Job Discussion Forums

[denise]

Yes, I know this should be posted on the Newbie Forum, but the General Forum seems to still be more popular.

Recently, as evidenced by that 11-or-so page thread about the difficulties of finding a teaching job, there has been some antagonism towards many qualified and experienced teachers (myself included) who have done nothing more than "tell it like it is."

Teaching is a job, and, for some of us, a career. Just like any other jobs/careers, it does require certain qualifications. No qualifications=difficulty finding a job. Minimal qualifications=entry-level jobs. That's just how it is. You cannot expect to waltz into a cushy job in the country of your choice and get big bucks, housing, airfare, generous vacation time, respect, etc. unless you have the qualifications to do so.

Sometimes there is an age requirement, sometimes a native-speaker requirement, sometimes a nationality requirement. Unfair? Sure. OUR FAULT?!?!? Definitely not--so please do not respond sarcastically or aggressively the next time a well-meaning fellow poster tries to point out such requirements to you.

The newbie forum was created as a safe haven, where the most basic questions, the ones that get asked over and over again, could be asked without the poster being attacked. Oh, how nice it would be if some of the newbies on this forum could return the favor by not attacking the more experienced posters.

d