Job Discussion Forums

[Finnegan]

Hello All,

Thank you for your audience....and I apologize if this has been asked previously...

I am looking at a career change, having worked in health care (physiotherapy). I've two science degrees from reputable Canadian universities, and find myself standing, at 43, on a precipice. "Should I stay or should I go" (The Clash). I have thought of doing a BEd, but job prospects where I live are not good at present. I am considering a "TEFL" certificate, then work abroad for a year or two, then return (and assuming the passion still moves me) and complete my BEd.

Question: I am interested in whether or not this foreign teaching experience might aid me in the future--the future being if I considered becoming a "real" teacher afterwards. I mean this not with any offense, but sarcastically.

Has anyone built upon their experience and brought their experiences back with them into the classroom? I can only think that this would be invaluable, but more conservative folks are usually those with the grips on power.
Thanks,
Finnegan

[Gawain]

I taught public school in USA for several years then taught EFL in Asia for several years. I'm over 40 like you: EFL teaching should impress school districts back home, though you may encounter resistance from some unimpressed principals.

Regardless whether or not it impresses hiring principals, EFL teaching is VERY helpful in making you a better teacher, by focusing on FUN and GAMES which keep students happy and re-enlisting. My Bachelor's Degree in Education was lousy by comparison, all testing and tagging the retarded and discipline. High school students hate their boring teachers, as I certainly did in high school. EFL teachers are more fun, more inspiring. I wish I could have had this EFL experience BEFORE my public school teaching, then I would have been a MUCH better teacher, minimizing teacher talking, maximizing student participation. Instead, I quit public school teaching because it was frustrating and students hated teachers. Get a TEFL certificate and you will be a much better teacher in ALL disciplines.

BUT being over 40 I'm going nuts. I came back to USA with nothing but the clothes on my back. You MIGHT make money in Asia, but not in South America or East Europe or most other places. Being over 40, perhaps provider for your family, you face HUGE stress that a 23 year old backpacker never thinks about. Will you return home penniless as I did, unable to afford further education for teaching degree? My teaching certificates expired years ago, so without a Master's Degree I'm stuck as a temp office clerk forever. No easy ways to career transition over 40.

Beware all the "JUST DO IT!" and "GO FOR IT!" advice you get on Dave's forum. Consider the authors. They are probably 23 year old backpackers who use EFL to fund global travel, not a care in the world. Or they already have MASTERS DEGREES. That makes a HUGE difference. Being unable to afford a Master's at over 40, I'm essentially locked out of any worthwhile job, ESPECIALLY teaching.

Yo yo yo, we would love to hear from our PEERS: Any dirt-poor careerless over-40 desperadoes go overseas, make a killing in EFL, parlay that into a Mater's Degree and successful teaching career back home? We're waiting to hear from yall!

[Finnegan]

Well, I did hope for an honest reply. Thanks. OK, the Master's thingy. I am curious. Perhaps this is more of a jurisdictional issue. Why would this be an issue of such importance? I ask in part because I have entertained this--of getting a master's (in what I am not sure). But in this particular regard, is there some hidden, small print which states that if you bugger off and teach elsewhere, then you are hooped upon your return?

[ls650]

[Gawain]

I taught years in China and never even learned Chinese. Never even got the 4 accents down. I think I'm probably retarded. My Culture Shock was always extreme. I even refused to eat with chopsticks. Insisted on a spoon and fork in every restaurant. Every newbie should consider how they might deal with culture shock. Over-40's tend to be stubborn and resistant to change, as I am.

Finnegan re Masters Degree: If you intend to teach in Canada, your pre-req's may be very different from USA.

In 1980's my Bachelor's in Education was enough. Now in USA anyone serious about teaching career gets a Masters. Virtually all 50 states now give you teaching license only on condition of getting a "5th year" or "Master's Equivalency" within your first two years teaching. If you don't get these continuing education hours within 2 years, you get fired. So most get the Masters to start, so they don't need so many continuing education credits. Basically for me to teach public school I would need to spend every spare hour and every summer vacation enrolled full-time in Masters or graduate-level continuing education classes, and that is hard to afford on a paltry $30,000 salary.

I can only speak about USA. Don't have a clue about Canada.

BUT advanced nations like Japan and other high-paying gigs want you to have a Masters Degree just to be EFL teacher. Requirements vary widely. Apparently you can walk into Argentina with nothing and start teaching instantly--but you don't make enough to save money in Argentina or South America. So you've got a mountain of research to do. Read every page of Dave's Forums in every country!

GO FOR IT! JUST DO IT!!!

[Deconstructor]

[Finnegan]

Wow, I registered for this only a day ago and am already into warp speed. To Deconstructor, it is just time for a change. I just feel as though I am not hitting the "sweet spot". Perhaps naive and idealistic but what else is there really? Who hasn't left their country searching for something--an ideal? Navel gazing aside, I do hope that TEFL'ing is not simply more escapism shrouded in lesson plans.

Hmmm, well thanks for your honesty all.

[Deconstructor]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[Finnegan]

I'm wondering if I've opened Pandora's Box here....I tell you though, the more I listen to you folks who have offered your thoughts, the more I think this ain't for me. To whomever suggested previously to just up and leave, I've done that part of life. I mean, it sounds now like this would be a fun thing to do with an early retirement. I've been looking through this forum(s), and I see the same thing--either folks ask the tough questions or they are there for the party. And I may be way off base too, but that is how it seems to be.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]