Job Discussion Forums

Azale · Joined: 25 Jan 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Texas

There are so many things that need to be looked into, so many options that need to be considered. I've browsed around this forum, the Korea jobs one, and a few others but I still feel a sense of information overload. I'm a guy who's brain works with lists!

So basically, what are the most important things I need to consider? A checklist I guess. Work papers, who to work through, who to contact about working, what countries to look at, how much I can expect to save, what to avoid, who to avoid, etc.

Some information about myself:

-I am an undergraduate senior, I'll have my BA in history and political science by May.

-the only teaching experience I have is my current job, tutoring privately and in class lecture style at my university. I would imagine ESL to be so radically different that this experience is pretty much useless.

-my main interests are East Asian history, economics, and political systems. I've read that East Asia is pretty much the best location for ESL, so this is a nice coincidence.

-my main goals in ESL would be a mix of "seeing the world" and saving. I can live a fairly austere life style if it means saving a good deal. ESL (and Teach for America if I could get into that) would be platforms for getting me into graduate school and into a career I'm happy with. I don't see teaching as my career.

I appreciate you guys spending so much time to help newbies out like me.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Nice response from Glenski. His point about how much you need to save is highly relevant. For instance, for many new graduates, student loan payments can be a real factor.
I would definitely recommend a TEFL course if you can swing one financially. In fact, getting, say, a CELTA somewhere can lead directly to a job. Why not look into CELTA courses in a place you'd be interested in living? I know it costs some cash, but it will be beneficial to you in the future.
Best of luck.

Azale · Joined: 25 Jan 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Texas

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

In Japan on-site training is a joke, IMO. Eikaiwas either don't have any, or it's 1-2 days just explaining how they want things done, for the most part. Bigger eikaiwa might have you observe a few classes.

CELTA is almost not even known here. The point, though, is that because it's so flooded with teachers here, something like a CELTA might give you an edge over others, or at least over other newbies. I really wouldn't know, and this is just an educated guess. Of course, certification like that will also be valuable for people who have no background in EFL/ESL, and it will serve them well elsewhere if they choose to leave Japan for other teaching jobs.

Sounds like you're not going to be in EFL long anyway, so consider that.