Job Discussion Forums

SeaveeBlue · Joined: 12 May 2013 Posts: 21 Location: Florida

Hello all. I am new to this board. I would like to ask a few questions.

I am curious about how other people pack to move overseas. How many suitcases do you bring? Do you confine yourself to the items that will fit in standard, allowable checked baggage on airlines?

Does anyone regularly ship things by crate or pay extra for shipping extra items?

I am an artist and I really want to pack up an extra "art trunk" to bring my art supplies with me if I go abroad. I don't think I would like to live without them for an extended period. I am aware that I could buy new things once moved, but that would be very inconvenient. I hate to say it, but I do have "favorite" things. Plus, having to hunt down everything I might need would not really encourage me to keep up the hobby. I think I could pack the most important materials into a trunk and leave room to store completed projects. I could use the trunk as a work station once settled.

Do the experienced travelers around think that this would end up causing me significant headache and expense?

Thank you in advance for any input.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

I recall these related threads:

Have you or would you buy your own classroom materials?

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=984635&

How do you move your stuff from one city/country to another?

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=97374&

SeaveeBlue · Joined: 12 May 2013 Posts: 21 Location: Florida

I Thank you. I appreciate the link. I tried a search before but it kept giving me errors. I just tried a search again and this time it worked. I will try to avoid asking questions without a search in the future. I know it is a bit annoying.

SeaveeBlue · Joined: 12 May 2013 Posts: 21 Location: Florida

The links helped some. I see that some people do ship things from location to location by post and as extra baggage. It looks like it is possible.

It looks like it may cost more to ship than to just buy new stuff. I guess the only real way to answer my question is to think about how much it is worth to me.

Maybe I should just get a new hobby every time I move. I bet there are all kinds of interesting new arts to learn.

Has anyone out there tried learning new arts/crafts while traveling?

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Where do you plan to go for your first teaching job?

SeaveeBlue · Joined: 12 May 2013 Posts: 21 Location: Florida

I am not 100% sure. I am almost done with the school year here in Florida (I teach high school). I am creating a new portfolio focused on working abroad. I will start sending out applications and resumes as soon as I get the portfolio updated. I have been reading these forums and evaluating my options. I am leaning towards Thailand or China, but I am not going to limit myself to only those places. I am researching and reading to find the places that suit me.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

You're posting on the newbie forum, so I assume you presently don't teach ESL. What age group are you interested in teaching? High schoolers in an international school environment? Or adults in a language school or university? By the way, I'm curious... What do you mean by "portfolio?"

SeaveeBlue · Joined: 12 May 2013 Posts: 21 Location: Florida

I am interested in teaching high school or adults. I think I would prefer to teach adults. I have not done that in quite a while. I enjoy teaching high school as well so I would be open to either.

I currently teach at a public high school in Florida. I have a BA, 300 ESOL hours (ESL), 300 hours in specialized Reading instruction, multiple state certifications (English, Special Ed, Reading, Social Sciences) and 9 years teaching experience with experience in curriculum development. I have 18 graduate credit hours. Unfortunately, I ran out of money before finishing my MA.

I have taught ESOL and Intensive Reading, Writing and Language Arts here in the United States. I have not taught ESL abroad. I am aware that the experiences are quite different but I hope that the basic skills are the same.

My professional portfolio is a compilation of documents, materials and data that showcase my career. I have a hard copy and CD version which I am currently updating. I am revising content and reformatting as needed to suit current technology. The portfolio can be sent with standard resume, cover letter and application to provide a more in-depth look at my career. I used the portfolio to get my current job several years ago. I try to keep it updated because it is very useful anytime I need to promote myself.

The practice is not uncommon but it is not necessarily expected either. I know many teachers who do not have a professional portfolio. Most of the administrators I know have favored the use of a portfolio. I am quite certain that having one is largely responsible for my current job. The interviewers responded to it very well.

One of the biggest benefits of the portfolio comes during an interview. Assuming I have anticipated questions well, I can flip to the portfolio (manually or online) to give visuals and examples to support my responses. For instance, if an interviewer wants to know about my curriculum development experience, I have a page that describes it and provides links to examples and other related evidence.

I am presuming that this will be an advantage when applying for jobs abroad. If nothing else, it allows me to quickly access anything an employer might ask for.