gives me a chance to take some language / culture courses in the area to which I'll move and, hopefully, get some experience teaching ESL stateside.

If there's a thread I missed that discusses how to plan things like this, please let me know.

Thank you in advance.

[Denizen]

Japan may be a nice fit.

Here's what I'd do if I were in your kutsu...

1. Get some documentable ESL teaching experience in the States, if possible.
2. Take some Japanese language classes.
3. If you can, try publishing some ESL related articles in journals to boost credibility.
4. Save around $5,000 as startup money for a stint in Japan.
5. After that, connect with people on this board (Glenski, for example) who are in universities for further advice.

If this sounds intimidating, you may want to get your feet wet at an Eikaiwa or as an ALT for a year before pursuing a uni job.

Good luck on your full recovery!

[think_balance]

[Glenski]

Good grief no, you are not too old for Japan! You seem to have an ancient view on who gets jobs here. TEFL is not primarily for the 20-year-old set. Far from it.

As for what the situation will be here in 3 years' time, who can say? I'd strongly suggest you read up on the market from now till then. It's not getting any better.

You're likely not going to get a uni position without some Japanese language ability and Japanese teaching experience, and certainly not without several publications! Read the FAQ stickies and internal links in the Japan forum for more.

[naturegirl321]

[Happy Everyday]

Will someone please suggest ESL journals?

Journals are the creme de la creme. Don't rule out participating in symposiums, publishing in magazines, and publishing a book and articles via Amazon.

Personally, I've switched from focusing on publications to focusing on more performances. "Oh, you're an actor? Let's see your demo reel, let's see your resume. Can you teach it?" I've gotten good at using some of the showbiz razzamatazz to get shy students talking. Education has been my sideline jobs for years. After refining pedagogical methods, designing fun classes for conversation and learning were the next step. I would prefer to do more in the professional arts though, and if it must be teaching, the arts are also ideal and should pay more.

No offense to the linguists, whom I respect even moreso after learning IPA for acting and ESL, but I'm not the kind of guy who gets jollies out of debating whether or not a prohibition against clause-final prepositions is an arbitrary rule... even though most linguists today would file it under "prescriptivist poppycock".

My point is that I would climb the ladder more as in instructor because it is how I earn a living. Is getting published the only way?

[Glenski]