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hyperios
Joined: 01 Feb 2016
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 2:01 am Post subject: Newbie with a question |
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Ok, so I need some help and I've been looking around and cant find any answers to my unusual dilemma.
I'm a 25yo guy from the US currently enrolled in college, community college to be exact (not sure if any of you folks from other countries have that or know what it is), with plans to go to a 4 years school and get my bachelors degree (naturally). I joined the army right after high school and got out around 2012, and I've been in school for a while now and still don't have my associates.
However, I did receive a 160 hour online TESOL certificate from an online course and I really, really, really want to teach English and travel and do all that because I cant stand being here anymore. Unfortunately, in my research of TEFL and going abroad I've come to realize that most schools overseas want someone with a bachelors degree 
Ok, I'll have mine eventually...when I'm pushing 30!!!
Then I thought, what if I study abroad instead? That why I can travel and see the world!
My question for everyone here is, can I teach English AND study abroad at the same time? I couldn't find any information on doing this, obviously because people don't usually do that, but I want to leave sooner rather than later. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 2:41 am Post subject: |
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| Take a look at this list of study abroad programs compiled by the University of California-Irvine. Most require a completed BA and/or experience, so you'll be limited. |
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916
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| Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 9:06 am Post subject: |
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IF you have completed at least 2 years of full time study (associate degree level) then the TaLK program in Korea ( http://www.talk.go.kr/talk/talk_new/intro.jsp ) is an option. They supply airfare, housing and let you work for up to 2 years.
You'd have to register on the Korean forum to discuss it further. Korean discussion is NOT permitted here on the international forum.
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hyperios
Joined: 01 Feb 2016
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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| suphanburi wrote: |
IF you have completed at least 2 years of full time study (associate degree level) then the TaLK program in Korea ( http://www.talk.go.kr/talk/talk_new/intro.jsp ) is an option. They supply airfare, housing and let you work for up to 2 years.
You'd have to register on the Korean forum to discuss it further. Korean discussion is NOT permitted here on the international forum.
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Cool this is really helpful thanks a lot. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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| hyperios wrote: |
| suphanburi wrote: |
| IF you have completed at least 2 years of full time study (associate degree level) then the TaLK program in Korea ( http://www.talk.go.kr/talk/talk_new/intro.jsp ) is an option. They supply airfare, housing and let you work for up to 2 years. |
Cool this is really helpful thanks a lot. |
Which was also on the list I referred you to. 
I hope you still take time to look at it. |
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916
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| Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 10:51 pm Post subject: Re: Newbie with a question |
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| hyperios wrote: |
I joined the army right after high school and got out around 2012, and I've been in school for a while now and still don't have my associates.
However, I did receive a 160 hour online TESOL certificate from an online course and I really, really, really want to teach English and travel and do all that because I cant stand being here anymore. Unfortunately, in my research of TEFL and going abroad I've come to realize that most schools overseas want someone with a bachelors degree
Ok, I'll have mine eventually...when I'm pushing 30!!! |
And just to clarify some stuff...
The degree is not so much an employer issue as it is a visa issue.
No degree = no work visa. The TESOL cert, while nice to have, is often NOT a requirement for the visa while the degree is.
Pushing 30 is not so old. I'd guess that at least 1/2 of the TEFL teachers in Asia are 20 years your senior after a mid-life life change.
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Elicit
Joined: 12 May 2010
Posts: 244
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| Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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I was in a similar position to you; however, left it even later than you to begin teaching. I served 5 years in the army straight from high school, leaving with some vocational qualifications but no academic, and subsequently worked as a manager in a large business. You will not be the youngest or eldest to begin in this sector and some of the skills you've learnt in the army employers will appreciate i.e. reliability, punctuality etc.
I actually began my BA in 2010, at 34ish, when I started teaching in Indonesia and completed it whilst I was there via distance. No matter which way you look at it you need a BA. Unrelated good for visa and related good for both employer and visa. If you are considering teaching long-term then get a related one.
Grab a CELTA, SIT Cert or Trinity Tesol cert before you start teaching as experience for some employers will only be accrued for the years of post-cert employment. Better to have it and not need it than.... Many didn't bother with doing one and after a few years teaching have gone back to do one.
Good luck with the study. ELT will still be alive and well when you finish. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 3:38 am Post subject: |
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| hyperios wrote: |
I'm a 25yo guy from the US currently enrolled in college, community college to be exact (not sure if any of you folks from other countries have that or know what it is), with plans to go to a 4 years school and get my bachelors degree (naturally). I joined the army right after high school and got out around 2012, and I've been in school for a while now and still don't have my associates.
However, I did receive a 160 hour online TESOL certificate from an online course and I really, really, really want to teach English and travel and do all that because I cant stand being here anymore. Unfortunately, in my research of TEFL and going abroad I've come to realize that most schools overseas want someone with a bachelors degree
Ok, I'll have mine eventually...when I'm pushing 30!!!
Then I thought, what if I study abroad instead? That why I can travel and see the world!
My question for everyone here is, can I teach English AND study abroad at the same time? I couldn't find any information on doing this, obviously because people don't usually do that, but I want to leave sooner rather than later. |
Elicit has some good points. Age is a non-issue for someone studying a degree at 25 when it's not uncommon for people in their 40s and beyond to pursue their BAs. Additionally, think about getting either a TEFL-related BA or a science or math degree and then obtain a US teaching license in your subject area.
Your main challenge will be studying for your degree while working abroad, if that's still your plan. Can you teach English AND study abroad at the same time? It's hard to say. You state that you've been in school for some time but still haven't completed enough credits toward an AA. It takes organization, tight time management, a lot of self-motivation, focus, and a reliably fast internet connection to study online. Doing a 4-5 year first degree (BA) while adjusting to a foreign country/new cultural environment and new job can be quite overwhelming, and there won't be much time to "see the world." Plus, your teaching opportunities are limited at this point to either short, gap-year type situations or positions in the last couple of regions where a BA isn't needed. And those positions don't pay enough to cover your university tuition (the GI Bill only covers so much).
You say you can't stand being in the US any longer and apparently see TEFL as a way to get away sooner than later. Be aware TEFL isn't as glamorous as you think, so consider your decision carefully.
Good luck. |
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