Job Discussion Forums

[DrVanNostrand]

Hello all,

It's coming down to decision time and I need some help from the TEFL experts on the forum.

I've tossed around this idea of teaching abroad for a couple months now, both half-heartedly and with deep conviction. Usually when I get some crazy hair up my behind I lose interest within a day or two. But this desire to do something unique and life-altering has hardly wavered, leaving me with a huge decision to make: to TEFL or not to TEFL.

My biggest fear, aside from radical change, is not being cut out for the TEFL profession. I have the credentials (BA and American teaching license) to land a job in C. Europe. I understand what it takes to teach children, how to manage a classroom, and the level of dedication needed to be a successful educator. I'm not just some backpacker with no job experience looking to make an easy buck abroad. So, I'm not overly concerned with the teaching aspect of the job, though I fully anticipate a challenge (couldn't be much harder than working at a Title 1 inner city middle school here in the States, though the concept is probably a little different).

That said - and what I'm getting at - what kind of person does it take to live and teach abroad?

How did some of you guys come to the decision to make the plunge?

Do you find it relatively easy to socialize and make friends assuming you put yourself in conducive social settings (big cities, schools with other TEFLers)?

What kind of people would you not recommend this line of work for?

I get the feeling that the challenge of TEFL'ing is two-fold:

1. Adjusting to teaching
2. Adjusting to life abroad

The teaching side I feel like I can handle. However, it's the life abroad thing that makes me really question whether or not this is a worthwhile option.

So, with all that said - hopefully it wasn't too general - what kind of person does it take to TEFL, and what kind of person would you recommend it to?

Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

-Doc

[Thwartley]

You're over-thinking things and going through the normal worries and fears of the unknown that everyone experiences. Of course, it's wise to consider all aspects beforehand but then you just have to do it. As with anything, once you're in it, you're just living day to day and taking care of business.

There is no "one type of person" that either makes it or doesn't. Teaching English overseas is not a difficult job nor is adjusting to a new country some traumatic ordeal.

More helpful for people who could offer you advice is more specific information such as what country you are considering.

[denise]

The first contacts (and hopefully friends) you will have will likely be your colleagues. Beyond that, try just doing "normal" things--join a gym, hang out in cafes, etc. Making local friends may depend on your abilities in the local language, although there are always locals who speak English and are looking for a conversation exchange partner.

This lifestyle isn't for everyone, but with an open mind you can get settled. It can take a couple of months before you feel comfortable, though.

d

[Nabby Adams]

All the advice in the world wont change a thing. Some people like living abroad and some don't.

The only way for you to find out is to try it for yourself.

My only advice is re the teaching. Get yourself in the International schools if you are an experienced qualified teacher. Much better conditions and you also may find TEFL teaching somewhat uninspiring in the language mills.

[spiral78]

The OP is targeting Central Europe - international school positions are great, but fairly rare in this region. The private language schools are generally targeted towards adult businesspeople, who are not usually taught in classrooms, but in their offices. The concept is radically different from a Title one school in the States (I have first hand experience in both environments as well.

On a practical note - Expect significant travel time daily around whatever city you're in.

Upsides are that you learn your way around pretty quickly.

[guty]

Hey Dr,
I think you are quite right in that there are 2 parts to working abroad, the work and the abroad.
I found it usually takes 2 or 3 months to meet some decent friends and start to have a decent social life. If you are quite shy and reserved this may take longer.
Most of the previous advice has been good, life abroad isn't for everyone, you will get lower lows, but you will also get higher highs.
I think you have been quite perceptive in your analysis of the situation, if you can be as perceptive of your own self, you will be able to work out whether you really want to/should do it or not.

[ecocks]

Don't know what your credential area is/was but you might want to shoot out some CV's to the International Schools about NOW. Teaching in an International School, even EFL, is not the same as normal TEFL. You will be on a regular M-F daily schedule and still have some free time for life and even a couple of private students to fill out your wallet. There are three or four schools of this type in Ukraine and, if you are interested, it's not a bad place to consider under those circumstances you describe.

[DrVanNostrand]

Thanks everyone for all of the responses. I understand that ultimately it's going to come down to me making the decision of whether or not to teach abroad, but I truly feel that I gain a lot of perspective (and some self-comfort) from hearing what each of you has say.

It seems all of you have been in my position at one point, so I really wanted an understanding of how each of you came to your decision and why.

Thanks again. Please keep the posts coming if you have more to add.

[Lunkey]

it's interesting to me to hear you say that the challenge of TEFL is two-fold - as I fall on the opposite side as you. The thought of leaving my life as a mortgage analyst in chicago with a condo and picking up and moving to Santiago, Chile is incredibly exciting for me - it's all I can think about! I know my life there will involve teaching english (which I am actually looking forward to) but it will also be learning spanish and the culture, hanging with the handful of friends I have made there from a recent trip, traveling... discovering south america... I wanted to move to europe and tefl but the locations with my lack of skills were less than ideal for me. So to have found this now, it's almost crazy how plausible it is... I can do this.

I guess basically what I'm saying is, I would think about where you're going. Is it a culture you actually want to be fully immersed in? It sounds like you are in a good situation with the american teaching license and so forth, but why central europe? is that definitely where you want to go? Maybe there is another one out there waiting for you. I had no idea South America was waiting for me.... I was absolutely in love with europe. Well I guess there's room for two