Job Discussion Forums

[dirimini]

I�m hoping to get some input from experienced forumites.

I�m American, have a PhD in the humanities (popular culture/LGBT studies), have taught for several years (in universities), and am currently doing a teaching and research fellowship at an Ivy League university. Sadly, after the fellowship is over, I�m going to be unemployed, as the job market in my field is oversaturated, and only getting worse. With the way the economy is going, universities are more and more relying upon contract (adjunct) labor; the days of tenured professors making good salaries may be coming to a close for all but the elite few. (As an example: recent statistics show that of those students getting a PhD in history, only approximately 30-35% will ever get a tenure track job at any sort of college/university - including community colleges.)

I�m considering a move to something education-related abroad, largely because I lived in Russia for two years doing research, and want to go overseas again for an extended period (to Russia or eastern Europe; I assume western Europe is out of the question). I would only want to do this, however, if I can actually make a career out of it, with a decent salary, some job stability, and the possibility of advancement and increased responsibility. I should note that �decent,� in terms of salary, means �modest� � uni professors in the States don�t make that much to start. Also, I�m not young � I'm in my mid-40s.

I�m an hard worker, professional, have academic publications (I�m also now working on a book for a university press), and great teaching evaluations. I probably would not want to work with children, but would prefer adults or at least high school-aged students. I have been very seriously thinking of something ESL-related, but have been a bit firghtened by some of the things I've read on this and other forums. After having put in so much time, money, and energy into a career path that may not be working out, I want to have as much information as possible before making another life-changing decision.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance to all who take the time to read/respond.

(And feel free to PM, if preferred.)

[Glenski]

I can't speak for Europe or Russia, but as for Japan a PhD "in the humanities (popular culture/LGBT studies)" is a very thin credential to teach EFL here. It might get you in, especially since you have some teaching experience (albeit not in EFL), but you'd have to really look hard.

Do you have any publications of any sort? Those will probably be crucial, and they certainly are here, as is some measure of the local language and usually some teaching experience in Japan.

The market is flooded in Japan, and universities are shutting down or merging as a result of the declining population. Most uni instructors are part-timers, something you can't do in your first year on a work visa.

I'd seriously consider publications, EFL/ESL teaching experience where you live now, and most of all get a TEFL certification (like CELTA).

Best of luck.

[naturegirl321]

For CHina, peple with MAs and Phds usually only get abut 500 RMB extra a month.

[dirimini]

Thanks for the replies.

I probably should have noted that I would, of course, get a CELTA certification. And I would also definitely need to get some ESL teaching experience; I have no qualms about starting at the bottom, but would want some hope for growth in the future. But I'm not sure, from what I'm hearing, that a PhD would get me there any quicker than if I just started with the CELTA.

I do have publications, in top-tier academic journals (and a book on the way) - but again, they are not related to ESL/EFL in any way. So that might not help at all.

Seems like the PhD is not of much use abroad - not totally surprising, as it's not much good State-side, either.

But thanks again for the input.

[spiral78]

The job situation you describe at US universities is, sadly, spreading. It's becoming more and more the case at Western European universiites as well.

Further, the credentials sought by the university Language Centre where I am working really have to be directly related to teaching language. We recently turned down a candidate with an MA in English and a Phd. in English - on the grounds that he had no teaching credentials and nothing specifically related to foreign language learning.

On the rare occasions when we get a precious opportunity to hire a teacher on an actual contract, he/she's got to be 100% to compete.

I'm afraid your current qualifications won't be likely to lead you to a career-level position in ESL/EFL.

[dirimini]

Thanks, sp78. Not great news, but better to hear it now than before investing a lot of time and energy into a plan which may be ill-conceived.

[dirimini]

One thing I forgot to mention - although I don't know that it's helpful - is that I also worked for three years in the writing programs at two universities. In this context, I worked one on one with students on their writing, communication, and English skills (and many, if not the majority, were ESL students).

But again, I don't know that that helps.

[spiral78]

It's sort of what we would have our entry-level newbie teachers start with(I"m talking university context here, obviously, not CELTA/equivalent qualified newbies on the regular job market). Not normally one-on-one, though...

[dirimini]

Well, I have no problem starting at the bottom - but it appears it might not lead to anything in the long run, so that would be problematic.

Guess it may be time to take a deep breath and admit I'm going back to being a secretary.

[spiral78]

Wow, hopefully not!
I didn't mean to imply that you can't make a go of it in ESL/EFL. Just that, with your current quals and experience, you'll be a newbie when you start!
You've clearly proven that you are capable of continuing education:) Just continue to apply that, and you can certainly make a career of teaching in the long term!

[dirimini]

[JZer]

[dirimini]

[Chancellor]

[dirimini]