Job Discussion Forums

[asgerd]

Do please redirect me if this has been done to death before.

Opinions sought on this. I taught in Poland and Cechy for a few years a (long) while ago, and enjoyed it, and now after some years doing other stuff in Britain I'm planning to teach again, probably in middle Europe again to start with.

However, I also have the option of doing a bit of my current job as a part time (10-15h/wk) remote contract while I'm in eg. Poland (basically online editing). At the moment this seems a great opportunity, but I may be missing something. In its favour: though no one else does this, the job really does lend itself to some remote work (some EU aspects may even be BETTER done from eg. Poland), and I like it (but not quite enough to stick it f/t) and there's the money, obviously.

I can think of some possible worries - mostly that it will spoil my fresh start and just be a millstone, and prevent me from taking teaching and living there (wherever it is) seriously.

I could possibly just do this contract thing (with more hours), live in some cheaper country with good broadband signals, and forget the teaching, but I like teaching and also a bit of human contact now and then.

Has anyone done something similar, and did it work out?

[naturegirl321]

I-ve done that before. If it-s only a few hours and something that you-re familiar with, I think it-s fine and the extra money will be nice.

You might not want to tell your new employer about it as they might think that it-ll take away from your teaching. Just keep it to yourself. Once you settle it, you could also quit and just dedicate yourself to teacihng

[Sgt Killjoy]

I am with Nature Girl. I would keep it for the same reasons, but with this additional thought:

If you are in this for a TEFL Career, then you might find that you should/will drop the other work as you delve deeper into the career. If you are starting out in TEFL for the TEFL lifestyle, then keeping a part time job that you can do anywhere remotely is one of the best things you can do. You may find that it gives you freedom in some aspects that you hadn't thought possible.

[asgerd]

Thanks both - very helpful points.

[Billy Chaka]

[SueH]

If you wanted to teach in Italy the advantage of a UK based income would be significant and give you a flexibility denied to those who have to rely on (often) cheapskate language schools and generally poor salaries. I certainly wouldn't give it up at the beginning but allow yourself time to see how matters develop, wherever you end up.

[jwbhomer]

While I was teaching in China (2003-6) I kept my job as a writer and editor for a religious organization. I worked in cyberspace and didn't find that it distracted me from my teaching work. The teaching load was light enough that I had plenty of spare time which otherwise could have been filled with mischief. Perhaps someone with a more active social life would find it otherwise.

There were two benefits to carrying on with my "other work". First, I had enough income in hard currency that I didn't have to worry about saving anything out of my pitiful Chinese salary to pay the bills at home. Secondly, when I'd had enough of China, I was able to return to Canada and turn my part-time work into full-time.

So the answer to your question, for me, was: No. GOOD.

[bobs]

Keep the online job! I have translating/editing work that I can take with me wherever I go. Don't lose it. In the past I've been able to go on extended visits to friends/family on account of the fact that I can sit and do my job while they are out at work. It's great.

TEFL can often be unpredictable, especially when you just start somewhere (I'm sure you know) so a stable p/t income is fantastic. Especially if it goes into your home bank account.

[asgerd]

Wow - unanimity. Thanks all. I'm convinced (but other views still welcome too.)

I can't wait to try it and am just sorry that it will be September before I start (the teaching - already well into the editing.)