Job Discussion Forums

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

I was just wondering why people pay money to teach. You know the organisations, Central European Teaching Program; Council; Global Education; and various others.

You pay 2000 to 4000 USD to teach for a year. And get paid horrible pay. The worse ones charge that much for a few weeks.

There are about 40 people in my city here in China who paid 4000 USD to teach for a year. They are teaching 20 hours a week and mot getting paid anyting.

It just boggles my mind

The only reasons I can see are, these people have loads of money OR they simply don't know that they can get a job and not have to pay some one to find one for them.
Any other ideas?

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I agree with you completely. I think there are so many people out there that have no clue about teaching EFL. They want an adventure and think they have to pay for it.

I went to a job fair once and saw many of these organizations advertising jobs. They were thousands of dollars. I asked them why someone would pay a lot of money and go through them, when they could do it easily for free. They were taken aback and the organizations said they offered job support and training. I think people are just scared and believe that these groups will guarantee their happiness.

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

I wonder if a lot of the volunteers feel that they wouldn't feel as emotionally/psychologically fulfilled if they got a salary. Strange--isn't teaching supposed to be a fulfilling profession in the first place?

Do you guys/gals know how volunteer teaching looks on a CV years later? Imagine that you leave the EFL field and return to a "normal" life, which experience would employers look more favorably upon: having gone through a TEFL program and found a job or having signed up with a volunteer organization? I'm just curious--I have no intention of volunteer-teaching any time in the forseeable future.

d

Celeste · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 12:20 am Post subject:

I am no more likely to pay money for the chance to "volunteer" as a teacher than I am to pay money for the chance to wield a shovel or hammer in an exotic locale (habitat for humanity). I think that if one truly wants to volunteer their time, then they should do it. I also think if one wants to make a donation to a charitable cause, then they should do it. I do not think that it is mandatory that one make a sizeable donation to a charity for the privilege of volunteering their time and skills. I give to a couple of different charities, and I have volunteered my time in the past, but never has one been a prerequisite for doing the other.

nomadder · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 2:01 am Post subject:

I agree that some of these organizations charge far too much but there are others that don't charge very much(covers your room and board etc.) and others where you get a small to medium stipend. I am interested in doing this as a chance to give back to the world. To give my time and skills to those who need them and can't afford them. I think would gain alot from this experience and it's all part of wanting to feel I make a positive difference in the world. Of course I would balance this work with jobs that pay decently too.

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

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 10:59 am Post subject:

in the early 90s, there was this organization in Britain called "Teaching Abroad". It sent teachers - for a fee, of course - to teach in Romania, Moldova, and possibly some other former Soviet republics as well. You stayed in houses with local people and your transport to your destination was paid for - as long as you went from London by bus!

I knew someone who participated in such a programme. Said it was the greatest rip-off of his life.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

There is another program called VSO, which sounds very good. I don't think you pay anything (I could be wrong) and they give you some money when you're finished. I had considered working with them in the past, but it doesn't accomodate families very well.

sojourner · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 11:23 am Post subject:

For your interest, there was a long thread on the subject of volunteers,at the China (Job-related) Forum,3-4 weeks ago.The name of the thread is:"Volunteers -lovely people,but . . ."

Regards,

Peter

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

I thought that the Chinese thread was decent. There are good (or at lest one good) volunteer organizations in China. Amity was one that was mentioned. unfortunately these "volunteer" organizations are ripe with fraud and corruption, something I am finding out more as time goes by. I know where VSO send some of there :teachers", and there is no reason for these schools not to pay for a teacher, and one who is qualified.

I love giving to charity in the US, but rarely do anymore, because most of these groups have become rip-offs, making big money for a few fat cats that collect the money.

There is an American organization in China, that does work in Henan. i started figuring out what they are paying for various services, like a local doctor getting 3,000 US dollars a month (24,000) RMB. This sounds reasonable if you live in the US, but I am pretty sure that the doctor doesn't see 1/3 of that. The local offial who praises this group is prbably pocketing tons of money (well in RMB it might be tons)

The point I am trying to make is that too many of these wonderful volunteers, and the "volunteer" organizations are just contributing to the problem. But I do stronly believe in Volunteering. Something of a quandry