Job Discussion Forums

The Goblin Queen · Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 23 Location: Vancouver, BC

Hi there! I'm Meghan, and I live in Vancouver, BC. I'm sure there's been a bazillion posts about how to start getting going and where to go, etc., etc.. But! I thought I'd present my current settings and interests and see what sort of input I recieve.
Well, I'm 21, and I'm currently attending a part-time course in herbology. But right now, I've been thinking about going overseas and teaching English.
I am extremely interested in going to Japan, since I have been a huge fan of the culture ever since I was very young. My main priorities aren't really to make a bunch of cash (I never heard of that until I started asking people about teaching overseas). I mean, don't get me wrong, it WOULD be nice (since I am unemployed) if I come across the opportunity. But I am not out just to make a bunch of money and leave. I AM hoping, though, to find a job that would help out with airfare and possibly housing. I haven't really lived on my own yet, so help would be nice.
I would really love to experience a new place (although I love Vancouver--it's awesome!) and have an adventure, meet new people, and interact with others and learn new things. I also know that not everything's all rosy and perfect, and there are many things to be aware of (for instance, shams, dodgy situations/people, etc.) and to always expect the unexpected.
I also wouldn't mind going to Hong Kong or Taiwan. (And then possibly going to Japan on vacation?)
I am mostly interested in teaching younger children (ie: kindergarten, elementary school ages). This is because I find children to generally have less of a societal filter in how they percieve the world and interact with others. They are sponges, and incredible ones at that. I also imagine that I might be able to use a lot more creativity in lesson plans and presentations.
Here and now, I would just like to get as many ducks in a row as I can, so I am as prepared as possible.
I don't have a degree, nor am I intent on getting one anytime soon. But, I am interested in taking a TESL course so I can get a bit of a heads up, since I've never taught children before. It has been suggested to me that this would be very helpful, especially in getting a job, as well. As far as I know, they also help out with placement and application. The program I'm looking into is the part-time one at Vancouver Community College. Has anyone else taken a TESL course in Vancouver? Any input/advice?
Anyway, I also need to get my passport. I guess I should get going on that now? Does anyone know how long it takes to process the application?
Also, to get a working visa, I suppose that I would wait until I am applying for jobs so I know which country to get it for?
And when I know which country I am going to, I think it might help to learn a bit of the native language so I can at least get around.
When I apply for a job, how often are places very image-concerned? Since there apparently should be a portfolio included with the resume, with a picture attached, I was wondering about what sort of filtering process most schools use. I guess most of them are different, and it depends on who is reviewing applications and whatnot. The front of my hair is bright pink, and the rest is my natural colour (light brown). I was thinking (probabaly idealistically) that having pink in my hair would be somewhat of a novelty for the kids I will be teaching. I know kids here usually quite like it, or at least it gets their attention in a neutral manner. With comments such as, "Mom, mom, look! Her hair is PINK! How is her hair pink?" and the like.
But I also realize that many educational institutions may have a dress code, or at least be quite conservative, and I would like to take that into consideration.
This is a minute detail at the moment, though.

What else should I start organizing and thinking about?
I'm sure there's lots more to do.

Any questions, comments, suggestions are welcome, as I appreciate honest advice.

You can also e-mail me at [email protected].

Thanks!

^_^

-Meghan

marblez · Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 248 Location: Canada

I am a 21 year old female in a similar position to yours. The difference is that I near completion of a university degree and will complete the TESL certificate in December.

I have researched for many, many, many months (since 2001 when I decided to pursue this career), and can only offer you this advice:

- Japan is a poor option due to the degree requirement.

- There are jobs available in China but I do not know of any good ones for non-degree applicants.

- In general, I have found older Asians (the ones hiring) do NOT look upon crazy hair colour favourably. It will most likely kill any chance. I myself think pink looks great.

- The Vancouver Community College certificate is a respected qualification, and many university professors in the GVRD often obtained their TESL there.

Have you considered taking the time to obtain an ECE diploma or certificate? You can complete it within 2 years and it would open major doors. It sounds like something you would be interested in.

The bottom line is that there are jobs. If you are not qualified, you will only be hired for the crap that qualified applicants would not touch with a ten foot pole. More experienced teachers would have more to say here! Good luck!

The Goblin Queen · Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 23 Location: Vancouver, BC

Yeah, I just can't bring myself to be trapped in school for that long. I actually detest being in a school environment as a student, and it drives me nuts. I could go on about reasons why, but yeah. I won't bore you.
If I have trouble attaining positive results after I start applying, I will reconsider it. But I would hope in the 2 years time I would be able to save up enough money to just take a vacation to Japan and ditch the whole teaching idea.
If the time comes around to start applying for jobs, I guess I could change the hair colour by going over it with another colour. Would red be more natural?

Thanks for the input!

^_^

Finnegan · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 37 Location: Canada

Dear Goblin Queen,

Are you sure you really want to be a teacher?

The Goblin Queen · Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 23 Location: Vancouver, BC

Pretty sure. I've never tried it. I would really like to travel and experience new things, though.

marblez · Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 248 Location: Canada

It just sounds like you really don't seem to care about teaching at all. You said yourself that you hate being in a school environment (as a student). I hope you realize that you will have more homework than your students! You can always obtain a working holiday visa and do something else, you don't need to use it as a platform to travel. I may be the minority, but I like to see teachers teaching.

The Goblin Queen · Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 23 Location: Vancouver, BC

Well, what other jobs are available out there?
Are there any that will pay your airfare and possibly give you a place to stay?

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

It sounds like you really just want to travel, not teach. In all seriousness, why not just get a job in Vancouver and save up your hard-earned coin, then go backpacking overseas? Question

marblez · Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 248 Location: Canada

I don't know of any jobs that would do that. Honestly, I'm not sure how you are going to find a job that will pay your airfare and give you housing. You aren't qualified for those jobs! You would be obtaining illegal employment and will be treated like crap. On the other hand, what sort of education would you be offering? Leave the teaching jobs to teachers, sorry.

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 5:22 am Post subject: A question of attitude

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Good, pointed advice Chris. I'm going to bookmark that post of yours for future need.

ShaneM · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 20 Location: Boulder, CO USA

I would like to add that just being a teaching assistant was a pretty big shock. It's so much work, and grading is not fun at all. Obviously my experience (TA for engineering in the US) is completley different, but I'd like to back up the point that teaching is way more work than learning.

GreenDestiny · Joined: 27 Nov 2004 Posts: 88 Location: International

The Goblin Queen · Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 23 Location: Vancouver, BC

Finnegan · Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Posts: 37 Location: Canada

I find it heard to believe that you, Goblin Queen, haven't taken the oh so subtle hints which have been posted thus far. When you are asked for letters of reference by a prospective employer (ie. ESL school), what will you do? You seem to be saying that the school environment did not turn you on, so who would vouch for you as a referee? Would you be as 'honest' with this employer as you have been in this forum? If so, there is not an employer on the planet who would offer you a teaching job. If you would not be so 'honest' then someone is in for a big bad surprise in another country. In either case, I just don't get why you are wasting your time. As another contributor offered, why not just get a job in Vancouver and save up some cash and travel. Leave the teaching to teachers.