Job Discussion Forums

[Perilla]

With escalating unemployment among Western graduates (as if it wasn't high enough already!) there's likely to be a large increase in the number going into TEFL. Such a rise should be assisted as interest in learning English also increases as people have to boost their credentials to find work (hence, for example, plenty of TEFL work in Spain despite the collapsing economy).

Just wondering whether anyone out there has noted a rising trend of TEFL arrivals, whether newbies or career switchers?

[Sashadroogie]

Haven't noticed any significant changes in Moscow. But then the 'credit crunch' didn't hit here as hard as other places, and the visa barriers keep a lot of would-be TEFLers away.

[tttompatz]

In my personal experience the only places that have seen an increase in applications are places like Korea (who pay for the airfare up front).

The large majority of (new) US grads can't afford the ticket and setup costs to head abroad on the speculation of finding an entry level job in ESL.

That said, places like Asia will absorb far more applicants than are willing to travel anyway. At last estimate the number of job openings each year in Asia alone exceeds 150,000 for legal jobs (college grads with a degree) with mainland China seeing demand in the 50-60 thousand job openings per year (and growing) at the entry level with retention rates of 40% year on year (SAFEA numbers).

In China, with a population of about 240 million school age children and a ratio of 1 foreign teacher per thousand children they could easily absorb a quarter million teachers without batting an eye.

Numbers of teachers (government estimates/stats):
China 50k
Korea 25k
Taiwan 10k
Japan 10k
Thailand 15k legal and an estimated 15k illegal
Indonesia 5-10k
The rest of East Asia 10-15k)

The economy in the US and parts of Western Europe may suck donkey *beep* but most of Asia hardly slowed down.

ASEAN 600 million souls and economic size of 4 trillion USD.
China 1.33 billion souls and economic size of 11 trillion USD
Korea/Japan/Taiwan 220 million souls and economic size of 7 trillion USD
India 1.2 billion souls and economic size of 4.5 trillion USD

There is more than ample room for sustained growth in the 6-10% range/anum and double digit growth based just on increasing consumerism in their own economies is certainly achievable without real concern for the western markets to necessitate growth.

.

[Glenski]

[scholar]

The number of mid-career people who would be willing/able to up stakes and go abroad to teach will always be miniscule, no matter the condition of the economy, unless it came to a Great Depression situation. Americans have such a sense of entitlement that one trip to Ikea per month, rather than 2, would be a major sacrifice.

New grads might move in greater numbers. However, most still hope to get a foothold in the Western job market, so this number, too, will stay small. And eventually, if the prospects for new grads remain bleak, young people will stop going to university in as great of numbers and instead choose more vocational occupations.

[naturegirl321]

I've noticed stagnant salaries coupled with a rise in cost of living and recruiters still claiming long gone exchange rates. Pay cuts at my uni while expectations have risen. So now with a PhD you can earn what you used to be able to with a BA.

Doesn't help that recruiters tout how easy it is to get a job here and that teaching is a cake walk either, so there are tons of applicants. However, I guess the economy always has its ups and downs, so I'm hoping this will come to an end soon.

[scholar]

One more thing to note: I cold foresee more people wanting to teach in China, not because of the economy but because of the high conditions offered and the good culture.

[Prof.Gringo]

[Perilla]

[tttompatz]

[Steinmann]

[Steinmann]

[Glenski]

[tttompatz]

[Perilla]