Job Discussion Forums

[real2104]

Hello,

I am an Australian aged 20 currently working in China.

In a nutshell, the pay is low, I am bored - am not having a good time. Would love to live and work in the UK.

I have friends and family there (my parents are English) the pay would be ATLEAST double-triple+ what I'm earning now.

My only concern is my age, lack of teaching experience (2 months) and my lack of degree.

Having said that I am a high school graduate with a TESOL certificate and with work experience as an IELTS teacher. (IELTS/TOEFL was my elective in my TESOL course by the way)

I enjoy teaching, and ideally would like to continue teaching IELTS prep.

Any advice??? All help is really appreciated! (as I'm thinking the sooner I leave south-east China the better...)

[real2104]

Another concern,

How can I be successful in a visa application when I'm not in Australia?
Will this be a problem?

Hope not....

[bigbadsuzie]

[bigbadsuzie]

[bigbadsuzie]

Forum: Japan Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 9:58 am Subject: Want to work in Japan!
Going "home" isn't an option.... It was expensive flying out from Australia to China, and unfortunately I don't have the money to book a fligh back to Australia, pay for living expenses in A ...

I knew it!

Nick Nick is also trying Japan and Thailand.

[harry the hobbit]

Oh Dear ,Harry the hobbit is aghast at the idea of all these young people from the colonies coming over here with no experience and even less money ,Harry feels there are enough spongers already here ! Stay away !!!

[real2104]

What are you talking about Harry? I'm not a sponger.

I'm looking at my option Suzie.

And I have $5k - enough to get started in a new country atleast.

Any HELPFUL comments?

[spiral78]

Nick, man, if by 'helpful' you mean 'tell me what I want to hear,' it's not going to happen.

You are (unfortunately) at the moment NOT a strong candidate for even entry-level teaching jobs in the UK. There's lots of competition for the jobs that are available, and most candidates have stronger qualifications and more experience than you presently possess.

This is also true for other countries where English is the native language (including the US and Canada).

For what it's worth, I can extend this to Europe in general, where basic, entry-level newbie qualifications nearly always include a university degree. Your youth and lack of degree or experience will make most reputable language schools leery of hiring you.

You need a degree and more experience to open more doors. It'll take some time and energy on your part, but it can ultimately work out.

[real2104]

Thankyou Spiral !

for telling me what I needed to hear and in the righ tone.

I've dropped out of college/university TWICE - it's just not for me, I don't want to go through the 4 yr process of getting a degree. Can I get one of those life experience degrees? Or are they worthless ?

[harry the hobbit]

Oh dear Harry the hobbit is not amused.Worthless they are indeed and if one wants to drop out and take the easy option one gets nothing.Sending you all to the Botany Bay was a one way trip young man.

[spiral78]

Ok, Nick. If you're serious about teaching language as a career, you do have some options for the future, but they will all require you to pay some extensive dues, and nothing's really going to change your situation quickly.

No, 'life experience' degrees won't help! Anyway, you're only 20 - you can't have extensive life experience to draw on yet!!

Here's what I see as possible for someone who really isn't into spending four years at uni:

Find yourself an entry-level gig that is acceptable for you - in a country where you can work legally and where the work will support you and give you a chance to save long-term. Use your experience to move as far up the ladder in that country as possible (this usually takes local contacts and a reputation built over time, which is why I suggest you stick to a country that you can handle).
I know people who have worked their way into management over time, without a first degree, assuming that you're in a country where you can legally work without one.
Ultimately, you WILL need a degree. However, after some years of experience (not two, but maybe 5-6+) you can apply for an MA program in applied linguistics or TEFL/TESL - many reputable unis will accept candidates without a first degree so long as they demonstrate an ability to write at a post grad level and significant experience in the field. MA study is expensive and requires serious commitments of time and energy.

However, there are strong upsides: the study can be much more interesting than going to uni in a vacuum, when you haven't any real idea of how your study will apply to your life/career. The benefits of an MA are directly related and relevant on a daily basis. And with some years of experience and a degree, your options for good teaching positions in places you would like to be are vastly expanded.

Not a quick fix. But we're talking about a career. If you really just wanna have some fun, post in the General forum about where an Aussie of your age and experience can legally find work without a degree. Maybe Mexico or some other country in SA would be an option - I don't know about that.

[SueH]

Couldn't you get a WHV (Working Holiday Visa) and then just work in bars/cleaning/office job whatever for a bit. You might get a job in one of the central London language (visa) mills, but you'd have to ask yourself why if you did. Your first pay packet would probably tell you, and you'd earn more going off on the bar staff route!

[malu]

It should ring alarm bells that you could earn more and have a better quality of life in the UK if you choose bar work over EFL. You could earn even more but have a cr@p quality of life working in a call centre.

That's not to say that TEFLers can't make a better living - I know some who do well - but they tend to be very experienced teachers with a good track record and local contacts.

Also bear in mind that lasting for 2-3 months of what I'm assuming is a one year contract on your first paying gig overseas doesn't help your case very much.

The WHV is the way to go.

[coledavis]

Yes, Spiral makes good points re long-term strategy. No, don't come to London to do TEFL: TEFL teachers in England are very poorly paid, and they have degrees followed by CELTA/Trinity. Oh, and bosses here generally know the difference between degrees from real universities and degree mills; they go on the internet to check. Sorry to be so gloomy, but I thought I'd let you know that the other people here aren't pulling your leg. And no, it doesn't bother me that antipodeans come here, although I wish Oz and Nz governments were a bit more even-handed the other way...

[chiquitita]