Job Discussion Forums

[majestic58]

Hello!

I've posted a couple times before, but since then have solidified my plans somewhat and would love input/opinions on their validity:

Long-term goal: To have qualifications that will allow me to teach (and be competitive) in the most markets. I would really like to use this career (and I do plan to make it a career) to see and experience as much of the world as possible. I know you can't please everyone, but ideally I'd like to be able to work basically anywhere I choose (market dependent of course).

So here is the solid plan:
-Finish degrees (BA Linguistics and BEd Primary Education, I have 3 years left until I'm finished both and when done I will have teaching certification.)
-Teach in Northern Canada (I'm Canadian) for 2 years to build my resume

From there I could use some help. I plan on doing the CELTA before apply to schools, but would also like to do an MA TESOL or MEd at some point. I know it's up to me in the end, but I would love opinions on A: the usefulness of a Masters, B: whether I should just do it right away before I start my overseas career or wait a few years and come back to get it. I'm leaning toward getting it first simply because from what I understand, your experience essentially resets once you complete a new degree. Am I understanding that right?

Everyone has been so great in the past and I would appreciate any wisdom you can send my way! Thanks in advance!

[nomad soul]

What overseas teaching situation are you interested in? Teaching in an international school setting? Or in a university-level, general English or English language foundation year program?

[majestic58]

I'd like to do some of everything! I'm honestly not sure where I'd like to end up in the end as far as being at an international school to stick with ESL so I'd like to put myself in a position to try both.

I love kids and would like the option to teach adults as well. I want to keep my avenues open, and then after working for a while I can narrow down a specialty after some real world experience.

I should probably add that I'm 33 now, Canadian, female with a boyfriend following the same career track (we'll likely be married before we go overseas). So at the earliest, I'll be 38 or 39 when I head over.

[nomad soul]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Well, as a Canadian, you will most likely be going to Asia to teach (unless both you and your boyfriend have EU passports). This is especially true if money is at all an issue.

If I were you, I would look into doing the JET program or maybe the EPIK program after two years up north (which probably isn't necessary). The cut-off for JET is 40. Or at least it was. They may have changed it.

With a B.Ed and an undergrad in linguistics, you have everything you would need (especially since teaching EFL at the primary level is a rapidly growing sector) to start.

You could start teaching and then kind of decide as you go. As for the M.Ed or MA TESOL thing- you could do a M.Ed (TESOL) and take SOME courses specifically in TESOL, and others in other areas of education (like leadership, for example).

It's very common for people in EFL to do their masters degree off-campus (Canadians seem to gravitate towards Australian and British universities. There aren't many options from universities in Canada to do it off-campus. I only know one Canadian who did his through an American university).

Keep in mind that in some Asian countries (Japan, for example) knowledge of the local language is often requested. In order to move up the chain (whichever chain that happens to be) you need academic qualifications (they usually specify a B.Ed (for international schools) or an MA TESOL or Applied Linguistics or equivalent - so you would probably want to do the M.Ed (TESOL) as opposed to an M.Ed (Educational Leadership) or (Curricular Studies)), experience, Japanese language, and for university positions publications- usually three {and most people have them mostly through JALT and the publications of their university, if they've been teaching at one}.

[majestic58]

Thanks guys! You've been so much help already! The reason we're planning the two years up north is because from what I've read and been told, you need 2 years experience in your home country to qualify for any international school jobs and I want to leave that avenue open. You guys are so amazing, Thank you again!!