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Bander66
Joined: 08 Oct 2013
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 6:03 pm Post subject: General Questions about Teaching Abroad with a M.ed in ESOL |
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Hello there!
My name is Brad, and I’m currently finishing my Master’s of Education for Curriculum and Instruction concentrating in English as a Second Language, and a specialization in reading. I attend Concordia University online, and I finish May 10th, 2014. I also have a BA in English with a minor and teaching license for Secondary Education. After graduating in 2011, I taught briefly in Thailand while earning my 120-hour TESOL certificate. Due to the immense flooding and a horrible recruiter who doubled as a boss, I broke my contract and came home around the four-month mark.
As I finish up my degree, I know I want to teach abroad again. Naturally I thought of Korea, but after reading many discussions, I’m left with the thought that I might be highly under-stimulated based on my education compared with someone at a more entry-level status. I’d prefer to write my own curriculum, but if curriculum would be a point of contention, I’d almost rather use prescribed curriculum.
In addition to Korea, I’ve entertained offers from China, the Middle East, and Indonesia. I don’t really care where I go as long as I find an adequate teaching job that will allow me to eliminate debt while living a comfortable lifestyle in a new country to explore.
Having said all of this, I have some, possibly basic, questions:
Are there multinational recruiters? In an ideal world, I would submit all of my documents to a recruiter who would then find pursue job opportunities for me. I’ve seen companies like TeachAway, but are you applying for one specific program, or will they find you positions in multiple countries?
Is there a specific country or area that I should concentrate myself? I’ve heard a general comment that a teacher can find a sufficient position in any country, but I’d like to be a little more tactical.
If I’m looking to make this transition in the middle of next year (say May-July), when should I seriously start looking?
I’ve read that Indonesia and possible China have age requirements (from EF China and a lot of Indonesian recruiters specifically) that in these countries you must be at least 25? Is this true? I’m only 23.
If applicable, are there any specific services/websites for these higher-level, possibly university, positions?
Do you have any general suggestions or words of wisdom?
I apologize for the length of this post, but I’d really appreciate some input for the larger community.
Cheers,
Brad |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:20 am Post subject: |
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| Bander66 wrote: |
Are there multinational recruiters? In an ideal world, I would submit all of my documents to a recruiter who would then find pursue job opportunities for me. I’ve seen companies like TeachAway, but are you applying for one specific program, or will they find you positions in multiple countries?
If applicable, are there any specific services/websites for these higher-level, possibly university, positions? |
You mentioned Teachaway, which primarily deals with international and public schools (teaching content) and not that much with university-level TEFL positions. I suggest you check out their website more thoroughly if you're interested in teaching at the k-12 level.
There are likely to be recruiters that cover different regions/countries; however, not every country, teaching situation, nor all the better employers worldwide employ third-party recruiting services. For example, many universities in Saudi Arabia use contracting companies to recruit, staff and manage their English foundation year departments (similar to your horrible-recruiter-doubling-as-a-boss situation) while other unis hire directly. By contrast, universities in the UAE tend to do their own recruiting and hiring. Anyway, there are employment websites such as TESOL.org's career services page, higheredjobs.com, and chronicle.com that target the international higher ed market. Do keep in mind that although you'll have your M.Ed, your young age and lack of teaching experience in higher ed might put off some university employers. So be realistic about where and what you're qualified to teach. |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1317
Location: under da sea
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| Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 3:38 pm Post subject: Re: General Questions about Teaching Abroad with a M.ed in E |
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How much actual teaching experience do you have? It's hard to tell.
I wouldn't write off entry-level positions based on being "under-stimulated". Yes, you have two degrees related to ESL, but you are 23 and without long-term experience (I assume, based on your age). That is going to be an issue for employers, particularly in the Middle East (and many locations in the Middle East will not accept your online MA - your first degree is fine). |
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Bander66
Joined: 08 Oct 2013
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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I didn't mean to sound full of myself when I was commenting about being worried about being under stimulated. It's a comment I've seen if several of the forums. I really wouldn't mind any position, as long as I felt like I was growing as a teacher.
I don't have a ton of of long term experience, but I do have some experience between volunteering in an ESL classroom, student teaching, and when I taught in Thailand. I'm definitely not a master teacher; I find myself somewhere in the grey middle.
Overall, I'm really just looking for a starting point I guess. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Bander66 wrote: |
| I don't have a ton of of long term experience, but I do have some experience between volunteering in an ESL classroom, student teaching, and when I taught in Thailand. I'm definitely not a master teacher; I find myself somewhere in the grey middle. |
There is no "grey middle"; you're a 23-year old, novice teacher with just 4 months' paid teaching experience (volunteer work and student teaching aren't factored in). That's exactly how potential employers will see you, which is why it's unrealistic for you to focus your sights on something other than an entry-level position. |
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annie- baxter
Joined: 27 Oct 2010
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:49 am Post subject: |
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Bander66,
let me know how you go- I am in almost the same position as you. I am graduating from my MA TESOL in December this year and I am hoping to find a fairly decent job in Asia (preferably China) for early next year. I am also only 23, so I am finding that with an MA, and 'some' teaching experience- most people are pretty happy to interview you.
My tip is to look for job that state 'some' teaching experience, rather than x years experience. This means that as long as you can quote some kind of teaching that you've done in the past, that is all they are worried about.  |
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