Abandoning well paid career to teach English abroad.

LegacyUser

My story is that i'm a mid 20's guy with a degree in a subject that leads to a very well paid career. I finished college 2 years ago this May, and have spent 1 year working in that field, 3 months on the dole (5 unemployed in total) and about 4 months abroad travelling in Asia.

It's not a career i'm particularly passionate about. Being honest, in the year I worked I dreaded work every day mainly because it bored the hell out of me. The only thing that got me through it was the prospect of each months pay cheque and daydreaming about my next chance to travel.

I'm someone who suffers from situational social anxiety - i.e in big groups I find that I cannot speak due to an overwhelming fear of being judged negatively. I think I picked my career because the interaction involved in big group scenarios is minimal - the work is mainly done alone on the computer. And while I was in an office, I just plugged my earphones in all day. I only really have 1 good friend at home and all we do is get wasted at the weekend.

But what I've noticed is that while travelling i'm at my happiest and least anxious. I was thinking about doing something that could turn travel into a career - at least for a couple of years anyway. And that is teaching English abroad. This is something very much out of my comfort zone and at the moment I can't imagine even being able to do it (speak in front of a group of people) due to my low self-esteem and high anxiety in these kinds of situations.

But the thing is, I really want to do it. It is something that appeals to me and fascinates me. Travelling is enjoyable, but I want to live in a different culture for a couple of years as I know the experience will be different - in both positive and negative ways. And I've always had a knack for languages and a bit of a passion for them, so maybe teaching my own language is something which would suit me well.

I guess the advice i'm looking for is whether it is a silly move for me? By silly I mean, my savings will be down from €11,000 in January to €3000 by the end of October if I do this (this includes investing in a TEFL cert, taking driving lessons and going for anxiety therapy and spending a month abroad while doing the TEFL course) . I've spent €3500 on my current trip to Asia and I am wondering if this is just reckless behaviour by me - contemplating investing money in teaching English with the knowledge that group social settings make me uncomfortable. Would it make more sense to just pursue my well paid career, safe in the knowledge that the only uncomfortable part will be doing interviews to get a new job? Also, should I seek some form of help for my anxiety before making this move? And can the CBT type of therapy really help me? Apologies for all the questions I guess I just want some perspective.

strobe

Oh man. Do it. Absolutely. Even if it doesn't work out you will be coming back to 3000 euro, a degree that has gotten you a job once and will again, an economy that has improved since you were away, and fairly certainly an improved situation relating to your social anxiety. It'd be reckless not to go for it. There's very little risk and very substantial rewards. It's a decision that makes its self. I've known quite a few people that did the whole teaching English abroad thing. Never known one that didn't love the fvck out of it. Have met a few people that have spoken whistfully about the time they were thinking of doing it years ago but never went for it and sure now they've a mortgage and a couple of kids and it's never going to happen. You only get the one life. One shot. Then it's over. No reruns.

gleesonger

Go for it, I've a few friends who did that and loved it, best time of their lives.

On a cautionary note though, don't run away from any problems locally, when you come back you'll pick up from where you left of. You still need to answer the question of what to do with your career and where you want your life to go.

If i was you i would first answer that long term question as that will govern the majority of your life then focus on fitting your current goals into that plan, that could just be me though, we all get through life differently.

R.D. aka MR.D

I teach English abroad and want to give you some advice.

Teaching English abroad is generally not a very good idea for people with mental health problems. There is little to no support for these things when you are abroad. Depending on where you go, the stress can aggravate it.

Also, working abroad and travelling are two very different things. It's not sunshine and rainbows all the time. It's work.

Do you think you can stand up in front of a group of students? Do you think that you can socialise with fellow expats (usually in groups)?

Saying that, I really enjoy this lifestyle. I get tons of new experience but it's also more difficult than I had imagined.

FactCheck

You've started three or four threads on this topic in the last couple of months, haven't you? Including one under your regular name?

I think my advice is the same I gave you in the beginning, before you spent 3,500 on a few weeks in Asia.

You have worked hard, and you are very fortunate to have such a chunk of money at a young age, especially considering that you're from a poor background and had to work very hard to achieve what you have. The money is a gift, many people in your shoes would kill to have this opportunity. You need to put it to work for you.

Now, personally, I am a very ambitious person, I would be using the cash to fund an internship or a masters or a startup. But that's me and what I want from life. You're not me. You have started post after post worrying about how to overcome your social anxiety. I think by far the best use of this money right now is to help you get over your difficulties. If that means funding a financially unwise but mental-health-wise fantastic few years as an English teacher, great go ahead.

But please, I implore you don't piss this money away on six months of "travel experiences" that leave you as confused about your future as you were before.

HalloweenJack

I've done the teaching English deal and it's good fun.

I'm not a social person either and I've also had problems with depression and anxiety, for which I've been to counselling, but this job has brought me out of my shell a lot, from standing up in front of a group and leading them to moving to a totally different country and having to make friends and build a social circle.

Personally, I'm someone who likes to jump in at the deep end. I didn't think about the stuff above. If I had, I probably wouldn't have gone through with it.

Like a poster above said, it isn't a holiday, it's a job and it has the same amount of crap that goes on in any other job. Also, in some places you will have to work unsocial hours like early mornings, late evenings or Saturdays. I don't know anywhere where it's a 9-5 job.

I think another very important point, especially if you have social anxiety, is that a lot of the job is dealing with people. Getting over the stage fright is one thing but you also have to know how to handle people as you are being thrown in to lead a group of different people with different personalities and attitudes. Going into a class with kids, you're ready for it but adults can be equally as troublesome. This was something I didn't have a clue about when I started or was mentioned one bit in my TEFL course and it was by far the most difficult thing for me about the job. I learnt on my feet and now I'm much better at handling people but it's a steep learning curve.

iusedtoknow

I lived in Spain for a number of years and had some friends that were teachers (madrid and barcelona). They loved it but it came with a lot of downsides - i'll lay out for you some lessons learned from watching them

1) you initially start out with 1 hour here or there - you need a fair amount of cash to back you up initially
2) you need to have a good teaching cert behind you (CELTA is best)...the online ones are ok, but it takes longer to get the better classes with those
3)some schools actually don't care about students or teachers. Some will take you as contractors, some will have you as employees. You need to be clear about where you stand as you may have to do a lot of admin work yourself (Tax, social security etc)
4)aside from your regular classes, you also need personal classes that are generally cash in hand but can keep you going especially in summer when classes stop.

The other thing is, you have to be completely self reliant and pretty outgoing. Not only do you have to deal with your students, you need to deal with everything else that comes from being employed or self employed. You need to have confidence that you are doing the best for your students as well. There is also a fairly big social scene everywhere for TEFL teachers - it is a way to get better at your job, plus friends usually help friends out - give classes to you if they can't do it, or need covering for a week or something.

In all honesty, you should maybe look at managing your social anxiety first before making any sort of leap into this. While you're happy when you're traveling - you won't be traveling, you'll be living somewhere else and working- paying bills, looking at products with labels that you won't have a clue about what they are saying, trying to figure out why your water bill is so high etc. It's fun and disorientating - but if you aren't prepared for it, you could be overcome VERY quickly. I saw people in Spain that lasted a week as they simply couldn't deal with it all, despite people trying to give a hand.

happysunnydays

CareerCondundrum0 wrote: »

I guess the advice i'm looking for is whether it is a silly move for me? By silly I mean, my savings will be down from €11,000 in January to €3000 by the end of October if I do this (this includes investing in a TEFL cert, taking driving lessons and going for anxiety therapy and spending a month abroad while doing the TEFL course) . I've spent €3500 on my current trip to Asia and I am wondering if this is just reckless behaviour by me - contemplating investing money in teaching English with the knowledge that group social settings make me uncomfortable. Would it make more sense to just pursue my well paid career, safe in the knowledge that the only uncomfortable part will be doing interviews to get a new job? Also, should I seek some form of help for my anxiety before making this move? And can the CBT type of therapy really help me? Apologies for all the questions I guess I just want some perspective.

Your jumping the gun a bit.
You shouldn't need to be investing tons of money into teaching English abroad. You should do your cert (CELTA) here in Ireland, get on the next course ASAP, that's the first saving, then if you have any degree you should apply for the public school system in Korea (EPIK) https://www.epik.go.kr/index.do or the similar in Japan.
End of the day this is work but you get holidays to travel in Asia, you are working in new environment, it will give you lot of confidence, you will meet people from all the other countries who are teaching there too who will be support to you and you will make money in public school system.
Your flights, apartment, medicals are all covered and then there are bonuses. Epik next intake will be AUgust, you could go through an agency ie. 'footprints' or similar or apply directly. No harm in giving it a shot but you don't need to invest as much cash as you think, hardly any, just take a number of months to get organised properly and apply early like now. I can't comment on your social problems, you sound like you over think stuff, this is worth a year, get on that horse and live the dream, life is an adventure mate!
Ill keep my eye here if you want more advise.

Choccie Lover

The old saying 'Wherever you go, there you are' springs to mind....I would definitely get a handle on your anxiety issues before making a big, bold move.

You could perhaps set a goal to get your TEFL course (CELTA preferably) and maybe work in a summer camp in the UK or Ireland (for between a month and six weeks), not a major upheaval, and a way to at least test the waters.

Teaching English abroad is very different to just travelling around......It can be a tough job in a place with very little support. For Asia, you often have to put in a lot of hours, the culture shock is hard and it takes a lot of resilience. In Europe, you really have to know your stuff (teaching wise) and it can be quite cut-throat.

You don't have to be a wild extrovert. But you need to be comfortable and reasonably confident in your own skin.......and it is all about your people skills......

Good luck with figuring it all out.....Life is short.....and if it is a burning ambition, you should go for it.....but I would sort everything out in your own head first........and then maybe go the baby steps approach with a summer camp or something

R.D. aka MR.D

happysunnydays wrote: »

You shouldn't need to be investing tons of money into teaching English abroad. You should do your cert (CELTA) here in Ireland, get on the next course ASAP, that's the first saving, then if you have any degree you should apply for the public school system in Korea (EPIK) https://www.epik.go.kr/index.do or the similar in Japan.

Your flights, apartment, medicals are all covered and then there are bonuses.

EPIK isn't really a good deal anymore. Rumour has it that they aren't even working with recruiters next intake. The market in Korea has really changed. Lots of public school teachers have lost their jobs.

In Japan, you might not get any of those benefits you mentioned. The JET programme might provide them but that application process is brutal.

Sometimes people do their CELTA in the country they want to teach in because it's easier to get a job there afterwards because you have some contacts. However, I would worry about the OP being abroad and having no support during something as stressful as the CELTA.

Mr. Loverman

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

I teach English abroad and want to give you some advice.

Teaching English abroad is generally not a very good idea for people with mental health problems. There is little to no support for these things when you are abroad. Depending on where you go, the stress can aggravate it.

Also, working abroad and travelling are two very different things. It's not sunshine and rainbows all the time. It's work.

Do you think you can stand up in front of a group of students? Do you think that you can socialise with fellow expats (usually in groups)?

Saying that, I really enjoy this lifestyle. I get tons of new experience but it's also more difficult than I had imagined.

I came here to say something like this. --^

I taught English for around two weeks. I know that doesn't make me an expert but I can tell you what it's like.

They'll probably ask you to do a demo class after your interview or a few days later. My demo class was in front of around 50 people. I wasn't given teaching material. I had an hour to come up with a class.

Everyone is staring at you. If you don't have anything to say (e.g. your mind goes blank for a second) they pick up on this and it becomes awkward real quick.

I should mention I'm quite outgoing and don't have a fear of public speaking. (I wouldn't say I like public speaking but I definitely don't have any social anxiety issues).

What I'm trying to say is it's more than likely teaching isn't for you.

As RD said, travel and teaching are totally different things. They aren't related at all. One is relaxed and fun and free whereas the other is a job where people stare at you and you are expected to be charming and funny.

Can I make a suggestion?

Work abroad but don't be a teacher. I was an engineer for a while... and a manager... all within China. It's doable, you just have to look at jobs for expats or ask expats on the ground to help you.

Good luck whatever you do.

happysunnydays

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

EPIK isn't really a good deal anymore. Rumour has it that they aren't even working with recruiters next intake. The market in Korea has really changed. Lots of public school teachers have lost their jobs.
.

Since when? Don't be pretending to me that you think you know something .......just because you heard some 'rumours'. You don't! You're just speculating and spending too much time on Waygook or Daves ESL café. How do I know? Because I heard all this rubbish a few years ago when I was there.....nothings changed!
I have met plenty of ESL teachers, these teachers included fantastic positive people who were really into getting the kids to learn........ and then a minority of entitled negative lazy whiners, you don't bother doing your job then you get the boot, simple as!
So what if they aren't working with recruiters, more power to the them. Let people apply directly. Why are you so negative? The application process is brutal you say, maybe they want a better class of teacher....what has anyone got to lose by placing an application, christ you make it sound like the OP should give up before he's started, what's wrong with you?
The OP is looking for a year out to teach English and experience culture in Asia, EPIK or JET are both perfect, they are both organised by the respective governments, everything is laid on and most importantly the OP won't be screwed over by some dodgy Hagwon owner. He'll have a fantastic experience! Go for it.

R.D. aka MR.D

happysunnydays wrote: »

Since when?

It's true that I'm not there anymore so don't have any personal 'on the ground' reports from my own eyes. But what happened in Incheon last year and the current trends in not renewing contracts and cuts in the budget seem to indicate that things aren't how they used to be. But maybe I'm wrong, as i said, i'm not there anymore.

I didn't mean my post to come across as negative but I think that it is a little bit reckless to give advice about moving ones entire life to a new country without adding in the difficult parts. I've worked in Korea and China and I'm currently in Japan. I've seen plenty of people come and go who came thinking that it was a 'working holiday' or that there were no downsides. Those people were hit hard with the reality of the situation. The people with pre-existing mental health problems have an even harder time.


For someone with health problems simplistic advice such as 'go for it', isn't the most beneficial thing.

I love teaching English. I like living in Asia. It's a fantastic experience but I won't lie and say that it's easy. It's hard work.

clever user name

I've taught English for about 5 years now!! If it's something you think you will have an interest in then just do it.You're bound to have some anxiety if you have never taught a class before, everyone does. I remember my first class. I hadn't even done a tefl, just had a degree. I was basically thrown in a class of 70 Chinese teenagers...just me and then. I nearly sh*t myself.

The truth is though, once you do it once most of that anxiety disappears. It's really not that bad. I've also seen people with social/anxiety issues like yourself (in done cases really bad issues) turn into good teachers. It's all about just saying "screw it, what's the worst that can happen". A CELTA will really help!

At the end of the day it's all about getting a decent school, no matter where you go. I love the job, but I've been in a couple of awful schools and it can make you dread going to work everyday. Choosing the right location is also important, you're gonna be there for a year (initially).

If you have any questions feel free to ask!!

desertcircus

I'd be looking into treatments for your social anxiety before doing anything else. Burning through your savings to break into a field you're certain you'll succeed in is risky enough, but doing so to break into teaching when you have difficulty speaking up in group situations is putting the cart well before the horse. Focus on working on your social anxiety first, otherwise it'll remain a problem for you no matter where you go.