Job Discussion Forums

[ShaneM]

Hi guys/gals. I'm new here.

I recently decided, after considering it for some time, to pursue teaching abroad EFL. I'm a BS Mechanical Engineer, BS Physics, MS Aerospace (as of Christmas 2005). I'm an American, 24 years.

Basically, I'm looking at two primary options.

1) Italy. Yeah, I know, non-EU. Essentially I would go there under a student or work visa (work preferred) and wait 3 years to get my citizenship. Yes, I know thats a long time but its hitting two birds for me because I've wanted to get my family's Italian citizenship back for some time now.

My obvious worry is the potential for losing my visa and being out 2.5 years. If anyone can speak to the viability of this, I'd love to hear it. I am 100% dedicated to getting my Italian citizenship, which will then allow me to teach throughout Europe. Open to all ideas and critisisms on this one. I'm looking a several options, including my school's study abroad program and previous contacts with large companies (previous employers) that have offices in Italy.

2) Korea. Obviously easier, thats for sure. My question here is will my educational experience allow me to teach at a university? Anything else I should pad to my resume to help me to that effect? What possibilities are there for teaching more technical topics (math/science/physics/engineering) in an English environment?

Oh yeah, by the time I go I'll have been a teaching assisstant for 1.5-2 years with around 60-80 hours of classroom time.

I think thats all I need to add... Thanks a lot!

edit: BTW, although I do have a vested interest in Korea (adopted siblings), I am certainly open to Japan or possibly others if for some reason the situation would better suit my needs or experience. /edit

[marblez]

Are you serious? You are extremely overqualified. You've spent over $50,000 at university on tuition alone (at least). WHY are you doing this?
(My fiance is beginning his Bachelor of Engineering degree - he loves the field and is presently employed as a drafter).

Aside from wondering what sort of motivation you have, I would say that you could probably find employment at an English university.

[Chris_Crossley]

I'm extremely overqualified, too, as my highest degree is an MBA from a Scottish university. I have also registered to begin another master's degree from next February (2006), albeit in applied linguistics, starting with a TESOL module (one which, unlike the Trinity Diploma or DELTA, has no teaching practicum within it), and the study mode will be entirely distance learning.

It may seem odd for an overqualified person to consider TESL, yet entering this kind of profession can and does attract people with a very wide range of qualifications and experience, from people who have dropped out of college to people with higher (graduate) degrees.

It is interesting to note that ShaneM is only 24 years of age and already has two BS degrees and will have an MS in Aerospace by Christmas 2005. (Sounds like an interesting field!) I have never been in a position to decide upon a career so early in my adult life that bears little resemblance to what I have been studying, only later on (I am nearly 40). However, I have been in the TESL game for three years now, and I am going to continue playing it for some time to come.

In China, there are two specialist universities of aeronautics and astronautics, one in Beijing, the other in Nanjing. Both of them have advertised on the China TEFL Network at http://www.chinatefl.com, though you could always do a Google search of any university that specialises in the kind of technical subjects that ShaneM mentions.

Some universities in China would certainly like people to teach technical subjects in English, not just general English, given that there is a desire for Chinese university students and graduates to become proficient in the kind of technical language they would need whenever they interact with their anglophone counterparts in the workplace.

As for Europe, I would think that there may be very limited opportunities for non-EU passport holders to teach technical English, never mind general English. Aerospace companies like Airbus are actively competing against the US homegrown market (witness the recent unveiling of the double-deck A380 airliner), so there must certainly be a market for technical English there, although I would imagine that there must be a pool of people from the UK and Ireland with such knowledge and experience to draw upon.

[ShaneM]

Marblez:

Thanks for stating the obvious.

I know that in a sense I'm overqualified, but I guess I assumed that for Korea, to teach in a university, they may want someone with more explict experience in language.

Not everyone knows what they want to do before entering school, or even finishing school. I got out of undergrad and wasn't quite sure what to do, so I just kept going

That said, I've paid around $4000 in tuition total. I've had a full ride the entire time except two semesters I only had a partial scholarship. And due to the insane costs of the schools I've attended, I'd actually guess my total tution bill will be around 90-100K when all is said and done.

My motivation for completely abandoning this and going to Italy or Korea? I don't like engineering, simply put (I know, I know, just accept it. I'm here now, so thats all that matters). I love traveling, and I honestly don't care about money. I want to gain back my family's italian citizenship. I want to have the freedom to work throughout the EU. I want to be able to experience the Eastern cultures on a detailed level.

[ShaneM]

[ShaneM]

Bump.

I looked into some of the technical universties, and checked out some open offers. What kind of money should I be expecting given my education and experience, or lack thereof?

Also, can anyone shed any light on the difficulty of getting Italian citizenship? Does it need to be one consistent visa, or can I string together multiple VISAs over the three year period? I know its a long-shot but I figured I'd ask, as that specific information has been a little difficult to pin down.

Thanx

[spiral78]

You can't get Italian citizenship just by living there for X period of time with multiple visas!! For real current info, you could try the Italian Embassy website (Washington, DC, if you're American).

[ShaneM]

Yeah I've contacted the Italian consulate and was basically told that if I live there under a VISA for 3 years I am elgiible to apply for citizenship. Kinda felt like a brush-off answer and I can't seem to find out what exactly is required, and how difficult it would be. Almost every page that I find is in Italian and I don't read Italian well enough (yet!) to break down the details.

[ShaneM]

Gonna brush off this thread and throw in another question. Its starting to look more and more that this Italy idea is going to be very difficult to pan out, and as such I'm going to start looking more into Korea/China. Still shopping Italy for sure, and am still waiting for word from family there, but the path of lesser resistance is starting to look a little attractive. (Still studying Italian for 4+ hours a day though... )

Timeframe: I've heard its been to go in March but its basically a rolling deal. In my case its either going to be January 06, May 06, or August/Sept 06. Depends on school situation here with my MS, and how my money situation looks for next summer (i.e., do I need to work summer 06 here first) Is there a recommmended time of those three? The two latter options are most viable at this point, as January 06 is kind of rushing it with respect to my school.

Jobsearch: For jobs like those discussed in this thread, university english and technical topics taught in English, are these things I should aggresively shop for before I go, or should I wait until I actually get there? If I do it prior to arrival, when should I start? 1 month before? 3? 6?

Ummm....I believe that is all. Thanks!

[Deconstructor]

ShaneM, please tell that you are doing this because you want to see the world and experience something different. Any other reason suggests you are demented.

[ShaneM]

LOL why else would I be doing this? Money? LOLOLOL I certainly hope I didn't give that impression. I could easily make $60K here starting out, but I don't think thats for me...at least right now.

No, the reason you stated is exactly the reason I'm wanting to do it.

[CharlesTESOL]

Two things:

One -- I can relate somewhat, as when I first considered moving to Europe I thought I might be able to get a job with my MSW. Well, not in the country I was interested in -- Spain. So, I understand why a person educated in another field would switch to this.

Two -- You mentioned wanting to get your, "family's Italian citizenship back." Have you looked into getting an Italian passport based on your heritage? I have known people with Italian grandparents who did.

Good luck!

[ShaneM]

Charles:

1) Yeah either people understand or they don't at all. Oh well.

2) I'm not eligible for jure sanuinis because there was a 2 year gap between my grandmothers citizenship and my mothers birth. Oh well. Thanks anyways

[Dagagad]

Sorry if I dont understand correctly but Shane, Italy is in the EU.

[ShaneM]