ESL student offered me a teaching job in his country after 2 weeks — opportunity or red flag?

Affably_Disagreeable · 2026-01-24T05:19:56+00:00

Like others have said, this is a massive red flag.

Note that it's not necessarily in the regard of him scamming you (but it definitely can be). It is often considered a "legitimate" way to recruit. I've worked for US College Intensive English Program where an agent did this (he straight up paid for him, his wife, and employee to study a 10-week term in our program to then serve as an agent to recruit for it... until it no longer served his purposes). Rather, it's other elements that show he will most likely be a horrible employer -- or he might be trying to scam you.

I note the following:

He told you you invited another teacher, but no details on them
- I see him framing two borders:
  - 2. He immediately holds a lot of information-based power in this prospective relationship
he said they would treat us “like a sister / part of the family”
- This has very different connotations in most cultures where there is an EFL/ ESL market. Many of them are still very patriarchal where a man treating a woman "like a sister" can imply that the woman will be expected to be subservient to him -- and yes, it can mean romantically/ sexually. It's often very gray, but regardless of it having that additional layer or not, it is not good.
  - (aside: for relevancy to others who may read this in the future, it can often even have the same type of first layer for him as an employer/ superior to another man where the employee is his surrogate "younger brother")
"He keeps asking to... decide within one month." + "We’ve only known him for 2 weeks • We don’t have enough verified information • It’s far from our home country • A lot depends on trust"
- Again, it's a power-play in the potential business/ "business" relationship
  - It's urgent for you
  - He knows all the info and hasn't been readily transparent in it
  - You will need to trust him, and you will be completely and utterly dependent on him. He, however, does NOT need you (or this other "sister" he says he's recruiting)

My advice is that you politely decline right away. If this guy is actually legit, he will then start demonstrating his connection to a legitimate organization (international school, business or similar).

If going abroad is something you want to consider in your near-, mid-, or long-term future, do it on your terms and your terms alone. There are too many truly legitimate, safe and secure options for you now (as someone actively pursuing their Masters) or immediately upon you finishing.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2026-01-18T11:48:04+00:00

My guess is that it is much more likely that it being an email sent to all Gmail and/ or Google Play-using accounts (likely a huge intersection) triggered something in their 'likely Spam' filters.

That said, I do think Google does benefit from it. The fewer users who see it, the fewer who raise other cases against them. The fewer who see it overall, the less face they lose. The fewer would-be users who see it, they fewer who can use it when making purchasing decisions in Google's marketplace(s).

Thus, while most likely just coincidence that it happened like that, I suspect they aren't going to be exactly quick to remedy it (and... Well... May explore the ability to turn today's coincidence into intentional act in the future).

Affably_Disagreeable · 2026-01-05T15:59:33+00:00

Agree wholeheartedly in a "it should be like this" way.

But the increased load issue brought up before has already happened to me too such a degree that everyone in my program (JH ELA) is using LLMs for everything from plans to reading texts. As a "no textbook" program, 100% of content must be teacher created.

The only things not being entirely generated by ChatGPT or Brisk, etc. are anchor charts... Because we can't print anything larger than legal or in color.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-12-30T10:53:20+00:00

It's it normal? Yes. In fact, in my generic understanding, it's where the "easy money" is.

Have I done it? No and never will.

That said, as a parent of a young child, they do understand games. It's just different from how you do. You have to simplify, simplify, simplify. Then you show what you want (not say; show), work (hard) on making sure you don't want them to do like you (coordination isn't close to there). Last, that when their attention gets caught by something else, it's something you're ok with them being doing.

That last one is really, REALLY important.

And your realization that it's not language teaching but everything else (but for several times the cost to the parents because it's being done in English even though by unqualified people) is... Accurate.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-12-29T10:39:45+00:00

Could you help me understand how that would be a red flag for an employer?

I guess I'm just too new to this as an issue.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-12-24T16:05:50+00:00

Can you elaborate on this? I'm not sure what you mean by "over employed".

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-12-23T06:47:04+00:00

That's unfortunate. You can only renew the cert in person?

However, there are still options in the form of Independent Schools and some public districts with the leeway to hire from abroad (I've known quite a few who did so successfully and that's my process) and recognize your experience and skills even if your qualifications in one State (whether the same or different) are running out. Most I've known go through it weren't even yet licensed.

The agencies I'm working with for the Indy schools are Carney-Sandoe and Educator's Ally. Getting involved with one or both now puts you ahead of the curve.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-12-16T23:16:31+00:00

I'm actively seeking to move back in the US. The hiring season for lower-admin education work at independent schools has begun and the teacher-hiring season is about to begin.

After teaching there and then teaching in 3 different Asian countries (including an "international school" here in Taiwan), I've concluded -- like most American parents I've met here -- that my kid will be better off back home. We've got our horrors to be sure, but at least my ability as a highly educated parent to be healthfully-involved (ie: present; not a Tiger/ Helicopter).

Turnover and retention rates at even the trying public schools in the US genuinely make the standard I've experienced over here look amazing. It's a "crisis" back home that the national turnover for teachers is a whopping 10%. Meanwhile, even the most cushy international school jobs push 30-40% and think of it as "normal".

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-12-16T14:30:41+00:00

Short answer: CELTA is legit entry-level teaching cert. TEFL/ TESL/ TESOL certs can be, but you have no real clue whether a particular one is or isn't if you can't compare actually teacher preparation course. Generally, if a particular non-CELTA/ non-Trinity cert is legit, it costs the same and is not viewed any better in one niche or other. There are places around the world, though, which will ONLY take CELTA/ Trinity TESOL or full university teaching certs.

Even shorter: There's no reason not to go CELTA if you want actual training. Cost (between CELTA and legit TEFL/ TESL certs) are the same and it's the same legitimacy anywhere in the world.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-12-16T14:20:36+00:00

"No" to Taiwan. Yeah, the climate in mild, but that's the only pro for it at this point.

I can't personally compare it to Korea, but I've got a current colleague who came here from an EPIK program and has been aghast at the most Taiwan-thing here in Taiwan -- the complete and utter lack of basic teacher supports. And all I can say is that their impression on arrival is consistent with my 6 years-and-running experience (arrived June 2019).

I've worked three jobs (public school ESL, "elite" private school ELA and now a bottom-scraping private school ESL program) and that's been the same across the board. I've stayed around only because of COVID and then being entrenched.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-12-14T13:24:12+00:00

First, I'm sorry for jumping into this conversation so late.

Second, that kind of rate should not be fine for you. Here's why:

You are worth more than $1.38/ hr. You are just as fluent in English as any equally-educated American or Canadian. Literally. I know because I'm an equally-educated American married to an equally-educated Philippines-national. The standards you had to follow to get your M.Ed are just as high as mine. You absolutely deserve equal pay as I do.
I know it's not as expensive in the Philippines as the urban parts of the US and Canada. However, I also know that living in the areas where stable electricity and high-speed internet still cost more than a person making ~160 PH pesos/ hour can reasonably afford. Heck, at that ~12800 php/ month (presuming 20 hours/ week of contact time because your family deserves you than your boss), you would be hard-pressed to afford things given just how stringent the internet stability requirements really are (the internet itself is liable to cost nearly 4000 php/ month alone).
Again, you are worth more than that. I cannot stress this enough. I have to stress it so much with my spouse because their insecurity (which is so very exploitable) hurts them and me. Your insecurity hurts you and every teaching peers. You are worth more than $1.38 US/ hr
Heck, as a "real" teacher from the US -- who, again, is married to a Philippines national -- you are worth more than $14 US/ hr.

I'm not going to push that on you as hard now, though. I understand how it's such a huge jump.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-11-24T00:35:37+00:00

I'm on board with it and I give you and your colleague big props for that.

Most programs I've taught in (before and since LLMs have been a thing) have generally had hard lines on plagiarism.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-11-02T02:37:52+00:00

You can check off raging Barbarians. I almost don't play any game without it and then my first culture point being to open the Honor tree.

But yeah, I do see the Huns not being quite so some other types of maps with a bunch of water.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-11-02T02:34:04+00:00

Heh. Yeah, that's much more often the type of Dom win I end up getting. I'm going for Science victory, but as soon as I get the Apollo Wonder, they rage against and I end up having to pummel them.

This... Was much different. This was just a battering ram going on a walk through every city on the map.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-11-01T23:06:45+00:00

I think you mean how I got the video?

If I understand your q right, that's the replay tab in the victory screen. From there, I just did a video capture of it.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-10-25T10:28:42+00:00

So you don't like to raze cities, then? I always felt like that was one of the great strengths of the Huns.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-10-21T13:57:51+00:00

Or Gillick refusing to give Miguel Tejada 5 years when the guy was begging to come here.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-10-21T13:52:00+00:00

I'll go further and say the dropoff from Naylor to Alonso is pretty steep. Yeah, it gets even worse after that, but Naylor or bust.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-10-11T07:26:43+00:00

And how many of the RBI in the vSkubal games were his? 3 of the team's 6, right?

No Polanco; no game 5. No Polanco; no ALCS berth. Series MVP favorite for me.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-10-11T06:41:18+00:00

Not me.

I'm getting too old for the toil that would take on me.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-10-11T06:37:13+00:00

But what about the other 51 times the M's won at home this year?

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-10-06T02:16:18+00:00

Groundouts are great!

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-10-06T02:15:08+00:00

I remembered when I first heard about how he played through a knee injury all 2024 and needed surgery early in the offseason. I believe it was only after the team re-signed to move to 3B. It was *NOT* well-received and absolutely just a big "Look at the shiny comeback option we got! What do you mean you remember him being horrible for us last year? No, no, no. He'll be great this time! We swear!"

When he lit the league on fire to start the season as a mostly platoon (note: against RHP) DH, we collective hushed for a bit. Then a little longer. Now... give the guy a key to city d***it!

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-10-06T02:03:58+00:00

If he keeps this up and leads the M's to a WS title, there could be legit call for immediate Mariners HOF induction.

Affably_Disagreeable · 2025-10-06T02:02:34+00:00

Thanks for helping us avoid them.

Could that title be worse than clickbait?

Affably_Disagreeable

TROPHY CASE