|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
klair
Joined: 06 Jun 2011
Posts: 4
Location: Richmond, KY
|
 Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 2:20 pm Post subject: Newbie |
 |
|
Hello, everyone!
I'm a newbie, obviously, and I just wanted to introduce myself and ask a couple of questions instead of just lurking around the boards. I'm 24, a native of the United States, and am currently entering the last year of my Master's program; I am scheduled to graduate in May of 2012. For the past three years, I have worked in my university's writing center as both an undergraduate and graduate assistant, tutoring both native and non-native English speakers in not only their written communication, but also oral communication. At the end of my stint in graduate school, I will have obtained at least a year and a half of teaching experience. Because of my genuine love for working with students, and my love of travel and different cultures, I really would like to teach abroad for at least a year before my life gets too hectic/I get too settled down.
Although I have trolled through this website, looked at many threads, and have done a little bit of research, I am still not sure where to start and am honestly very nervous about being scammed. I also feel like I may be starting too early as the soonest I would be available to leave is in late May of next year. What are the beginning steps of starting this adventure? Should I be working on my resume? Should I just be more focused on researching? Right now, I am looking at both South Korea and Japan as options, but I am open to other suggestions. I would appreciate any input! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 10:03 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie |
|
|
| klair wrote: |
| For the past three years, I have worked in my university's writing center as both an undergraduate and graduate assistant, tutoring both native and non-native English speakers in not only their written communication, but also oral communication. At the end of my stint in graduate school, I will have obtained at least a year and a half of teaching experience. |
I just want to confirm something here. Are you saying that those 3 years (part-time work, right?) amount to a total of 1.5 years of full-time work? Or are you saying there is an additional 1.5 years of FT work there somewhere?
| Quote: |
| Because of my genuine love for working with students, and my love of travel and different cultures, I really would like to teach abroad for at least a year before my life gets too hectic/I get too settled down. |
The students you have experienced will likely be quite different when you meet them abroad in their home settings. Keep that in mind. They are certainly going to be in different situations, and they will definitely be different from any native speakers you have tutored!
| Quote: |
| Although I have trolled through this website, looked at many threads, and have done a little bit of research, I am still not sure where to start and am honestly very nervous about being scammed. |
That's why this site exists. You find information somewhere, then come here to ask about it. Plenty of helpful and knowledgeable people here.
| Quote: |
| I also feel like I may be starting too early as the soonest I would be available to leave is in late May of next year. What are the beginning steps of starting this adventure? |
You have less than a year before you graduate, but look at when the jobs usually start. In Japan, the academic year begins in April, so you would be looking to start after that, and the no. of jobs would be significantly lower then. You're eligible now for a visa, so you can apply for that anytime, but you'll need to be hired first. Start looking around today to see what openings are typical. I spent 6 months before I posted anything anywhere on forums.
Start looking at what are typical job offers.
See what obvious scams exist. Make a list of those employers or at least of the tactics used.
Learn the market. How do people interview, for example, as well as where they usually get placed.
Learn what types of jobs are out there (conversation school, ALT, direct hire, etc.).
| Quote: |
| Should I be working on my resume? Should I just be more focused on researching? |
Both. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 8:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
Glenski has lots of info about Japan and the KOrean forums have info about Korea.
If you want to leave late May next year it might be a bit early to start applying for jobs, but it's not too early to do research. AS far as getting scammed goes, post here or do a search abotu the employer's name. There's lots of info here. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 10:15 am Post subject: Re: Newbie |
|
|
| klair wrote: |
Hello, everyone!
I'm a newbie, obviously, and I just wanted to introduce myself and ask a couple of questions instead of just lurking around the boards. I'm 24, a native of the United States, and am currently entering the last year of my Master's program; I am scheduled to graduate in May of 2012. For the past three years, I have worked in my university's writing center as both an undergraduate and graduate assistant, tutoring both native and non-native English speakers in not only their written communication, but also oral communication. At the end of my stint in graduate school, I will have obtained at least a year and a half of teaching experience. Because of my genuine love for working with students, and my love of travel and different cultures, I really would like to teach abroad for at least a year before my life gets too hectic/I get too settled down.
Although I have trolled through this website, looked at many threads, and have done a little bit of research, I am still not sure where to start and am honestly very nervous about being scammed. I also feel like I may be starting too early as the soonest I would be available to leave is in late May of next year. What are the beginning steps of starting this adventure? Should I be working on my resume? Should I just be more focused on researching? Right now, I am looking at both South Korea and Japan as options, but I am open to other suggestions. I would appreciate any input! |
Late May of next year (as a potential travel/start date) leaves you too late for start of term in Japan or Korea.
You could possibly make the mid term recruitment for public schools in Korea (May-June recruitment for Aug starts). Go register on the Korean boards for more info and DON'T let the negativity sway you. 60& of teachers have a good year (or 10 years) with no problems.
As to getting scammed; it is a big world out here and it is not the scary, dangerous place that the US news feeds tell you that it is. Your biggest chance of getting ripped off and/or scammed is in the US.
. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
klair
Joined: 06 Jun 2011
Posts: 4
Location: Richmond, KY
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 2:13 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie |
|
|
| Quote: |
| I just want to confirm something here. Are you saying that those 3 years (part-time work, right?) amount to a total of 1.5 years of full-time work? Or are you saying there is an additional 1.5 years of FT work there somewhere? |
My MA program is only two years; two of the years included in that time frame were from my undergraduate years working at our writing center. I just finished my first year of MA study and through my assistantship, I spent another year tutoring/consulting students. I've been a TA for two summers and in the fall, I'll be teaching sections of English autonomously. I will also be running a program by myself in the fall called "Conversation Hour," working with non-native speakers on their conversational English. I hope that clarified things!
| Quote: |
| You have less than a year before you graduate, but look at when the jobs usually start. In Japan, the academic year begins in April, so you would be looking to start after that, and the no. of jobs would be significantly lower then. |
This is exactly the kind of information I was seeking. Thank you! And thank you Naturegirl321 and tttompatz for your input as well. I would be lying if I said that some posts have made me quite fearful, but I am taking most of those posts with a grain of salt and really doing my own research. You all have definitely helped me figure some issues out.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 10:20 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie |
|
|
| klair wrote: |
| My MA program is only two years; two of the years included in that time frame |
So, the whole 2 years then. Strange way of putting it...
| Quote: |
| were from my undergraduate years working at our writing center. |
Since you were a student, that would have to be part-time.
| Quote: |
| I just finished my first year of MA study and through my assistantship, I spent another year tutoring/consulting students. |
Another year of PT work.
| Quote: |
| I've been a TA for two summers and in the fall, I'll be teaching sections of English autonomously. I will also be running a program by myself in the fall called "Conversation Hour," working with non-native speakers on their conversational English. I hope that clarified things! |
Basically, just list how many months or years/months you did the work, or list start/end dates, but be clear that the work was PT when you write it on the resume. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
klair
Joined: 06 Jun 2011
Posts: 4
Location: Richmond, KY
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:05 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie |
|
|
I did undergraduate work for 5 years, and out of those years, I was employed as a writing tutor for two of them. I started my MA program last fall and will graduate in May of 2012. By the time I graduate, I will have worked at writing centers at my university for 4 years. I went to the same college for undergraduate/graduate work if that makes it any clearer.
| Quote: |
| Basically, just list how many months or years/months you did the work, or list start/end dates, but be clear that the work was PT when you write it on the resume. |
I'm confused; even though this is my full time work, it would still be part time because I am a student? Why would I have to clarify the type of work if I am still acquiring experience while I do it? Thank you SO much for your help. I really appreciate your responses. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 12:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
klair,
Thanks for the clarification ("klair-ification"  ). It seems to me that you did 2 years in undergrad and 2 more in grad school. However, how can tutoring when you are a student be a full-time job? Did you work 40 hours a week doing it? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 2:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Glenski wrote: |
klair,
Thanks for the clarification ("klair-ification" ). It seems to me that you did 2 years in undergrad and 2 more in grad school. However, how can tutoring when you are a student be a full-time job? Did you work 40 hours a week doing it? |
Glenski, I usually agree with everything you say, but teachers often just teach 20 to 30 hours a week, the rest goes towards prep. Wouldn't the same apply to tutors? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 1:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Teachers may spend 20-30 hours in the classroom, yes, but I don't think tutors usually do. In any case, it would be fair to know how many teaching hours klair has done those years.
By saying "the rest goes toward prep" is a bit of a snub. Prep means a lot to some of us. I'm always either prepping for courses (planning a lesson), correcting homework, or doing administrative things (writing reports, managing my part-time students, ordering books for the library, chasing down overdue books, sitting in meetings, advising students, proofreading). Can you see what I mean? Tutors don't do anywhere near that. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 3:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I do not know the definition of a tutor where klair is, but in Canada I'm aware that it normally means a teacher for one-to-one lessons, often in the homes of the students or in public locations, like at a university. It's normally limited to the content material that the student specifically needs, like exam prep, though it can be more general English.
It's not like teaching classes.
Paid prep time is not normally (in Canada) a part of tutoring, and all the things Glenski notes are included in the misnomer umbrella term 'prep' would be done on the teachers' own time.
Maybe klair can provide a definition of the kind of tutoring she has carried out. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I guess I'm thinking tutoring as one-on-one lessons. I' did those FT for about two years. I was teaching about 25 to 30 hours a week, but I did do a lot of prep, writing syllabi, creating worksheets, games, etc. It wasn't like the tutors I came across in high school where you just went to the tutoring area and sat down and they helped you. They had no prep at all. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
klair
Joined: 06 Jun 2011
Posts: 4
Location: Richmond, KY
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
sorry about the delayed responses, everyone! my friend, who actually taught in South Korea for two years came to visit and i was in a wedding this weekend, so i haven't been as active on the internet!
Glenski, you're right. it cannot have been full time-- i am a full time student, but the work i was doing was anywhere from 18-25 hours a week. that's what confused me, i do believe! i start teaching two sections of Developmental English in the fall, and with my preparation/grading/creation of syllabi/classroom interaction, i will probably say that would be anywhere between 25-30 hours, but i'll only be paid for 20 of those a week as per the stipulations of my Graduate Assistantship.
the tutoring i've done has been traditional communication tutoring, so sitting down one-on-one with a student and discussing their papers, oral presentations, or digital projects and the ways they can best improve those assignments. i've done this through working at my university with both native speakers and non-native speakers. 
you all are so awesome. thank you. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
