Job Discussion Forums

[jpvanderwerf2001]

I've been at this game for over six years (and five countries), and here're a few keys to being successful, IMO:

1) Come to work on time;
2) Come to work sober (you'd be shocked how often this goes unheeded);
3) Be receptive to advice;
4) Listen more than talk;
5) Honor your contracts;
6) Understand your value;
7) Continue learning how to teach;
8 ) Have the ability to separate professional and personal feelings;
9) Branch out from the ex-pat safety net (more social than professional of course);
10) Respect your students and your colleagues;
11) Avoid being pedantic;
12) Research the place you're going--and the school--before signing on;
13) Understand that it's a job, not an extended tour excursion.

These are just a few off the top of my head. Following these steps should help you be more successful in the ESL/EFL world.

Perhaps other experienced teachers would like to add some of their keys.

Good luck everyone!

[movinaround]

Helps me to remember I'm not alone in the world Almost all of these really apply to any job anywhere though... I would like to add, especially for ESL/EFL due to cultural barriers,

14) Pick and choose your battles.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

15. Don't gain weight! Personal appearance is often valued over and above actual ability, training or even experience (depending on the teaching situation), and so are personal contacts in deciding who will get the interview or job.

[dmb]

All sounds common sense to me.

[tedkarma]

16. Be flexible
17. Be flexible
18. Be flexible

Don't get stuck in a set way of doing things.

Actually - all of these are quite good. There is some research in the field of management that reflects that 80% of people who lose their jobs (nice way to say, uh, "FIRED!"), lost them due to factors OTHER than the knowledge and technical skill required to do the job.

Thinks like being unreliable, difficult to get along with, drunk, smelly . . .

[sheeba]

Hey JPV . Good list there .

I think important .

19) Learn a foreign Language.

20) Learn your own language.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

[Gordon]

22. When nothing makes any sense and your school throw all kinds of changes at you, don't ask WHY.

You will learn that common sense is not common at all and may be entirely cultural.

[Guy Courchesne]

23. Know when to hold em, know when to fold em.
24. Know when to walk away.
25. Know when to run.