I think someone’s looking for comments with this post! OK, I’ll bite…

In theory, it’s ridiculous to speak in terms of ‘Europe’, as conditions vary greatly across the continent. Having said that, I actually agree with pretty much all of the observations in the article, and I recognise in his descriptions of other teachers many of the people I’ve known over the years.

While I agree with Graham about it being the teacher’s own responsibility to gain further training, I would however suggest that it rarely leads to any significant pay increase, and neither does it guarantee a full-time permanent position. Indeed, many private language schools prefer younger and less experienced certificate-holders who are willing to work seasonally for an awful wage, and who then spend summers either at those terrible summer schools or living at their parents’.

I’d say that for most EFL teachers who reach their mid-to-late thirties, the most realistic options are either to open their own school or to land a position within the state sector, most likely either at a university or within state-funded adult education. Neither option is easy, even after further study - the first demands funding and the second requires a lot of luck.

Of course, there are a fortunate few who have steady positions at private language schools, but I think they’re a minority. It also depends on the country, of course. But those who are left as seasonal teachers do tend to suffer, especially if they’re single. I’ve seen it even in Copenhagen, with older teachers who really do live on the poverty line - after all, for at least a quarter of the year they’re on a much-reduced salary, fighting over the scraps of work that come in, and getting no pay for three weeks at Christmas, and a number of other ‘holiday’ weeks here and there.

As for their teaching skills: sure, most still teach how they always did, but much of that is due to the requirements of their employers and, I would suggest, the whole of the ELT industry, with its stupid coursebooks and ridiculous examinations. But that’s another topic.

Of course, you’re right, David. It is a highly competitive field, and the higher paid jobs and permanent contracts are often difficult to find.

But there must be something in it, or we wouldn’t have stuck at it, surely? Personally, I felt that way at the end of my second year. I realised that if I stayed on for another year, then I was probably signing away the possibility of going back to what I’d been doing before, which had been far better paid. I decided not to go back and to start taking TEFL seriously. I realise that if I’d gone back, then I’d be earning far more than I am now, but I do like my lifestyle here, and I do enjoy my job. It engages me, and I make sure that I keep finding ways of sustaining my interest in teaching through continued professional development - with the Internet, there are so many (free) ways of doing this. However, I’m sure I don’t have to tell the people writing on this thread this - we’re all bloggers and one of the reasons why we blog is to learn from each other.

I’ll be 35 later this year so this very problem has been lingering in the back of my mind for a while now. ON one hand, I enjoy my job, have a cushy schedule, and can save a bit of money because of Korea’s low cost fo living. But on the other hand, I’m worried about my long-term prospects…

I discussed this matter with a co-worker of mine, a man in his early 40’s who has been living and teaching here in Korea for longer than I have (he’s been here for 10+ years). He used to have a regular bank job back in Canada before coming to Korea, but said the stress was just too much fro him. Now, living and working in Korea, he says he is quite happy. He did emphasize the need for doing some investing for the future.

My Korean girlfriend and I will be going to the states this summer to get married and to *hopefully* settle down out there. But I’m very aware that job prospects will be a bit sketchy, so I’m quite prepared to return to Korea again at a later date.

Brian

Quite honestly, I have no idea.  It’s been a while since I’ve worked a 40 hour week, so I think I’d prefer easing inot a part-time job first. I think working at a bookstore (I live reading) or maybe a men’s apparel store could be fun. But ideally, I would love to work as a counselor at a college or university for international students; but really, how how am I qualified for that kind of work?

One of the reasons my GF wants to try to settle down in the states is because she’s worried about the stigma of an international marriage in Korea. I tried to tell her that times are changing… but she’d stil lrather give it ago overseas.

Brian

I want to believe that one can make a career out of TEFL.