Job Discussion Forums

[Tess81]

Hi! I am new to the idea of teaching English abroad and would greatly appreciate some clarification and advice on the basics in the process. I have done some research on the net but have found all of the information to be rather overwhelming and sometimes conflicting.

This is my personal situation: I am a recent college graduate with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I am currently continuing my education in Spanish (and am therefore most interested in teaching abroad in either Latin America or Spain).

My questions are as follows:

Is a TEFL/ ESL certificate necessary?

From where should I earn this certificate? Are there any local programs (in the US, specifically Maryland or DC) that would suffice or is it recommended/ more favored to go abroad for certification? How much, on average, does the certification cost? How long does the certification take to earn? I know that there are a variety of options but I am trying to determine the best or better options.

Can you provide any references for finding local program certifications that are internationally recognized and legitimate? (I can't seem to find any local programs that offer certification) Or what is your recommendation for certification programs abroad? I am not especially interested in online certification courses, and from what I've read, this is the least favored of the certifications.

What is the best way to research and contact schools? Is it best to respond to specific job openings or to contact shools directly to inquire about teaching positions?

Ideally, I would like to be living and teaching abroad by this summer (June/ July/ August) - is this a realistic aim? And how are the school years structured? (For example, in the states it's back to school in August/ September) Do schools hire year-round or primarily before the start of the school year or semester?

Please help! I am really interested in pursuing teaching English abroad but all of this information is making my head spin! I know this is a lot of questions so thanks for any and all advice you are willing to give!

[Guy Courchesne]

Hi,

Let me try to help with some answers...

[matttheboy]

I seem to be following you around at the moment Guy...

Tess,

1. I would recommend getting certified. The most recognised cert is the Cambridge CELTA (Trinity TESOL is also well known but i don't know much about it). People have bad things to say about this course (99% of whom never did it). However, most decent schools will not take on teachers without some form of qualification (CELTA or Trinity TESOL). There are many schools in Lat Am who will but if you want to work somewhere decent, where they're not going to fleece you at every opportunity, it's best to get it.

The course is expensive and by no means perfect but it gives a good introduction into lesson planning and lesson structure. I also found it really helpful in introducing me to the processes involved in teaching grammar points, listening exercises etc. It gives you a good base from which to work.

2. You'll be able to find schools in your area who offer the course by looking on the internet.

3. It is pretty expensive and takes a (long, long but not difficult) month to complete. Cost is (i'm guessing in $ terms here) around $1500.

4. Teaching in Spain as an American may be difficult to do legally. It's nigh on impossible to for a US citizen to get a work permit as schools either don't offer contracts in the first place or can't be bothered to go through the rigmarole of sorting out a visa so won't hire you in the first place.

5. Teaching in Latin America is possible all year round although here in Argentina it's difficult during the summer (now-BsAs is well over half empty due to summer holidays, bliss if you live here but not good if you're an English teacher). Chile is the same.

Ecuador you'll find work at any time. Don't expect to make much money (if any). If you want any more info come join us on the General Lat Am forum and specific country forums. We're friendlier over there

6. If you get your ar se i gear you should be able to be out in Lat Am by June. Obviously all depends on your money situation. Be aware that to simply turn up in a country looking for work can require a couple of grand to see you through the tough times at the start.

7. You might find a job before you travel but most people don't as mentioned in 6.

Good luck with everything,

cheers,

Matt

[Guy Courchesne]

[matttheboy]

[quote="Guy Courchesne
Speaking of which, why aren't you in Mar del Plata with all the other portenyos?

Tag. You're it.[/quote]

'cos i`m in Santiarsehole now and will be off to the chilean equivalent, Vina del Mar/Renaca on the morrow. It was bloody lovely being back in Buenos Aires, sadly for all of 2 days... God, the hell it is having a girlfriend living in the most unpleasant soul-sucking polluted hell-hole on earth (i wouldn`t recommend Santiago for holiday, but i would recommend it as a punishment, albeit a tad severe)...back in the BsAs on Monday, praise the lord (2 mentions of god in 1 post, maybe paulie`s starting to convert me )

[Guy Courchesne]

I think a good dose of debauchery in Vinya del Mar, sans girlfriend should get the God outta ya.

Got a PM stewing in your inbox...

[alfred_utton]

Something esle to consider when choosing a TESOL certificate course: whether it offers job placement or not. Instituto Britanico, here in San Jose, does CELTA certification and then offers jobs teaching English to those that complete the course. I've seen ads for a similar program in Madrid, but I don't remember what its called.

I did the SIT TESOL course here in Costa Rica in November and loved it, but it took me longer to find work than I expected. As matttheboy mentions, I went though about $1500 while I was looking for work, so bring money with you.

[Deconstructor]

If you're not going to TEFL year after year, if this is just for fun, then get a job without doing any certification. There are great many jobs that ask for no qualifications at all save a B.A., even in basket weaving. Read couple of books about teaching at your local university library. Do you feel comfortable in front of people? Are you a people person? Do you know your adjectives from your adverbs? Are you a good ad libber? If you answered yes, then�

This way you could save lots time and money for a better use; and let me tell ya, better uses there will be when overseas.

Have fun!

[Guy Courchesne]

Decon, if you could provide some links or resources on how getting a job in Spain or Latin America without certification or credentials is possible, then I would agree with your advice.

I think you might be right for Asia, but the OP mentioned the Hispanic world. Every language center or school that we deal with starts a job ad the same way...

TEFL or CELTA required
Experience required (though not always)

[Deconstructor]

Hi everybody,

Guy, she said she was MOST interested in Latin America or Spain. I assumed she might consider other parts of the world as well. If you are correct, than yes, by all means she should get certified.