Job Discussion Forums

plecostomus · Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 1

Hi everyone,

In a few months I'll be graduating from university (bachelor of business) and I will have just over 6 months off before I have to be back in Australia to commence my new job.

I have been quite interested in spending some time teaching English either somewhere in Asia, or in South America. I'm not so much in it for the money (I'm not obliged to pay off my student loans yet), rather just for the opportunity to have a bit of fun and enjoy another culture.

Is 6 months really long enough? I've heard a few people say you really need more time than this to settle in and start having fun. Do you think this is true?

Thanks for your help!

PS. My job that starts afterwards is not teaching related.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

If you only want to do it for fun, travel a bit, etc., before starting your job, you won't really need to settle in. Still, it can be hard to find short contracts. Many schools want a commitment of one year, or one academic year. There are exceptions, of course. For Japan, you could check out the Westgate Corporation (they advertise fairly frequently here and on www.tefl.com.) There are summer camps throughout Asia, but you've just missed them, unfortunately...

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Sonnet · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 235 Location: South of the river

Apologies for any harshness - it's late at night here.

So, you're a fresh uni business graduate, with no teaching qualifications, looking for some "fun", who is heading back to work in a non-teaching role in six months time?

I wouldn't even consider hiring you. Any employer who does so will be desperate, unprofessional, or both. Be warned - they'll treat you as seriously as you treat this profession.

Take denise's advice and travel - you'll have more of your fun, you won't get screwed over, and you won't screw any schools or students over.

No-brainer, no?

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I don't think I advised him just to travel, but that does seem like a good option.

There are plenty of teachers who do this job just to travel, to fill a gap year, etc. Just because it's not their profession doesn't mean they aren't capable of doing it--especially since there are schools that just want native speakers for conversations or, at the dodgy places, warm bodies to fill rooms.

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naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Joeys ESL Room · Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 20

As an employer thinking that you will stay for a year at my school, (I.E. you signing a one year contract and planning on breaking it) yes, I would be very upset if you were to leave, and no, I wouldn't hire you either if I knew that these were your intentions. However, there are schools out there that are only looking for people for short contracts or others who are desperate to hire someone immediately as they are without a teacher. In a situation like this, you would actually be helping the school as well as yourself.

Win win.

BUT, if you have the money to travel, by all means, do that!