December 11, 2005
Teaching ESL WITHOUT An Employer
"Early to bed, early to rise. Work like hell and advertise." ~Ted Turner
Lots of us have done it. Especially with the more dodgy ESL school contracts.
The moonlighting ESL job on the side or the private student that pays as much as an hour of class at your local International House. The extra cash is good, it's all under the table and it's no real skin off your back.
Well, what happens when the demand for your services begins to exceed the amount of time you have available? In other words, if you do the math, you begin to figure that you might be able to do better doing only private lessons that having to adhere the schedule of an ESL school that doesn't get you legal working papers to begin with.
Assuming you can get away with it legally - and depending on the watchdog activity of your host town - let's say that you decide to forego traditional ESL employment and go full throttle with only private ESL lessons to account for the bulk of your income. Or, let's say that you keep a "legal" job, but only with the minimal part time hours so you will have more time to devote to your private students.
For some, this is an ideal situation. Especially when the business is easy to get.
Our encouraging friend Nigel, over on Barefoot ESL, has introduced a newer business model, one that certainly seems safer legally. He's gone back home to North America, where he's from, to set up shop exclusively as a private lesson ESL instructor/tutor. His idea is to set up a website that allows for immigrant ESL/EFL clients to find him online (the opposite of going out to find them).
Unless I'm wrong, it seems that this model resembles a "dating service" internet model where ESL learners who are seeking a private lesson ESL tutor, go to the site to "hook up" with an ESL instructor of their choice who are looking to provide private lessons. Somehow, both parties will get connected on the website leaving everyone happy in the end.
I am hoping that Nigel will find great success with his venture. Over on his blog (here), he has been expressing some of the day-to-day difficulties he's had in getting both the business and website up and running. In the interim, he's resorted to putting up posters on lamp posts, the old-fashioned way. A recent blog entry had to do with what kind of copy one should put on a poster to distinguish yourself from competing private lesson ESL instructors.
I'd like to find out from any of you, dear colleagues, whom have found particular success with the ESL private lesson industry. What strategies did you use to get more business when it was needed? How did you guarantee regular payments? How and where did you advertise? Most of all, what doesn't work?
Let's give Nigel a hand by opening up this new discussion. Hopefully, he's reading and will share his insights as well. As usual, I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
In the meantime, "your message here!"
Lee Hobbs
ESL Instruct, Editor-in-Chief
ESLemployment.com
Posted by lhobbs at 11:06 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
November 20, 2005
ESL Italian Style
"Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life." ~Anna Akhmatova
Greetings all veteran ESL Teachers,
In May, ESL-Lesson-Plan asked readers to tell us about their experiences teaching ESL in Greece (here).
This month, I'm seeking commentary from instructors who have taught or are presently teaching in Italy. Please share with us what it's like, how you found your Italian ESL teaching-post, the going Italian salary for ESL teachers and, naturally, if Italy is all that it's cracked up to be!
Submit your comments promptly if you'd like to be heard!
Until next time,
Lee Hobbs
ESL Instruct, Editor-in-Chief
ESLemployment.com
Posted by lhobbs at 11:56 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
November 11, 2005
ESL "Dream" Teaching Location
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." ~ Annie Dillard
A Slavic Garden of Eden & A Winter Wonderland
Fresh, homemade cheeses sold from baskets on the street, colorful costumes and energetic, country dancing. Horse-drawn buggies, honey vodkas and mushroom picking in the forest. Long, scenic hikes with breathtaking views and mountaintop taverns with locally made brews. Friendly faces, Belgian waffles and fresh, fruit-filled crepes around every corner.
This is my picture to you of Zakopane, Poland - a lovely old-fashioned village tucked away in the Tatra mountains near the Slovakian border, about an hour's drive by bus from Krakow, Poland.
The highly unique architecture, created by local artisan Stanislaw Witkiewicz, Sr., can not be found anywhere else in the world. This alone is enough to draw many lovers of culture to this largely unknown resort town of southern Poland. There really is something for everyone here: art, culture, music, cuisine, and, of course, the great outdoors. For the nature lover, I can't think of a better place to live and work. Zakopane residents in the hospitality industry, who depend on international tourism, are eager to learn English. If you think that you'd like to teach ESL this beautiful area, I highly recommend a reconnaissance visit.
If you'd like to research the country of Poland itself as a possibility for ESL employment, then check out Poland's official website in the English language here:
To learn more about Zakopane, this blog entry's "dream" location for teaching ESL, please go the following site. Be sure to click on the British flag to get the text in the English language:
Happy Job Hunting!
Lee Hobbs
ESL Instruct, Editor-in-Chief
ESLemployment.com
Posted by lhobbs at 10:22 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
October 20, 2005
Greetings ESL Teachers From Pennsyltucky, USA!
"That's the secret to life... replace one worry with another...." ~ Peanuts' Charlie Brown
A Big "Hello" to all ESL Blog-Readers and Forum Participants,
For those of you who don't know me (and that's probably almost everybody) my name is Lee Hobbs and I'll be taking over the ESL Lesson Plan blog for a bit as Michelle is currently on extended leave (okay don't start throwing the tomatoes yet!). Please read on:
As the newly-appointed kid on the virtual ESL block, I’d like to first say hello to all the loyal ESL blog readers out there. For those who have already written to me, I thank you for the warm welcome.
I've been assigned to stand in for Michelle, who did a fine job, for both the ESL Instruct newsletter and this blog. I'll also be around as the newest ESL Forum moderator. For you curious types, here is a little blurb on my background :
As a North American native-speaker of English, I spent six years abroad working in the emerging ESL field of Central Europe during the 1990s. During that time, I had the opportunity to work closely with various sectors of ESL teaching, e.g. public grade-schools, public universities and private language schools. Now, in addition to writing newsletters for the publishers of ESL Instruct, I am presently teaching college classes in the United States and completing my doctoral work.
I look forward to hearing from everyone out there. Also keep your eyes peeled for the latest edition of the ESL Instruct newsletter...I'll be authoring the October edition.
With kind regards,
Lee Hobbs
ESL Instruct, Editor-in-Chief
ESLemployment.com
Posted by lhobbs at 11:21 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 29, 2005
Terrazas, Spanish and Running of the Bulls
Hello everyone!
Are you looking for a teaching location that’s as wild as the wind, as unpredictable as it gets, and requires a certain “Pizzazz” just to get along? Then maybe you should take a look at Spain.
Madrid, the capitol of Spain, is one of the teaching hotspots, but most people who have been there agree that not just anyone will make it there. To be a successful ESL teacher in Madrid, you’ll have to network, and many times, simply be in the right place at the right time. It’s recommended that if you want to teach in this locale, you should take along some savings to supplement your living expenses while you establish yourself as a teacher.
As with anywhere in Europe, Americans will have a harder time finding employment, but insiders say that the challenge for finding work is only part of the charm of this historical, fascinating locale.
So, if you’re daring, willing to take risks, and absolutely sure of your teaching abilities, Spain may just be the challenge you’ve been looking for!
You’ll definitely need a teaching certificate for this area, but here’s a great surprise—looks and age don’t count nearly as much as they do in other areas!
Good luck with your job hunting!
Until next time,
Michelle
Posted by msimmons at 12:13 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 09, 2005
Where Do You Find an ESL Job?
Hello everyone!
Thank you for all of your kind words this week.
Are you a new teacher, and trying to figure out where in the world to find a job?
Many new teachers are overwhelmed by the prospect of looking for jobs in other countries. And while it’s true that you will have to employ different techniques than if you were looking in your own country, the process really isn’t all that different. 1) Find a position that you’re interested in, 2) Tweak your resume to fit the requirements, 3) send it to them via their preferred method, and 4) follow up soon after.
Some schools that offer certification training will help you find a job, but even if that’s true, you should do everything you can yourself to ensure that you land the perfect one, and the best place to do that is the Internet. If you haven’t visited our job site yet, what are you waiting for? There are hundreds of employers just looking for that perfect teacher! Take a few moments and check it out now:
http://www.eslemployment.com/esl-jobs.htm
Let me know how your search turns out!
Until next time,
Michelle
Posted by msimmons at 10:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 28, 2005
Looking for New Digs?
Good morning everyone!
Do espresso, antipasto and ferraris have a certain pull for you?
If you love history, good food eaten s-l-o-w-l-y, expensive automobiles and chic people, Italy might be a great place for you to teach!
Most of us have dreamed of sitting in the Tuscany sun or exploring the landmarks of Rome, but have you ever thought about teaching there?
If you are from the E.U., your chances of landing a teaching position in Italy are greater, but Americans can find a place in the sun too—if they’re persistent. Most of the schools prefer British English, but there are those that will hire someone who speaks American English. In addition, there is a great opportunity for private classes in Italy because most business people realize that they need to speak English in order to advance their careers. In addition, those professionals are currently enrolling their children in English classes to prepare them for their futures.
You’ll definitely need a teaching certificate for this locale, plus a lot of patience, but if you’re willing to go there and then wait 3-6 months to find your niche, you could soon find yourself sitting in a street café drinking espresso with the locals!
If you're looking for a great teaching location and love a fast paced life filled with networking and good food, why not give Italy a chance?
Until next time,
Michelle
Posted by msimmons at 03:00 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
June 02, 2005
Sushi Anyone?
Hello everyone!
Are you are looking for a serious cultural experience? If so, you might want to give Japan a try. While it’s true that you won’t get to spend your free time on the beach, you will get to experience a culture so different than anything you’ve likely known, that the memories are sure to last a lifetime.
Japan has an intricate and complex culture, and the language schools are no exception. For example, if you teach in a tiny school, it’s quite possible that you will become good friends with your students. In addition you’ll have some input with your lesson plans and get to use a little creativity. On the other hand, if you accept a position in a larger chain school, you’ll be on a tight schedule with little or no chance for deviation in the lesson plans.
In the eighties and early nineties, there were rumors abound about the fantastic salaries being offered to ESL teachers. People believed that all you had to do was “show up,” and you would soon be earning thousands of dollars per month. While the opportunities were great—they were also largely exaggerated!
Today, there are plenty of good jobs in Japan, and in all likelihood, you will be able to leave with a good amount of savings, but remember, you’ll work hard for it! You’ll need a certificate in most schools at a minimum, and Japanese immigration requires that you have a degree (in anything.)
If cherry blossom trees, sushi, trains, cities full of lights and people sound great to you, then you may be perfectly cut out for Japan!
I'm sure many of you are teaching in Japan--let us hear about your experiences!
Until next time,
Michelle
Posted by msimmons at 11:06 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 08, 2005
Call For Comments About Greece
Good morning all,
I'm looking for anyone who has worked or is currently working in Greece to contribute comments. Tell us what it's like, how you found your job, the amount of your salary, and oh, how absolutely wonderful it is!
Submit your comments quickly if you want to be heard!
Until next time,
Michelle
Posted by msimmons at 02:29 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
April 05, 2005
Are You Looking For A Dream Teaching Location?
With all the talk about teaching in a foreign location lately, I thought I'd highlight one of my favorite countries!
Think tiny, flavorful cups of coffee. Think seaside cafes, and passionate, friendly debates at every small, checkered-cloth covered table. Think of lazy afternoons where every place closes down for a good meal followed by an afternoon nap. Think History. Think small boat and ferry excursions which will take you to remote islands with little or no tourism.
Think Athens, Greece.
If you are looking for a teaching location to truly get away from it all, this could be your ticket. Greece is filled with passionate people and students who are serious about learning English. While Athens is crowded and does suffer from a pollution problem, the hundreds of islands that surround it are oftentimes sparsely population and havens of retreat.
The salaries aren’t typically high in Greece, but if it is experience that you want, you would be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful, welcoming local. Jobs aren’t too difficult to find, and if you have a certificate—and just about any will do for this location—you’ll do even better.
The great thing about Greece is that there is something for just about anyone. If you want quiet and solitude, you’ll find it, but if it’s an active nightlight you’re looking for, you’ll find that too.
And did I mention the food? Seafood caught an hour before it’s served, sweet feta cheese, spinach leaves rolled with rice and lamb, and potato omelets. Is your mouth watering yet?
If you’re looking to experience another culture, and a place will warm, friendly people, who are serious about learning English, you should check out Greece!
Thanks for your comments about my last post. They brought up another issue in my mind that we'll discuss in my next post--should you spark debates with your students? So far, I've got one comment that says yes, and another that is against it. What do you think? Write to me before Wednesday night, and I'll take your opinion into consideration. This should be a hot one!
Until next time,
Michelle
Posted by msimmons at 02:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
