Graduate Loan Advice Needed!!!

Dabooka

Hi dodo,

Firstly, sorry for any misunderstanding regarding the smokescreen. I'm merely trying to suggest that the TEFL in Japan should be seen as something that would be a great opportunity for you, but don't think you'd have much of a dispopsable income while teaching there, because you won't. So if you plan to pay for the TEFL on a loan and then work to pay that off and on the basis it'd help secure employment on return, I'd be suggesting otherwise. I just don't see the numbers adding up. The TEFL and experiences would be great for you (I wish I had my time again!), but I don't see it helping you in your career and studies here.

In relation to employment here, the first thing is a recognised teaching qual, which the TEFL won't be. I understand your reluctance to go FE, but to try and break into HE lecturing is very tough. The friends and colleagues I know got in to HE by either staying on after studies and taking an (often) lower paid job teaching in a uni for the kudos and experience (often on an increasingly common "hours limited" contract of say 250 for the year, when it's up, no more work). Alternatively, they're often transferred fomr teaching for the uni at a college, such as teaching on BA Education degrees from a college on behalf of the uni and then progressed up.

I hope that makes sense! Basically, go the TEFL route for the experience :beer: and fun, but I don't see it as a route into HE lecturing. And base your financial plan accordingly.

Sorry for waffling.

greenmantle

ideal way to get teaching experience for a prospective professor?

You obtain it alongside the academic research. I work in this sector, and I'm afraid, given current funding concerns (for the entire industry), that your research quality is the ticket to the job, not your initial teaching experience. (basically, get the PhD written as fast as possible).

The TEFL/Far East concentration *may* help you get work in supporting roles for the multiple overseas-fees-paying postgrads that all the universities will need from now on, to stay afloat. That kind of teaching job in itself may be fulfilling and interesting, but it won't be the same as a research-focused lectureship.

Can you talk to any of your former lecturers to get some input on the career angle?

As for funding, my suspicion is that, beyond MA, you need to aim for scholarship (partial?) support or part-time study.

greenmantle

just an extra comment:

HSBC, I know they are a worldwide bank and I can easily continue to use them in Japan

This is no help whatsoever. I've got accounts with HSBC in US and in the UK, and the systems are unconnected. The 'global local bank' slogan, as far as I can see, is relevant only to the bank's marketers, and the odd millionaire...

_dodo

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies, you've been really helpful and I honestly can't put into words how useful it is to have advice from people clued up in both the academic sector AND finance.

I've had a good think about this all weekend. As you say, it will be the quality of my work that sells me, so I will be making headway into my dissertation with a forward view toward PhD plans.

Now, Japan. The year long application process could actually benefit me, because there's plenty of time to drop out if I secure an academic position (which, my word will I be applying early for!) So I will apply as a fall back for not finding a teaching position. I still believe it would benefit me in all the ways I mentioned before . . . but perhaps there is time for that when I'm older, once I've got the job I really want.

Thanks again, you've helped me no end.

Jo

:T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T

Absinthe_Fairy

The only problem with Career Development Loans is that you have to work in the UK or EU for at least three years after graduating. So you wouldn't be able to go and work in Japan. Unless there is another way round this, perhaps by paying off the CDL with a normal bank loan at the end of the course like Martin suggests in the CDL article?

teflmama

If serious about the TEFL option, does it have to be Japan or would you consider South Korea. It pays well but with a much cheaper cost of living & some people do manage to save some money here. There are also cheaper TEFl options than £500 and may well be worth considering. Try going to the teflengland.co.uk for more information on both Japan and South Korea.

Good Luck

Sgt_Oddball

Hi,

have you heard of the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese scholarships?

They are 19 months long and combine language training and cultural exposure etc. They also come with a grant to cover you when you are out there. I believe you can combine this with research at a Japanese university and you don't need to have a PhD either. Seems a good way of achieving both your goals!

More info:

http://www.dajf.org.uk/page_e.asp?Section=Scholarships&ID=52

Absinthe_Fairy

I'll second teflmama's suggestion - I know someone who went to South Korea to teach English and managed to save around £500 a month, while still enjoying a good social life. The cost of living really is lower and lots of jobs provide a small apartment to live in rent-free as part of the package. You don't need to do a TEFL course either, you just start working straight away.

The school paid for her flights there and back too.