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Perilla
Joined: 09 Jul 2010
Posts: 792
Location: Hong Kong
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 Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 8:06 am Post subject: |
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I was in TEFL for about 10 years, from '96 to '06. I have to say I never really enjoyed it. It was a job - better than no job - and got me out of the doldrums I'd gotten into in mid-90's, hard-to-find-work UK. Having said that I was still a conscientious teacher and did my best for my students, and generally they regarded me well.
I'm sure my case is/was not that unusual - there are probably thousands of TEFLers doing it because they couldn't get the job they wanted. It doesn't make them bad teachers. |
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Shroob
Joined: 02 Aug 2010
Posts: 1339
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| Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:04 am Post subject: |
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I think a lot of people see TEFL as a way to travel, think its going to be a breeze and drop out of it after a year or so. I think that these are the sort of people that have horror stories most often.
I have very limited experience of teaching English (voluntarily) and I liked it. I have enrolled on a CELTA course, partly because it increases my employment prospects, but also because I see teaching as a responsibility. Someone is paying me to teach them, I'd like to think I can do this to a good standard. |
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nickpellatt
Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 1522
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| Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 9:24 am Post subject: |
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| Shroob wrote: |
I think a lot of people see TEFL as a way to travel, think its going to be a breeze and drop out of it after a year or so. I think that these are the sort of people that have horror stories most often.
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I think this is very true. A lot of my friends outside of EFL think its a breeze too, and some of my PGCE teacher friends often give me the vibe that they think EFL is about 20 rungs below them on the teaching ladder. The reality is often different, and when I have worked with PGCE qualified teachers they have been rubbish more often than not, with zero idea of how language works and how to teach it.
The people I have seen bomb the most are generally the people who have had success academically or professionally and seen TEFL as a hobby, a free meal ticket or a filler until something else starts.
It isnt rocket science of course, and the people I have seen fail could have succeeded if they had applied themselves to TEFL as they had applied themselves to studies or other jobs. Underestimating the task at hand and a total lack of preparation is enough to fail in many jobs...more so when you are in a foriegn country/culture to boot. |
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AGoodStory
Joined: 26 Feb 2010
Posts: 738
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| Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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| artemisia wrote: |
. . .I thought that it was something positive that the OP wanted to at least do an initial course as many don't bother. Maybe it's just a reflection of where I work but I find students are becoming increasingly demanding and ambitious. They don't hesitate to complain if they're not happy with the teaching they're getting. It doesn't hurt for would-be teachers to get a reality check on that if indeed what I experience is in anyway representative of other places, too. |
I'm not sure that you can really draw many conclusions from the fact that someone is willing to take a 20-hour training course. (Well, perhaps you could conclude that he doesn't believe that any skills or knowledge are required to teach English, but he's already said that.) |
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SahanRiddhi
Joined: 18 Sep 2010
Posts: 267
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| Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't see why everyone thinks they have to drink alcohol. To me that is boring and dull. Tell me, what is wrong with living an alcohol-free lifestyle? At least you don't have to worry about what you said or did the night before. |
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Shroob
Joined: 02 Aug 2010
Posts: 1339
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| Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 4:46 pm Post subject: |
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| SahanRiddhi wrote: |
| I don't see why everyone thinks they have to drink alcohol. To me that is boring and dull. Tell me, what is wrong with living an alcohol-free lifestyle? At least you don't have to worry about what you said or did the night before. |
I don't drink alcohol either (medical reasons), however I do feel sometimes I'm missing out.
Like it or not, alcohol is a cornerstone of social life in many countries. Sure, I don't have to worry about getting drunk, passing out and making a fool of myself... or worse. But at the same time, when you're sat there with a glass of orange juice or coke, I do feel a bit 'apart' from everyone else.
Alcohol only becomes a problem when people abuse it. |
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artemisia
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 875
Location: the world
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| Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:09 pm Post subject: |
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A Good Story:
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artemisia wrote:
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| . . .I thought that it was something positive that the OP wanted to at least do an initial course as many don't bother. |
I'm not sure that you can really draw many conclusions from the fact that someone is willing to take a 20-hour training course. (Well, perhaps you could conclude that he doesn't believe that any skills or knowledge are required to teach English, but he's already said that.) |
I didn't see anything about 20 hours, not that it matters really. I didn't get the impression it would be a more substantial certificate than that.
20 hours won't adequately prepare you for language teaching (and some would argue that 100+ won't either). I still see it as a possible step in the right direction. For some, a taster course is better than committing to an intensive, expensive course if you're just finding out whether it's really a good idea or not to take on teaching. It might convince some they don't know enough or it might not. There's still the possibility of recognising the need to do further training. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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I drank (way too much) alcohol for (far too many) years. I was a "functioning drunk," but admittedly there were some "mornings after" when it interfered with my performance in the classroom. The shakes, you see (and there are no great shakes in Saudi Arabia.)
I've been sober for almost 10 years now, but I don't ever feel that I'm missing out whenever I attend a party where most people are imbibing. Actually, I rather enjoy it because inevitably I get to watch a few people whose behavior reminds me of why stopping (for me, anyway) was definitely the right thing to do.
But I have no animus against people who can drink "responsibly." They're lucky.
Regards,
John |
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Zero
Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 1402
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| Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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I don't drink alcohol either (medical reasons), however I do feel sometimes I'm missing out.
Like it or not, alcohol is a cornerstone of social life in many countries. Sure, I don't have to worry about getting drunk, passing out and making a fool of myself... or worse. But at the same time, when you're sat there with a glass of orange juice or coke, I do feel a bit 'apart' from everyone else.
Alcohol only becomes a problem when people abuse it. |
It sets you apart in a positive way, painting you as someone who's in control, independent and confident. Either that or a recovering alcoholic. Anyway, it's a good thing. |
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Mr. Kalgukshi
Mod Team
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Posts: 6613
Location: Need to know basis only.
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| Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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Several postings discussing illegal drug use have been deleted and some members are now ex-members.
If someone wants to get permanently banned, posting comments here bearing on illegal drug use will make their dream come true.
If you come across such a posting, do not respond to it. Instead, bring it to the attention of the Mod Team as soon as possible. Responding to it can make you part of the problem and not the solution.
This thread is now locked and if it is ever unlocked, you can be certain that board policy regarding the above will continue to be promptly enforced. |
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