Job Discussion Forums

[travellingscot]

There have been a few discussions recently about newbies getting abused so i was wondering if this post is genuine or an attempt by a certain person to cause mischief.This post would seem to be the type of thing to wind up the veterans,which is why a particular person who enjoys causing offence springs to mind.
Anyone else had similar negative thoughts?

[japanjohn]

Dear Cowpux
I started at 29 with 2 years in Nigeria, 32 2 years in Libya, 34 1 in Philippines, 40 1 in Taiwan, 42 7 in Japan. I am now 50 and ready to go again. You get addicted, you'll have good and bad times but life goes so fast. Don't think about diseases, wars etc, just go.
John in Victoria

[Irish]

travellingscot:

I admit: that thought crossed my mind when I first read the message but I'm inclined to think this guy is legit. A real troll would've done something much more dramatic, I think, and his second message doesn't sound like someone trying to encourage heated debate (not that we're having a heated debate). There's no way to know for sure but, unless he does something truly offensive, I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Then again, considering the enormous pleasure some posters take in rattling others, who can fault us for entertaining such cynical thoughts?

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hello Cowpux in Cleveland:

At 32, you are not too old or too crazy to consider a start in EFL. As you mentioned in your original post, it is a great way to experience the World first-hand.

If you're lucky, you might even discover after a few years that you really enjoy teaching English, and if that happens, you'll be 'hooked', as japanjohn said a few posts earlier.

I'll turn 42 in 3 weeks, and I have absolutely no regrets about having fallen into this profession at the tender age of 28. In fact, it was the best 'fall' I've ever had.

I wish you good luck with your decision, Cowpux.

Regards,
keNt

PS: I graduated from Clarion U of PA and spent many fun-filled weekends in Youngstown, of all places on earth. Give my regards to Drew. Cleveland rocks

[scot47]

Go for it, but do not burn the boats. Try to build in something where you can go back. At least for a few months, until you figure out if it is for you. Give it a year. Be careful. It is addictive, I tried it just for a year in 1968-1969

[TitanicWreck]

you are only 32?
Why your just a spring chicken!
I'm 34, and am posed to leap into this adventure of teaching in Japan...
I still hope to do graduate school (in marine archaeology); but feel this teaching in Asia experience is somthing i need to do that will help me grow and hone my teaching abilities..

[signe]

I'm in a vaguely similar situation. Thirty two, American, looking for a career change, not trying to run away from where I am (because of course no matter where you go there you are) but conscious that a change in perspective, spending time living with people or in a place with different rules and attitudes gives one a fresh perspective on life, encourages you to decide on things that are universal and important at the same time as it forces you to question how many things you believe are "true" that are really subjective. As much influence as America has in the world and as little as I know of it, I feel almost obligated to go see some of it and shake myself out of thinking that what I have grown up with is "normal" or "inevitable" as western captalism pushes it's way throughout the world. That's part of my interest in teaching english. I'd like to do work that is meaningful and useful to other people at the same time as I explore what other cultures and people can teach me both about their culture and my own. I'm looking into the possibilities of teaching english, but will not choose it unless I know I can dedicate myself to it and be good at it-- I come from a family of hard working teachers and have been a student on and off all my life and value a good teacher and the things they bring to life as much as I resent the ones who are just looking for a no brain no effort job ( i suspect this is where alot of the hostility in some of these message boards comes from). I notice alot of people responding to queries like mine or with "why not just vacation or there are other ways to work and travel" As I ponder this decision myself I'd love to hear input from some of you with alot of travel experience on what some of those other options are. I mean, if you don't have the money to just quit work and see the world, arne't already in an internationally transferable field, what are some of the other jobs that offer some of the same benefits and challenges to an american who'd like to see the world and can't afford not to work?

[Ria]

Signe--what is your work background? Current career?

[signe]

I'm a 32 year old american woman with a B.A. in fine art. I am currently working as a drafter for an architect. Before that I worked/interned in scenic design /scenic painter in theater. Before that I worked an assortment of jobs -- restaurants, artists model, late night oldies d.j., bookstore clerk, you know, student/slacker jobs, and have never stopped taking classes on the side for pleasure. I'm in that category of people who still doesn't know what they want to do when they grow up because most of the things I love don't neccessarily lead to steady paying jobs. I have decided not to pursue a career in architecture after working here for a few years and being a (hand) drafter is not only not a lucrative career, but it has seriously injured my hand and neck. I've considered going back for an M.A. in art or film but these aren't exactly steady job degrees and I've got to put art on hold for a while because my body needs a break from anything that involves long hours of intense use of my hand or sitting for nine hours with my head bent over a desk.

I tried subbing at the junior high and highschool level and HATED it because it was all about trying to maintain order and not about teaching. I think I might enjoy teaching adults or at the college level where the students are actually there voluntarily and ejoy sharing ideas and learing from eachother. I'm a good communicator and like to be in an environment where people are curious and interested in learning new things. I have signed up to start next month with a volunteer adult literacy program whose largest group of users will be mexican immigrants (making it a little more esl than standard literacy) In this way I figure I get a littel training, can offer a much needed service in california, and see if I'm suited to teaching the subject. I also plan to start taking spanish classes myself next fall (I have a couple years of french but it was many years ago and never got much practice using it in california and have forgotten almost everything). I observed a friend teaching english to adults in Malta and it looked like something I'd enjoy and I think I'd enjoy the pace a place like malta for a little while, but it's clear to me from talking to people who've taught in a variety of places that the job isn't the same job everywhere in the world and that many of my first choice places are difficult places for americans to get work, so I have alot more investigating to do before I decide wether to commit to further education and effort in that direction.

I'm really wide open to ideas right now, both about teaching and about new careers in general. So any comments, be they about teaching, how to work internationally or experiences trying to start a career long after it's age appropriate are welcome.

thanks for asking.

[signe]

Oh! And sorry about the terrible punctuation/ spelling in my posting. I'm not a moron, I'm just in a hurry.

signe

[Ria]

Signe: Wow!

I'm going to pm you with my take on this (we have a few things in common), as my response will be too long for this forum, and we're going pretty off-topic. But thanks for your thorough reply! Look for my pm!

[arioch36]

I have taught mosthly in America (US) and China. Not sure what you mean about maintaining order. I guess as a sub, maybe that is all you are really doing sometimes, a glorified babysitter? I think that's what you are saying> I know I think the most important thing to do in the class is first develop order and insist certain things are done certain ways, and then teaching becomes easier.

In China, the kind of communication you have with students (bias...I don't teach m,any rich Hong Kong or Macau student types) The communication you build with some of these students is far richer then what I had in the states. Teaching here, I find it profoundly frustrating and rewarding. I often want to quit, give up. I expect to do to much. BUT BE WARNED. You come over here, you may never be able to live comfortably in America again, and your friends will never understand

I sometimes worry, I think many of us do, that we are giving up our greates years of earning potential. I had 12 years in the Airt Force, I was crazy not to stay in for another 8, at least part time. I only regret it when I am listening to much to others.

[signe]

I don't live comfortably in America now! Thanks for the warning though, I think I know what you mean.

[Stephen Jones]

Dear Cowpux,

EFL teaching is not career change; it's career suicide.

[johnslat]

Dear Stephen,
Career suicide? Well, perhaps - but it's a long, lingering suicide and may be a more relaxing and interesting way to go than, say, teaching inner-city
kids in full battle gear.
Regards,
John