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poetryfoot
Joined: 08 Sep 2013
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 4:20 am Post subject: 31, but still a newbie...got a few questions...:) |
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HI!
I've read many topics here, but I just wanted to ask a few questions. I have wanted to teach English for several years now (specifically South Korea or Taiwan) but finances (mainly), family, and a bit of fear have kept me back. I have a BA in English and am taking a somewhat questionable TESOL certification course right now online and am working on paying the last of my debt (in a few months). I am single so it would be easy for me to go, but I didn't want to go with debt and without some money saved up. The years are going by though, and I don't want to regret not going! Just a few questions if any of you have time (everyone seems like helpful, honest, and encouraging) 
1.) Has anyone gone overseas to teach English for the first time when you were a little older (maybe not a recent college graduate)? Did you feel self-conscious, or a little too old? This may seem a silly question, but just wondering......(though I have seen people posting on here in their fifties and sixties, very cool)
2.)Which countries do you recommend?
3.) Anything you wish you had packed but didn't?
4.) Is it easy to meet people (I can be a little shy in certain situations)?
5.) I almost thought it would be neat to do the TESOL certification in Prague through one of the programs, but I don't know?
6.) Has anyone gone without any teaching experience?
Thanks so much!! |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:39 am Post subject: |
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The Prague-based courses are all CELTA or equivalent (in their on-site versions, anyway), so any of them should be acceptable most places. The thing is that if you take something other than CELTA, you will need to highlight the on-site hours (over 100) and the fact that you had supervised teaching practice with real students on your CV/resume.
So long as prospective employers are easily aware that your cert is equivalent, you shouldn't have any issues. |
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Denim-Maniac
Joined: 31 Jan 2012
Posts: 1238
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| Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:57 am Post subject: Re: 31, but still a newbie...got a few questions...:) |
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I'll answer a few of your points.
| poetryfoot wrote: |
1.) Has anyone gone overseas to teach English for the first time when you were a little older (maybe not a recent college graduate)? Did you feel self-conscious, or a little too old? This may seem a silly question, but just wondering......(though I have seen people posting on here in their fifties and sixties, very cool) |
36 when I first 'travelled'. I was older than some people ... younger than others. The age thing is cool ... There are always a lot of young people, but the average age of my staff room is probably 30.
| poetryfoot wrote: |
2.)Which countries do you recommend?!! |
I like China. It has its issues both in and outside of the classroom, but teachers are respected and classroom demands may be lower than in some other countries. Choose the right employer and location and China can be quite a good experience, although it may not offer the most professional working environment.
| poetryfoot wrote: |
4.) Is it easy to meet people (I can be a little shy in certain situations)?!! |
Again, choose your job carefully. I work with 10 foreign teachers. That is one port of call for friends. We also offer Chinese classes so tend to have another 10 non-Chinese people studying Chinese. But most of my social interaction is with my students. I teach adults, none of whom are studying exam courses, and interaction is encouraged at my place of employment. Most of my social stuff is with adult students at my school. Again, this may be frowned upon in some places, impossible in others .. but its a good fit for me and works well at my employers.
| poetryfoot wrote: |
6.) Has anyone gone without any teaching experience?!! |
Most people start with little experience. But a decent course can help ... in addition, you could seek out a volunteer role before you leave. Lots of charities offering language skills to immigrants in the UK. There are also opportunities to teach summer schools, or even just host students ... it all helps and gives an insight into what you might expect. |
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coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838
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| Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Just answering your question re being in your early 30s. Many of us started in our late forties, fifties and some have started even later in life. |
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coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838
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| Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:25 am Post subject: |
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| Online courses will restrict your chances, as I am sure you will have gathered. Most employers reject these. Remember, knowing English and having the skills to teach it are very different things. |
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kpjf
Joined: 18 Jan 2012
Posts: 385
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| Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: 31, but still a newbie...got a few questions...:) |
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| poetryfoot wrote: |
2.)Which countries do you recommend? |
It depends on what you want to do/are interested in. Denim-maniac says that s/he likes China. Although I haven't been to China some stuff I read put me off so this country isn't high on my list. I think you need to do a little investigating and reading up on things about the different countries because maybe some things make you say I (don't) like the sound of that.
| poetryfoot wrote: |
3.) Anything you wish you had packed but didn't?
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I think this is a little too vague and would depend on
1 what country you're from and
2 what country you're going to
For example supposedly HK and Singapore are quite western by Asian standards so maybe western food/things would be easier to come by than in other countries such as Mongolia or Vietnam. A factor is what you deem important. Someone may not be able to live without a certain thing/brand - I read recently that the English actor Vinnie Jones who lives in the USA gets Walker's crisps imported (a British crisp company). For me, I couldn't care less about importing crisps from my home country! And it could also depend on whether or not you're male or female. Like I say, the question is a little vague.
| poetryfoot wrote: |
4.) Is it easy to meet people (I can be a little shy in certain situations)?
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Do you find it easy to make friends in your own country? Chances are if you have difficulties in your own country the same will apply to other countries. You say Taiwan is an option, read this: http://blog.happierabroad.com/2013/01/10-reasons-why-taiwan-is-not-good-for.html of course people attack the post. Make of it what you will! Of course like Denim-maniac says it depends who you work with; if you work with lots of other foreign teachers you can become friends with these people because you're both in the same position, but what happens if you get a job in a rural area? A factor therefore depends on what you do to actively make friends and being shy then could make it harder.
Good luck! |
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coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838
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| Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 5:29 am Post subject: |
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| Take travel adaptors. As they're cheap, one for each electrical appliance you take. Obviously the type of adaptor depends on the configuration in your country of origin and that of your teaching destination (e.g. UK 3 square pin, Russia 2 round pin). |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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| Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 6:20 am Post subject: |
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| For those who wear glasses or contacts, it can be handy to have the details of your prescription written down by your optician. Makes getting a new pair of specs easier, as eye tests in foreign countries can often go awry, based as they are differing alphabets, or even number systems. Poor pronunciation can result in eye strain : ) |
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coledavis
Joined: 21 Jun 2003
Posts: 1838
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| Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 5:56 am Post subject: |
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| If you are a reader, there is a limit to the number of books you can take, given weight restrictions on flights. Buy an e-reader and download lots of copyright-free books on the internet to complement such 'real' books as you can take with you. (A chance to read Dickens, Fielding, the Brontes.) |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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| Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:51 pm Post subject: Re: 31, but still a newbie...got a few questions...:) |
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| poetryfoot wrote: |
HI!
I've read many topics here, but I just wanted to ask a few questions. I have wanted to teach English for several years now (specifically South Korea or Taiwan) but finances (mainly), family, and a bit of fear have kept me back. I have a BA in English and am taking a somewhat questionable TESOL certification course right now online and am working on paying the last of my debt (in a few months). I am single so it would be easy for me to go, but I didn't want to go with debt and without some money saved up. The years are going by though, and I don't want to regret not going! Just a few questions if any of you have time (everyone seems like helpful, honest, and encouraging)
1.) Has anyone gone overseas to teach English for the first time when you were a little older (maybe not a recent college graduate)? Did you feel self-conscious, or a little too old? This may seem a silly question, but just wondering......(though I have seen people posting on here in their fifties and sixties, very cool)
2.)Which countries do you recommend?
3.) Anything you wish you had packed but didn't?
4.) Is it easy to meet people (I can be a little shy in certain situations)?
5.) I almost thought it would be neat to do the TESOL certification in Prague through one of the programs, but I don't know?
6.) Has anyone gone without any teaching experience?
Thanks so much!! |
Being in your early 30's is a big plus for many reasons: Real world exp. and knowledge, not just fresh out of the uni. Older students and younger students will often have more respect for you as well.
Use your maturity to your advantage and you have no need to worry about age discrimination...yet  |
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