Job Discussion Forums

LaMaestraAE · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Minnesota, USA

I am interested in getting my TEFL cert. and teaching in a Spanish speaking country. I have a BA in Spanish and have studied in Toledo, Spain, and in Cuernavaca, Mexico. I am on medication and have regular visits to a psychatrist and a psychologist. Is there a TEFL teacher who has mental illness, is on meds, and sees a psychatrist and psychologist?

Maybe I will be better off getting a MA and teaching ESL in the USA. Confused

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Plenty of mental illness in the TEFL world but not much chance of affording treatment on a TEFL wage.

Pollux · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 224 Location: PL

Living in a foreign country can be stressful. Often, there are things we are not used to and it takes time to getting used to them. Unless you're ready to accept the differences, you should think twice. You will have to do the things you're contracted to do and nobody will care if you're able to do it or not. You will have less access to doctors than you have now. On the bright side. having a MA will give you a chance to get better jobs in the future. Bon chance! Very Happy

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:48 pm Post subject:

I have worked with a teacher who was on medication for clinical depression. Getting your meds shouldn't be hard, anywhere in the world, but for heaven's sake, check this out in advance. Decide where you'd like to go, and talk to someone who is already there. Have them check availability and cost on exactly what it is that you take.

Another question may be about seeing psychiatrists or psychologists. As well you know, the effectiveness of these professionals depends on communication. Do you have the language skills to see a doctor in your destination of choice? And are good mental health professionals easy to find there? Again, if continuing with this part of your treatment is important to you, you'll want to have these questions answered in advance. (and preferably have a referral for somebody...)

I would think that the second part is more difficult, but not insurmountable.

Best,

Justin

Calories · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 361 Location: Chinese Food Hell

Pardon me, but I think psychiatrists are monsters.

Yes of course you can do anything you like, but seriously, medication sucks especially bipolar meds. It changes a person entirely and makes people fat. Why would you do that to yourself? There are plenty of ways to manage bipolarality without psychiatricks.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Thank you, Tom Cruise. Confused

Rin · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 173 Location: Doha

Kaspar Hauser · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 83

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Kaspar Hauser · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 83

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

A quick look at the North America forum will show you the real face of TEFLing in America and it sure aint like HC says it is.

cam · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 124 Location: Maine, USA