ESL Jobs Forum

[Wocca]

Do they fade back into their previous lives,
or do they move onto newer, better things ?


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Si hoc legere scis, nimium erudtionis habes

[HenryTeach]

TESL is not a long term career for the majority of people since it's poorly paid and has no career structure per se for the majority. It's easy to get into and play with for a couple of years almost anywhere in the world and thus it's a fantastic opportunity allowing people to travel and live overseas. But, for most teachers, after a few years they realise that with ten years' experience and a bunch of qualifications they're teaching the same hours and the same classes from the same books as a total newbie with minimum qualifications.

A few get into materials writing. A few make it up the ladder to DOS or own their own school. But by far the majority return home to a "proper" job.

Careerwise, it's a pretty naff industry to get into.
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www.Free-ESL.com

[btownsend]

That's a cynical and jaded view, Henry. I think English teaching offers all kinds of possibilities although, admittedly, further training might be required. New technologies have opened up opprtunities for different kinds of course design and materials; examination boards require people to research and innovate; schools require marketing people as well as managers and administrators; quality control systems need people to set and monitor standards; university departments need people to research and lecture; publishers need ELT editors to develop and commission as well as copy-edit in this field.

I would say the limitations do not come from the "naffness of the industry" but form the narrow horizons of those who think there are no opportunities.
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Brenda Townsend Hall, Ph.D.
www.esl-school.com

[emile]

I don't think anyone gets into TESL to make money, but then once you're about 30, you think 'hey, what's going on? Why am I broke?' or in my case, 'Why is my girlfriend earning 3 times my salary?'

Personally it's worked out okay for me. I started out teaching then went into DOS-style jobs, materials writing and now I develop e-learning modules and do call center training. It just takes a little ambition and a bit of upgrading of skills. For example, I learned how to program in FLASH, php etc.



my site: www.roadtogrammar.com