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civi68
Joined: 25 Apr 2004
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Sat May 01, 2004 1:55 pm Post subject: career change |
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Hello,
I am considering a career change in a few years to teaching english. I have traveled to st. petersburg, odessa, and kherson. Eastern european culture and life interest me.
I currently manage an inpatient drug program in a prison. I also am in the air force national guard. I am considering retiring from both jobs at age 40 in about 4 years. That way, I will receive a pension from the prison at age 50 and a pension and healthcare from the military at age 60.
My plan would be to get a CELTA. I have a bachelor's degree in sociology. My question is, can I make teaching english a career for 10-15 years? In addition to any income from teaching, I would have savings to rely on until my pension of about $1000 a month from work kicks in at age 50. Is this a feasible plan or is this the type of career that I would be traveling back and forth and not able to live long-term in eastern europe for 10-15 years? Of course, the cost of living could rise by then but who can predict this? Thanks.
mike |
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justcolleen
Joined: 07 Jan 2004
Posts: 654
Location: Egypt, baby!
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 12:52 am Post subject: |
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I sure hope so because I'm planning to make a career of it, too. 
Colleen |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 5:17 am Post subject: |
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| I think you can certainly make a go of it. Have you taught before? If not, you may want to try volunteering somewhere and see if this is for you. If you like it, get the CELTA, it's great training. The cost of living is quite cheap in Eastern Europe, as you know. |
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Aramas
Joined: 13 Feb 2004
Posts: 874
Location: Slightly left of Centre
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 5:56 am Post subject: |
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Am I the only one to whom the above destinations speak of an intent other than teaching?  |
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Eijse
Joined: 17 Dec 2003
Posts: 119
Location: Yemen (Aden)
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 9:24 am Post subject: |
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...
Last edited by Eijse on Tue Aug 31, 2004 4:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 9:48 am Post subject: |
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You will need to look into visa issues as I presume you are from the USA. From what I've heard, the EU (as most of Eastern Europe is as of yesterday) is tricky to work in for US passport holders.
Another issue from this perspective is that by far, Europeans prefer British English. While this may not prevent you from getting a job, it might irritate you on the job as you would be required to deal with British English variants, alternative pronunciation and perhaps fielding questions about the UK and tests such as IELTS.
I will second the other posters in that you really need to get a deeper awareness of what TEFL is all about before you make a serious commitment to it. |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 10:57 am Post subject: What is "Europe" ? |
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An interesting question here " WHAT IS EASTERN EUROPE ?"
St Petersburg, Odessa and Kherson are hardly in the EU !
Europe is not just the territory of the European Union ! Mother Russia, the Third Rome, is also European. And the Ukraine. And Byelorussia. Moldova too. Bulgaria and Rumania will not be in the EU for another 3 or 4 years.
Do not pay too much attention to all the media hype on May 1st about the expansion eastwards !
Last edited by scot47 on Tue May 04, 2004 7:33 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 11:01 am Post subject: Re: What is "Europe" ? |
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| scot47 wrote: |
An interesting question here " WHAT IS EASTERN EUROPE ?"
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Abroad |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 11:03 am Post subject: |
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Abroad ? You mean it is full of foreigners ? Not like us ?
Why would anyone go there ? They talk funny ! And they eat garlic. |
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shmooj
Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1758
Location: Seoul, ROK
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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Scot man, get a grip. We're talking to an OP from the US of A... saying "most of Eastern Europe joined the EU" will not even muddy the water.
What we should be taking umbridge at is Gordon
perpetuating the EU Passport myth..
Down with Gordon...
Down with Gordon...
Down with...
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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Wolf
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 1245
Location: Middle Earth
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| Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Aramas wrote: |
| Am I the only one to whom the above destinations speak of an intent other than teaching? |
Yeah. WIth his background, he wants to spy. Or run drugs. Or maybe both. 
As far as I know, you could teach in Russia and Turkey at any rate. Your three choices are Russia or breakaway nations of the USSR. Unless things change in 4 years, the EU only bit shouldn't hinder you there.
For more info, you might want to read through the Russia board (and job journal - but take that stuff with a pinch of salt.) |
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lostinparis
Joined: 04 Feb 2004
Posts: 77
Location: within range of a flying baguette
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| Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Another issue from this perspective is that by far, Europeans prefer British English. While this may not prevent you from getting a job, it might irritate you on the job as you would be required to deal with British English variants, alternative pronunciation and perhaps fielding questions about the UK and tests such as IELTS. |
shmooj! i'm surprised at you. Many Europeans (at least among my students) actually like American English because they ingest alot of US pop culture (films, music, etc). Others feel like they already know a lot about British (i.e. European) culture, and are quite excited to have an American/Aussie/NZ teacher.
Considering the age-old British-French rivalry... perhaps American English is neutral territory? |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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So what is wrong with teaching,spying AND running drugs - all at the same time !
These days we all need a "portfolio" of interests. One job - especially TEFL - won't feed your habits ! |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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" I am considering a career change in a few years" said the Air Force dude from Folsom prison.
The way things are developing in the Middle East "in a few years" the Rapture will have happened and the Righteous among us will be sitting at the right hand of the Lord ! |
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