5 Alarming Reasons People Quit Teaching English Abroad Jobs
Research shows most people only teach English abroad for 1-2 years. Have you ever wondered why is it that they only last 1-2 years? Teaching English abroad sounds almost like a paid vacation.
You started this whole teaching English abroad and landed your dream job in a country but you just don’t feel happy with it anymore. You just don’t know what to do. You’re starting to feel burnt out. Doubting what is the next career step for you.
So, should you quit your teaching English abroad job?
No matter what it is, quitting a job is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken casually. Before just you submit your notice period, it is the time to start reflecting on why you’re feeling doomed. Ask yourself these questions ---
- Is there something your school’s principal or organization could change to improve things for you?
- Did you set your expectations unrealistically?
- Do your opportunities make straight line with the local culture?
- Or is it the culture shock?
When To Say It Is Time To Quit?
Here are the five potential signs that it might be time to call it quits on your job teaching English overseas.
- Not Learning Anything NEW
Crafting a career path is all about development. We all need different prospects to grow and use our aptitudes to be moving forward by learning new skills. If you are finding yourself doing same thing again and again, it might be the time to start thinking about the following step in your career. If you’re continuously unfocussed and uninteresting your feet when it comes to your skilled responsibilities, it’s time to think about what else you can do.
- Did Not Meet Your Expectations
No matter what, expect it to be different. Things are never same as they seem (particularly online). Most of what you come across about it is all from the online and most of what you have perceived or overheard is partial and nothing can compare to authentic experience. For example, you like Japanese manga… but guess what??? That's only a flake of Japan. There's so much more to it than what you know here and now.
- Cultural Shock
If you have traveled overseas then you've also gotten a taste of it. Culture is provincial. The language is different. The whole environment is different. People look different and you also look different to them. They have different manners and your job will be different. But you are only getting a taste of it.
- Homesickness
Maybe you will like all the changes but with time, you started missing your home food, the environment, your family and friends, or something else. Or maybe sometimes, you just lose your passion for something. The originality of living in a foreign country will wear off. In fact, it may wear off in a few months.
- Low Pay
Your pay just ain’t cutting it. If you’re taking more projects or learners without higher pay or rapidly learn that your regular earnings are better and easily achievable jobs, it might be time to convey a raise or hit the road. Trust us, many people get homesick at some point and it might take one year, two years or five or more.
To End With…
As soon as you’ve decided to quit, you need to decide how you are going to quit like a class act. Nevertheless, becoming a certified TEFL teacher with 120 Hours TEFL Certificate online is a great thing that you can do throughout your career. It is a common professional consideration to give a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice. So, make sure to leave your existing company with class and dignity to assure that they still have nice things to say about you.
