Job Discussion Forums

[gretch]

I have just begun Jeff Mohamed's English International TEFL Distance Learning program. I intend to complete all three of the distance courses, including the one that includes practice teaching. I have an Associates degree but not a Bachelor's degree; however, I feel I bring a lot to the table in overall life experiences, both professional and personal. I'm 40 years old and I've done stints in the military, customer service, and graphic design. I have traveled extensively and I like working with people.

My brother had only a high school diploma when he received his TEFL certificate from New World Teachers (which no longer exists). He tells me he has never had a problem getting a job, and he is now Director of Studies for the EF school in Shenyang, China. While I am certainly encouraged by his experience, I would like to hear from other folks about their experiences.

After completing my coursework with English International, I hope to find an entry-level position in a Latin American country, preferably Mexico or Central America. Starting pay is not the biggest issue because my husband has a military pension, but I want to work for a reputable school and gain valuable experience. After my first year, I hope to perhaps find work in Thailand or Vietnam.

Any advice for this newbie?

[TEAM_PAPUA]

How about going to work for your brother in China, get some experience then move on?

Just a thought.




T_P

[Glenski]

Be advised that your brother's good fortune in China may not be the case in other countries. It certainly won't be that way in Japan, for example. Lack of a bachelor's degree makes it extremely difficult to get a work visa. In fact, the only way to get one with no degree is to prove several years of related work experience. Life experience doesn't count.

Other options for working legally entail other types of visas.
Spouse visa.
Dependent visa.
Student visa.
Working holiday visa.
None of these require a bachelor's degree, but they have their limitations, too, and you will almost always be competing against people with degrees.

[Roger]

As so many newbies, you depict yourself in glowing terms; in all fairness we would like to know what your military buddies and officers thought of you; what your customers thought of you, and why you don't know a second language such as Spanish or Chinese.

[lagerlout2006]

The Jeff Mohammed Distance TESL Program?

Anyway you sound sincere. In your situation I think you would need to go somewhere (on your own coin) and then find a job. Where you mentio>-Thai and Vietnam you should find work . ILA is the biggest and highest paying in Vietnam but without a degree AND Celta they will not even reply to an e-mail.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[gretch]

I was not attempting to "depict" myself in "glowing" terms. I know I have a lot to learn and I am at a disadvantage already for lack of a bachelor's degree. I was simply trying to paint a brief but accurate picture of my current situation. I DO bring a lot to the table, and just because someone has a bachelor's degree doesn't make them smarter or even better-educated. I realize that some countries require one, but I also hear from my brother that many countries (China, Thailand, Vietnam, and yes, Mexico and other Latin American countries) are so desperate for teachers that in spite of "degree requirements" they are being forced to hire people with neither experience OR degree. This is coming from someone who has been in this field for over ten years. And who says I don't speak a foreign language? I never mentioned whether I do or don't, but Roger automatically assumed that I speak only English. While I don't consider myself perfectly fluent, I certainly have a working knowledge of Spanish and can get along just fine in Latin American countries. The bottom line: I've got to start SOMEWHERE.

I don't mean to sound defensive; thank you for your perceptions. I am trying to get the truth by talking to my brother, my TEFL professor, and looking at various message boards and web sites. Team Papua had the best idea: he/she mentioned going to work for my brother in China and that thought has definitely crossed my mind. I have discussed this with my brother and if a position is open at the time I finish my schoolwork, this seems like a wonderful way to gain experience. I am also in a financial position to work as a volunteer or for very low pay in order to gain experience; I don't need to rely on my teaching income: I have income from other sources. So that could help me out while I am gaining experience.

Jeff Mohamed is mentioned a lot on this site and he is a frequent contributor on some of the other message boards. His distance learning course comes highly recommended from my brother (DoS at EF Shenyang) as well as other folks in other forums on this site. He teaches CELTA here in the States and has over 30 years of experience in the field in numerous different countries.

Anyway, thanks again for all your comments. I have a lot to think about!
Gretch

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[lajzar]

[Ariadne]

You mentioned that you have an income and that you are even willing
to do volunteer work. Use your time and money to finish your BA. Then
you will have a variety of options available. Doing volunteer work is a
good thing, but afterwards you will still not have the one common
requirement for teaching ESL...the BA. Volunteer work will give you
valuable experience, but it will not open as many doors for you as a BA.
The lack of a BA will be a handicap for your entire career in ESL. Why not just go for it? Sometimes it's just plain easier to go in the front door.

[shenyanggerry]

Gretch, getting a degree is good advice. Right now your brother is working on a Master's equivalent distance learning course. Obviously he sees the need. That being said, what education you get really depends on you.

If you work in China, you'll make enough to live well and travel in Asia excluding Japan. Your husband can bank his pension. If that's what you want, the only extra education you need is a TESL course.

If you want to earn enough to put aside money for a comfortable retirement in a first world country you probably should get at least a BA., maybe more.

In my own case, I got a BA years ago. I find it handy because I like teaching university students and this requires a degree, even in China (normally). I already have a pension so I am not concerned with saving for my dotage.

[gretch]

You folks have given me a lot to think about. I'm really not trying to step on any toes here; I apologize for offending anyone. Perhaps it would help if I more clearly state my goals.

While I recognize the value of a bachelor's degree, I'm just not interested in going back to college. I'm not interested in full-time high-paying gigs, either. I don't want nor do I need to work full-time. My husband and I wish to retire overseas in Latin America, Thailand, Vietnam or perhaps Indonesia (read: tropical and cheap) with his military pension; we also have a quite decent nest egg. In many parts of the world, his pension alone will permit us a handsome living. So whatever money I might make is incidental.

I want to teach English because I sincerely believe it helps people live better lives. I want to do meaningful work. Right now I work in advertising, which to me is very superficial and of no real value to the world as a whole. I am looking for something that will fulfill my personal need to do something important for people who really need it. So I suppose my ultimate reason for learning to teach English is an altruistic one, both for myself and for my future students.

Please don't misunderstand me: I know that many of you have spent YEARS gaining schooling and experience; I would never pretend to be on that level nor do I wish to compete for the most desirable positions. I only wish to learn to teach WELL.

I hear a lot of scoffing about distance-learning TEFL programs, and probably with good reason. I am sure there are many bad schools out there! I performed quite a bit of research before deciding to give English International a go. My brother also did research for me, and he had the added benefit of asking his colleagues at the English First school (Shenyang, China) what they thought. Y'all can go to the website if you want to find out more about Jeff and his qualifications, but I have to say that so far the course has been very challenging and TOTALLY not a cakewalk. English International's coursework includes practice teaching in addition to 100 hours of theory and grammar; in fact it's the same number of practice teaching hours that the CELTA requires. The practice teaching portion sounds very challenging; I will be required to set up my own courses here in the local area, videotape them, and send them to Jeff for evaluation. Jeff teaches CELTA classes in-residence and he has modeled his distance-learning course to mirror the CELTA. The only difference is that I can do the coursework in my spare time instead of dropping my whole life and traveling to a distant city to complete a CELTA. Jeff personally grades all of my tests and proctors the course in a way that is completely professional, strict and timely.

While I realize it is not the same as an in-residence course, I also realize that we get out of a class what we are willing to put into it - regardless of whether it's online, distance-learning, or in-residence. It's also important to realize that I have a full-time job and a mortgage to pay; I can't drop everything in my life in order to do an in-residence course. Currently, that's the only way to get the CELTA and I just can't do it.

I guess I just find it hard to believe that I won't be able to find some kind of part-time work unless I have the sheepskin. Surely there are opportunities for someone like me who wants to make life better for people. I sincerely believe I can do this job. And I love nothing more than a challenge. Tell me I can't do something, and I will go right out there and prove you wrong! If I can fly an airplane without a college degree, I sure as hell can teach English without one.

I just keep thinking, my brother did it, so why can't I do it? My brother has complete confidence that I can do this without a bachelor's degree, and I will restate his history: he received a high-school diploma, went on to receive a TEFL certificate, and got jobs in Mexico (a job he LOVED by the way), Lebanon, Indonesia, and now he is Director of Studies at English First in Shenyang China. He tells me I can do the same thing.

So tell me WHY y'all are right and he is wrong! Who should I trust more? You see my dilemma I am sure! Ultimately I need to decide if this is what I should do before I pay for the remaining two levels of the English International course.

So thanks for all of your advice. I love reading everyone's points of view, but it would be nice to read some encouragement!

[gretch]

Hi Shenyanggerry!

Yes, I know he's working on his master's. But he went a LONG way before Shenyang without the degree. He and I have different circumstances too, so if you don't mind, check out the post that I put up right after yours and tell me if I am being too pie-in-the-sky! Feel free to e-mail me if you wish. (And if you want, tell him about this thread - I'd love to see his reaction to some of these posts!)

Thank you for posting!
gretch

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]