Quote:
Originally Posted by dippin
My first job was teaching ESL in Brazil, back as a teen.
A few suggestions: avoid teaching in programs that are grammar/translation oriented. It is not only an outdated method, but much more time consuming, difficult and boring.
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That depends on the person.
I like language as language. To me, linguistic structures are interesting, and i enjoy the challenge of spitting out new phonemes. It's the attempts to sugar-coat language learning that make it tedious to me. Still, i wouldn't say "Don't teach in ESL schools because the teachers lack a solid base in linguistics & is a sort of cultural imperialism." I know some people might enjoy doing it, that ESL works for some kinds of students, & some kind of teachers in some kinds of situations. Will it work for you? You sort of have to try it to know.
As for questions about the practicality of teaching this vs. teaching that.
I've done a lot of language teaching (not just English). I think i've done so much of it that people don't really consider me a teacher of anything else -- even if my training is in fact in something else. So there's that to consider. On the other hand, what is the market like for teachers of criminal justice? What will it be like when you get your degree (which you will need.) I don't know.
CCs and tech schools can be better deals than uni teaching -- even compared to tenured people. You wouldn't get to teach your CJ895 Advanced Seminar in Criminological Methods & Theory, but you might make more money. (at least in Illinois and Wisconsin). Mind you, the people who run tech schools are wise to the fact that they pay better than unis, and are actively working to make CC/TechColl teachers lower paid. Yay! They do this mainly by turning jobs that you could live off into "part-time" positions that you can't live off. I'd say don't do criminal justice if you're going to need a PhD. You'd be better off getting an ESL certificate and teaching.