Job Discussion Forums

[EnglishBrian]

I was chatting about this with someone and realised I had contradictary feelings.

If I think of my home country (UK) I'd think it was laudable for someone to volunteer teach. However, thinking of Lithuania where I first went to teach, we used to experience problems caused by the volunteering foreigners around (in our town North American Christians, but there are lots of other 'schemes' - VSO? Peace Corps? et al) who weren't having to 'make a living'. We used to meet prospective students who were shocked at the idea they might have to pay to learn English, even though what we were charging was practically subsistance pay anyway.

Would we be better off if all the volunteers just went home? Interested to hear your views.

[Glenski]

Certainly, people who don't charge any tutoring fees undermine the salaries and potential salaries of those who do, and that includes schools, companies, and private individuals.

Here in Japan, some problem areas include Okinawa, where military spouses charge little for private lessons; as well as other parts of the country where newbies charge very little 1000-1500 yen per lesson (about US$10) when the standard rate has been 3000-7000 yen/lesson; and where employers recently offer salaries less than they have in decades, yet desperate teacher wannabes are willing to take it.

Students will always want to pay less. That's simple business sense, but teaching is a career for some, and at least a means to earn money for others. Those who offer less will usually get it, and it hurts the rest of us.

[Darkbloom]

[VanIslander]

I am all for volunteers.

But... those pay-for-the-privilege of teaching types and the agencies which make money off of well-to-do Westerners willing to pay a large "placement fee" to put them into a teaching position

Those irk me.

The idea of having to pay to teach seems absurd to me, especially when there's such a demand for teachers.

It's expensive hand-holding and the illusion of support that people are buying, a sort of psychological blanket to make those who want to go overseas feel like they aren't doing what they are doing: leaving their comfort zone and going by themselves.

[Glenski]

Darkbloom wrote:

[Roger]

I wouldn't volunteer, but I do not think of volunteers as a negative force per se.

Why do VSO and similar outfits muscle their way into third world countries? Evidently because they have a non-eeucational agenda, and TEFL is but a pretext.

However, if these countries do get what they need then there is no reason to complain (apart from us who might lose out, but is that "unfair" when compared to the locals and their income levels?).

Unfortunately, it is almost certain that these nations won't get what they need; what they need are dedicated and capable English techers who pass on their skills to locals (please, don't remind me native English speakers are not replaceable).
Thus, if a collective of linguistically gifted TEFLers were to work for free housing and food and no pecuniary rewards it wouldn't hurt anyone (except underfunded backpackers).
But who with an M.A. or equivalent, with a track record in bringing foreign learners of English up to native speakers' competency would want to accept such a post abroad for a couple or more years?

[tedkarma]

When I was in the Peace Corps in 89-91 in Botswana - lots of teacher there thought that the government invited the PC in - to help supress teacher's wages. The large number of volunteer teachers tightened up the job market to such an extent that it became difficult for even well-qualified local people get good jobs unless they wanted to work way out in the bush somewhere.

Generally I am okay with volunteers (I was one, but wasn't a teacher) - unless it is the religious missionary types that are using teaching as a trick. Get your free English lessons - while we talk about God. But, then, I feel the same way about food etc. Starving? Come talk to me about God - and we'll put a little food in your tummy.

[Justin Trullinger]

I work for an organisation that is involved in bringing both volunteers (in many fields, but certainly some teach) and professional EFL teachers into a "less developed country." (Ecuador)

Many of our teachers (the professional ones) are also involved in volunteer teaching in their spare time. I do this myself.

I honestly see NO conflict of interest. We select the organisations and individuals who receive free classes based on their mission (are they genuinely contributing something to the society here) and their resources. (Could they pay for classes? I prefer to give the free classes to people who would otherwise not receive them.)

Meanwhile, we offer reasonably priced classes to the community, industry, government, whoever, in order to pay the bills.

The thing to keep in mind is, volunteers provide (or should provide) service to a different sector of society.

Regards,
Justin

[Justin Trullinger]

PS We do not talk about god. At least not in any organisational way, as we are comprised of people from MANY cultures, religions, and backgrounds.