Job Discussion Forums

[PK_from_NY]

Hello all, I'm brand new to the forum and just wanted to ask if TEFL was a good career choice? I'm 30 years old and about to graduate with a BA in history. Obviously the job market is not so great right now, especially for history majors, and I'm not quite sure what I want to do. I recently saw a job ad for Korea which is how I learned about TEFL. It seems that teaching in Korea is quite a good gig (free accomadations, airfare etc) but I don't think I would be accepted because I have a few blemishes on my record and I read they're very strict. It seems that other countries aren't as strict but also don't pay as well either. I should note that I have a wife and son but that they wouldn't come with me if I went overseas. I was actually surprised when I mentioned it to my wife and she said she would support it, for only 1 year of course. i probably wouldn't make a career out of it, but it seems like it would be a good experience and look good on a resume. I guess I'm just wondering, given my situation, would it be worth it?

[ashanmari]

i figure that while certain opportunities exist its best to take full advantage of them before they fade away. being a history major there are PLENTY of opportunities to teach other subjects such as history, math, art etc etc--
In Mexico primarily I have seen ads for such positions.

In my eyes, and given I am in a completely different circumstance-- a single female in her 20s and with a big festering bite from the good old travel bug-- it is TOTALLY worth it. Where else in the world are you going to find somewhere that will PAY for your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and just wants to pay you to speak ? Given more is required, but basically, as long as you are intelligent, professional, willing to learn and adaptable, siss boom bah, a great career opportunity exists--

I think that you have a genuine interest, and its up to you how strong your desire is to do it, but it may be a great opportunity for both you and your family-- they might not be into now, but I'm sure once they visit and you become comfortable you might just find yourself a new home! =)

[naturegirl321]

I don't know. LIving without your famnily is hard. I lived apart from my husband for 5 months and then three months and it was really really hard. YOu'll have to weigh that against TEFLing. Also, it might be hard to save money.

[Glenski]

[naturegirl321]

One a similar note. I went to Korea and left my husband here in Peru. I was supposed to go for a year, my husband was going to go with, but then he got a job here. So I signed a 4 month contract. My husband threatened me with divorce, so I left after only 3 months. It's hard, really hard. And we don't have kids.

[ashanmari]

I definitely can imagine how hard it would be to leave your spouse behind for a year, or even half a year, though I left for Thailand for 3 months and my partner stayed in the states, when I came back our relationship flourished just from being away, alone time can be great for a relationship. However, that was just 3 months... ultimately we can give you as much personal experience as possible and it comes down to how much you really want to risk on doing something you want to do. I find that the more risks I have taken to go somewhere and do something, the more rewarding it has become, but you have to be willing to lose a lot as well.

[Justin Trullinger]

I'd add only that overseas employers may be sceptical about your application. As naturegirl's experience shows, employees who have a spouse "back home" are MUCH more likely to experience problems that cause early termination of contract than single employees or employees accompanied by spouse.

x2 for those with children AND spouse far away back home.


Given this increased risk, from the employers point of view, what extra can you offer compared to a single employee?

I also wondered about:

[PK_from_NY]

Thanks for the responses guys. You've definitely given me some food for thought.

[naturegirl321]

Also, let me add, that I've been turned down for jobs simply because I was married. You might be too, even if your wife and kid won't be going with you. They might assume that you will leave early, like I did.