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Overqualified, Over-aged, and Under-credentialed
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steki47

Joined: 20 Apr 2008
Posts: 1029
Location: BFE Inaka

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:17 pm Post subject:

bluetortilla wrote:

Divorce ended mine!

Yeah, breaking up with a mentally ill GF ended my brief attempt at running a school. Long, ugly story. I felt really bad for the students but I had to leave that situation.

Also, to be honest, I see myself more as a teacher than a businessman. I admire those have that set of skills, but I am more comfortable with research and conferences, etc.

I am doing the MS degree part-time and so it will take 2-3 years. Sure, I want a better job but I am paying for this out of my pocket as I go. No more student loan debt for me.

bluetortilla

Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:48 am Post subject:

steki47 wrote:

I could never see myself doing business either until I had to. Then when I realized I could do it it was a lot of fun. Worrying at times though when students quit.

In fact, maybe the best part of running a school was all the diversity and gear shifts. Kept things exciting.

I said earlier that I was thinking about trade a lot as I saw the nadir of English Conversation in Japan approaching. Figured out though that I like teaching bestest after all and will be getting that long overdue MA as quick as I can. Where are you getting yours from may I ask?

steki47

Joined: 20 Apr 2008
Posts: 1029
Location: BFE Inaka

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:39 pm Post subject:

bluetortilla wrote:

Where are you getting yours from may I ask?

Indiana University
http://education.indiana.edu/Default.aspx?alias=education.indiana.edu/langdist

steki47

Joined: 20 Apr 2008
Posts: 1029
Location: BFE Inaka

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:53 pm Post subject:

BT, any updates or new thoughts? I am still looking around and am planning some vacations in Asia to do some recon. For now, I will stay in Japan.

bluetortilla

Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 2:27 am Post subject:

steki47 wrote:

BT, any updates or new thoughts?

I am still looking around and am planning some vacations in Asia to do some recon. For now, I will stay in Japan.

I'm staying till February, underemployed and eating rice husks.
Decided on working at a uni in China for a year or two and get my Master's (believe it or not I do actually have a little savings!). I REALLY want to live in Indonesia, but they're really making it harder to get visas and apparently no FT's work in higher education! Rolling Eyes

Or extremely few.

I don't want to be stuck in English mill stuff or what we call ALT in Japan for the rest of my life so I have no idea where I'll end up.

China is quite an exciting job hunt, I'll give you that much. And remember, in any of these countries live like a local, you'll spend like a local, most of whom will be making a lot less than we do.

steki47

Joined: 20 Apr 2008
Posts: 1029
Location: BFE Inaka

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:54 am Post subject:

bluetortilla wrote:

steki47 wrote:

BT, any updates or new thoughts?

I am still looking around and am planning some vacations in Asia to do some recon. For now, I will stay in Japan.

Or extremely few.

So, a toss up between Indonesia and China? Looks like mostly language mills in Indonesia, rather similar to eikaiwa, it seems. Sounds like a lateral move.

China may be interesting on a personal level, not sure my wife would be up for it.

I'll wait until after I finish my MS and then think about moving on. Japan is fine for now.

bluetortilla

Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:58 am Post subject:

steki47 wrote:

Well, not exactly a tossup. China might not be the greatest (I'll find out), but it does sound fascinating for a while. It is China, after all- not just the New China (which frankly is a bit freaky to me) but more importantly also the old. And all the possibilities in linguistics!

I don't think I can hack another day of mill work (eikaiwa) or the zombie like existence of an ALT, particularly after all I've done. Otherwise, it sounds like a great plan for you. I assume you're young, getting an MA now (good) on a relatively easy job that pays a high yen. That's the smart way for you. Believe me I've thought of too. I just don't think I could keep my sanity as an ALT after all my years here. And without an MA, there isn't much around.

I'm not complaining mind you- this is all pretty exciting.

I'm pretty sad about Indonesia. I really want to go there for who knows how long? Forever? But I'm wondering what you do there and why no foreigners are teaching English in the uni's. That's just odd. I don't think I really want to be a DoS either. Sounds similar to being a manager at the now defunct NOVA. And it's REALLY hard to get the lowest visa now. Why? A lot of investigation needs to be done. And a lot can change in a couple of years...

Good luck with your Master's! That will keep from being bored out of your mind as an ALT : ) no offense!!! I'm really looking forward to studying again.

steki47

Joined: 20 Apr 2008
Posts: 1029
Location: BFE Inaka

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 7:52 am Post subject:

bluetortilla wrote:

I don't think I can hack another day of mill work (eikaiwa) or the zombie like existence of an ALT, particularly after all I've done. Otherwise, it sounds like a great plan for you. I assume you're young, getting an MA now (good) on a relatively easy job that pays a high yen. That's the smart way for you. Believe me I've thought of too. I just don't think I could keep my sanity as an ALT after all my years here. And without an MA, there isn't much around.

I'm not complaining mind you- this is all pretty exciting.

Good luck with your Master's! That will keep from being bored out of your mind as an ALT : ) no offense!!! I'm really looking forward to studying again.

Turning 40 next year, so not so young. After seven years in eikaiwa, I find the easy (if somewhat boring) work of ALT to be a relief. And it does get me used to larger classes and a more authentic school environment.

bluetortilla

Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 7:58 am Post subject:

steki47 wrote:

Sure. Good and bad with everything. ALT work could definitely be a respite. Perfect I think for what you're doing.

steki47

Joined: 20 Apr 2008
Posts: 1029
Location: BFE Inaka

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:26 am Post subject:

bluetortilla wrote:

steki47 wrote:

Sure. Good and bad with everything. ALT work could definitely be a respite. Perfect I think for what you're doing.

And I'm assuming that getting an MS in ESL Education will help me get a better job teaching ESL. Looking at areas to do research and get published, etc.

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