Job Discussion Forums

delian · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Posts: 40 Location: Hong Kong

I have a bit of a dilemma. I've been teaching ESL/EFL for ten years, first in Taiwan at language schools for 3 years, and now in Montreal at the university level. I have my MA in Applied Linguistics and a TESL certificate from a university here in Montreal.
My problem is this: I came back to N.America wanting to stay just long enough to get my MA/Certificate, then I wanted to go back to Asia to teach and live again. Ironically, as soon as I started my MA I got snapped up to work in a university here in Montreal - the pay is good, the classes are fairly small (max. 24), I have a varied range of students and I could easily work here all my life if I wanted (most of my colleagues think they have 'made it' once they have this job - most have been there 10 years+). I also can teach at the other universities in town in the BEd programs teaching CALL courses to new teachers. All this to say, I've got a nice little set-up going here in Montreal. However, I also feel a bit bored by Montreal, by Canada, by this safe, 'great' job I've got. So - I applied for work with the NET (Native English Teacher) program in Hong Kong. To make a long story shortish, I have been offered a job teaching in a high school in Hong Kong for this August. I'm still waiting for my salary to be assessed by the EMB in Hong Kong. I've been seriously considering taking this job, but yesterday got an email from the other NET at my proposed school...she basically told me that she wouldn't recommend working at the school to any of her friends, that the principal is quite dictatorial and that the work is really hard. Not a big surprise, of course - but sobering news.
Now I'm questioning myself - am I stupidly leaving a good job with a decent salary and working conditions just to go live in Asia because it's what I want to do right now? Most people seem to feel that you go overseas to teach as a BEGINNING to your teaching career, then you come back to where ever you're from to get a 'real job'. So, I've got the 'real' job, but I'm not convinced it's where I want to be for the rest of my life. I'm in my early 30's and don't feel like I need to be busy having kids and paying off a house just yet (ever?).
I read these postings here about how supposedly we'll never make any money being ESL/EFL teachers...I am making money right now, though. There's a good chance I'll make as much or more money in Hong Kong, but the working conditions might suck. I also will be teaching high school, which is much harder than teaching university-age students (I think).
I will also be taking my husband along with me. He wants to do an MA in Hong Kong while I'm teaching, then we'll see what happens after that. I guess I am asking if anyone has had this type of situation and if they have any insight or advice - ?

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

delian----you should put this on the HK forum you will get some good answers. Hard to tell what your question is though. If you are in the NET from what I hear you will make serious dough. Leaving Montreal is a tough one . You wont waltz back into that job I dont think. And dont forget Asian references are not worth much. But I dont know NET---you should be in the HK forum. He

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

I second Gerard, but here is my take:
I would take this Montreal job because it is a more long-term position than any job could be in HK!
Besides, Montreal is a lot more congenial than HK is!
Sorry, but I can't keep my bad feelings about HK just to myself! It used to be a pretty international, yet dazzlingly oriental town and society; what you get now is a parochial, introverted, mismanaged and xenophobic SAR!
Besides, the NET jobs are increasingly coming under review and criticism, rightly so, methinks! An administration that picks the pockets of Filippina and Indonesian maids to the tune of HK$ 400 a month (out of a legal minimum salary of 3670, down from 3800 three years earlier!), while sparing its tycoons and about two million of Chinese employees that make anywhere from 4000 to 15'000 a month is not likely to maintain such good terms for expat teachers that could be replaced by local ones!

Mosley · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 158

The thread's title says it all. You're in a position that most ex-pats can only dream of. STAY IN MONTREAL!

Randall · Joined: 18 May 2003 Posts: 17

A couple of ideas. See if the university will grant you a year's leave of absence. If not, find out which foreign universities yours has exchanges or sister university relationships with and see if you can teach a semester or year at one of them. That way you haven't turned your back on your present job, but could leave if you find out you like it overseas.

dthompson · Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 6 Location: United Arab Emirates

I've been an expat for 20 years... U.K., Japan, UAE. I have the feeling that the longer you stay away, the harder it is to go back. However, had I not gone, I wouldn't have the wife and family that I have now. What kind of life do you want to look back on? What do you value now? You'll probably find the answers to your question already within you.

Consider the decision you make as a good one.

johnyarrington · Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 66 Location: Saudi Arabia

Don't go........

Sunpower · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 256 Location: Taipei, TAIWAN

ESL Guru · Joined: 18 May 2003 Posts: 462

Do you want to be cremated or buried?
Whom do you want at your funeral?

MindTraveller · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 89 Location: Oman

Many times, living overseas for most of the past 17 years, I think my niece travels better than I do. She plays long-term tourist around the world. Why LIVE overseas with all the hassles? All the inconveniences? All the problems? Food poisoning? Just read some good local novels translated into English. Rent videos. VACATION in the summer!

Corruption is a horrible thing. I'm sure there's lots of it in the USA and Canada, but once you go overseas and LIVE with it, your view of people and human nature may take a nosedrive, as mine has.

Even living in France, a dream I had for years, backfired. Now I no longer want to learn French. Had I only VACATIONED there, my dream and liking for France would still exist. Having lived there, and experienced the taxes, French selfishness, high expenses..... well, I wish I had never lived there.

Think very, very hard about leaving a GOOD JOB. Such jobs are hard to find. You may NEVER find a good job like the one you have again in t he next 20 years. Why ruin it?

Travelling during vacations can satisfy your wanderlust. The thing is - exactly, what do you want in LIFE? If you're willing to sacrifice a stable income and life for adventure, then leaving a good job will do it for you. If you want to see the world, don't quit a good job. Travel in various other ways. Be creative - there's lots of ways to travel if you have some money from a good job and plan well.

I'm talking from experience. I flunked a head government guy's son back in 1990 and lost my job. Well, for the next ten years, I had lousey jobs - financially. Sure, I learned a lot about Asia.... but I was never as happy as I had been with my life and income in that country - which has blackballed me from ever working there. NEVER.

Be careful.