Job Discussion Forums

[steven_gerrard]

I am having a discussion with another member of the site on one of the local forums about this. I argue that although very difficult, you can indeed make a pretty successful career in EFL and although you may never make the big bucks, you can carve yourself a pretty decent career and lifestyle if the desire is there.

He says (I think) that no teachers are in the business to make a career, in fact to quote him directly he says: "What exactly is a 'career teacher' in EFL? I've never heard anyone, anywhere describe EFL as a realistic career"

The 40 or so people I work with and the thousands of others who work for the same organisation worldwide would strongly disagree with that comment but I just wondered what everyone else thought. Thoughts please.

[dyak]

Gawain reckons not:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=21183

I think yes, depending on what you're running from and how long you need to run for...

[steven_gerrard]

Thanks for that link -interesting reading. Wonder if opinion has changed since????

[31]

Can you tell me where exactly you can carve out this pretty good career so I can apply immediately?

[ls650]

It depends on what your definition of 'career' is. If by career, you mean a job path that lets you build up more power, control, and money, then perhaps EFL is not for you.
On the other hand, if 'career' means having a job that puts a roof over your head and food in the fridge - and maybe even enjoy doing, then by all means EFL is a 'career'.

[steven_gerrard]

Oh, I don't know- my immediate boss earns around $100,000 a year plus accommodation allowance and all the trimmings. She's no Donald Trump, but that's pretty nice, you have to admit.

[ntropy]

A teacher at my school is starting her 27th consecutive year working at this school alone and still going strong.

[Deconstructor]

I have an extremely successful career in ESL/EFL. First of all, I love what I do; no, let me rephrase that: I am in love with what I do. I can make $500 a week doing it and that's enough for me. I have no stress what so ever and when I wake up in the morning, my feeling is: woo hooooooooooooo! When it comes to my job, I dare anyone who can be more satisfied than me.

If someone offered me $100,000 a year for any other job, I would turn it down faster than he could blink his eyes.


Now that's what I call success!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[denise]

It's whatever you make of it. If you take it seriously, get properly trained, and enjoy it (in spite of the low salaries, lack of understanding back home, etc.), then yes, it can be a career.

If you see it as a way to travel around the world while hiding from reality and avoiding a "real job," then no, it's not a career because of your perception of it.

d

[Roger]

I think that guy who opines you cannot make a career in TEFL/TESL is a misanthropic person or a backpacker. To be sure, teaching "oral English", possibly in SE or Far Eastern Asia is not a good first step to it, yet even here some realise job satisfaction, attain a good middle-class social class and enjoy job stability and well-deserved respect.
However, they also have something to offer their employers and students. They are versatile, educationally well-rounded, open-minded, but not opportunistic.
Ever more international schools in China bank their hopes on committed and well-qualified western or other foreign teachers, and they reward them royally.
It goes without saying that if your ambitions are no higher than to join one of Taiwan's bushibans for their "excellent pay", then you are not likely to cut it with these would-be employers.

[distiller]

TEFL is certainly a career and can be well paid as well. The minimum for Native English Teachers in Hong Kong in the government program is $3500-$4000 US a month plus a thirteenth month bonus and airfare home every two years. Many make quite a bit more than that as you get about $125 US a month more for every year of experience you have. International schools around the world also offer such opportunities. You can't be some schmuk off the street, however. You need a degree, proper training, certification and experience. Combine that pay with 2-3 months in holidays a year, medical, and a retirement scheme and I think it's a pretty sweet deal. Plus you are always in demand thus giving you leverage over employers and mobility in the job market. Not to mention that you make a difference in peoples� lives everyday in a very tangible way. What more does anyone want from a career?

[AndyinHK]

In HK to get hired by the NET scheme at the secondary school level you need a degree in English or similar (linguistics etc), a teaching certificate, and a TESL/TEFL certificate. You also need to show that you have teaching experience in your home country because the whole idea of the scheme is to show local teachers how teachers in the west approach teaching ESL. The reason why the salaries are high under this scheme is because of the prior work experience requirement. They have to pay someone who is a teacher in the west at least the same amount they would make at home in order to attract them to come to H.K. In short, this scheme is totally different of what you could expect if you aren't in it, at least in salary terms in H.K. If you're not in the scheme it would be very difficult going, especially if you have a family and need to educate your children in an English speaking school.

[distiller]

I don't know about the kids thing, as I wouldn't subject older kids to the space confines of Hong Kong unnecessarily but there are still plenty of school that offer direct contracts with teachers with the same pay rates as the NET scheme. I work at one now. So I have not needed to go though the government agency hassle but still get the salary and benefits. I know a few people in HK who are doing the same thing so there are good paying jobs with benefits out there.