NationStates Jolt Archive

Alrighty, I recently made a big decision: after 16 plus year here in Japan, a variety of factors are going to have me returning to the US in a time frame of a year and a half to two years (a good exit strategy FTW!).

I've been teaching ESL for the vast majority of that time. I have found I enjoy teaching children (that goes up through teens) quite a bit.

I'd like to be near my family (aging parents and a growing nephew) in Iowa.

I don't have a teaching certificate, but I know I can get one either straight up or via an "alternate certification" program.

US and other teachers, wanna be teachers, and the rest of ya'll, advice?

Were you the one who made the "I need a new country" thread? So what made you choose the US over all our wonderful suggestions? (as I really have nothing I can contribute)

Frankly, without the standard certification that most teachers go through, but based on your 16-year teaching history - you'd probably find it easiest and most comfortable looking for an opening in teaching English to immigrants in the US.

Now, how much demand there is for that in Iowa I wouldn't have any idea, but it IS also a position that often has high turnover as many teachers want to get into the mainstream curriculum, but take it as a first position to get the proverbial foot in the door.

You might want to touch base with places like the University of Iowa who have an intensive ESL program to see if they have any positions or pointers for you:

http://www.uiowa.edu/~iiepesl/IIEP/learnteacher.html

Were you the one who made the "I need a new country" thread? So what made you choose the US over all our wonderful suggestions? (as I really have nothing I can contribute)

I did have something sort of along those lines a few years ago, but I don't think that's the one you're thinking of. Anywho, family is playing a fairly big part.


Frankly, without the standard certification that most teachers go through, but based on your 16-year teaching history - you'd probably find it easiest and most comfortable looking for an opening in teaching English to immigrants in the US.

That's what I was thinking...

Now, how much demand there is for that in Iowa I wouldn't have any idea, but it IS also a position that often has high turnover as many teachers want to get into the mainstream curriculum, but take it as a first position to get the proverbial foot in the door.

It doesn't have to be in Iowa. In fact, a "realtively" nearby major city would be fine, or better. Minneapollis and Chicago are targets.

And yes, I'd hope to get more in the mainstream cirriculum.

You might want to touch base with places like the University of Iowa who have an intensive ESL program to see if they have any positions or pointers for you:

I've just started looking for programs. That's a help. Thank you.

I expect I'll have to recover some of the Spanish I did in college...