My dear Mr. Rheno,

I was hoping that you would be the first to reply to my latest post on The Board. You see, I have likewise become a fan of yours and have always regarded you as a prolific writer in your own right. As for my absence from the scene, in view of your frustration after only a few years in the TEFL game, Im certain you can appreciate my deserving some kind of break from the entire mess ... especially after over 15 years of exposure!

No, it doesnt take an overly-astute mentality to see TEFL for what it really is: a cunning methodology which greedy school owners sell to their students in the format of key to the future, but for which the greater majority have neither penchant nor objective past the dream of increased material gain, international travel, or even foreign marriage. Like yourself, I once had high ideals about my role in teaching Englishespecially on a higher level where I truly believed the students to be sincere in their interest in playing a serious part in world communication through use of our universal tongue. But, it doesnt take a Rhodes Scholar to soon learn the real scoop on the truer intentions of the masses, e.g., the quickest and least expensive route to stardom. I reckon its safe to conclude that, as the generations march onward, theres less and less room for the truly dedicated or am I grossly mistaken?

Finally, that babysitting shtick you mentioned is soooooo truewhich is the basic reason why I no longer work at TEFL overseas not that its really that much different in this neck of the woods. Its just that Im much more familiar with defending myself on thisthe home turf. Dear friend, Rheno albeit there is every logical reason why we should have long ago abandoned this ESL malarky, were still a part of it because we truly love itand Im not referring to the moola, the wonderful employers, or even our scholarly students nay, nay! Its just gotta be our innate sense of responsibilityergo our sense of professional obligationthe one thing that keeps all professionals on their jobs, through thick and thinthrough good times and bad. And from the number of posts you have been steadily contributing to our causeas good, bad, or indifferent as it might beit isnt all that difficult to tell that, like myself and so many other somewhat disillusioned folks like us, you really care and are nonetheless willing to at least attempt to encourage corrective measures. I salute you, Mr. Rheno, as well as all others of us who are not afraid to speak up for improvement.

Viva ESL!

Ellis E. Seamone
(formerly The Arrogant One)

Over the years, each and every time I have felt remorse over a teaching gig, I have found it necessary to encourage a self-induced state of psychological asylum from the rest of humanity. This usually lasts until which time I have convinced myself to call it quits and trade in my state of depression for a more familiar role as brave trooper facing the usual disillusionment on the work front. Following so many disappointmentsboth monstrous and minuteone would assume that Ive finally learned how to avoid the woes of the teaching game. Alas, no such luck! Although each and every disappointment induces me to avow to never again play a part in such shenanigans there I go again, off to the races, assuming my more familiar stance in front of another class in an ESL school managed by another dishonest money-grubber who lacks any degree of concern for either his/her students or underpaid instructors. What, in fact, keeps drawing me back to ESL as does that delicious Smuckers jam? Surely, it cant be the wonderful wages or the tremendous innovative freedom within the curriculum to which I find myself privileged. Oh, yes, Ive also tried my hand in the private lesson realm. About a year ago, I decided to abandon work in the ESL schools in favor of what I thought would offer me just the right amount of entrepreneurship and increased income I sought. It didnt take me very long to discover that unless I had a fairly large student quorum, all those canceled lessons invoked by dentists appointments and bellyaches would seriously detract from any steady earning capacity. Granted I was free to teach as I saw fit and to establish my own rates for learning, but I soon saw that only a few students didnt amount to a hellova lot so far as regularly purchasing bagels, cream cheese, and coffee to complement the aforementioned Smucker's jam! So, its back to the ESL schools I go, where at least I can count on a steady bi-monthly checkhowever inadequatefor my efforts. But, all this hardly answers WHY I have consistently chosen to stick with ESL.

All of my life, I have been regarded as an independent thinker (independent stinker, according to Wife #1)a Leo who has always experienced difficulty merely following orders without playing a key role in the analysis and judgment of the plan at hand. The one profession which did, to a large extent, afford me that distinction and the greatest longevity was that of solo-timpanist with a host of major symphony orchestras, opera companies and ballet ensembles throughout Europe and the USA. In this instance I had a lot of freedom to interpret long-established music phraseology to warm the cockles of the audiences for which I performed. B-U-T, there was always the conductor with whom to reckon. Fortunately, I was able to get most of them to see things my way, albeit a few were actually on the brink of tossing my gluteus maximus from the premises ... lock, stock and kettledrum! I recall one occasion when rehearsing the Tchaikovsky b flat minor Piano Concerto with Artur Rubinstein and a second-rate conductor who insisted throughout that I was thumping much too loudly for his taste that is, until Rubinstein himself told him to stop picking on me! In fact, he said he was getting a kick out of my performance! I neednt mention that I never heard anything more from the Maestro" on the topic of dynamics. But, as an instructor, I have failed to experience any such freedom of interpretation only opportunities here and there to adjust to a students special needs. Therefore, there just may be an explanation for my longevity in ESL. Perhaps its because I have finally learned that NOTHING is perfect while I am, nonetheless, playing my part in the cause of international communication. In fulfilling this ambition, I cannot deny that its been a grand pleasure to interface with those of the world community and, through English, actually attempt to learn their cultural and intellectual differences even how to aid in their contentment while here in the USA.

In conclusion, I must remark what a privilege it has been to discuss (sometimes argue) the good, bad, and indifferent aspects of our ambitions as ESL instructors as fellow-humanoids. Many of you may recall me as The Arrogant One, while, for the past several months, Ive had relatively little about which to be arrogant. What I have learned during my absence from The Board is that we all have our ambitions (even I at age 68), while to air such in an open forum proves not only informative but, in so many ways, inspirational for those of us who seek continued encouragement to trudge onward in our chosen profession. Amen.

With love from,

Ellis E. Seamone
(formerly The Arrogant One)