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pface
Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 1
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Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:05 pm Post subject: ESL as career |
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Hi, I'm interested in transitioning into teaching ESL abroad. Basically, I'm interested to know if this is something that can turn into a career - the industry seems to have a great deal of turn-over and some establishments seem designed to deal with temporary, inexperienced teachers. Here's my questions:
(1) How difficult is it to find long-term positions?
(2)What kind of schools generally are looking for someone long-term?
(3)What's realistically the career arc of an ESL teacher (i.e. where can one advance after a basic TEFL/CERTA certification and an entry-level teaching job)?
(4)What are some reasons why people choose to leave the career?
Thanks |
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mozzar
Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France
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Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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I only have vague answers to your questions I'm afraid, but at least it's a start.
A career can be made from ESL according to some more experienced teachers but it usual involves having to get a Masters degree in TEFL. You'll then be able to teach in universities which pay better and offer a more stable career. Or you could try the management route in a language school but I've no idea what this involves.
All I know is a masters is pretty much essential for career growth. |
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The Ever-changing Cleric

Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 1523
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Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:01 am Post subject: |
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its easy to make a career out of esl. how far can you go and how much can you earn? the sky's the limit really. it all depends on your desires, your education, your ability to network with others etc.
you can settle into university jobs in a place like china and remain there almost forever as long as you dont get fired. the downside to this route is you peak in salary pretty quickly as most universities dont pay a lot compared to other types of schools. other jobs pay a lot more but have different requirements.
i think the best way to find out if and how YOU can make a career out of esl is to simply scan this forum a lot and read, read, read. there's a ton of info here. |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 3:02 am Post subject: |
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Many do it. What countries interest you? Are you willing to get the necessary training (and ongoing training) to be a viable applicant? |
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denise

Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish
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Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 3:53 am Post subject: |
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As the others have said, you need to further your own education to stay in this--an MA or a DELTA, or a teaching credential in your home country. Sure, some people do become lifers with more limited credentials, but other than getting lucky/being in the right place at the right time, having limited qualifications generally means that you can move countries/jobs every couple of years without really moving up into the better jobs.
What do you consider long-term? Even with an MA, a lot of jobs will offer short-term contracts, ranging from one to three years. Once you're in, though, it's generally understood that your contract is renewable unless you have major problems.
Places that look for better-qualified teachers are universities (there are some that will hire teachers without MAs, though) and international schools--they also offer the best salaries and benefits.
Here's one possible career arc: start with entry-level qualifications, work for a couple of years to see if you enjoy it, go back for an MA, get into a university, and then... you can branch out--curriculum design, assessment, management, teacher training, etc.
I think most people leave the field after a couple of years because they never intended to make a life of it--it is a fairly easy way to experience a new culture, have a bit of adventure, and get paid.
d |
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naturegirl321

Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home
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Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 12:13 am Post subject: |
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1) Easy, just hard to find good jobs that you want to stay at.
(2) Any and all, I'd say.
(3) Language school, primary or secondary school, university, DOS, etc.
(4) burnout, annoying parents, stress, overworked, underpaid, underappreciated. |
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norwalkesl
Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 366 Location: Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-China
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 2:05 am Post subject: |
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Just like any other career if you work at it, get credentials, network, have soft skills, are professional, and present yourself well, then you can climb high, quickly.
So many ESL instructors are not serious that it takes just a bit of effort to stand out. |
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jpvanderwerf2001
Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:03 am Post subject: |
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norwalkesl wrote: |
Just like any other career if you work at it, get credentials, network, have soft skills, are professional, and present yourself well, then you can climb high, quickly.
So many ESL instructors are not serious that it takes just a bit of effort to stand out. |
I absolutely couldn't agree more; you're right on. |
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basiltherat
Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 952
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:58 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
So many ESL instructors are not serious that it takes just a bit of effort to stand out. |
Absolutely. As you say, it's much the same in virtually all professions.
As my brother (an ex bank dealer) said upon his retirement; "If it hadn't been for the incompetent clowns and misfits in the banking profession, it wouldn't have been so easy for me to 'shine' so brightly."
Best
Basil  |
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Justin Trullinger

Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3110 Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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(1) How difficult is it to find long-term positions? |
No trouble at all. It's the teachers who tend to move on, not the jobs. If you're thinking career, you want to get some continuity.
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(2)What kind of schools generally are looking for someone long-term? |
Virtually all schools. Many aren't gonna get'em, but all would LIKE a long term teacher. I tend to think that universities (as well as high schools or elementary schools, if you're into that) tend to offer good long term prospects. Language academies tend to only retain staff near the top (DOS, senior teachers, area heads) and to have more turnover further down the totem pole. Generally, those who stay in it long term don't stay in the language institute area, but there are certainly exceptions- if management appeals to you, this private institutes can have some opportunities.
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(3)What's realistically the career arc of an ESL teacher (i.e. where can one advance after a basic TEFL/CERTA certification and an entry-level teaching job)?
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Spend 1-2 years in the first job.
Get a slightly better job for 1-2 years.
Do a Diploma or Masters while in your third (best yet) job for 2-4 years.
And by then you'll be getting offers for admin positions, teacher training positions, curriculum design or exam implementation stuff...pick which one you like.
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(4)What are some reasons why people choose to leave the career? |
Missing home? I can't say- I've never left.
It seems to me that a lot of people (on this board) complain about not getting advancement, but they also seem not to go for much training.
Best,
Justin |
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mozzar
Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France
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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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Justin Trullinger wrote: |
Quote: |
(3)What's realistically the career arc of an ESL teacher (i.e. where can one advance after a basic TEFL/CERTA certification and an entry-level teaching job)?
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Spend 1-2 years in the first job.
Get a slightly better job for 1-2 years.
Do a Diploma or Masters while in your third (best yet) job for 2-4 years.
And by then you'll be getting offers for admin positions, teacher training positions, curriculum design or exam implementation stuff...pick which one you like. |
I've jumped straight into a masters after six months teaching experience. Does this mean I can skip past the first two steps? Will I be able to start earning the big money when I finish the masters or will they want more experience? |
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Justin Trullinger

Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3110 Location: Seoul, South Korea and Myanmar for a bit
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:17 am Post subject: |
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Take your best shot- where are you doing your masters?
Best,
Justin |
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Hadit
Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 109
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:37 am Post subject: |
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I've been researching the logic of getting a Masters over just getting certified to teach English/ESL (here in the states for me). The Master's opens up university positions while being a certified teacher opens up international schools.
In many countries, university positions are either not open to foreigners easily, or are not the choicest positions, or both. It seems to me that becoming a certified teacher is the way to go to assure you make good money teaching abroad, as all countries have international schools. The only real exception to this is the Middle East I believe, where it is said the universities requiring a Masters pay more. Does anyone know the difference in pay between the two in the ME?
I am interested in hearing discussion along these lines. It seems one is more mobile being a certified teacher than with a Masters, yet I see the Masters talked about and considered more over becoming a certified teacher.
In order to become certified I would need to enter an alternative teaching program, as my BA is in Art. I have heard that many international schools hire English teachers, but am wondering the demand for teachers in other commonly high demand areas, such as math and science? These subjects appeal to me too, but wonder how much pursuing one of them would cut me off from the international jobs.
I also realize one could be both certified and with a Masters with the proper training�this would doubtless be the best option. Thanks. |
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mozzar
Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:48 am Post subject: |
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Justin Trullinger wrote: |
Take your best shot- where are you doing your masters?
Best,
Justin |
It's distance learning through Portsmouth University in the UK. |
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naturegirl321

Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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Uni positions are possible. It depends where you go. I THINK that the best positions are available to those already in country, who have contacts. I'm trying to get a position and it's 4 days a week, 16 hours a week, 3 months paid vacation and 2K usd a month, free housing, flights, pension. I doubt I'll get it, not because lack of experience, I've got 4 years exp. teaching in unis, but beucase I'm not in country.
In China, you could easily get a uni job, few hours, but low pay as well. But then again, money's not everything, right?
Intl schools can be good, but there are bad ones out there as well. You have to be careful. There's a lot of mixed feelings at most here in Peru. diffneret salaries, as high as 20K usd a year, and it's not just based on exp and quals, but more who you know. I quit the school I was at, too much stress, useless meetings and unfair pay scale. So me having an MA and 6 yaers exp meant that I was paid LESS the kids straight out of uni, why? Beucase I was married toa local.
As far as the ME, I'd go with unis, probably less stressful and better paid.
If you get certified in Maths or Science, you should have no problems picking where you want to teach.
Just look at www.tes.co.uk |
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