GROUSE ... GROUSE ... GROUSE!!!
I realize that we here in the United States consider ourselves at the top rung of the educational ladder, if only for the fact that so many foreign language students are breaking their necks to come here to both study and live English.
But, on second glance, we should not deceive ourselves. On this board, we read one teacher complaint after another pertaining to the impossible conditions of Asian ESL schools, while we fail to remember - or, perhaps, admit - that right here in the good old US of A, ESL instructors are pretty much in the same leaky boat! In fact, was it not this very realization that originally induced so many of us to leave our country to seek better professional pastures elsewhere? On these shores, after having met the oft-times rigid academic and certification standards of most US ESL institutions, for the mere sake of gaining employment experience, we've often found ourselves accepting as little as $12 per hour for part-time and $15 per hour for full-time employment. That, I would guess, is not that far above the national poverty level for ? say ? a family of two. But, provided one is willing to accept the all-too-often shoddy living standards of an underdeveloped foreign land, not to mention the gross disregard of apathetic management sources (with a salary to match), there's ALWAYS employment to be had ? that is, until which time one finally decides enough is enough!
In the interim, we fans of the eslteachersboard.com are literally besieged by critiques which become sadder and more desperate by the day. We KNOW all too well what you are suffering, folks. It's not exactly been a picnic here on this side of the tracks, you know. What I have trouble figuring is WHERE one might locate any regard for an ESL instructor as a "professional," let alone his/her financial needs as a human being. And if we residents of this more "sanctified" side of the Pacific are forced to utter such concerns, HOW in hell can we dare sit in condemnation of the lesser-developed ESL situations in Asia? After all, is it not WE whom they are attempting to emulate? WHY, in fact, should we cringe at the discovery of dishonesty and misrepresentation over there when right here it's so often identical? Once you've realized it's pretty much the same on either side of the Great Ocean, it's a small wonder WHY teachers flit between continents in search of their educational Mecca and, in many cases, eventually wind up frustrated enough to seek other careers.
I, for one, love the theory of English as a foreign language - especially the preparation of students for entry into American universities for pursuit of advanced degrees. However, it's the reality of it all that serves to disillusion me no end. There can be no denial that ESL is a business. However, when such an ambition becomes the sole purpose of a school's existence, and academic and even human values seem scarcer to come by, it's high time to rise up and reform the bloody system ? or leave it! I pray that I'll not eventually be forced to opt for the latter choice. Amen.
Love to all,
The Arrogant One
About The Author
Ellis E. Seamone is an Veteran ESL teacher with 13+ years of experience. Ellis publishes articles at the http://www.eslteachersboard.com/ (free access to ESL resumes, jobs and materials). See more articles by Ellis by visiting: http://www.eslteachersboard.com/
Latest News
![]() The Gazette (Montreal) | In any language, LPGA sending wrong message MLive.com, MI - The Detroit Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk had similar issues with the English language when he first joined the NHL, but now he's a fine interview with a wry ... LPGA puts its foot in its English-speaking mouth A swing and a big miss for ladies' professional golf BC golfers support language policy |
English-language newspaper in Puerto Rico closes The Associated Press - The publisher also sought to have the Star distributed by a local Spanish-language newspaper, eliminating unionized distributors and other circulation ... |
Does Biden Need to Watch His Language? ABC News - For Senator Biden – known for his loose lips and frequent gaffes – every word is being closely watched now that he's a Vice Presidential candidate. ... |
Times Online | Democrats, Language and the Modern Workforce Donklephant - Language matters. And I think the Democrats’ language reveals that the party has not fully moved into the 21st Century. That’s not to say Republicans have ... Video: Kerry Slams 'Candidate McCain' Analysts, Media Commentators Praise Obama's Speech Grand Old Book Party |
The State of Scripting Languages Slashdot - Greiner talks to major players from each of the main scripting languages (PHP, Perl, Tcl, Python, Ruby, and Javascript) to find out the current status and ... |
![]() Vancouver Sun | Golf's language games not new in BC Globe and Mail, Canada - He said exclusions from the club over language have been rare, but that people get a second chance. "I've invited the members to brush up on their English, ... BC golf club defends English-language policy for members Vancouver-area golf club has English-only policy similar to LPGA Swan-e-set Bay wants passion, not English, from members |
Language hindrance Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - ... they want a future in international business or immigrating to the United States. Language creates a big problem if it is not communicated effectively. Patois has its place |
MormonTimes.com: 'In their own language' - translating in the LDS ... Deseret News, UT - More than half were published in English and the remaining two million in 64 other languages. Translation of that book along with the 25 additional manuals ... |
SMART officials file second challenge to train opposition ballot ... Santa Rosa Press Democrat, CA - BY JENNA V. LOCEFF SONOMA, Aug. 29, 2008 -- Deborah Fudge, vice chair of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit and mayor of Windsor, today asked a Sonoma ... |
Language Services Industry Research Report from Common Sense ... PR-CANADA.net (press release), Montenegro - For Global 2000 companies, it’s no longer enough to just convert information into another language – large-scale buyers of translation services are becoming ... |
Resources
-
Learn a new foreign Language easily - Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian
Language Passion - Easily learn a new foreign Language online today. Learn Spanish, Japanese, German, Chinese, French, Russian or any other foreign Language you choose. Learn any Language today and speak with a foreign tongue in a matter of months.
-
CMATHER.COM Premium Classified Network
CMATHER.COM Classified Advertising - Premium Advertising
-
One Hour HTML - Learn the Language of the Web...fast!
Learn HTML fast with One Hour HTML
-
Sign Language for Babies and Beyond
Learn How to Communicate With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Speak Using American Sign Language! Includes Video of 250 Signs!
-
How to Hypnotically Influence Other People
a course by Wang Jian to teach you how to write hypnotic Language to make others obey your command.
-
Travellingwords.com - Your mp3 Language crash course for your vacation
Travellingwords.com - Your mp3 Language crash course for your vacation. Going abroad tomorrow? Download your Language course today. international, travel, travel, Language, holiday, travlang, foreign destination, communication, vacation, course, mp3, shor
-
Dating Advice for Men - How to Approach Women, Attract Women, and Meet Girls
How to Approach Women, Talk to Women and Attract Women. Dating Advice for Men and How to Meet Girls. Learn How to Read Body Language, Dating Tips, How to Get a Girlfriend.
-
Business English Language Multimedia Grammar Practice
ESL quizzes and EFL exercises covering grammar, vocabulary, multi-word verbs
-
ThaiVoc - Learn Thai Now!
Learn the Thai Language with IPA and AUA phonetic Windows software.
-
English Romanian Dictionary Online - Dictionar Englez Roman
Learn Romanian Language: Romanian English Dictionary online and download, conversation guide. Information about Romania: travel, culture, and more.

