Job Discussion Forums

[denises]

Im 24, american have a BA in Business and a BA in Biology, and speak some Spanish. Considering I have no teaching experience, I was hoping I might get a teaching position in Japan with the Jet Program. Possibly get a Masters at some point.

My question is: Is it attainable for someone to have a steady job (ex year after year) that provides paid or unpaid vacation time of 2 or more months each year, pref more? For the long run Id like to work abroad in Central/south America, or thailand/japan and also spend time with my friends and family back home for some time. I guess what im trying to say is id like to try and live a dual life- one at home and one abroad.... is this possible? Im assuming higher education would be nec. and id need just enough $ to get by...I ahve considered teaching in the Peace Corps. not sure if this would be an asset or not, but I think id prefer to teach on my own.


Any thoughts on steady positions with 2 months+ off? I know this is unlikely but it was worth asking about

[moonraven]

Most K-12 type schools in Latin America only give about 5 weeks off in the summer--but they do give 2 or 3 weeks at Christmas and a couple of weeks around Easter.

[Glenski]

I think the JET Program offers 21 days off per year, but that depends on the individual school. You may actually have to work when other JET ALTs don't.

As for getting that much paid time off in other jobs here (Japan), I wouldn't count on it in the first year for sure. Most conversation schools give a week off in spring, a week off in August, and a couple of weeks over Xmas/New Year, plus a dozen scattered national holidays. If you want to get into mainstream schools, you might have to work during the "breaks" to some degree. Summer break is about a month. So is winter break. My school has mandatory classes during the break for study support and other things, so kids don't really get much of a break. And, if you are attached to a sports club, you can almost be guaranteed of working over breaks for practice and/or tournaments.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[moonraven]

I have been able to save half of my salary in Latin America--primarily in Mexico--for a number of years, so I usually work abot 6 months of every year.

[Glenski]

moonraven,
You should tell the OP what sort of position you have so the information is more meaningful. Not everyone can get the job you have with that salary.

[JZer]

[denises]

Alot of great advice mentioned, I think a key component is that I need to plan ahead and save! Would a masters degree in education be an asset?

[JonnytheMann]

If you work at a true international private school, you can earn a good salary and get summers off. You usually need a teaching certificate from the US (you're American, right? I forget). And you also need 2 years experience teaching in the US. Sometimes these qualifications aren't so strict. They usually pay for your plane tickets once a year or so. Just make sure you get a job at a real international school and not some fake one that pays you a local salary instead of an "American" salary.

[moot point]

American/International schools sound great. Why aren't all the disgruntled qualified teachers in the states and other English-speaking nations not lining up for these jobs? Or are they?

I'm curious here for some answers. I've seen such recommendations offered on numerous occasions in Dave's -- go for a teacher's license and teach at an international school. Is it really that simple?

If so, it would make up my mind to enrol in a teacher certification course (probably in OZ or NZ) and pay substantial international fees.

If not, perhaps I should depend more on my MA in TESL and seek temporary university assistant lecturing positions until inevitably having to pursue a PhD to obtain a tenure at some institution.

Any suggestions?

[denises]

this is going to sound naive- could someone list some examples of america/english schools in latin america, i can google the words to death but am a bit confused as to what schools fall in what category..

there are international schools that teach american expat/diplomat children..There are also american schools to teach local children, then there seems to be american affiliated schools that arent american!

Also, are these nice positions teaching english or a subject...im more interested in english teaching

[moonraven]

Glensk--I have been in Latin America for a dozen years, and seldom spend more than a year in one position (4 years as a language school director being the only exception). What I posted referred to all the jobs I have had.

[Glenski]

[moonraven]

Glenski--I hope what you wrote was not an example of ageism.

I did not start teaching EFL until I was 50. Yes, I had a PhD and teaching experience--but not in EFL.

I have taught in a wide variety of schools here: language schools, junior high and high schools, universities.

[Glenski]

moonraven,
No ageism in my thoughts at all. Just trying to present denises with a totally clear picture. She is 24 with a BA and no teaching experience. You wrote "I have been able to save half of my salary in Latin America--primarily in Mexico--for a number of years, so I usually work abot 6 months of every year." as well as "I have been in Latin America for a dozen years, and seldom spend more than a year in one position (4 years as a language school director being the only exception). What I posted referred to all the jobs I have had." but you didn't say that you were older when you got started, nor did you say what sort of jobs you had (and still have only mentioned one, which is probably not something she can get right away), so that didn't give denises an accurate foundation to compare situations.