Job Discussion Forums

[sunshine285]

Hi there,

I am an ex-journalist transitioning to a career as an ESL teacher. I'm currently enrolled in a MEd (TESL) programme at a top university here. I'd like to teach English part-time to give myself an edge over the competition by the time I graduate. However, I'm finding job hunting rather challenging: although I consider myself highly fluent in English and am an honours student, I've not been able to secure a teaching position at a college or language school. I also have a diploma in TESOL from the UK.

During interviews, I've received feedback that: (a) my qualifications are insufficient (my first degree is not in English or TESL/TESOL) and (b) my professional background "does not count". Frankly, it's getting quite frustrating seeing others who are not as fluent in the language get the job because their first degree is in TESL/TESOL. Doesn't life experience count at all?

I feel like I've hit a brick wall. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Sunshine

[tttompatz]

I think you will find that getting a bachelors degree is going to almost be a requirement for most ESL jobs in Asia (requirement of the visa application process).

They (immigration services) won't care about your M.Ed. They will want to see the undergrad degree before you can get a visa (assuming you don't already have legal residence in Malaysia - not tourist or student).

The other alternative is to look for countries where the undergrad degree is not a legal requirement for the work visa.

However you have stated that your degree was in an unrelated field?
1) Do you have an undergrad degree?
2) Are you a native English speaker?

If you answer yes to #1 and #2 then you meet the minimum requirement for LEGAL employment anywhere in Asia as an ESL teacher.

If you answered no to either #1 or #2 then your chances of legal employment are greatly reduced.

.

[Perilla]

[sunshine285]

Hey there ttt, Perilla...

Thanks much for the insights and the support....to answer your questions:

(a) I'm not a native English speaker and a Malaysian citizen (and yes the obsession with native speakers you speak about is just as real in Malaysia)
(b) I've close to seven years experience writing in English, for well-known newspapers and magazines (in Asia at least).
(c) My undergrad degree is in business (made sense at the time because I eventually became a financial journalist).

Perilla....thanks for the suggestions, yes I have been thinking about part-time or freelance work that is education-related such as working in education publishing. However, seeing that my ultimate aim is to teach at college/university level, perhaps the private tutoring may be better.

What do you think?

Cheers and thanks
Sunshine

PS: Sunshine is a girl

[Hod]

[tttompatz]

Point was that in most cases, a native speaker with a minimum of a BA/B.Sc/B.Anything can legally teach English everywhere in Asia (as in with a work visa and/or work permits).

As the OP is a citizen, not a native speaker and his degree is NOT education related then his only option (until he completes his M.Ed) would be in a low paying position in a language institute.

I sympathize with him... but that is the nature of the business.

.

[Perilla]

[sunshine285]

Hi all,

Thank you for the support and suggestions...Perilla, that's a great idea that I actually haven't really thought of, there are a number of training providers and institutes that offer business communication courses...I can see that I was too focused on the language institutes and colleges, which is not my strong suit in terms of academic qualifications.

I get what you meant about the arts-related degree, perhaps I was seeing things from a journalist's eyes...most of my ex-colleagues had non-journalism degrees and still created successful careers for themselves. Hence I was a little puzzled why this doesn't work in academia but I have a clearer picture now. Think I'll have a chat with some of my uni classmates as well for advice.

Thanks again for the tips and encouragement, will let you know how it works out!

Cheers
Sunshine

[Hod]

[wailing_imam]

I think the greatest obstacle is likely to be the fact that you are a Malaysian in Malaysia. I work in Singapore and the Singaporean English teachers have a really tough time of it here, despite the fact that many are well-qualified and have superb English.

Do you have to stay in Malaysia? The major cities of China offer te best opportunity for you to find reasonable work (try some of the major Singaporean PEOs - they are grateful to have Singaporean and Malaysian english teachers working alongside native speakers).

[sunshine285]

Hi WI,

I'm not sure what you mean by Singapore "PEOs" but yes I have considered teaching in China after I complete grad school next year. Singapore is another alternative I'm looking at, though maybe with some solid experience under my belt.

Cheers
Sunshine

[Perilla]

[Hod]

No argument that language graduates know more about the structure of languages, linguistics, etc. That�s no guarantee, though, that they can teach any better than a science grad.

BA degrees in history, politics, fine arts, etc, are as useful for TEFL as they are in general.

[Perilla]

[Hod]

We�re going in circles. Three points and two questions, please.

1. Most TEFL teachers happen to be Arts graduates. I�ll be polite and avoid saying why I think this is, but it�s definitely not because TEFL schools prefer Arts grads.

2. A lot of TEFL schools try and promote Business English. Ask their customers what sort of teacher they want, a fine arts grad or one with an engineering degree.

3. Science grads have better study and organisational skills, but I cannot hand on heart say they are better equipped to teach than their BA counterparts. On the other hand, Arts grads won�t be any better.

Q1. Where is it written down that TEFL schools prefer Arts grads?

Q2. Why will an Arts grad (excluding language grads, because they are all natural teachers) teach English any better than a science grad?