Job Discussion Forums

Kathaka · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Oxford, UK

I'm going overland to Thailand with a couple of friends and quite a small budget. I don't want to have to fly straight home a week after getting there and so was hoping to find some TEFL work to take me up to summer. I've just graduated from university (physics) and have no TEFL experience or qualifications. (UK, native English speaker)

Will it be possible to find some work in Asia starting in say febuary to last till say June or even shorter term? is such short term work available for inexperienced people?

if it is, what countries are best and how can i make sure i don't end up in an awful job - is it best to try and arrange it before i leave to head out there or will i be able to find something once out there?

Where do I look for specifically short term posts?
It doesn't need to be well paid, just enough money to live off and see a little of the country i'm in.

Any help grately appreciated! Smile

Love and hugs
Kathy xx

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

I'll help you if you can help me find a job involving degree level knowledge of physics. Unfortunately, my degree wasn't in physics, but I've always had a keen interest in the field.

Sorry. But if you want me to take your profession seriously, please take mine seriously and get qualified before you try to enter it. There are ways to teach while unqualified, but it does nothing but lower wages and encourage employers to take professionals less seriously if unqualified people enter it.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Yes. Japan. But you'll have to apply from the UK/US and break your contract once you arrive.

lagerlout2006 · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 985

The dates you mention are almost exactly the spring term in China so you could do that and be LEGAL since you have a degree.

Thailand you should ask on that forum.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Let me see if I have this: No experience, no qualification, work only 4 months, but you want it to be a good job too. Pretty tall order IMO.

For a backpacker type teaching gig, you will not be able to arrange this ahead of time. Show up somewhere like Bangkok and ask around. Bring some nice clothes, don't expect to teach in shorts and sandals.

gugelhupf · Joined: 24 Jan 2004 Posts: 575 Location: Jabotabek

Yes, I remember it well... sitting patiently in my classroom at school hoping that some unwashed soul with a rough idea about chemistry might pitch up that day and teach us about it, meanwhile the maths teacher had shipped out earlier that week - at least he said that he was a maths teacher, but he couldn't actually add up - yes, those were the days.

Sorry to be so negative and downright sarcastic but I sincerely believe that the people of SE Asia deserve better than that.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Kathaka · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Oxford, UK

Not good, just not unbearable!

I know it's better with a qualification Embarassed

but it's either do it in Feb without a qualification or have to fly straight home in feb and not be able to come back for a year and a half.

I do intend to get the certificate, I've been planning to do TEFL with it for last two years, but this opportunity has come up out of the blue and I do not have time to get qualified before I go. Sad

Is it worth doing an online or weekend course before I go as that's all I have the time and maybe money for?

thanks for your help, even the sarcastic ones Wink

Kathy xx

hamel · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 95

kathy,

congratulations on graduating from university--or in the near future. actually, in korea you may have a leg up on some of the know-it-all esl teachers as science english is pretty important these days with teenagers. pusan may be a possible teaching spot. why not "cut your teeth" as a teacher in korea? i did and it was very enlightening.
best of luck.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Don't be discouraged by the naysayers, Kathaka. I have a B.Sc. degree in an unrelated field - computer science - and yet I somehow manage to teach English at a university.

Ludwig · Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 1:48 pm Post subject:

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

lagerlout2006 · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 985

I understand what Lazjar and others are saying but the fact is she IS qualified. At least according to gov't regulations regarding visas and what employers actually want.

As I said she could squeeze in a term in China. They dont expect us here during exams so it all ends in early June. Other countries you (OP) would likely have to be dishonest and break a contract. Or not maybe in Thailand.

Get off the high horses about TEFL courses. Have you been overseas so long you forget they are a money racket. ? Valuable?---maybe maybe not.

Tell her maybe she needs a Master's but don't prattle on about tesols please. These are a dime a dozen. Even online-MA's are an issue.

Sheesh!

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

Cool your jets fellas. Both countries have a fine tradition of hair-raisingly hot and spicy food. Now to combine both cuisines would be a wonderful thing...yeah, like some gai yang with a ceviche, som tam and carne asada, oh boy!