Job Discussion Forums

[gregoryfromcali]

I've been teaching for 4 years now and I'm burnt out.

I've taught kids, exam groups, beginners, advanced, business and everything in between,

I'm not sure if it's because I'm in China where a lot of students study English because their parents want them to or teaching is just not a challenge anymore.

I do know that I need a change.

How have you long time ESL teachers dealt with burn out?

I figure I can either go for my DELTA or get out.

The problem is I'm not sure that a DELTA can really offer me anything in China, which is where I'm planning on being for the next for years.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

[Pollux]

Have you thought of coming back to Poland?

[Jizzo T. Clown]

gregory--

I've been in the same boat, been teaching for about the same length of time. I try to take on new classes whenever I can. I finally got some reading classes this fall. This has helped to keep things fresh and to keep me on my toes.

The more I read up on teaching a subject (writing, reading, TOEFL prep), the more I realize I have yet to learn.

I do feel burned out sometimes, and long to go back overseas, but I guess that's the nature of TEFLers--the lifestyle implies a lack of commitment to one place for too long unless there's something outside of your job to keep you occupied / interested.

For me, finding the right woman might be reason enough to stay put. For others, a tightly-knit group of friends, having learned the local language, or fascination with a particular culture may help to re-energize things.

[TheLongWayHome]

Just do nothing for a week. Being caught in the cycle of plan-teach-plan-boring meeting-write endless evaluations etc. does burn you out. Clear your head space.

[ls650]

Take a break from teaching. Go work in some other field, or if you can afford, just take a good long break.
One of the nicest features of the university where I work is that every six years you're given a full year of sabbatical leave. I plan to not work but travel and just goof off for a year.

[dajiang]

try working in the travel business.
by you know a lot about China and the people, and might even speak some Chinese. As a tourleader you won't make much money, but decent to local standards (it depends on which company you'll work for).

it's a great thing to do to get away from it all, and forget about teaching for a while. It's what I do to break the monotony. In summer the tourism season starts again and im off to do some tours. really a nice job if you are the right sort of person. check out companies like imaginative traveller to start with, see if you like it.

G'luck

Dajiang

[Serious_Fun]

[gregoryfromcali]

Thanks I like the advice I'm getting.

I wish I could move back to Poland but I have a few things I need to do in China first.

I also like the advice of taking a break or doing something else.

I'll start with trying to change things within my job, such as taking classes which I normally wouldn't take.

The challenge of a new book and a new level has always kept me going in the past so perhaps that at least be slightly more stimulating than the some old stuff.

I was wondering what types of rewards long term teachers get.

I have to admit that now ESL is easy money, but I'm curious what other rewards there are after you've "taught it all."

I think my problem is I often teach students who want to study abroad. So I teach them for a few months, they improve, then I never see them again.

As a result other than seeing my students get the score they want on the IELTS exam I don't feel like I can really see the rewards that come with having students over a long period of time.

What do you enjoy about ESL when teaching is no longer a challenge?

[dmb]

[gaijinalways]