Job Discussion Forums

[mallyomark]

Hi everybody, just thought I would get this post out to get started. I have been waiting a long time to get on this forum.

MOM.

[VietCanada]

Hello. Congratulations. I have been here since 2000. Where are you? How long have you been teaching? Maybe a new members intro sticky is a good idea. I've seen many boards that have them.

[EileenKirkland]

I'm still delving into all of the interesting things in this forum. I'm excited to be looking for a teaching opportunity for 2012. I'm available starting in mid-June and hope that I can find some work with shorter term contracts (3 to 6 month?) to start.

I had been a trademark paralegal for Starbucks and Amazon. I finished my undergraduate degree in International Studies at the University of Washington in 1999. I completed a certificate program in TESL from Seattle Pacific University in 2007. I've volunteered some but I would like more classroom experience.

I'm still deciding where overseas I want to go. I'd love to be near the Mediterranean. I've heard that it's tough for Americans to get above-board jobs in the EU. I'm also studying Arabic and would be interested in North Africa or the Eastern Mediterranean, but I'm still thinking about political stability and my safety as a woman traveling alone. I think finding the right school will be as important as choosing the 'right' country.

I recently made this video for YouTube to acquaint prospective employers with my accent and background. I'd love (constructive) feedback if anyone has time.

http://www.youtube.com/user/EileenKirkland

I'm curious about job fairs for English teachers too. My home base is Seattle, Washington but I also spend some time in Davis, California.

Thanks,
Eileen

[nomad soul]

Eileen:

Although you certainly come across as friendly (and with great pronunciation), a 10-minute video of you teaching and interacting with actual students would interest potential employers more than a clip used solely as a personal introduction�you'll have to provide a resume/CV indicating your qualifications anyway when applying for positions.

In terms of job fairs, TESOL resources, and networking, consider becoming a member of the Washington TESOL affiliate, http://waesol.org/, and of TESOL International Association, www.tesol.org. And of course, this jobs forum is useful for the 4-1-1 on teaching posts in countries that take teachers with minimal experience. Keep in mind that as a newbie, you may have to be flexible in regard to where you'll be able to teach.

[justcolleen]

[EileenKirkland]

Thank you nomad soul and justcolleen for your prompt and helpful replies!
It's fun to hear from KSA and Egypt

I have a lead for a volunteer opportunity in an adult learner classroom in Davis, California in January. If the teacher will accept an assistant/observer perhaps I can put in some more hours and maybe recruit some students to participate in a new video. I'm also looking into a membership with International House - Davis, where perhaps I can help with conversational English and make some more contacts. I'll definitely look into TESOL.org and the Washington site, too.

I'm hoping that my American version of modestly dressed (a long-sleeved button-up blouse) is sufficient for videos to be viewed by ME employers. If covering my head were part of in-country dress code or a concession to cultural sensitivity I would be willing, but I am more myself without it. Unless someone tells me that I'm hurting my chances this way I think I'll continue and focus on some new content - perhaps short demonstrations of classroom games with students.

Thanks again!
Eileen

[nomad soul]

[justcolleen]

[artemisia]

Hi Eileenkirkland, I�d have PMed you but I don�t think you have a sufficient number of posts yet. I�m not sure how much you�ve checked out this site. Perhaps you�re under the impression it�s only for teachers. It is, but it�s also wide open for anyone to view. You might want to think twice about giving too many identifying details, assuming you have provided your real name etc. in your post/ demo. It�s up to you, of course.

IMO it�s useful to compile a portfolio for interviews that could include a short video demonstrating a particular teaching point. I wonder how many teachers really do this, but it obviously has its uses. I�m not sure how much genuine learning could be demonstrated in a short video, but student engagement � yes. As an American, Western Europe would be a really tough region to work in legally. I think there are some possibilities of assistantships though. Check out Spain and Italy threads on this. Asia in general would definitely be a real possibililty for you.

[nomad soul]

Eileen:

If you plan to produce a video of yourself teaching real students, make it generic enough for potential employers in any country. In other words, employers from say, China, may be lukewarm to the fact that you're teaching to a class of Spanish L1s in the video. If you can get a multilingual group of students for your video, then that's ideal. Also, consider making your video after you've gotten more teaching practice under your belt. But don't put a lot of faith into the video thinking that it alone would get you a job; you'd still have to provide a resume/cv with references, pass an interview (usually via skype), and possibly write and/or demonstrate a short lesson of the employer's choosing. Either way, the video is an excellent tool for critiquing and self-reflecting on your own teaching abilities. BTW, is your TESL cert though WAL (accredited by Seattle Pacific University)? If so, I believe it didn't include supervised teaching practice.

[EileenKirkland]

Thanks artemesia for the good feedback. I don't have a pool of students to draw from yet. I am only in touch with one who I used to tutor, but I do have some ideas I'd like to present - and may warm up with an online lesson sans audience.

I also appreciate the reminder that this forum isn't private. I try in my internet life to remember that what I write and do is almost always 'in public'. Using my real name helps me keep that in perspective. I did set up a purpose-specific email account for this year's job search, which gives me a sandbox for this aspiration. (Note to RL lurkers: My boyfriend is six foot six and weighs 275 lbs

Nomad soul: I think you're right that I can't rely on videos alone to land a job. I made the first video at the suggestion of a post I read in these forums, i.e. let them hear your accent and background.

Yes, my TESL cert was through Washington Academy of Languages (accredited by Seattle Pacific University). I completed the program as night school while working full time as a paralegal. You're right that it didn't include supervised teaching practice - at the time I recognized that shortcoming of the program, but also was relieved since I didn't have daytime availability in which to complete a practicum.

While I have no doubt that I'll have some dues to pay early in this career change, I'm optimistic about finding a good fit. Being an assistant/observer, tutor, etc. is fine as a stepping stone, but I do hope to land a job overseas teaching within a couple years time. There seem to be many more volunteer opportunities than jobs for people new to the field. I'm fortunate to be happily on sabbatical and not desperate for the first thing I can land. I've been warned about the challenges for Americans who wish they could work in Europe - and I take the advice seriously. Working legally is essential to me. Latin America might be a good option since I speak some Spanish and shorter contracts are appealing.

It's hard to plan in a vacuum. That's the other thing I find tough about starting a portfolio of lessons. I have corporate background for business English, have volunteered with second graders, would love to do a literature-based approach to EFL but really am hoping to build on my employer's framework since I'm so new.

In the meantime I keep on reading and am encouraged by all of the good energy and ideas on this site!

Thanks again.

[/img]

[SahanRiddhi]