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White ice
Joined: 28 Aug 2012 Posts: 37
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 12:55 pm Post subject: What kind of schools TEFL teachers work in. |
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I have been looking into TEFL for a while now and am doing my CELTA in two weeks time. I already have a BA.
What I am slightly confused about is whether its possible to get a job in a normal school teaching English rather than teaching at a language school?
Am i correct in thinking that the vast majority of TEFL teachers teach in language schools rather than helping in English classes of regular schools? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: What kind of schools TEFL teachers work in. |
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White ice wrote: |
I have been looking into TEFL for a while now and am doing my CELTA in two weeks time. I already have a BA.
What I am slightly confused about is whether its possible to get a job in a normal school teaching English rather than teaching at a language school? Am i correct in thinking that the vast majority of TEFL teachers teach in language schools rather than helping in English classes of regular schools? |
What do you mean by "normal or regular" schools? If you're referring to schools that teach children (i.e., k-12 grades), most require teachers have a teaching license from their home country. But since you're getting a CELTA, we can assume you intend to teach adults. |
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White ice
Joined: 28 Aug 2012 Posts: 37
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: What kind of schools TEFL teachers work in. |
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nomad soul wrote: |
What do you mean by "normal or regular" schools? If you're referring to schools that teach children (i.e., k-12 grades), most require teachers have a teaching license from their home country. But since you're getting a CELTA, we can assume you intend to teach adults. |
Yeah i mean schools where other subjects are also taught along with English.
From what I have read CELTA is useful for whatever age you are teaching and many teach children with a CELTA.
I have not narrowed down what ages I want to teach. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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Part of the answer to your question lies in where you want to teach.
In Western and Central Europe (and North America), a CELTA mostly qualifies one to teach in language schools, but not in regular schools. Here, it is mostly local teachers who handle English language teaching in K-12.
International schools, as nomadsoul points out, require teachers who are certified and experienced in their home countries (I mean licensed teachers, not CELTA certified).
Some of us teach in regular universities where other subjects are taught, but such positions in this region usually require more qualifications than BA+CELTA.
I think it's different in Asia, and maybe in Latin America, but I don't know - I expect others will be along soon who can address this. |
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sparks
Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 632
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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Ah, let us not forget the ever-more-popular private, non-governement funded K-12 school. At least in Central European cities these are becoming ever more popular. It is not necessary for native speakers to have a teaching license in order to work in these institutions. The contracts can be for a few "Native Speaker Lessons" per week or even full-time, well-paid positions. It is usually necessary to have some experience with children and sometimes an actual education degree to get the better of these positions, however. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, I did forget - I agree there are more of these around than in the past. I don't think openings are rampant, though... |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 10:59 pm Post subject: |
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Do you mean a local English K-12 school or an international school? You'll probably need to have a teaching license to teach in those? The local English schools MIGHT hire a native speaker without a license. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010 Posts: 1951 Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 11:48 pm Post subject: Re: What kind of schools TEFL teachers work in. |
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White ice wrote: |
I have been looking into TEFL for a while now and am doing my CELTA in two weeks time. I already have a BA.
What I am slightly confused about is whether its possible to get a job in a normal school teaching English rather than teaching at a language school?
Am i correct in thinking that the vast majority of TEFL teachers teach in language schools rather than helping in English classes of regular schools? |
It really depends on where you are from (country of passport - not residence), where you earned your degree (anglophone country?) and where on the planet you want to teach.
In Asia it is not uncommon for new teachers without teaching licenses in their home country to get entry level jobs as Assistant Language Teachers in countries like Japan (JET program), S.Korea (EPIK/GEPIK), China and Thailand.
The majority of the other entry level jobs in EFL/ESL occur in language academies (after school, weekends, before/after the usual 9-5 workday).
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sparks
Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 632
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2012 2:39 am Post subject: |
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They're just private schools, usually offering some sort of extra classes in English, or entire programs in English. Apparently they are not super-difficult to open, in Poland at least. Once you get out of the state run system yo ucna pretty much do as you please and hire Native Speakers without proper certifications. |
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VietCanada
Joined: 30 Nov 2010 Posts: 590
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Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:01 pm Post subject: Re: What kind of schools TEFL teachers work in. |
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tttompatz wrote: |
White ice wrote: |
I have been looking into TEFL for a while now and am doing my CELTA in two weeks time. I already have a BA.
What I am slightly confused about is whether its possible to get a job in a normal school teaching English rather than teaching at a language school?
Am i correct in thinking that the vast majority of TEFL teachers teach in language schools rather than helping in English classes of regular schools? |
It really depends on where you are from (country of passport - not residence), where you earned your degree (anglophone country?) and where on the planet you want to teach.
In Asia it is not uncommon for new teachers without teaching licenses in their home country to get entry level jobs as Assistant Language Teachers in countries like Japan (JET program), S.Korea (EPIK/GEPIK), China and Thailand.
The majority of the other entry level jobs in EFL/ESL occur in language academies (after school, weekends, before/after the usual 9-5 workday).
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This and it may also depend on your major. You might find work teaching your major in some countries but it is more likely that they would want a masters. |
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coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:06 am Post subject: |
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Is there a particular reason why you want to teach in a mainstream school rather than a language school? If it is because you think you'll get paid better, then you may have to think again - although as my colleagues indicate, there is variation around the globe. My guess is that in places like France, where people get paid decently (if they have jobs at all), then you would have to be a 'real' teacher (qualified teacher status or whatever).
In many cases elsewhere, you may join a scheme where you can join the local teaching team but it will be ill-paid and you'll almost certainly get the local salary or worse. Whereas in the same town, you will get better pay as a native speaker at a language school. I know people criticise language schools for the poor pay, but that is generally in comparison with western salaries. On the whole, language school salaries for native speakers are better than local school salaries. |
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