Job Discussion Forums

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I definitely agree that the travel aspect is one that attracts many teachers (as it did me at the beginning). I did my "serious traveling" (worked in a number of countries and visited many more) over the course of my first 5 years in the "biz", while garnering valuable experience and credentials at the same time. They were great times, and gave me loads of perspective (I think/hope ). However, after realizing I truly enjoy this job and that I'm quite good at it (if I may be immodest), I decided to make a serious "go" of it in my current location. By doing so, I've been able to get to know another culture quite well (admittedly I'm still working on the language), start a family, make excellent local contacts, and therefore make some decent dough. So has my wanderlust subsided? A bit, although not totally, and I make it a point to travel at least once a year (during my aforementioned holidays). I also am able to travel while examining, so seeing other parts of Russia is a reality.

Needless to say, my "journey" won't be possible or perhaps desireable for everyone, nor am I suggesting it is typical. The point of my post is that EFL can be a viable career while partaking in the original impetus for most: Travel.

As for returning one day to the US: Now that I have a child that option is a strong possibility. I'm trying to make myself marketable by continuing my education (working on another degree by distance) and saving or investing my earnings. I daresay that if I were to return to the States in five years I will be in better economic shape that most people my age.

[JZer]

[kentuckyslim]

Well, folks, I have to say: when I posted this, I never expected any reply at all, much less the high quality of discussion I have read here.

I really like hearing what people have done and are doing now after their times in ESL/EFL, as well as the interesting bits of planning and advice.

Let's keep it up!

[rmcdougall]

I am speaking as someone who 'tried' life for years before getting into ESL.

Looking back at the years of drama, pain and suffering, I 'left the grid'.

I can now view the judicial "punishment system" and the medical "oh you have a problem system" for what they are and what they did to me.

Thus, I shall not ever be leaving ESL because it offers so much.

[JZer]

[steki47]

I can certainly relate to some of the accounts here. I taught for 5 years in Japan (including 3 years in training/management) and then came back to the US for some personal reasons. Well, the job market took a dive and my resume is, well, weird. Took me 2 months to get PT work. I applied for entry level jobs (bank teller, big box dept stores) and didn't get anything.

That, plus I miss Japan on a personal level, pushed me to go back. I have already lined up another teaching job and my work visa is good until 2010. This time around, I am going to continue my distance edu. classes (finance and programming) and focus on some online business ideas I started last time.

I am looking forward to getting back to Japan, but would also like to build job skills that mean something on both sides of the pond. The generally easy work environment of an eikaiwa and the ability to save money will help me with both plans. Heck, I may end up staying in Japan long term, but I would like to have some more options.

[kentuckyslim]

[Gringo Greg]

You might be able to find a public school system to work in. For example, the CNMI Public School System is hiring people with a 4 year degree in any subject. CNMI is Saipan, a Pacific US island. Another option is the Guam Public School System. These are exotic, almost foreign places with the advantage of building you USA experience.

Just a thought.

[kentuckyslim]

[JZer]

[gungediana]

Kentuckyslim

I was thinking of p.ming you. But I thought it better to post this where everyone can see and hopefully contribute.

I have encountered many of the problems that you describe.

It's extremely tough coming back home home after a long stint abroad. Especially when you went abroad straight after college like I did. Teaching abroad gives you few transferable skills that employers value. You have to go for entry level jobs, but doing that is a huge hit to your pride. And with the economic downturn it's difficult to find any job.

Reverse culture shock has been a problem for me too. In Korea or wherever we're a bit different and a bit special, i.e a foreigner. But back home we're all just ordinary Joes (or Janes) who nobody takes any notice of. It's my little theory that so many people enjoy living abroad because they enjoy the feeling of being treated as special.

My biggest piece of advice to you kentuckyslim is don't just give up and go back to China. Because when you go back home again you will stiall have the same problems as before. And if you want to settle in China permanently, well that's a massive decision to take because you'd be effectively cutting yourself off from your own culture and roots.

Instead, I advise that you have a serious and very deep think about what career you want to pursue and then try to get on an appropriate training course/grad school program. It's not easy to make that decision, but in my experience the shock and disorientation of coming home actually put me in the right state of mind to do it.

I had the same problems as you, but eventually I decided to pursue a career in TEFL/TESOL seriously. I'm taking a Masters degree in the subject starting September. That will qualify me to teach almost anywhere in the world including my home country.

You've got to be strong dude and take some difficult decisions. Stay at it. It will be tough for you, but it's tough for anyone to get what they really want in life.

Everyone else is finding it difficult as well, it's just that they're good at hiding it.

[kentuckyslim]

[kentuckyslim]

[gungediana]

I'm doing it at Sheffield UK. I prefer to do it on campus rather than over the internet. I think on campus has more prestige, and I want to get it over and done with in one year too.

I can totally empathise with your situation kentuckyslim. You're not the only one to have these problems believe me.

Good luck with it all. I hope you take some time to really think deeply about what kind of career you want to pursue.

I think the important thing is to just make a decision one way or the other, even if you're not entirely happy with it. I realise it's a strange thing to say. But I think it's better to make a wrong decision about your future career now than to just put it off and go back to China.

You'll have time to travel in the future if you want to. But I would say that if your c.v is 'weird' then you should make gaining new skills a priority over travelling at this stage.

and thanks for starting this much needed thread !

[kentuckyslim]