ESL Jobs Forum

[Shilo]

Hi, My name is Shilo and I'm currently working the Kwajalein Police department in the Repbulic of the Marshall Islands. To be honest I'm looking to go to the TESOL course in Krakow Poland at the end of my contract in May of 2005 which, I hope will be the start of a new line of employment for myself.

I'm tired of being a cop, tired of carrying a gun and am looking for a career change. But, yes there's always a but, I do not have any college or any kind of teaching cetificates what so ever. I just completed a contract in the Srpska Republika of Bosnia where I spent nearly two years. I taught my self-how to speak Serbo/Croation and fell in love with the Balkans. On my off time I used to volunteer at the local school in the village I was living in teaching english to kids and young adults. This was strictly unofficial and just something I did as part of trying to help out in any way I could. Well, I fell in love with it. I had such a great time and got such a satisfying feeling from seeing my students mature and learn something new that they have never been exposed to before. I loved the smiles and the genuion appreciation of the effort I was putting out.

Now that I am in the Marshall Islands I find my self longing to return to that village and teach. I didn't want to go to Iraq although I was offered a six-figure salary to go. I don't have any desire to work in the States again until maybe I retire and, I find my self lost as to what I want to do with the rest of my life other than teaching and trying to make this world a better place for those who are less fortuante than my self.

Oh, I'm so tired of seeing the misery, death and destruction that comes with doing what I do. I don't want to have to get up in the morning and put a pistol my hip and a rifle in my hands anymore. I want something different, something that's more productive, creative and challenging, if those are the correct words to use?

So, to you out there on this board, can I please have some advice as to what kind of "online" certifications I may be able to accuire while I battle through one more contract out here in the middle of the South Pacific? Is there anything I can do from now until I take the certification course in Poland that will assist me in my quest to become an english teacher and get on the track of building minds and futures with encouragement, love and a kind heart rather than with weapons?

Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated.

Very respectfully,
Shilo

[kieran]

Hi Shilo,

It,s good to see that you,re not afraid to take on a new career move but I may be a bit late offering you advice seeing this is dated from July. As far as I can see you,ve already mastered the most difficult part of taking a TESOL course because you have teaching experience. When I took my TEFL course in Dublin it wasn,t what I expected but it ,s great training on the different aspects of English and what students find most difficult, boring or interesting.

Krakow is a beautiful city and Polish people are really friendly and it,s very cheap to live there. At the moment I,m working in Holland and learning Dutch so I know how hard it can be to learn a new language.

The only tips I can give you before taking the course is to learn the grammar rules and tenses. Read some books on how to make lessons interesting and catch the students attention and keep them talking.

When I finish my Dutch course in February I,m looking to go to Korea or Japan and maybe Nepal for a year. How did you get a job offer for Iraq? In hindsight it looks like a good move,

Best of luck,

Kieran.
_________________
I,m Kieran and come from Ireland. I,ve been working for a large supermarket chain for the last 12 years and felt in need of a chage so I took a Tefl course. Currently I am working in Holland and learning Dutch until I decide where to teach English.