Job Discussion Forums

[ben_s]

Hi everyone,

My name is Ben. I am a second year degree student already residing in the UK, after I graduate I want to pursue a career in TEFL.

So I was thinking of taking a CELTA THIS summer, rather than in the summer of 2010, after I graduate. I hate the long summer breaks from university given to 'full time' students at British universities. In the past I have spent them working in some really horrible jobs, and in this recession I'll be lucky if I can get even that.

I would take the CELTA at the beginning of the summer and hope to get a job at a summer school for the rest of the summer. I just wanted to check with you guys whether I'd be okay doing this before I jumped into it head first. Will it be possible to get a job in a summer school for July-August if I start applying when I get my CELTA in June? I notice that many summer schools are recruiting now, will there still be vacancies then? Also will nearly a year of non teaching after I get my CELTA (whilst I'm finishing my degree) hinder my employability when I eventually graduate?

Thanks

Ben

[SueH]

There are no guarantees in this game, but I got my first summer job with only a 20 hour 'taster' course to my name and at 5 days notice. Some companies will have last minute needs, and it looks like, with the declining pound, that the market is strong this year. (Why they might need to recruit so late is a question you might like to ask yourself).

Leaving aside the fact that doing horrible summer jobs has a long and honourable tradition (kids today blah blah!) you are probably right about job availability. On the absence of teaching until you graduate... well, I'm sure even if you couldn't get a few hours paid work (your own uni might help) you'd be able to find some volunteer stuff. Good practice and looks good on the CV.