Job Discussion Forums

[Number Six]

Hi, all.

I'm new to the forum, though I've read scores and scores of postings in the past couple of days. I've gleaned a lot of useful info so far, including a few partial answers to the question I'm going to ask here, but I'd appreciate it if someone with a similar background to mine could tackle it head-on.

I'm 44, have left an unfulfiling career and have a BA but no TESL certificate. I have no experience teaching and am not outgoing by nature, yet I'm not afraid to do new and uncomfortable things if I think they may pay off. I have a strong desire to help others better themselves. So, here's the lead-up to my question:

I have no idea if I'll actually enjoy or be good at teaching. On the one hand, I don't want to invest any more money in this venture than necessary until I'm sure this is what I'd like to do for at least the next year. (Yes, I realize that most contracts run for a year, but I've read about ways to gracefully and ethically make an exit, when necessary.) On the other hand, I want to be as prepared and confident in the classroom as I can possibly be, so as to give my students the best lesson I can deliver and myself the best teaching experience possible. Now, here's my actual question:

What should I do? Initially teach at a school not requiring a certificate, thus limiting my financial losses, should I decide early on that teaching English isn't for me; or, spend the $1-$1.5k on a CELTA or Trinity? I'd love to have the extra knowledge, experience and confidence the cert would provide and to give the students the best value for their money, but if I end up quitting after just a few months ...

And which country would be my best choice if I decide to forgo training, at least at the outset? Where is well-meaning, yet not particularly well executed, instruction most usefully employed and the most welcome?

I believe nobody deserves second-rate education, but my question really is, since apparantly there are countries absolutely begging for it, where is it least inappropriately delivered (at least in the very short term, until I decide whether this is something I want to pursue, after which I'd definitely put myself through a TESL course)?

I thank you in advance for your advice, and am bracing myself for lectures on patronization/condescencion ... but that's OK. Be my conscience here. Please. (But please don't overlook the bold paragraph.)

-Number Six

[Gordon]

My first concern is that you are already contemplating quitting before you even have a job or are in the country. How do you expect to overcome culture schock when that sets in? You seem to be setting yourself up for failure. Yes, training will help you, you will also increase your chances of getting a better job and being able to fulfill your contract because you will hopefully have a clue about what you are doing in the classroom. On one hand, you say you want what is best for your students and then you say you don't want to do any training. Which is it because you can't do both.

With all that said, perhaps China might be a place to consider. Hours are quite long in Japan.

[denise]

You'll probably get plenty of responses about the training--whether or not to get it--so I'd like to throw in another thought. How much you enjoy teaching could very well depend not only on the teaching, but also on how much you like the country that you're in. Different countries have different students, different bureaucracies, etc. Are there any countries that really interest you? If so, you could check on the requirements for those specific countries, and if they require (or look very favorably upon) a certificate, you can probably take a training course in the country.

I hope this doesn't sound too obvious or condescending, because I certainly don't mean it to be. I just think that if you throw yourself into a job that you're not sure about in a country that may not be at the top of your list of places to see, you'll have two difficult adjustments to make.

d

[Scott in Incheon]

You don't a cert to teach in the three major Asian countries...Japan, Taiwan, or Korea.

These are the three countries where a lot of ESL teachers cut their first teeth. I cam over 10 years ago with just a BA and have spent the last ten years teaching...adding a B'Ed and and M'Ed to my paper trail.

The only reason you might want to do a cert is the practice teaching. Getting in front of a class can be nerve wracking. But a little volunteer work might take care of this for you.

If you don't plan to stay in the field righ now...save your money...go to the lbrary...and read up on ESL teaching...talk to people who have taught...buy some acitivity books...spend a little money on resources and then try it out.

[Chris_Crossley]

Worrying about what it could be like before you even start can probably do more to make you question your own abilities than actually doing the job and finding that you are not as good as you thought. It is rather like convincing yourself that the swimming pool water is freezing even before you've put a toe in it.

No matter what courses you take, books you've read or resources you have to hand, you will find that the practice is always a different kettle of fish to the theory. Actually being there gives you the chance to learn not just about the classroom, but also about yourself.

At my primary school, there was a guy who came with no teaching experience of any kind and was all set to quit on his SECOND DAY because he had found the kids just too boisterous for his liking. He had undoubtedly convinced himself that little Chinese kids in lower grades in primary schools were quiet little chubby-cheeked cherubs who would always pay attention, listen respectfully to the teacher, and do what they're told. He was cruelly disavowed of these naive notions and had literally packed his suitcases, all ready to leave. Fortunately, a good lunch and a heart-to-heart managed to convince him to stay at least one whole 19-week semester, and he is still here after 10 weeks, 50 teaching days.

China is not particularly fussy about people having TESOL certificates. If they are native-speakers and have a bachelor's degree, that's enough. You should have no trouble in obtaining employment as a teacher in either a private-sector or a public-sector institution even without teaching experience of any kind. Some of the expat teachers at my school fall into this category and, by all report, everybody is doing OK with no complaints from either side about teaching, discipline in class, etc, etc.

I myself do have a Trinity Certificate in TESOL, and I also have a B.Ed. degree in secondary education from an English university (so I am qualified to teach in state schools in England and Wales), but it is fair to say that I have learned more by actually being in the "front-line" of teaching, something I intend to continue to do for some time before, say, embarking on a master's degree in education.

[sojourner]

Hi Number 6,

Like you, I, too, have never considerd myself to be an "outgoing sort of person" - in fact , according to a number of online Myers-Briggs tests, I am very much an introvert, most likely, an INTP ! This is probably why I was such a failure as a secondary teacher many years ago !

Also, like you, because of an unfulfilling job back in my homeland, I decided that ESL teaching in some exotic, out-of-way place may add some meaning (and excitement !) to my life. However, after the initial euphoria relating to the images in living/working o'seas had subsided, I was immediately confronted with 'reality', especially when I recalled my previous teaching job so many years ago. I then said to myself that all of that had happened ages ago - thus, I may be far more 'mature' now. Also, I felt that teaching ESL learners in Asian countries would be 'different' ( maybe, 'easier' !) than teaching kids in my home country. But, I then asked myself whether I would be able to cope wth lesson planning,classroom management, etc, as I had been away from the chalk-face for many years. Anyway , after much procrastination, I decided to enrol in a CELTA course, for the purposes of not only learning something about the basics of ESL methodology, but also to re-familiarise myself with the classroom environment.

My first job in my new career was at a tertiary college, in China. That institution was far from ideal - teacher morale turned out to be quite low. Also, during the first term I never felt that happy with teaching Oral English - yet, at the same time, I was slowly developing my classroom management skills, as well as my overall confidence. In the next term, I requested, and was given, a number of classes teaching Western Culture. I really enjoyed teaching that subject. In my current position, at a university, I am teaching only Western Culture - I am given a lot of leeway in how I do it, although I have to use a pretty awful (PRC published !) textbook. Nevertheless, I am enjoying my current job, including my interactions with my students.

So, put aside your self-doubts about your teaching ability and come over to China ! However, I suggest that you don't work in a language school. Such places are blatantly commercially-oriented - you would have to to put up with BS from the head teacher or D.O.S. should any of your students (or their parents) ever complain that your lessons "aren't interesting' enough". In my opinion, the best sort of place to work at, in China, would be at a college or university. (Chris Crossley, in an earlier thread, has also recommended working in the state primary school sector).

What did you major in ? You may wish to teach Western Culture, if you majored in the humanities; or something like International Business or Business English, if you majored in some commercial discipline. The point that I'm trying to make is that you need not necessarily have to teach Oral English - it would depend upon the actual contract and your own negotiation skills , as well as the ability of your recruiter in finding the 'right' sort of college for you. However, taking one or two classes in Oral English may help you to develop some skills that could be useful in other subjects.

The first term may be a bit hard for you - BUT DON'T GIVE UP - you'll survive, believe me! The 2nd term will be considerably easier. However, by the time that you commence your 2nd year, you'll feel quite confident in yourself.

So, to get cracking, enquire about doing a recognised TESOL course, such as CELTA or Trinity. Forget about doing some el cheapo online course. Yes, I agree with with the other posters who say that you could quite easily get a job in a college or uni with only your BA degree - but I feel that it would be a very good idea that you get 'the feel' for the classroom environment; as well as to get some experience in teaching real students, as is required by the CELTA/Trinity organisations. Before commencing your course, get hold of some books on TESOL by either Jeremy Harmer or Jim Scrivenor. You would also find a good book on English grammar quite useful.

What nationality are you ? If you are from Nth America, you probably won't have too much trouble in getting a job in Sth Korea - although, as a newbie, probably not in in a uni or college.Thus, you'll be stuck with the hagwan sector - check the Korean forums for comments re the 'joys' of working in that sector ! I honestly think that China would be your best choice.

Please PM me should you require any further info - or the name of a good recruiter.

Good luck.

Peter

[Roger]

So you are totally unsure as to what you want, and where you want to make a living? Mate, you shouldn't transplant yourself into a foreign classroom!

I strongly believe, doing a meaningful job that also satisfies yourself is possible only with a minimum of dedication. This can be expected in someone who has acquired a number of foreign languages up to native-like fluency and proficiency. Just getting a job because you need the money, and you know no other lingo but your mother tongue which accidentally happens to be in demand in other countries is not an ideal equation!

Some sail through a one-year stint, some last even longer; however, the odds are seriously stacked against you and, more importantly, against your learners!

Besides, TEFLing should only be envisagd as a career if you have the right intellectual cushion to sit comfortably on; this means you should know your first tongue as an expert, not merely as a speaker. This would ensure you could do challenging and more interesting things while on the job abroad.

When I came here I didn't imagine I would last several years; I have completed several two-year stints, and don't see an end to my career here even though I feel I am constantly seriously underchallenged as an English expert and overburdened with demands that are extraneous to teaching English.

[sojourner]

Hi, Again, Number 6,

I endorse much of what Roger has just said. Going o'seas to teach ESL should not be be seen merely as a means to 'find yourself'.There are also your potential students to consider - the parents of many students may have forked-out a great deal of their hard-earned cash to ensure that their offspring learn English for the purposes of improving their lot in life. If your heart is not into teaching, think of the impact that such an attitude might have upon your students. Before heading off o'seas, I strongly suggest that you enrol in a CELTA or Trinity course. In such courses, you'll have to engage in some actual practice teaching involving REAL students. Such an experience, will indicate to you whether you are, or not, cut-out for ESL teaching. If it isn't your forte, you would have lost $2000 - but, you would have possibly prevented potential students of yours from possibly having a most negative and futile learning experience ! If TESL is , indeed, 'your thing', CELTA/Trinity training would have provided you with some basic, albeit useful, insights relating to language structure, classroom management, lesson planning, etc. If you decide to stick to teaching, you may eventually wish to develop your expertise by undertaking other studies, such as DELTA, or a Master's programme in TESOL or Applied Linguistics.

Why did you contemplate ESL teaching in the first place ? Have you ever studied other languages ? Are you interested in the structure of the English language ? Have you ever spent consideable time o'seas ? Are you keenly interested in other cultures ? These are the sorts of questions that you should be asking yourself - if you haven't done so already ! If you are not interested in languages, other cultures, etc, don't bother wasting your money on a CELTA course. Rather, have a consulatation with a good psychologist who happens to specialise in vocational advice or/and mid-life career change issues. I'm sure that there would be many options that an Arts graduate like yourself would like to consider.

If you think that you 'might like' ESL teaching, read some books by Jeremy Harmer and Jim Scrivenor. Also, go to Dave's main page, and look up some of the pages dealing with teaching activities, games, etc. And then, ask yourself whether you can really 'relate' to what seems to be the world of ESL. It might also be worthwhile for you to do some tutoring or mentoring of newly-arrived English L2 learners. Contact your local Community College (Nth America), TAFE (Australia) ,or, possibly, Polytechnic (UK). Such voluntary work would help you to decide whether TESL-type work is your forte, or not.

Good luck.

Peter

[Number Six]

I thank all of you for your input and your time. You've given me quite a bit to chew on.

-6