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chuckMC
Joined: 15 Apr 2015
Posts: 75
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 Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 4:09 am Post subject: Why do people think Teaching ESL is too easy? |
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Hello guys,
I hear this all the time when I mention that I teach English. People usually ask: "do you find it challenging?" or "does it satisfy you to teach English?" or "Do you do you anything else besides teaching English?"
My friends and family say the same thing to me all the time. This is why I am reluctant to make this into my career, or even do this for one more year. The constant criticism is too overwhelming for me.
What do you guys think about this? Does this happen to you? |
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bograt
Joined: 12 Nov 2014
Posts: 331
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 5:50 am Post subject: |
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| Teaching it badly can be very easy, while teaching it well can be tough. Try taking the DELTA practical if you don't believe the latter. Teaching in general is a job where slackers can get away with a lot though. |
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Jmbf
Joined: 29 Jun 2014
Posts: 663
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 6:14 am Post subject: |
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| bograt wrote: |
| Teaching in general is a job where slackers can get away with a lot though. |
This is very true in many industries. There are many many white collar office workers just warming their seats until it's time to go home. It's just that the negative stereotype of the 'backpacking TEFLer' is still very strong in the common mindset. |
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Knedliki
Joined: 08 May 2015
Posts: 160
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 7:00 am Post subject: |
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If you enjoy teaching I wouldn't worry too much about what people think. Maybe that's easier said than done.
I know a couple of guys who work in a sewage treatment plant and you can imagine the kind of comments they get, but they seem happy with their job 
Not saying there's any similarities with TEFLing  |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 7:08 am Post subject: |
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| Flying a plane or driving a bus in city traffic both seem simple to the observer. You ever tried these activities ? |
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MI6agent
Joined: 16 Apr 2016
Posts: 87
Location: Dark Web
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 9:10 am Post subject: |
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| scot47 wrote: |
| Flying a plane or driving a bus in city traffic both seem simple to the observer. You ever tried these activities ? |
scotty, are you implying that teaching English is like flying a plane? 
Teaching English is not rocket science. |
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johnslat
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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bograt
Joined: 12 Nov 2014
Posts: 331
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MI6agent
Joined: 16 Apr 2016
Posts: 87
Location: Dark Web
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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| johnslat wrote: |
"Teaching English is not rocket science."
So speaketh the non-English teacher. Teaching maths isn't, either. |
Who said maths is rocket science?
Maths is not rocket science, it is the mother of all sciences. 
Of course I believe you, John.
Dogs, cats, and dolphins are trained to play a role in Hollywood films, especially the films of Rex and Rinty, or the adventures of Milo and Otis. |
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adventious
Joined: 23 Nov 2015
Posts: 237
Location: In the wide
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chuckMC
Joined: 15 Apr 2015
Posts: 75
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the comments guy. But honestly, ESL is such a lowly regarded profession. Its truly shameful that people would think of ESL in this light, but this is how it is. I can't imagine being 35 years old and being looked down on by people with so called "real" careers.
I was at a social event the other day and everyone was asked what they did you a living, and when I said that I was an ESL teacher people gave me a look of sadness and disbelief. They felt pity for me being a lowly ESL teacher. It was very embarrassing for me. It was an awful experience. 
I wish people knew that ESL can be a career overseas and back home. |
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MI6agent
Joined: 16 Apr 2016
Posts: 87
Location: Dark Web
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, teaching is harder, but teaching engineering is not the same as teaching English.
The two are different, like the difference between the sky and the earth! |
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RedLightning
Joined: 08 Aug 2015
Posts: 137
Location: United States
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 2:48 pm Post subject: |
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People tend to associate ESL teaching with the cankled, Midwestern girl who's off to Korea for a year (you know, to see the world). That said, I can't really blame those who hold the industry in such low regard.
*If your main concern is impressing others, why not mention the savings you stand to earn by working abroad? |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 4:30 pm Post subject: |
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| I did not meet many girls from the Midwest in Saudi. Have I missed something important ? |
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MI6agent
Joined: 16 Apr 2016
Posts: 87
Location: Dark Web
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| Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, you missed a lot!
scotty, the girls from the Midwest do not go to the Magic Kingdom, they go to Korea and Japan.
I guess you met the Filipina and Somali girls who work in different hospitals of the Magic Kingdom? |
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