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whimzee42 · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 10

Taking a break from that English Master's Thesis. . .

One way or another, I am leaving the U.S. this fall. I've already been accepted into a anthropology graduate program in Scotland. But, as I've mentioned before, I am not sure the PhD track is right for me.

I recently got my first taste of 1-1 ESL tutoring -- and I LOVE it.

I must admit that one of my major concerns about making the ESL plunge is that I worry that I will not be able to parlay it into a "career." I'm still pretty young (30) and carefree, but someday I might need to concern myself with little things like retirement planning and supporting a family. I'm saving a bit of money now, but in 10 years or so, I'd like to be in a position to start contributing seriously to a pension plan. And, I would like to be able to support a child (just one)! (I have no intention of seeing motherhood before 40 -- my mom was 40 when she had me & it worked out great.) It seems like an international school might be the best way to accomplish those goals.

I'm ready for a serious life change NOW. So, here's my alternate plan if I decide against Scotland:

1. Take the fall CELTA class in San Jose, Costa Rica and look for work starting in January. (I'm choosing LA over Asia primarily because I would really like to brush up my Spanish skills. I know I could make much better pay in Korea. That is not too much of an issue -- yet!)

2. Get some ESL experience under my belt. (And work on my Spanish.) Find out -- & think long and hard -- if the expat teaching life is really for me.

3. Maybe spend sometime in South Korea for the money (although from the posts I've read, it's sounds kind of horrible -- but I can suck anything up for a year or so.)

4.After a few years, get an elementary education certificate from a US Uni. George Mason University has an interesting program called "Fast Train."
(http://gse.gmu.edu/programs/fasttrain/index.shtml) Basically, I could earn a Virginia teaching certificate plus a MAed over 3 intensive summer sessions. The program is geared specifically towards teaching in an international setting. Instead of student teaching, you can opt to do a 1 year paid "internship" abroad.

5. Eventually, find a job in an International School-- maybe getting my initial experience in a developing country.

6. Although I might never get the teaching experience here in the US (my home country), I'm hoping that US certification + MA in English + MA in Education (K-6) + Spanish Language + Several years of teaching English and Elementary Ed overseas, will qualify me to get a job in a European International School. Ultimately, I'd really like to "settle" in Europe; it seems like the International schools are the only route for an American to do that. (They do hire Americans, right?) Of course, I don't want to settle until I've seen quite a bit more of the big ol' world.

7. If all else fails, with US teaching certification (and Spanish Language skills), I can return to the States and live comfortably. I think I might like working with immigrant Mexican kids.

I THINK that this (very tentative) plan offers me the most opportunity WORLDWIDE.

8. OR. . .WOULD I BE BETTER TO GET AN MA IN TESOL? Are there stable university jobs out there, and what are the requirements?

I've often thought about becoming a teacher, but I was never sure if I really wanted to do it. (I do however, ADORE children -- I know, I'm demented.) A few years of TESL might give me a clue. At any rate, I really can't stomach the thought of sticking around here & going to school for a few more years. At least not right now.

BTW, I am well aware from personal experience that life has a way of changing one's plans, but I feel better having a fall-back option -- even if it never happens!

So, am I crazy?[/b]

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

If you want to teach children then licensure in the US is a great way to go. Most States require two years of full-time experience before your licensure is recognized throughout the US. That means another masters plus a couple of years teaching in the US. Quite a time investment.

Your MA in English would allow you teach at the college level just about anywhere...you could certainly go to Korea with that. If you decided to do a TEFL then I'd recommend one from SIT or another graduate school rather than a CELTA. SIT's TEFL applies toward their masters in TESOL.

whimzee42 · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 10

Thanks!

I guess what I'm concerned with is that I would really like to settle in Europe -- eventually. I'd like to see a bit more of the world first. Of course, that's no easy task for an American! An international school seems to provide the best opportunity for a decent paying (legal) job in Europe with good benefits.

Korea would be an interesting place to visit and explore for a few years, but I'd hate for my geographic area to be limited to Asia. (I gather that one barely scrapes by in Latin America!)

Basically, I am looking for the best way to keep all my geographic doors open.

MELEE · Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 10:54 pm Post subject:

saint57 · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:32 am Post subject:

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

It's tough to get work in Europe without an EU passport. I don't know that first hand, but I've read it often enough on the forums. You should look into that snag before you set your heart on Europe.

.

whimzee42 · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 10

saint57 · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:09 pm Post subject:

The_Hanged_Man · Joined: 10 Oct 2004 Posts: 224 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia

As someone who has worked in EFL and has transitioned to an international school position, that seems like a decent plan but it could be streamlined considerably.

My advice is to sign up for an alternative certification in a state of your choice (Texas worked out well for me). Usually most programs have some training in the summer, followed by a paid "internship" for one year and then you are certified. Then just work one more year at your school, and you will have the certification and 2 years of experience that is generally required by most international schools. So in just 2 short years you could on your way!

Honestly, if you are really interested in teaching in a K-12 environment I wouldn't bother with any of the ESL stuff. ESL certifications are not recognized for the most part in K-12 schools, and often they don't recognize it as "real" teaching experience.

mlomker · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 378

The_Hanged_Man · Joined: 10 Oct 2004 Posts: 224 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia

whimzee42 · Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 10

Thank you for all the advice. I know some folks that went the alternative licensure route. I think it might be a good plan for me. Two years is do-able.

I think I will try my hand at ESL for a few years first though. I'm really itching to go overseas. It's time for a radical life change. Besides, after a few years teaching, I'll have a more realistic first-hand picture of my options and whether I really do want to become a "long term professional" in the field.

In the meantime, I think I'll check the requirements for alternative certification. I might need to take a few online courses in math or science in order to qualify. (I managed to get an undergraduate degree with Macroeconomics as my only "math" class! And, one puny "Natural Science" course.)

Some sort of TEFL certification would be for my own peace of mind right now. I've never formally "taught" English, so I want some sort of instruction. If I am going to teach, I want to do it well.