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I studied sociology but knew I wanted to live/work abroad so got my CELTA (teaching English certificate) right after university and worked for the better part of the last 3 years teaching. There are a lot of things I like about teaching, but there are a lot of things that are hard or stressful for me. I'm not an especially outgoing person - it's hard for me to walk into a room and be the focus of attention (I got used to it but sometimes it's still hard). I still take things too personally...if people are bored, not as interested as I'd hoped, want more specific explanations that just don't exist. And when I teach I do spend some amount of time stressing over this.

Like I said, there are things I like about it - meeting and talking with people, being creative. I also really believe it is the best way for me to be able to work in a huge number of countries.

I know there is some amount of adapting for any job, and I do feel that given my personality I have done quite a bit of this to be a successful teacher (and despite my concerns here, I have had positive feedback from students and directors and I know I am relatively good as an EFL teacher). But my question is, how much should I change my outlook or attitude? I don't believe that there is only one job meant for every person, but are there some jobs that you can just rule out? Or should I just expect a certain amount of this stress as a tradeoff for having a steady job in an interesting place where I like living? I didn't grow up thinking I wanted to be an English teacher, and I feel certain there are other things I'd like to do in my life as well...does this mean I shouldn't teach?

I'm not in a position to decide anything on this immediately, but I am curious to hear what others think - on my specific situation or in general on how much compromising you should do in a job.

thats a great question...and it will be interesting to read what the responses to it.

I don't have an answer, but I think that with most jobs, you have to weigh the good and the bad, and it sounds like there are a lot of aspects of your job that you enjoy.

I taught English before, and loved it. Of course, there were a few things I didn't like, but I too think its a great way to see the world, learn about other cultures, and travel. You have the freedom to pick where you want to work (not so if your with an organization like the peace corps), you can often negotiate your contract, and I liked the feeling of working for a school, its just a nice work environment.

I think you should stay with it as long as your getting something out of it, and feel happy with what your doing. You are young, and have the rest of your life to explore your options. People change careers in their 20's, 30's...etc. etc. (one of my friends just did her MA TESOL and there were students in their 60's getting thier degree's so they could teach abroad). Another thing to consider, is changing countries, or schools. I know in Japan (where I tefl'ed) there is a big difference between working for a public school (large classes, less freedom in lesson planning) and a private school (small or private lessons, freedom to teach almost whatever you want).

So..I think with any profession....you should stick with it until it leads you to something else, you get fed up with the job, or realize you want to learn something else or pursue another degree/grad school.

By the way...where are you teaching english?

Thanks for your reply. I'm really curious to hear what other people think too.

I'm not teaching right now, but I spent about 2 years in Sarajevo, Bosnia and a term in Budapest. I also did some very short informal teaching in Slovenia.

I agree about weighing the pros and cons...and you are right, these did vary from place to place and from school to school. But also, there are many other things I am excited about pursuing or being involved in. I guess it is a matter of deciding how important being abroad is to me, because I have tried a couple of other angles working abroad and I still feel teaching is by far the best - as in most practical, feasible - way.

Anyone else?