Job Discussion Forums

[IchliebeHunde1492]

I’m beginning to think that I’m someone who does very well in education classes and seminars, but might not be a good teacher in practice. It’s beginning to look like I might not ever get to use my huge binder full of TEFL materials, lesson plans, classroom tips, and activities. I can’t find a job ANYWHERE, and yet, I keep hearing TEFL is one of the easiest job markets to get into?!

I guess there’s not too much shame in that. After all, not everyone who goes to law school becomes a lawyer or judge. Not everyone who goes to medical school becomes a doctor (or so I read a while back; personally, I can’t fathom why someone would go through all those years of schooling and student loan debt and not become a doctor). And, as in the case of my brother, not everyone who goes to engineering school becomes an engineer! He even got a Master’s in Engineering, but is nonetheless working a happy career in law enforcement. So I'm thinking it’s okay if I don’t ever make a job or career out of TEFL. I think maybe I would be happier in an office or blue-collared job anyway.

After taking my TESOL course in Ecuador, I decided to make a brave but, in the end, stupid move to Germany because I majored in German in college and I was told Germany has jobs for Americans. But what that means is only “freelance” positions, not contract/salary positions (those are only for EU nationals)! But finding a freelance position can be hard enough – I did not have much luck, so now I’m having to go back to the U.S. when my 90 days end in January.

But I can’t even find a job with the “easy” places! For example, I applied for American English Center (in the Ukraine), which is advertised here on Dave’s. According to employee reviews on third-party sites, they “take just about anyone.” And guess what? I didn’t get in! Granted, I may be overqualifed because AEC is mainly just for people with no teaching experience and no TEFL certificate, both of which I have. At any rate, I’ll take it as a “blessing in disguise” that I didn’t get accepted because I probably would have been unhappy there. But still, it’s a surprise to me that I didn’t get in.

I’ve also been applying to jobs in Latin America advertised here on Dave’s, but with almost no luck. However, I imagine a LOT of people want to teach in Latin America, because of its year-round warm weather, palm trees, sandy beaches, jungles, forests, mountains, low cost of living, etc. I guess I’m not the only American with the mindset of, “If I teach in Latin America, I’ll be poor, but at least I’ll be living in paradise!” I know there’s a separate forum for Latin America, but I’m beginning to think it’s true that I’d actually have to GO TO Latin America in person in order to get a job there. The rationale is that Latin American schools cannot afford to advertise internationally, and plus, there are “backpackers” who come and walk in and out of teaching jobs. But doing that (going there without a job lined up first) is just too scary for me.

So, has TEFL become a more competitive job market than in years past? Are more and more Americans turning to TEFL as a way to “wait out the storm” until the U.S. economy gets better?

Am I just going to have to accept that I’m not meant for TEFL or education in general?

[Sashadroogie]

Just come to Russia. The country of the future, with jobs now.

[johntpartee]

OP, ya haveta be there. Most places. If it's too scary for you, then teaching English might not be you're cuppa. Have you applied in China? It's easier if you're on the ground, but you can get a position from out of the country as well.

[nomad soul]

[Allthechildrenareinsane]

OP, as Nomad Soul pointed out, there are tons of TEFL jobs to be had in East and Southeast Asia -- China, Kimchi-land, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan are always in need of native speaking EFL instructors. Check out some of the forums for these places here on Dave's to get the lay of the land as far as working conditions, pay and benefits. For K-land and China, it's standard for employers to pay for housing and air fare.

[eihpos]

I do think TEFL has become more competitive in the last few years. I've had a couple of rejections in the last year from crappy language schools because they were 'overwhelmed' by the number of applicants. However, it still isn't hard to get into IF you're not picky about where you start! Actually some school prefer people with a CELTA and no experience. As said it depends on where you apply to. SA might be difficult without being 'on the ground' but if you apply to schools in China or Korea with a BA you will definitely get a job,You don't need to be on the ground to have your pick of jobs in these countries either. You could try ILA or Apollo in Vietnam. I know a few people who started there. If you are really not interested in Asia, Poland might be a good place to try, or a less popular place in Spain (Valladolid or something). Mexico might be easier than SA if you still prefer that side of the world. Check out tefl.com and make you CV as good as possible.

[MuscatGary]

[fat_chris]

If one maintains a long-term vision; learns what the best, good, not-so-good, and worst opportunities out there are; and realizes how to get into those good and best opportunities (qualifications are key!), then TEFL isn't a tough nut to crack and the rewards can indeed be worth reaping.

I'm an optimist when it comes to all of this, but I guess that's easy for me to say because I've put my time in (15 years) and I've earned an M.A. in TESOL. Nonetheless, my point is that TESOL can be and is a very rewarding field to make a career out of. Plenty of people have done so.

Good luck with it all, ILH1492, and may it go well! Keep keepin' on.

Sorry for the cliché and doubly sorry if you don't like seafood, but the world is your oyster!

Warm regards,
fat_chris

[Lack]

There's always China, OP. I don't think it is possible to not get a job there. If you try and fail there, then I would be worried.

[psychedelicacy]

[IchliebeHunde1492]

[nomad soul]

IchliebeHunde1492:

If you're not getting any responses to your CV, perhaps the problem is in how you present yourself on paper. For example, some applicants who have experience with another language tend to forget they're applying for an EFL job and not for, say, teaching German. Review your CV carefully to assess if that's how prospective employers see you---note how many times you mention German. If that count is more than a couple, then revamp your CV and cover letter to downplay those language skills and draw attention to your qualifications/skills as an English language teacher.

Anyway, you have yet to respond to the suggestions about going to Asia where jobs are plentiful. Is it a region you'd prefer to avoid?

[johntpartee]

OP, you sound like you're expecting to fail; you mention the negatives only. As I said in my first response, perhaps you're not cut out for this.

[JN]

Hi Ichliebehunde,

it sounds like you came at the wrong time to Germany. If your 90 days end the end of January, then you missed the main hiring time: roughly September. That's too bad. Also it would depend on where you were/are searching for work. Getting hooked up with an elta is also helpful. There was hardly anything for me in Berlin, so I looked outside of Berlin and did find something.

There are lots of suggestions from others as to where you can teach in the world, if you really want to teach. Good luck in whatever you do. By the way, I love dogs, too.

[Sashadroogie]

God has nothing to do with this. Come to Russia: get an EFL job, with a flat to live in. After new year, there are usually some vacancies to be filled. Nothing fancy to start with, but probably better than being jobless in Germany.