Job Discussion Forums

[nellychess]

I had a job offer in China at a University that fell through when the provincial office declined my application. I have since decided to get either some kind of masters degree, or certificate.
I
would love some guidance as to what might open up the most doors for me.
I'd like options to work all over.

I am 42 years old
BA I. Sociology minor speech communication
16 years experience as a tennis teacher.

Thanks for any and all ideas. [/list]

[nomad soul]

[nellychess]

I want to teach English to children and/or adults. I also would like to be able to work in many countries.

[HLJHLJ]

Start with a CELTA or equivalent certificate. Get some experience. Go for the masters in a couple of years once you know for sure it's what you want to do.

[nomad soul]

I agree with HLJHLJ. Get the CELTA and head overseas to gain some experience first before considering an MA. I suggest Korea and not China for your first teaching job---better money and experience on your CV.

[haopengyou]

Yes, by all means, get some kind of TEFL/TESOl certification. If you think you want to live abroad for "a while" (several years, etc) I would strongly suggest that you get your certification in a face to face situation. It seems that more and more schools are declining online TESOL certs - maybe too many diploma mills out there? Yes, with only experience teaching tennis and no cert you would be denied a visa. I have never been to Korea but they do seem to have a more structured system for getting hired, paid etc. That said, if you want to teach children - especially primary school - there are a lot of openings in China for that. The TEFL cert will not only make it easier to get a job but will make your teaching life easier.

[nellychess]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Does anyone know if you can get a federal(USA) student loan to complete CELTA?

Otherwise, would there be an equivalent course I could take at a University here?

The problem is that I am pretty broke, and am working. If I could get a student loan to work on some kind of degree, or certification, then I could still work, and have a bit of a nest egg before I head off somewhere.

Thanks again.

[astrickland]

You could try just getting a loan at a bank or credit union. The tuition cost for my TEFL course was $2000 which I didn't have at the time so I went to my credit union and they gave me a small loan.

[nomad soul]

[rtm]

I agree with nomad soul about checking at a local university about a grad TESOL certificate. Many MA TESOL programs offer a certificate program also, and often the classes are in the evening so that people who work during the day can attend. However, at this point, you will likely need to wait until the fall to start, and then it will take at least a semester to finish. Check around though, as you might find someplace that has summer classes.

[nellychess]

Awesome advice. Would one of those certificares inTESOL do the same for me worldwide as far as having that credential? Meaning meet criteria for getting a job and getting a visa?

[rtm]

[ttxor1]

http://www.public.iastate.edu/%7Eapling/TESL_cert.html

[nomad soul]

Nellychess:

Yes, there are other TEFL certs that, like a CELTA, provide at least 120 hours of face-to-face instruction and that crucial supervised/assessed teaching practice with real students. Some employers accept these generic TEFL certs while others still prefer to see CELTA, SIT TESOL, or Trinity indicated on an applicant's CV.