4 answers
Hash
Student
Isa Town, Central Governorate, Bahrain
1
Question
Asked
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What are some career transition options from ESL high school teaching that involve hardly any screen work?
I suffer from disabling eye sensitivity to screens or outdoor work. What can I do? I can only do little work on screens.
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4 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Hash !
Your first step is to make an appointment with an Ophthalmologist to obtain a complete and thorough eye exam. By doing this, the eye doctor (not an Optician) can find out if there's something else happening with your eyes since you've described it as "disabling". There are ways to correct Digital Eye Strain or Computer Vision Syndrome, but you definitely need to know as soon as possible if there is an underlying condition.
You may not have to stop teaching English As A Second Language. You'd have to transition from teaching online to doing all of your teaching in person, on site at community colleges or community centers that offer this subject. This would mean that you'd do all your lesson plans hand written, find lessons in books and visit the Library for additional resources. There are also things you can do to your computer or devices like adjust the screen contrast, blink more, and every 20 minutes stare at something for 20 seconds 20 feet away. Try these suggestions before planning to change careers.
You can consider some different jobs that do not require high levels of computer use, such a Chef, Truck Driver, elevator and escalator installers and repairers, wind turbine technicians, and industrial machinery repair technicians, boilermakers, signal and track switch repairers, and electrical power line installers, farm and ranch managers, ship engineers, and ship captains, carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, and electrical work, welding, home care aides, caregivers, and babysitters involve direct personal care and supervision, with work conducted primarily through face to face interaction. These would have no to very little screen usage. You'd have to want to do one of these, though, and may have to go for new training in order to obtain work for those positions.
I think that you may be happy to stay with your current career and find a way to make the adaptions for using manual ways to teach instead of heavily relying on the internet or programs online. It has been done that way since the beginning of time, so it can be done. Having issues with using screens does not mean that you have to give up a career you have established and enjoy. So go for a complete eye exam and see what may be occurring and if nothing, thankfully, adapt to a no or little screen use and have the contrast adjusted on your screens and take eye breaks every twenty minutes. I hope you will be fine and I wish you all the best !
Your first step is to make an appointment with an Ophthalmologist to obtain a complete and thorough eye exam. By doing this, the eye doctor (not an Optician) can find out if there's something else happening with your eyes since you've described it as "disabling". There are ways to correct Digital Eye Strain or Computer Vision Syndrome, but you definitely need to know as soon as possible if there is an underlying condition.
You may not have to stop teaching English As A Second Language. You'd have to transition from teaching online to doing all of your teaching in person, on site at community colleges or community centers that offer this subject. This would mean that you'd do all your lesson plans hand written, find lessons in books and visit the Library for additional resources. There are also things you can do to your computer or devices like adjust the screen contrast, blink more, and every 20 minutes stare at something for 20 seconds 20 feet away. Try these suggestions before planning to change careers.
You can consider some different jobs that do not require high levels of computer use, such a Chef, Truck Driver, elevator and escalator installers and repairers, wind turbine technicians, and industrial machinery repair technicians, boilermakers, signal and track switch repairers, and electrical power line installers, farm and ranch managers, ship engineers, and ship captains, carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, and electrical work, welding, home care aides, caregivers, and babysitters involve direct personal care and supervision, with work conducted primarily through face to face interaction. These would have no to very little screen usage. You'd have to want to do one of these, though, and may have to go for new training in order to obtain work for those positions.
I think that you may be happy to stay with your current career and find a way to make the adaptions for using manual ways to teach instead of heavily relying on the internet or programs online. It has been done that way since the beginning of time, so it can be done. Having issues with using screens does not mean that you have to give up a career you have established and enjoy. So go for a complete eye exam and see what may be occurring and if nothing, thankfully, adapt to a no or little screen use and have the contrast adjusted on your screens and take eye breaks every twenty minutes. I hope you will be fine and I wish you all the best !
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Hash,
I am sorry that you are having to deal with this. Is your vision otherwise good, i.e. is only the work on screen or in bright lights a problem? Do you have an official diagnosis from an eye doctor? They should be able to advise you on accommodations, e.g. dark tinted glasses, anti-glare coatings or screens that would allow you to work on screens. Please make sure that you have a correct diagnosis and have exhausted all medical options before you give up a job you love.
Assuming that your eyesight is fine otherwise and accommodations are not possible, look at all the tools that legally blind people use to work on computers. You can work using pen and paper and printed materials for the most part and use screen readers and dictation to use computers where needed. It's going to be an adjustment in the way you work, but it can be done.
You can also move to teaching and tutoring in person or even focus on giving only conversational classes. If it doesn't work in your high-school setting for any reason look at working as a private teacher/tutor and as a corporate language trainer.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
I am sorry that you are having to deal with this. Is your vision otherwise good, i.e. is only the work on screen or in bright lights a problem? Do you have an official diagnosis from an eye doctor? They should be able to advise you on accommodations, e.g. dark tinted glasses, anti-glare coatings or screens that would allow you to work on screens. Please make sure that you have a correct diagnosis and have exhausted all medical options before you give up a job you love.
Assuming that your eyesight is fine otherwise and accommodations are not possible, look at all the tools that legally blind people use to work on computers. You can work using pen and paper and printed materials for the most part and use screen readers and dictation to use computers where needed. It's going to be an adjustment in the way you work, but it can be done.
You can also move to teaching and tutoring in person or even focus on giving only conversational classes. If it doesn't work in your high-school setting for any reason look at working as a private teacher/tutor and as a corporate language trainer.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Dr. Jack Saxonhouse
Dental Practice Transition Consultant
5
Answers
Rockville, Maryland
Updated
Dr. Jack’s Answer
First, talk to your doctor. Then, find a career counselor who can help you find jobs that suit your abilities.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1186
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Hash,
I want to start by saying that this is a serious and frustrating situation. Living with eye sensitivity might feel restrictive, particularly in light of the fact that many professions require continuous screen time. The good news is that you have a solid foundation in communication, flexibility, and human-centered work from your time as an ESL high school teacher, skills that translate well into low-screen, face-to-face employment.
In-person teaching or language support positions that emphasize in-person communication over technology are one transition path to think about. Private ESL tutoring, literacy coaching, community center adult education classes, refugee or immigrant support programs, and conversational English instruction in small groups are a few examples of this. Instead of extended screen time, these settings often use printed materials, conversation, and real-time contact.
Moving into primarily verbal and interactive positions like coaching, training, or facilitating is an additional choice. For instance, in-person corporate ESL instruction, workshops on communication skills, coaching for pronunciation, or even coaching for accent elimination can all be flexible and low-screen. Similar to this, positions at schools or charitable organizations, such as academic adviser, student support officer, or education liaison, may require less computer time and more one-on-one counseling.
Instead of focusing on digital output, you may look into positions in evaluation, curriculum delivery, or program coordinating that prioritize observation, mentoring, and interpersonal work. Some educators with similar limitations go into on-site positions as classroom observers, instructional coaches, or education consultants. Screen dependency can also be decreased by collaborating with educational NGOs, language exam proctoring, or paper-based testing centers.
It's important to promote acceptable adjustments whenever possible from a sustainability perspective. Many companies can modify workloads to restrict screen time, offer screen-free assignments, or permit flexible scheduling. During discussions with employers, it can be helpful to frame this as an optimization of productivity and health rather than a limitation.
Your next strategic move might be to make a list of jobs that prioritize people, involve a lot of talk, and are environment-based, then filter out those that call for continuous computer use. You're making a wise shift rather than beginning again. You can create a professional path that safeguards your health while utilizing your teaching knowledge and influence if you are positioned appropriately.
Best wishes!
I want to start by saying that this is a serious and frustrating situation. Living with eye sensitivity might feel restrictive, particularly in light of the fact that many professions require continuous screen time. The good news is that you have a solid foundation in communication, flexibility, and human-centered work from your time as an ESL high school teacher, skills that translate well into low-screen, face-to-face employment.
In-person teaching or language support positions that emphasize in-person communication over technology are one transition path to think about. Private ESL tutoring, literacy coaching, community center adult education classes, refugee or immigrant support programs, and conversational English instruction in small groups are a few examples of this. Instead of extended screen time, these settings often use printed materials, conversation, and real-time contact.
Moving into primarily verbal and interactive positions like coaching, training, or facilitating is an additional choice. For instance, in-person corporate ESL instruction, workshops on communication skills, coaching for pronunciation, or even coaching for accent elimination can all be flexible and low-screen. Similar to this, positions at schools or charitable organizations, such as academic adviser, student support officer, or education liaison, may require less computer time and more one-on-one counseling.
Instead of focusing on digital output, you may look into positions in evaluation, curriculum delivery, or program coordinating that prioritize observation, mentoring, and interpersonal work. Some educators with similar limitations go into on-site positions as classroom observers, instructional coaches, or education consultants. Screen dependency can also be decreased by collaborating with educational NGOs, language exam proctoring, or paper-based testing centers.
It's important to promote acceptable adjustments whenever possible from a sustainability perspective. Many companies can modify workloads to restrict screen time, offer screen-free assignments, or permit flexible scheduling. During discussions with employers, it can be helpful to frame this as an optimization of productivity and health rather than a limitation.
Your next strategic move might be to make a list of jobs that prioritize people, involve a lot of talk, and are environment-based, then filter out those that call for continuous computer use. You're making a wise shift rather than beginning again. You can create a professional path that safeguards your health while utilizing your teaching knowledge and influence if you are positioned appropriately.
Best wishes!