Job Discussion Forums

[Ellis]

Just to back up Struelle's response, in my 20+ years of ESL-ing and TOEFL-ing, I have accepted that teaching foreign students IS like show biz. I have been known to assume a totally different personality, depending upon the dramatis personae present at each class ... something to the order of !! It's a lot of fun, I assure you, but the WHYS and WHEREFORES of such a deviation from my NORMAL public appearance is of much more importance. If you've ever known what it's like being a grammar teacher, you'd immediately recognize the students' normal rejection of the subject, not to mention YOUR OWN (occasional) boredom, mainly due to the repetition. BUT, by stimulating my classes (and self!) -- via everything from simply smiling to jumping on the table and doing my widely-hailed ELVIS imitation -- I find that I have captured the attention of the aggregation and can actually get through my important message on nouns, adjectives, and pronouns! NO, I am not suggesting that you deport yourself in a manner that your employer (and students) might look upon you as a sure-shot candidate for the local Psycho Ward. Rather, I am respectfully suggesting that you loosen up and NOT view life as a tragedy. TRY HARD to enjoy yourself, while imbuing your students with a similar spirit ... even while in the oftimes dubious company of those nouns, adjectives, and pronouns! In the final analysis, here in the USA or abroad, it all comes down to a question of ATTITUDE. You can do it, believe me, once you have shed that inbred negativism and self-doubt that so many of us Americans unknowingly import to our classrooms ... particularly overseas. So, GOOD LUCK small_human in locating a new gig! Right now, I am also on the prowl for a new opportunity.

[Laura C]

small_human,

6 months after leaving Tokyo I too was still looking for a job and was thinking about going back. It's tempting I know...but I'm glad I didn't do it right away (left 7 years between the two visits). Even if you really loved your job I don't think going back so soon would be a good idea, just in case your reasons might only be that you can't think what else to do. Give yourself a bit more time, 6 months really isn't so long.
Best of luck,

Laura

[vre]

maybe you are such a small human that they can't even see you at the interview?

[small_human]

Vre, this may be the case...

That's why I always bring a magnifying glass to the interview for the recruiter's benefit.

I liked the teaching / showbiz comparison that a couple of people mentioned. I've heard that one before and I guess it's true indeed.

Next time I find myself in the classroom I will aim for more of a Robin Williams style teaching performance than my usual film noir... (now that I think about it, sitting in the corner of the room smoking a cigarette and looking mysterious didn't generate much conversation amongst my students )

Thanks again for the encouraging words!

An ever growing human.
[/quote]