Job Discussion Forums

[coralation]

Hi everyone,

So I suppose this is the best place to ask any questions I have about teaching abroad and how it has affected the lives of those who have already done it. Any honest feedback would be appreciated.

In a nutshell, I am a recent graduate from university and plan on working for a year or two before applying to grad school. I have considered teaching English abroad, though I do not at all plan on establishing a career in the field. I want to be in politics/public policy/research and plan on doing this in grad school (I also already have work experience in this field). I just want to work for a year or two to pay off some of my student debt.

My first thought is that in the next year or two I want a job in my chosen field, which I'm most likely to find where I live. I feel like that's the best decision and how I'll find something that'll look best on my resume. But given the state of the job market these days (I'm from Canada), it's obviously a fear of mine that I won't find what I'm hoping for before I have to pay back some of my student loans. I have considered teaching English in another country as an option (Japan is probably the country I want to teach in the most, and I have already done extensive research on the opportunities there), but I have some questions for those who have already done it:

- Was it difficult to find work once you returned to your home country? Moreover, was it difficult to find work in a different field?

- Did you find that a lot of future employers in your home country didn't take you seriously because you taught English in another country? Or did they view your experience favourably?

- Did anyone return to graduate school after teaching abroad? If so, were any questions asked by grad schools about the decision to teach in another country (whether they were positive or negative)?

- Did you say you were only going to do this for a short period of time and then change your mind once you were already teaching?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[nomad soul]

[bograt]

Having done extensive research into Japan, you'll have discovered that it'll require pretty heavy start up costs - flight, three months deposit for hefty rent etc...Korea and China may be less appealing but you can probably get started there for just a month's living expenses up front. Teaching for a couple of years in Asia then going to grad school is a very popular route so I'm pretty sure companies/grad schools are well used to it and wouldn't hold it against anyone.

[mmcmorrow]

To paraphrase John Lennon, TEFL is what happens while you're making other plans.

I took a one-month TEFL course in 1985, after graduating, so that I could go overseas and mull over what I wanted to do with my life.

Fast forward thirty years, no change.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of others from English-speaking countries * have done TEFL certificates (like CELTA) and headed overseas - mostly for fairly short stays, but others have returned home to continue teaching, others have stayed overseas and moved into other areas of work and some have moved on into different connected or unconnected careers on returning home.

I don't see any reason why a two-year stint teaching English in Japan should be looked on with suspicion by employers or grad school recruiters - but I don't have any experience to go on, particularly for the North American context. Anyway, I think it would be pretty easy to present a positive argument in support of your decision - particularly given your future career plans.

You'll find quite a high proportion of ex-English teachers in all kinds of fields related to international relations and development and in social policy areas. It's not unusual at all.

However, you need to think about the costs and potential benefits. Teaching in Japan is not especially lucrative and you may find you don't save enough in two years to pay off your student debt.

By the way, have a look at the JET programme ... - though you need to apply about a year in advance.

Martin McMorrow, Massey University Centre for Teaching and Learning, New Zealand

* I don't mean to suggest it's only for people from 'English-speaking countries', but that's the case here!

[scot47]

Do you like "Abroad" ? It is full of foreign folk who talk funny and eat weird food.

[Hod]

[coralation]

Thanks for your responses, everyone! These are all very helpful. And while Japan has been my top choice (as I have always dreamed of visiting there since I was little, and have always been interested in Japanese things) I am open to going to South Korea as well. I know the market in South Korea is much larger and that most positions there offer free flights and housing, which indeed would make the experience much more lucrative.

[nomad soul]

Again, seriously consider seeking out the advice of your university mentors and advisors. In fact, they may know of other potential job opportunities you can pursue that are more in line with your academic and career goals.

That said, be aware that a lot of TEFL jobs in Asia involve teaching children. Also, you'll likely need to invest in a valid TEFL cert. Korea can't be discussed here, so head to the Korea job discussion forums to register and ask your questions there.

[Hod]

I can just imagine a uni career adviser saying "Two years teaching TEFL? Go for it, dude!"

By all means speak to such people (I never did because all they knew was how to lecture in a uni), but if you want to spend a year or two TEFLing, you have to decide. Despite my example above, I'd say go for it. You won't make much money, but you'd have the lifetime experiences that Jan above didn't. Yes, get a TEFL cert. It'll pay for itself even in two years as opposed to teaching cert-less.

[timothypfox]

[scot47]

TESOL and Strong Drink were my downfall. I thought I would do both for a bit and then quit. I quit the booze but got really hooked on TESOL. So it goes.