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InaYale
Joined: 17 May 2018
Posts: 6
Location: Armenia
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 Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2018 5:26 pm Post subject: Newbie here and advice needed on job abroad (maybe China) |
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Hi all,
I am a non-native speaker, but have graduated from the University of Cambridge, UK, where I've done a full-time degree course.
I don't have a TEFL degree, but am willing to obtain one (preferably simultaneously with teaching).
Do I have any options and if so where?
P.S. I am from Armenia |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2018 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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You didn't mention your degree major.
In terms of where to teach, it really depends on where you can legally work with an Armenian passport. I believe Chinese immigration requires EL teachers to be passport holders from English-speaking countries. Others can confirm that. BTW, there very likely are TEFL jobs in Armenia. (Non-native speakers tend to overlook their home country.)
Also see the recent related thread, A non-native's teaching journey. |
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InaYale
Joined: 17 May 2018
Posts: 6
Location: Armenia
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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My degree in Cambridge was in Medieval Studies of the British Isles and Scandinavia. Majors were history and language/literature.
Before gong to Cambridge I have studied English for 6 years at an Armenian University.
I know there are TEFL jobs in Armenia, but the market here is in a very sad situation. I don't want to dwell on it much, but that's the reality - no connections, no job.
So, I teach privately, but its not very comfortable . Also, I would like to develop my career further and teach abroad if possible.
So, if anyone knows countries that I can go to and work, please let me know. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2018 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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| InaYale wrote: |
| I know there are TEFL jobs in Armenia, but the market here is in a very sad situation. I don't want to dwell on it much, but that's the reality - no connections, no job. |
Frankly, even native speakers often have to network and make connections for jobs in their home country. In your case, however, your unrelated degree is a factor. A TESOL-related BA (e.g., English or one in education) would have been beneficial. Regardless, start making those connections in your home country.
| and wrote: |
| So, I teach privately, but its not very comfortable . Also, I would like to develop my career further and teach abroad if possible. |
Your passport, zero classroom experience, and unrelated BA put you at a disadvantage for TEFL work in other countries. Cambodia and Vietnam might be an option, but you'd need to be in those countries to scout for work. There's Eastern Europe as well as Mexico and South America. You'd have to be in those countries to find work. Visit those Cafe forums to see what your chances are. Additionally, a CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL would help you compete against native speakers and for jobs in Armenia.
See the link I provided in my previous post. Others have asked the same question.
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suphanburi
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916
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| Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 3:58 am Post subject: |
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NNES with a degree and proof of proficiency (TOEIC / IELTS / TOEFL) you can find work in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Add a TEFL cert and you can include Vietnam to the list.
Illegal work (internships and the wrong (not "Z") visa) is possible in China as well but you are at risk should they have a "crackdown".
I don't think Armenian nationals are able to work in the EU but with a Cambridge degree you should be able to find work in Eastern Europe or Central Asia.
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InaYale
Joined: 17 May 2018
Posts: 6
Location: Armenia
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| Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 11:46 am Post subject: |
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My mistake, I actually have teaching experience of about 2 years. I taught at a private language center. Currently, I teach only privately, but after graduating Cambridge I did teach!
I actually do think of getting a certificate and was thinking about teaching in Chile or Argentina, as I read (though don't know how reliable it is) that you can teach there being a non-native.
I was thinking of applying for a TEFL scholarship through PremierTEFL to do a course in Poland or Czech Republic, or do a TEFL internship with them, but I don't know if this course is a good one. Do you know anything about them? |
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InaYale
Joined: 17 May 2018
Posts: 6
Location: Armenia
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| Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 11:50 am Post subject: |
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| suphanburi wrote: |
Illegal work (internships and the wrong (not "Z") visa) is possible in China as well but you are at risk should they have a "crackdown".
I don't think Armenian nationals are able to work in the EU but with a Cambridge degree you should be able to find work in Eastern Europe or Central Asia.
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I know many people working in China as ESL teachers, but have no idea if they do it legally. I think though, that some of them do it with a work visa (maybe they are registered not as ESL teachers, but some other staff members, I don't know).
And yes, I think even unrelated Cambridge degree may be advantageous. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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| InaYale wrote: |
I actually have teaching experience of about 2 years. I taught at a private language center. Currently, I teach only privately, but after graduating Cambridge I did teach!
I actually do think of getting a certificate and was thinking about teaching in Chile or Argentina, as I read (though don't know how reliable it is) that you can teach there being a non-native.
I was thinking of applying for a TEFL scholarship through PremierTEFL to do a course in Poland or Czech Republic, or do a TEFL internship with them, but I don't know if this course is a good one. |
Avoid online TEFL courses as well as travel-n-teach TEFL schemes. They hook customers with flashy websites, enticing promos, and the promise of adventure, which compensate for mediocre TEFL course content. Get a CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL if you're serious about teaching.
| and InaYale wrote: |
| I know many people working in China as ESL teachers, but have no idea if they do it legally |
It's on you to ensure you're able to qualify for a proper visit/permit to legally teach with an Armenian passport.
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| I don't think Armenian nationals are able to work in the EU but with a Cambridge degree you should be able to find work in Eastern Europe |
I don't agree with this - Eastern European countries naturally prefer to hire their own qualified natives to teach English, and there are plenty of these around. I seriously doubt that an Armenian citizen with an unrelated Cambridge degree would be able to compete with qualified locals who have relevant degrees to teaching English in any Eastern European country.
I actually have colleagues and partner institutions across the region, I mentor about 200 teachers in 14 Eastern European countries, and I run short courses across the region myself, so I guess my opinion is more likely to be informed than suphanburi's on this matter... |
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