Job Discussion Forums

AjarnIam · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 95 Location: Thailand

I attended Thai Tesol last week and was surprised by how many people I met with tenured positions in Asian universities, especially Japan. However, most of these people were 15 yrs + teaching exp with MA or Phd level education. It's certainly a goal I would like to reach and say goodbye to contracts, I work in Thailand and I've never heard of foreign teachers with tenured positions. My uni won't even change my title to Foreign Staff Coordinator, even though I'm expected to cover these responsibilities. I work in the government system, so it could be different at a private international school.
Does anyone here have a tenured position like Professor, or Assoc. Professor?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Technically I should get tenure in 12 months. However, there's an economic crisis at the uni where I teach and I think it's equally likely that I'll be seeking a new job in a year Shocked

I've got 6 tenured colleagues.

For the record, we all fit the description you posted lots of years of experience and related MAs/Phds.

AjarnIam · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 95 Location: Thailand

Spiral 78,

I'm assuming you're in a western/European uni system. I was trying to get a consensus if foreigners working in Asian universities were getting these high level postings. I don't think it will happen for me in Thailand, but I can always hope.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

AjarnIam · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 95 Location: Thailand

Glenski,

That was my first TESOL conference, and maybe my last. I wasn't overly impressed. If you're big on listening to people's results of their research projects, then it's good, but I was expecting more insight into being a better classroom teacher. I don't want to dis higher education, but I've seen L2 high school students make better presentations. And further to your comments about tenure, yes i was surprised too....and inspired...wow, wouldn't that be a dream...tenured positions in paradise.

Cheers...

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Don't let just one conference deter you from attending others. Perhaps the theme was not appropriate. Perhaps you saw only the theorists. I prefer things more directly related to lessons myself.