Job Discussion Forums

pieman1981 · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 2

I graduated in 2003, and have just returned to England after teaching English in Asia for two years and backpacking for a total of 6-months. Needless to say I have no idea what I want to do in England / who will employ me!!
Does anyone have a similar experience after returning home..what did you end up doing.

Even though teaching abroad is great, I've found it doesn't really prepare you for careers at home.

tedkarma · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:48 am Post subject:

I did some editing for a local newspaper - but pretty much have retired and now play with websites.

But . . . uh . . . I graduated from uni (the first time) in 1973. Shocked

If you paid any attention to the grammar you, hopefully, were teaching - consider editing. Doesn't pay super well, but quite interesting work.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

I have a bachelor degree in computer science. After teaching English overseas for four years, I returned to my home country last July. I 'd worried that I'd have a difficult time finding work, but the IT field is booming where I live. I had a successful job interview two days after I returned, and I started working full-time two weeks later.

The trouble is... although my IT job pays very well, I find that the work is boring me to tears. I've been at it about five months now, and I've already started looking for TEFL work. I'll probably stay at this position for a few months and bank up some money, then go overseas to teach again some time next year.

jammish · Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 1704

I've got a PGCE interview in January. If I get onto that, then obviously my aim is to become a 'proper' teacher... Smile

pieman1981 · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 2

Thats the problem...proper jobs just suck!!

My degree is in Business Studies which is annoyingly general.

Jammish, let me know how the PGCE interview goes...do you know when the deadline is for the Sept 08 intake??

Vanica · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 368 Location: North Carolina

tedkarma · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:05 pm Post subject:

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:12 pm Post subject:

Last night, after teaching EFL, I drank a beer, had some dinner, and went to bed.

Was that not what you meant by "after teaching EFL?" Wink

Alternatively- it's possible to stay within the teaching field, though you wouldn't want to be in a conversation school for five years. Teacher training, universities, "regular" schools are all possibilities. All need further training, though...

Best,
Justin

MELEE · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:35 pm Post subject:

I think most people who read and contribute to this forum are still teaching EFL, so our answers are like Justin's.

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

After I taught EFL I came back home and taught ESL. I'm not being pedantic: try and you'll see the difference.
Other differences include decent pay, a career structure, a retirement plan, long service leave............the list goes on.
However, for all its shortcomings, EFL gave me the chance to live in a different culture, learn a language, as well as finding a new career direction.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

I'm still doing it, so my answer is the same as Justin's, excpet I didn't drink beer, I drank tea. So you can choose! Tea, or beer! Or even coffee! So many choices!

I heard that chick, J.K. Rowling wrote some books or something. But she also did a PGCE after the EFL thing and worked at a pub or something as well.