Job Discussion Forums

[Rin]

I had a good job in Canada that I loved, but than I broke up with my boyfriend of 6 years and desperately needed a change. So I decided to go teach English. I went to Korea and from their travelled to 10 other countries, now it's two years later and I'm once again doing the job I love for the same company, but in the Middle East.

[TEFL anonymous]

I finished my BA Social Sciences and was interested in teaching or educational psychology so I was going to have to do more studying...
But I felt the need to travel. I was thinking about volunteering in China, but there seemed little point in paying all that money to an organisation when I could get a certificate and organise a job myself - giving me more freedom.

So I did my TESOL in Prague 2 months after graduating, thinking I'd go back to England and save some money there to move abroad.
As it happened, I loved Prague and after a while teaching there, I went to teach in China, then Thailand and 2 1/2 years later arrived back in England... Only for a few months though - I'm off to Mexico for another job next week!

Money was the last thing on my mind - does anyone really do this job for money?!?! I'm not denying that we get paid better then a lot of the locals, but it's never going to mean I can retire at 35, is it?!?!

[nickpellatt]

Im taking the first steps into the TEFL world, and flying off to my first paid contract this week.

Im 37, and have long been interested in teaching, but lack of formal qualifications have made it seem like an impossible dream for me if truth be told.

Spent 2006 volunteering in Kenya and China, and am now fortunate enough to have a 12 month contract in Hainan Province...

I have also started a program of distance learning, with the longer term goal of eventually having both experience and qualifications, and being able to move back home and teach in one of the many local schools catering for foreign students.

[eslstudies]

As a long term high school English teacher, I took a 2 year stint with the Australian version of Peace Corps and landed in a small city Chinese university. Loved it, got qualified in TESOL, did another stint in China, and am now permanent full time back in Australia teaching ESL. Many career opportunities have opened up: I can hold my position here and teach short stints in Chinese partner schools with my Aussie salary, for example. An opportunity to run teacher training courses in Zhengzhou has just presented itself.
TESOL opens up many career and lifestyle options.

[ilaria]

I spent most of my twenties in hotel management in various countries. Despite the opportunities to travel and save money, I woke up one morning and realised I could no longer be bothered to stand there making sympathetic noises while some old cow moans on about the imaginary strange smell in her ensuite. While also being shafted by head office and having to b_ll_ck staff for leaving pubic hairs in plugholes.

I was in 'There must be more to life than this' mode when I saw a newspaper ad for a TESOL course. The thought of being able to work and experience new cultures without having to solve other people's bathroom hygiene problems appealed to me.

Six years on and here I am, a DoS in Italy, and mostly loving it. Still not making as much money as I used to, though (no tips from satisfied customers in EFL!) and still being shafted by head office... but I'll save that for the thread where people are moaning about board markers.

[rossttuedu]

I came to China to continue learning Mandarin. I am a firm believer that in order to learn a language it is best to immerse yourself in the culture and the people. Already in one month I have learned more mandarin than I did in two university classes. Teaching is just a way to support myself while I am living here.

[davechile]

[spiral78]

My dog's been along for the ride through five countries so far. Got the flags pinned on his jacket and the stamps in his passport to prove it!

Davechile, look into a multi-lingual 'passport' for your friend before you leave the States. They come in English/French and other combinations. Make sure he's got a registered microchip. It's not just in case he gets lost- some border guys like to be sure that the dog who's vaccination records you're showing them is REALLY the same dog you've got sitting next to you.

And don't be too worried about dragging the dog along. I've found that most countries are much more dog-friendly than the States and Canada. Though, we haven't yet tried Asia....

[chnike112]