Question from a reader
Well, more a vague cry for help or reassurance than a question, but as this is not Dave’s TEFL Forum of Death, we’ll just use that freedom to let our creative juices flow…
“Hi Alex,
My name is Katie. I just stumbled upon your blog as I continue my research on TEFL, TESL, TESOL (and every other acronym under the sun!). I am a college senior (going to graduate this May) with two BA degrees - one in English and the other in Spanish. I was fortunate to study in Madrid Spain last spring and I’m looking to return asap! Actually, I’m going back in about 20 days during my college’s spring vacation in order to meet face to face with the directors of some TESL 4-week programs that I have been researching.
Ultimately I’m looking to get all the help I can get!! Your site has offered me a lot of information but I just wanted to email you to see if you had any specific advice for someone in my situation! Many times when I ask people questions about doing this they try to talk me out of it saying “it’s not worth it.” But this is my dream… I’m determined!!
I have an internship this semester where I’m actually teaching ESL (which has been very interesting considering that I have not studied in any education courses. But, I love it.
Ok, enough rambling for me. Please, if you have any advice/suggestions, I’m here with open ears!!
Thank you so much!!
Katie
ps - Here’s my novice of a blog that I’ve started for a media class I have this semester… it’s not much but it will grow as the semester goes on. http://viajesdevida.blogspot.com/”
Any advice, general information, or philosophisizing on TEFL and/ or Spain anyone?
February 11th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I’m happy for you. It looks like you are an enthusiastic person and that will make you a good teacher. Also, I really admire that you are going over in person to check out TESL programs. It’s smart to do as much research as you can.
Madrid is great. I lived there for years. Teaching English can be rewarding, but it’s difficult. And regardless of where you start, you will be underpaid. Dealing with most schools is like dealing with a casino; the school has the advantage. You may consider private tutoring on the side. TRY TO TUTOR ADULTS - they’re more disciplined, more motivated, and you can use them for networking. Teaching and tutoring are hard, though, because language school schedules and Spanish people’s schedules are different than what you may be used to. Many schools have “blocks” of classes in the afternoon and evening that leave you with a lot of time in between. You can burn up a lot of time just coming and going.
You wrote that people have tried to discourage you. That must mean they care about you. Going overseas for a long period of time is difficult. Try to have a plan like “I’ll teach for the 2008-2009 year and go home in the summer of 2009.” Really, try to have a plan. You don’t want to end up over there for 2 or 3 years just having fun. You don’t want to go home and feel you are behind in your career, or that you’ve missed working in jobs that could have paid better and let you start a retirement fund, or you could’ve gotten married and started your own family, etc.
GOOD LUCK!
February 12th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Though I’ll be the first to admit that teaching abroad is not the most glamorous profession, I find it odd to think that the people you know believe the experience would not be worth it. Ultimately it depends on where you see yourself in the future. Some careers like teaching ESL to adults in big cities like Boston or New York or something like working as a diplomat require that you have international experience. Plus any experience you have can be parlayed during an interview to help you stand out from other candidates even if you are on a different career path.
If this is something you plan on doing a long time then you should figure out what age group you’re going to want to stick with teaching. Ultimately if you think this is something you want to do for life and you want to teach adults then you might want to get some business experience so you don’t feel out of place teaching Business English.
From my perspective, I can’t imagine doing anything else. Sometimes that’s a bit scary but sometimes it’s very comforting.
February 12th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Thank you Alex for posting this and also Lyn and Jeff for your comments!
I just wanted to clarify when I said “when I ask people questions, they say it won’t be worth it” it’s because some people I ask (in person or online) have only the negative aspects in mind. But I see a lot of positives. I just want to be as informed as possible before making the leap abroad.
Many of my family members and friends are supportive yet with a hesitant overtone because they fear the unknown for me… This I believe, is like Lyn said: they care about me. What’s nice is, I am going to Madrid soon to get a better first-hand sense of what’s out there. The information provided online is difficult to decipher at times which is where all of you have been a great help to me! And I am always eager to receive more advice/comments!!
¡Gracias por todo!
