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wakka
Joined: 09 Jan 2016 Posts: 3
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 9:02 pm Post subject: First EFL job |
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Hi. I have been offered a 4 month internship in India at a private secondary school during my summer break from Uni. The internship was arranged by a third part and I have had no contact with the school and want to email them to introduce myself and find out a bit more of what is expected of me. As it's my first experience of teaching I want to be as prepared as possible and have a few activities/lesson plans in place before i'm in at the deep end! My question is what do you think would be the most helpful questions to ask? I was going to ask the level of the students English and if I have freedom to plan my own lessons or follow a set plan but other than that I'm at a bit of a blank! |
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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How much are they charging you?
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twowheel
Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753
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Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 12:38 am Post subject: |
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"internship"
twowheel |
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wakka
Joined: 09 Jan 2016 Posts: 3
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Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 10:18 am Post subject: |
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You have to pay £300 upfront and another £300 to the agency when you arrive. I've checked it out as much as I can online and while it may not be the best deal it does at lest seem legit. I get something like £100 a month and food and accommodation. Although none of this is answering my question! |
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916
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Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 10:33 am Post subject: |
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wakka wrote: |
You have to pay £300 upfront and another £300 to the agency when you arrive. I've checked it out as much as I can online and while it may not be the best deal it does at lest seem legit. I get something like £100 a month and food and accommodation. Although none of this is answering my question! |
A fool and their money are soon parted.
NEVER pay for a job teaching EFL, NEVER ever.
As soon as they had their hand out for cash was the red flag.
Stay home, enjoy the summer, finish your degree and then take a job that will pay you £900-1600/month plus your airfare and housing as an EFL teacher.
Legitimate recruiting agencies do NOT charge YOU for a placement and an "internship" as an EFL teacher in India sounds bogus to start with and the asking for cash made it more so.
IF you want to travel abroad and play teacher during your vacation break then buy a ticket and head for Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, or Taiwan and enjoy some vacation time and catch some part-time work at a local language academy.
It might almost pay for your time and airfare. Expect £200/week for your efforts.
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twowheel
Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 2:04 am Post subject: |
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suphanburi wrote: |
A fool and their money are soon parted.
NEVER pay for a job teaching EFL, NEVER ever.
As soon as they had their hand out for cash was the red flag.
Stay home, enjoy the summer, finish your degree and then take a job that will pay you £900-1600/month plus your airfare and housing as an EFL teacher.
Legitimate recruiting agencies do NOT charge YOU for a placement and an "internship" as an EFL teacher in India sounds bogus to start with and the asking for cash made it more so.
IF you want to travel abroad and play teacher during your vacation break then buy a ticket and head for Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, or Taiwan and enjoy some vacation time and catch some part-time work at a local language academy.
It might almost pay for your time and airfare. Expect £200/week for your efforts. |
As an ESOL teacher of 15+ years, I wholeheartedly agree with the above.
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nomad soul

Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 2:39 am Post subject: |
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wakka wrote: |
I have been offered a 4 month internship in India at a private secondary school during my summer break from Uni. The internship was arranged by a third part and I have had no contact with the school and want to email them to introduce myself and find out a bit more of what is expected of me. As it's my first experience of teaching I want to be as prepared as possible and have a few activities/lesson plans in place before i'm in at the deep end! My question is what do you think would be the most helpful questions to ask? I was going to ask the level of the students English and if I have freedom to plan my own lessons or follow a set plan but other than that I'm at a bit of a blank! |
Since this is supposedly an internship, assume you'll receive some sort of training. That should be the focus of your questions. If this is typical of ESOL internships, you're assisting/observing/tutoring/shadowing the teaching staff and not leading classes fully on your own as a teacher. Of course, I'm just guessing because you haven't provided any info about this position (e.g., how it was advertised, what the requirements are...) nor your qualifications/degree focus. Also, what do you expect to gain from this experience -- how does it tie into your career goals? |
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scot47

Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2017 10:55 am Post subject: |
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Pay me the fees and you can be an intern at my place. I will fix up classes and you can also give a hand in cleaning the kitchen and cooking my meals. I hope to receive your cheque in payment soon. |
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wakka
Joined: 09 Jan 2016 Posts: 3
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Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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suphanburi wrote: |
wakka wrote: |
You have to pay £300 upfront and another £300 to the agency when you arrive. I've checked it out as much as I can online and while it may not be the best deal it does at lest seem legit. I get something like £100 a month and food and accommodation. Although none of this is answering my question! |
A fool and their money are soon parted.
NEVER pay for a job teaching EFL, NEVER ever.
As soon as they had their hand out for cash was the red flag.
Stay home, enjoy the summer, finish your degree and then take a job that will pay you £900-1600/month plus your airfare and housing as an EFL teacher.
Legitimate recruiting agencies do NOT charge YOU for a placement and an "internship" as an EFL teacher in India sounds bogus to start with and the asking for cash made it more so.
IF you want to travel abroad and play teacher during your vacation break then buy a ticket and head for Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, or Taiwan and enjoy some vacation time and catch some part-time work at a local language academy.
It might almost pay for your time and airfare. Expect £200/week for your efforts.
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That’s fine I can take that but my free time over the summer is short and pretty specific date wise. I saw a programme that fitted in perfectly with that where i pay to have everything supposedly organised for me. Maybe I arrive in India and there’s no one there, maybe I end up working 80 hours a week and living in a hole but who can know that yet - if that is the case I'll just chill out in India for 4 months and forget about the money. I’m really just doing it to gain experience teaching English abroad and to have something on my CV for when I graduate and look for a permanent teaching job – one that I have NO intention of paying for but right now I’m not confidant enough just now to jump on a plane without a degree and then hope to find work when I arrive. I do understand where you’re coming from though and take what your saying on board. Sorry if this sounds like a rant but your post did sound pretty condescending. If your right I'll admit it and post the results when i get back! |
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santi84
Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea
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Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 4:51 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think anyone here intends to be condescending. It is just very perplexing that someone wold pay such a large amount of money to work nearly for free, when so many entry-level and volunteer jobs exist.
You should be aware that there are plenty of "TEFL internship" scams out there. REAL jobs and internships do not ask for high amounts of money prior to start. Be advised you might fork over that money and never hear from them again (it's happened on these forums before). |
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spiral78

Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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Why not organize yourself into some European summer school or camp option? Much safer than this India thing....check Malta; there used to be loads of summer English camps going on there. |
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BadBeagleBad

Joined: 23 Aug 2010 Posts: 1186 Location: 24.18105,-103.25185
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Posted: Sun May 14, 2017 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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You might want to take a look at ¨Suenos Compartidos¨ a program that operates in Mexico and Colombia. You live with a local family, so your room and board is taken care of. You do need some spending money. They generally look for people who already have a degree, but I have heard from a couple of people who are familiar with the program that they sometimes make exceptions for highly motivated people. |
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916
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Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 2:17 am Post subject: |
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wakka wrote: |
That’s fine I can take that but my free time over the summer is short and pretty specific date wise. I saw a programme that fitted in perfectly with that where i pay to have everything supposedly organised for me. Maybe I arrive in India and there’s no one there, maybe I end up working 80 hours a week and living in a hole but who can know that yet - if that is the case I'll just chill out in India for 4 months and forget about the money. I’m really just doing it to gain experience teaching English abroad and to have something on my CV for when I graduate and look for a permanent teaching job – one that I have NO intention of paying for but right now I’m not confidant enough just now to jump on a plane without a degree and then hope to find work when I arrive. I do understand where you’re coming from though and take what your saying on board. Sorry if this sounds like a rant but your post did sound pretty condescending. If your right I'll admit it and post the results when i get back! |
Most people on an internship gain academic credit? I bet this one doesn't.
Truthfully, it sounds like that rip off from "The TEFL Academy". Caveat emptor. Oh, and if it is then it is now on special for just £700.
Better detail and less advertising:
https://www.gooverseas.com/teach-abroad/india#tabs-22848
and make sure you have a proper E-visa BEFORE you fly.
Reason / eligibility as per number 6.
http://boi.gov.in/content/employment-visa-e
Question: You are aware that in most of India, £800 (US$3/day) is more than a year's wages for many Indians and the per capita income for the nation is just £1200/year.
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then.... enjoy your internship.
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