Job Discussion Forums

[tall kid]

A lot of people seem to complain that one of the downsides to teaching ESL overseas is it's a short-term job that leaves people with little prospects for other jobs. If ESL teachers know grammar well, shouldn't they be able to get a variety of other jobs overseas if they want to leave teaching. For example, what about english-language newspapers? Even if you don't write or want to write, aren't there copy editting jobs or "english language polishing" positions? Also, what about translation work?

Just asking because when I tell people I'm interested in ESL, they tell me it'll be fun for a few years, then I'm stuck. Won't a BA in linguistics apply to the above mentioned jobs, as well as ESL teaching?

I wouldn't mind being one of the teachers who takes their job seriously and actually has qualifications, but if most people leave the job after a few years, an investment in a BA linguistics seems like a waste.

Thoughts?
Andrew

[denise]

This job/career can last as long as you want it to. The hard part is making a decent living back home. Even with the right qualifications and experience, it is hard to get full-time work at a respectable salary. (I've been back for just over a month, and I'm already so fed up that I'm leaving again in two weeks!) You can always find jobs in other countries, and the more experience & qualifications you have, the better the jobs get.

d

[dmb]

The Turkish Daily News often advertises for copy writing jobs. However, pay is poor in comparison to teaching.

[ShapeSphere]

The idea that you can just waltz into a writing job is absurd. A person might be good at English grammar, but will have no chance when up against individuals with real experience of journalism or proper qualifications (journalism, copywriting, technical writing, proofreading).

The world of writing and journalism is one of the most competitive out there. Some want you to work for free or offer very low pay, because they know many idealists dream of being a writer and will do anything to start somewhere.

With the advent of blogs the newspapers tend to scour them for quotes and ideas. This is a trend in the British newspapers at least, because blogs provide a free writing source.

[Guy Courchesne]

Most definitely...

Freelancing is a better way to go, but one needs patience, tenacity, and to be a good salesperson.

[billybuzz]

So you get fed up with doing this line of work ,fed up with teaching,fed up with the English language full stop .So what ,is teaching the only skill you have acquired so far? What were you doing before ?
If going back home is a choice you have to make then maybe being self employed in any other line of work is a possibility .
Having said that if you try that little bit harder you may get a job teaching where the "package" allows you enough to save and buy a place of your own ,can you do that back home? Is the prospect of retiring in a warm beautiful country with savings and security before the normal retirement age to horrible to contemplate .
Thats my plan ,it never was in the past ,but now I see as my only destiny,not a bad one I think .

[naturegirl321]

I'd like to get into teacher training or job placement of new teachers. But never go back home. I'ts too expensive.

[Justin Trullinger]

This thread goes around every now and then. The idea that it's impossible to make a decent long term living as an English teacher is absurd. Lots of people do. Some of them are on this board. Mostly, this takes hard work, good planning, and good qualifications.

Some also turn to curriculum design, administration, teacher training, government training programs, exchange program administration, development work, or other related areas. (My current job includes a bit of all of these.)

Some also use the languages they pick up in their travels. When I was in Spain, I took up translation and interpretation, originally as a second job, but it became my main income for a while.

I know it's a cliche, but the world is your oyster. You can pretty much make what you want out of it. People who decide to spend a lot of time saying "you can't get ahead in this field" are still making a choice. Because some people do get ahead. Others get out and do well. And some stay entry level, and whine.

Best,
Justin

[Wild Bill]

Life after ESL. Hmmm. Yes, there is. I am teaching in the public schools here in the States. Inorder to get my overseas "fix", I teach at a summer camp in Poland. Others who I have taught with are also teaching in either the public schools to in universities.

[jammish]

I'm hoping to 'do' full time teaching if I return to the UK. Of course even if I do become a fully qualified teacher, the initial salary of 26k a year in London is not enough to really live all that well.

[happy_me]

Personally, I have found that most schools main interest is in harvesting cash from the students, if you can help them with that you will be well liked, but still only make enough to keep you there till they find someone better or cheaper.

I have also noticed that most schools assume you will not stay around, and treat you accordingly, by chaining you to the visa or some silly contract that is not worth the paper it�s written on.

There are good jobs out there, just few and far between, with so many travelers teaching and so many running away from what ever, there is an endless supply of �Teachers� to take you place when you make waves.

As for making enough, well what is enough? Some say they only need beer money, some only need to have cash to spend during there work, some need to make a living. So it all depends on your needs.

[ls650]

[JZer]

Another option if you are in a country that pays well is to save enough money to start a new career when you go home. Or get further teaching qualifications. If you go home broke, then you may be in trouble.

[fat_chris]

Life after ESL?

Definitely. Why, EFL of course!

I'm teaching ESL in a New York City public school and am losing my fondness for it. But...I am getting mad mad skillz that are making me a decent teacher.

Cuz hell...if I can teach somewhat decently in this crazy system in this crazy-@$$ city with these f--kin' crazy kids, then I feel that I can teach anywhere...well.

Regards,
fat_c

[fat_chris]