| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Did you use to teach before becoming a translator? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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| | Chun Un 
Macau
Member (2007)
English to Chinese
+ ...
in fact, I used to teach translation at a local college.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 19:21
Spanish to English
+ ...
TEFL, before drifting into translation as a more satisfying alternative (visible results of my efforts).
Nowadays I will still consider "teaching" occasionally, although I now call it "consulting", "training" or "coaching" as long as I can get away with it and charge a ridiculous fee.
| | | | Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 11:21
Dutch to English
+ ...
No but I taught a few students privately AFTER I became a translator.
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Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 11:21
English to Spanish
+ ...
In memoriam
But it did not take me long to find out that translation pays much better than teaching.
Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.
That's just something I've heard.
| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 19:21
English to French
+ ...
21 years full time + 3 years part time.
At first, I translated "occasionally", later on "part time", and when modern communication technology made it possible, I started translating "full time"
| | | | Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 19:21
English to French
+ ...
Henry Hinds wrote:
But it did not take me long to find out that translation pays much better than teaching.
Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.
That's just something I've heard.
on the country you live in and the taxes you pay!
| | | | Alison Sabedoria (X)
United Kingdom
French to English
+ ...
| Yes, but not primarily languages | Jun 13, 2010 |
I have taught all manner of things over the years: breathing and relaxation, singing (including for those who think they can't), medieval and world music, Renaissance dance for the disabled, cookery...
To teach I needed to understand, so was obliged to REALLY learn for myself, and my pupils were always the best teachers. Most projects involved languages, and I learned to share skills with a wide range of people, from nursery to university level. I only did nursery level once - aarr... See more I have taught all manner of things over the years: breathing and relaxation, singing (including for those who think they can't), medieval and world music, Renaissance dance for the disabled, cookery...
To teach I needed to understand, so was obliged to REALLY learn for myself, and my pupils were always the best teachers. Most projects involved languages, and I learned to share skills with a wide range of people, from nursery to university level. I only did nursery level once - aarrgggghhh!- never again, though I was allowed to ask danger money for that one! 
Not a bad foundation for managing projects and clients.
From time to time I get asked to do some language teaching in both English and French, but I usally suggest someone else, as (oddly!) it's the field of teaching I enjoy least. ▲ Collapse
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Amy Duncan (X)
Brazil
Local time: 14:21
Portuguese to English
+ ...
| When I was undecided | Jun 13, 2010 |
I had a few private students when I was undecided as to whether I should devote more time to translating or teaching. I soon discovered that I didn't like to have students parading in and out of my apartment, being the loner that I am! So translation won out...
| | | | | I still teach | Jun 13, 2010 |
I teach English about eight hours per week. It's a nice change of pace from translating, and it gets me out of the office!
Also, since I live in Italy, it's a good opportunity to speak English every once in a while.
| | | | Mark Thompson
Brazil
Local time: 14:21
Member
Portuguese to English
| I learn from teaching | Jun 13, 2010 |
I taught advanced English at Cultura Inglesa for the first five years in Brazil, and through that, established my first clients for translation.
Although I don't have much time any more, I still like to teach occasionally - I enjoy the dynamics of it, and it provides a good alternative activity to keep the brain ticking over and interact with people.
Luckily, I get to teach at 3-day corporate immersions once a month for some of the companies I also translate for - so I ... See more I taught advanced English at Cultura Inglesa for the first five years in Brazil, and through that, established my first clients for translation.
Although I don't have much time any more, I still like to teach occasionally - I enjoy the dynamics of it, and it provides a good alternative activity to keep the brain ticking over and interact with people.
Luckily, I get to teach at 3-day corporate immersions once a month for some of the companies I also translate for - so I use the opportunity to brush up on any new terminology etc and generally, for me anyway, teaching is a great opportunity to learn - more about the companies and about anything in general - people are a brilliant source of information! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Melanie Meyer
United States
Local time: 13:21
Member (2010)
English to German
+ ...
[quote]neilmac wrote:
TEFL, before drifting into translation as a more satisfying alternative (visible results of my efforts).
Similar to neilmac, I have realized that I find translating a lot more satisfying than teaching.
After a family break and our move to the US, I received a lot of inquiries from private individuals who were interested in German tutoring. Even though teaching was not exactly my background, it turned out to be a nice opportunity to rejoin the workforce (even if it was just for a few hours a week) and stay within the language field at the same time.
This week, I have taught my last lesson for the time being, so that I can dedicate myself completely to translating.
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Because as I posted before in another forum, I am a teacher who has been translating for quite a long time. I am also studying to be a translator, my academic background and experience will surely help me. I like both things although my original teaching background is stronger I guess.
Regards,
liliana
[Edited at 2010-06-13 22:41 GMT]
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"A teacher affects eternity, he can never tell where his influence stop." -Henry Adams
I taught Spanish and other subjects for 33 years. Although teachers may be underpaid and lacking in social prestige, teaching is an extremely rewarding experience. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be a teacher, a role model, a nurse, even a sister and a mother. Actually, many of my former students have become doctors, lawyers, school administrators, teachers, etc. There are not ... See more "A teacher affects eternity, he can never tell where his influence stop." -Henry Adams
I taught Spanish and other subjects for 33 years. Although teachers may be underpaid and lacking in social prestige, teaching is an extremely rewarding experience. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be a teacher, a role model, a nurse, even a sister and a mother. Actually, many of my former students have become doctors, lawyers, school administrators, teachers, etc. There are not words to express how blessed I feel when they invite me to their special events like their graduations and weddings . Although I enjoy my job as a translator, it does not compare to the fulfillment I received from being an educator. ▲ Collapse
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In my opinion, teaching and translating are two different professions as they require different skills, preferences and psychological type of a person. I would even go further to state that oral interpreting and written translation are different professions, like, for example, a taxi driver and a long-distance truck driver.
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