Job Discussion Forums

[paul_roberts1]

Hi.

My name is Paul Roberts and I'm looking to find some teaching work in the UK or Europe. I'm a British citizen and I have 10 years teaching experience in South Korea, two of those years running my own private language institute. However, i am not TEFL TESOL or CELTA certified. I will be looking to find a job starting next March. I know it is too early to apply now, but I'm wondering if it is necessary for me to get a certification given my experience. If so, would an online TEFL be enough as I don't have much time on my hands at the moment, to do anything else.

I hope someone can help.

Many thanks.

Paul.

[spiral78]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=95456&start=0

There are three important issues here, I think.

First, the vast majority of teachers on the European job market do have a CELTA or equivalent. To reputable employers in the region, it's at least some minimal guarantee that they can meet a basic standard of quality with the school's valuable clients. An online cert won't mean much at all, because they don't include the key element of supervised teaching practice with real students. Don't waste time/money on an online cert for Europe.

Having taught untrained for 10 years can mean anything- 'you' might be great, or might well be at the other end of the spectrum -who knows?

Second, your experience in Asia by no means indicates that you will be successful with European students, where expectations, motivations, language levels and demands are extremely different. It's seriously apples and oranges. See link above for a wider discussion of this.

Third, March is an abysmal time to look for work. Most contracts are September-June, with little work around in July/August.

Frankly, to maximize your chances of landing a reasonable job, I'd advise planning your job search starting in September. Keep in mind that it's highly unlikely to find anything from abroad anyway - you need to be here to interview (just like your competition will be!). And get a CELTA or equivalent in Europe (August course is obviously ideal). Then you will have at least minimal experience with European students and a stamp of approval on your approaches and methods - enough, at least, to get a foot in the door of this FAR more competitive and demanding job market.

I am, by the way, speaking of continental Europe. The UK is an even more difficult job market, I believe, outside of summer camps - where your Asian experience might be more valued.

[paul_roberts1]

Hi.

Thanks so much for taking the time to give me your advice. It is much appreciated! What you are saying makes a lot of sense and I was aware that there may be no point in diving in to an online TEFL as it may be pointless. I hadn't actually considered what you'd said about the application time. I'm so used to working in private language institutes in Asia (where intake times vary). Although I can't be sure of when I will be making a move back to Europe, I will at least make sure that I'm looking for work around the same times that you recommend.

Thanks again for your help!

Paul

[scot47]

Stay in Korea if you can !