Job Discussion Forums

[That Lisa Girl]

Hi there, are there any ESL teachers working in Toronto right now?

I'm currently seeking a teaching position. I have my TESL certificate, and 6 months experience teaching English overseas. So far, I've had mixed luck. The schools I'd really like to teach at have told me they're fully staffed for the moment, but with enrollment increasing in the spring, will be hiring later on. On the other hand, a few places that don't look like schools where I would like to work for a long time have offered me positions that don't pay very well, only $13-15 per hour.

What are your thoughts on accepting a teaching position, working there for a few weeks while still going to interviews at other schools, then leaving to work somewhere else when something better comes up?

I'd like to know if anyone has any information or reviews of these schools:

Geos Toronto
InterCultural Language Academy
English Schools of Canada

If you know of any schools that are currently hiring, or good places to work that you'd recommend, please let me know! Share with me, people! I want to hear about the good, the bad and the ugly! Tell me where NOT to apply, too!

Thanks!!

Lisa

[email protected].

[Lynden]

I worked for GEOS in Japan. It was all right, but I think it might not be that good back here in Canada. You will probably free lance for the company and from what I know of it they will give you as little in return for your hard work as they can. But that goes for most private language schools. I'm just curious, but why do you want to teach ESL in Canada? From my perspective, you don't even have the added bonus of being able to travel. And I doubt that you will be able to make a very long-term career out of TESL here in Canada. That's just from some of the research I did when I came back from Japan. One route that might be a little more rewarding would be to get an Ed degree, maybe in ESL, and then at least you get paid a decent salary for your work. That's one of the things I looked at when I came back.
Sorry if it sounds really negative. People do make careers out of TESL, I just think there might be easier, more rewarding career paths out there!

[That Lisa Girl]

Well, to be honest, I've taught English overseas before. I spent an entire year abroad, teaching in Europe and Israel, which was an absolutely amazing experience. As much as I enjoyed travelling, I felt very unstable and ungrounded a lot of the time. I plan on going back to school to finish my B.A. part-time as well, so that commits me to being here in Canada for a while. Perhaps sometime in the future I will live abroad and teach again, but right now, I am more focused on being here, and doing what I love, rather than finding another mundane office job. My first impression of Geos was: "Uh-oh, corporate hell." But nevertheless, experience is experience, right? After I finish my degree I'd like to take off again, maybe to Asia. I have friends who have taught in Japan who told me it was really incredible there. How long have you been living in Japan now, and what do you think are the selling points?

regards,
Lisa

[Guest]

I worked for GEOS in Japan too. In Japan they make it clear that to get a job at GEOS outside Japan you must have worked for GEOS in Japan for two years. Of course this could just be a ploy to keep as many teachers as possible in Japan. I'm sure they favour teachers returning home from GEOS Japan though, but a friend of mine is studying at GEOS in the South of England and says her teacher hasn't even been to Japan. Maybe they recruit locally when they can't get someone internally. In any case I wouldn't want to put you off working for GEOS. It's a big corporation and extremely money driven. Unfortunately the salaries are not too high and you might be on less money than teachers in Japan. As long as you're not in it for the money I'd say give it a whirl.

[Lynden]

Lisa, it sounds like Katy has a perhaps less biased view than I do! I just wanted to know what your experience was. Like she says, the wages are not high. But she also says if you are not in it for the money, give it a whirl. I honestly cannot think of a reason other than money to teach for GEOS. But if it is a part time job for you while you finish your degree, good luck. It'll probably pay you more than my part time jobs did! I stick by my first post though. For me there are definately better paying and more rewarding career paths out there! Good luck in whatever you choose.

[Lynden]

ps. you got the 'corporate hell' part right!

[That Lisa Girl]

Thanks for your feedback, guys! Much appreciated. I think I am going to give it a whirl, and see how it goes. Will report back.

[Lynden]

So Lisa, how come you haven't reported back yet? Did you give the Canadian GEOS a whirl? What was it like? Just curious.

[That Lisa Girl]

Hi there...

I've decided it might not be the best thing to discuss this specific job on a public forum... but I'll send you a private message to let you know!

regards,
Lisa