Job Discussion Forums

[M1K1]

Hi everyone,

I've finally reached a point that I can take some time out of life and do something that I've always wanted to do. I am interested in teaching English overseas! I wanted to ask some advice. I'm brand new to these forums, so I hope I'm posting in the right place.

First, a little about me:

1. Have a BS with majors in Finance and Economics and a minor in Computer Information Systems - no Teaching Certificate at all
2. Have background in both Securities and in Software Development
3. Am a 41 y/o male
4. I've traveled, while in the Army, to S. Korea and Thailand, and also lived in Panama when I was very young
5. I'm not sure where I want to go, but I do have some criteria - more about that in a bit


Hrmm, ok. I have some questions that I hope someone can help me with:

1. What is the best way to get a Teaching Certificate? Will anyone pay for it?
2. I'm more interested in teaching Business English, is that a separate certificate?
3. I'm considering this possibly for a long term endeavor, so I would be most interested in an assignment that will help me grow as a new teacher. Are any assignments better than others?
4. What are the best companies to approach? I've been over countless websites from numerous companies, but not sure how to rate them. Any suggestions?

That's all I can think of right now. I'm at work, so gonna' log off, but I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

Thank you in advance for any insight you may offer.

Mike

[creeper1]

Mike you are taking this way too seriously. Our jobs abroad are mainly to sing, dance and clown around.

Get your documents and get on a plane to Korea ( a good place to start since no experience is necessary), invest in a clown outfit or Mickey Mouse ears and, hey presto, you'll be a TEFL sensation.

[creeper1]

OK. I'll try to answer the questions using my (limited knowledge) of the TEFL world.

1. Most people go for online certificates. I know that some employers will pay for it. Here in China I know some workmates that were reimbursed by EF (a big TEFL employer) when they arrived. With GEPIK in Korea you must get a TEFL certificate but it pays for itself given that pay is higher in Korea anyway.

2. No. I haven't heard of any certificate that specializes in business English. I did a module in business English as part of my TEFL cert but it was quite weak and I don't think it really prepared me to teach that. Most TEFLers just do a CELTA and then get experience.

3. Perhaps. Some of the employers abroad want more entertainers than teachers. I guess a serious teacher would look at teaching adults. However even with kids just by getting experience you will become a better teacher.

4. For Korea, take a look at GEPIK and EPIK. For China take a look at Wall Street English and New Oriental.

[Glenski]

If you're serious, get a master's degree minimum, and a CELTA. Ask your military advisors about whether they will pay for anything. GI Bill?

Assignments don't help people to "grow" as much as what you put into them and how much training you get, IMO. Expect to start out anywhere on the bottom rung of the ladder. The School of Hard Knocks has plenty of openings. If you want to develop, get the proper training/degree, and learn what it takes depending on the country you pursue.

Forget "companies". Focus on what countries appeal to you the most right now, then head to their respective forums and ask. You have a lot of researching ahead of you before you take the plunge.

Waiting for your "criteria"...

[spiral78]

[thatsforsure]

Mike, if I were you, I would do something else other than teaching. You can make good money in teaching, but you sure will work for it, both in terms of getting the job and in terms of doing the job. There are more direct paths to overseas riches. I'd say use some of what you already know and find a related job. Or start an online company and run it from abroad. If you must teach, get a proper K-12 certification through one of the alternative licensure programs. The master's in TESOL is lucrative in the Middle East, Hong Kong and Korea. Maybe Japan if you can speak Japanese and publish. Anywhere else, it won't help much or won't result in much higher pay, so it's hardly worth the time/effort/money. K-12 cert is golden anywhere, though.

[coledavis]

Yes, the suggestion about online certificates was a crazy one. Generally, they're worthless.

Most people spend a year doing general English and then move into business English. In your case, you could move directly into business English. Personally, I would still do the CELTA first, so that you have a good basic grasp of how to teach English and have a recognised qualification (the Trinity certificate is another). Then, if you go to a country requiring a visa, try to get a job which involves relatively few hours, as that way, when you've gained some confidence and know your way around, you can then start to pick up jobs on the side with companies where you can earn serious money.

[creeper1]

[coledavis]

In my experience, people who have taken proper courses are still only partly prepared for doing a decent job of real teaching. Those who have taken online courses or weekend courses are generally pitiful performers.

I accept the possibility of most people you know going in for online certificates. But I think that the employers of your acquaintances are offering conveyor belt low level jobs, where even the skills that you develop are probably not generalisable to real teaching jobs. Sure, the perceived need for native speakers in some countries means that they will take any qualifications whatsoever. Ok, go to it.

[Kofola]

As is evident from the posts above, things vary a lot from country to country. So, this is from my central European perspective.

Firstly, if you want to teach adults then you definitely need a certificate (probably CELTA or Trinity etc.)

Secondly, if you want to go into Business English, then there are certificates on this as well, but you should do the TEFL cert first (and then do some teaching).

Thirdl�, Business English is much more difficult to teach than general English at the beginning. This is because it is much more needs oriented and a lot of the materials are difficult to use. IMO it is therefore better to get a solid grounding in teaching, lesson planning and especially materials writing before moving on to business. You may find schools that offer generic business English courses using a text book, but the vast bulk (in Slovakia at least) is teaching in company. Teachers often have to adapt existing materials or write their own. Plus the clients are generally much more demanding than the general public. Just to give you an example, I am currently teaching at a construction company and tomorrow's lesson is on climbing formwork - there are no TEFL books on climbing formwork

Fourthly, your background gives you potential in this area (in Central and Eastern Europe at least). I haven't done any IT teaching, but there must be demand in areas where this is a major industry. Finance is common - I've taught many a CFO.

But Glenski's advice is probably the best place to start - choose a region/country and start working out what you want to do from there.

Hope it helps!

[coledavis]

"I'm more interested in teaching Business English, is that a separate certificate?
I'm considering this possibly for a long term endeavor, so I would be most interested in an assignment that will help me grow as a new teacher. Are any assignments better than others? "

For these requirements, Kofola's advice is very valuable. (When I taught business English in Poland, I had to adapt my knowledge of general English teaching to trailer components and logistics.)

.

[coledavis]

"Teaching Certificate? Will anyone pay for it?"
Usually not. The only cases I've come across, in the UK, have been courses where the time and place have generally not been convenient for the job applicant. So if you are not earning, you are probably losing money by waiting for it. And as I say, funding for this is rare.

[M1K1]

thank you all for your responses. I greatly appreciate it.

I'm a good 4mos out from being able to do this. In the mean time, I'm still researching. Found out that I should do these things first:

1. get immunizations - this can take months apparently
2. need to renew my passport
3. Find some certificate classes somewhere in the South East (USA)
4. found someone who taught English in Japan for a year, hoping to talk with them soon (next week?)

From what I've read so far, it looks like I need to teach regular English before teaching "Business" English. Well, that makes sense.

Also, here are some more criteria:

1. Readily available and quality health care is a must. Would prefer this to be set up by an employer
2. would prefer the travel / flight costs to be paid for or reimbursed (even if partially). It's not just the money, but I'm nervous about spending money just to get somewhere and the job is not for real
3. would like some certification, or something that would show that after a year, I've made progress as an Instructor
4. would prefer the living arrangements made by employer
5. would prefer the tax situation to be easy to deal with. I don't know how taxes will work, both in country and back in the states.


hrmm, ok, that's all the criteria (read: wish list) I can think of now.

again, I'm still researching, and I really appreciate all your responses.

Mike

[spiral78]

[M1K1]

hrmm, it seems as though all things point to Asia for starting out. I'll keep an open mind though.

The only medical issues I have is that I get kidney stones frequently. They are very painfull, and usually a trip to the ER. I guess that makes another criteria:

1. need a place where I can drink the tap water