Job Discussion Forums

KyleK · Joined: 15 Nov 2010 Posts: 9 Location: South Dakota, USA

I am curious as to what others have done AFTER teaching ESL for a few years. After I graduate university in 2011 I plan on moving to SA and becoming certified, and begin teaching ESL.

My question is what have others done after a few years of instruction. Have anyone done it as a career or for a very long time? I would like to spend some time in Japan teaching as well. I will have school loans to pay off, not in SA, but in Japan or another higher paying country will paying these off be possible?

My other option is to come back to the states and get a Masters Degree. It's a possibility but I was curious as to my long term ESL options.

Thanks!

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Sigh, some of us just keep doing it. You can move up, but only so far. Others branch out and do admin stuff, others go back to school, become doctors or laywers. It depends on you. Sorry, I konw that doens't help, but we can't tell you what you should do.

ASk Glenski about teaching in Japan. YOu'd be better off going to Korea or the Middle East.

There are plenty of us who were in LA and have taught for a while. Justin Trullinger and myself are now in Korea, but there are lots of the mexico forum, such as MELEE and Guy Courchesne who have been there forever Smile

MAs can be done by distance. I have an MA in TEFL through Spain and am getting another MA from OZ. All online.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

O tried to "Get out" in the 1980's. Did not do well. Had problems getting employment back in Scotlkand and eventually realised that i am a "lifer".

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

MotherF · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2010 6:58 pm Post subject:

In Latin America a lot of jobs are had through connections. The longer you stay in this, the more connections you make (hopefully) and you can move into the better jobs, and pick up side work like translating, freelancing for publishers, etc.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 5:06 pm Post subject:

Leroyal · Joined: 04 May 2010 Posts: 5

Sadly even with connections there really is only so far you can go in Latin America. As much fun as it may be I know a far better quality of life awaits any dishwasher in Australia than any teacher in Latin America.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:00 pm Post subject: Re: Lifers

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 5:56 pm Post subject: Re: Lifers

spanglish · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 742 Location: working on that

Prof. Gringo, you're pretty negative about English teaching in Latin America. Do you have upper-level qualifications that would open up the better jobs? I'm sort of at a cross-roads of whether to stay in Latin America or move on to greener pastures elsewhere.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 4:33 pm Post subject:

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

'Upper level quals' open up lots of doors in Mexico, including the international school circuit, with connections into and out of Mexico fairly deep. My girlfriend did her teaching practicum in Monterrey through her Ontario, Canada university. Another school she worked with in Mexico City flew her to Costa Rica for IB training through their . Her current school then helped her to get a master's through their association in the US, bringing instructors down here from Buffalo state, with the program mostly subsidized by her school.

Upper level quals don't just open doors...they open up all kinds of paths in, out, and back again. It's amazing what's there if you just look.