Job Discussion Forums

piscean21 · Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 20 Location: Houston, TX

It's nice to see another engineer posting here -especially an ME. I also got an ME degree, decided I hated it, and am finally doing something I've always thought about (but was too scared to try). I'm starting my CELTA course in April. Good luck!

Dagagad · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 2 Location: Donegal, Ireland

I seem to have misunderstood you here. You probably meant that you are a non EU citizen rather than what I thought originally:that you were referring to Italy as a non EU country. Embarassed

Good luck in Italy and if you are going to follow a footie team, may I suggest the mighty, mighty JUVE. Smile

ShaneM · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 20 Location: Boulder, CO USA

Oh no, I'm non-EU and the Italy thing will be difficult, I'm working a few VISA angles at the moment. Not sure if they will pan out for a length of 3 years, so I'm also looking at asia as well. Hoping to get some more Italy info in the next couple weeks.

anospi · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 2:22 am Post subject:

Hello ShaneM and piscean21, we should form a club! I am a 24yo male with a Bachelor of Engineering and 3 years work experience in the field of environmental software development and training. Once my company was sold, the work I did changed drammatically, and I decided I had to get out for my own sanity. In January (2005) I completed my CELTA, having done no prior TEFL work. It was tough, but without a doubt one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I am about to fly to SE Asia where I will look for some teaching work.

piscean21, some tips for CELTA. Read "Learning Teaching" by Jim Scrivener before you start the course. This helped me heaps. Try not to have anything else going on in your life during the 4 weeks either. Just tell yourself that your going to do the work, and not worry about anything else going on. You'll be fine!

ShaneM · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 20 Location: Boulder, CO USA

How advantageous is it really to complete the CELTA? I was considering it but wasn't quite sure if it was worth my while considering where I want to go (Korea/China)

anospi · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2005 4:36 am Post subject:

I found it really worthwhile, although I can see that it's not for everyone. I didn't want to do the NOVA thing in Japan or complete a cheap online TEFL cert because I wanted to learn (and practice) some english teaching skills that I could take anywhere, and also gain a qualification that is recognised worldwide.

Some of the people who taught in Japan as part of the NOVA program who completed the CELTA with me said that it made them realise that they weren't good teachers in Japan. Then again, there were some middle aged people who had taught in schools in Australia all their lives, who really struggled with the course.

There are people out there who don't think CELTA is a good thing. I've read plenty of posts on this forum about that! Basically I think it comes down to personal choice. I want to travel and teach english, however I have no qualifications. Sure, CELTA won't make me a perfect teacher, but it's a start. It's exposed me to a lot of new concepts that employers will recognise, and I believe it will make me a better teacher than if I had nothing, or if I did a cheap online TEFL cert.

ShaneM · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 20 Location: Boulder, CO USA

Update with more questions.

I finally had a chance to visit Korea. I spent a few weeks there and for the most part loved it. It was very funny seeing some of the complaints from this board about the people and customs in action.

In any case, here is the skinny on whats happened since the last post. Italy is almost entirely out of the question. That is, until I become fluent in the language. So far I'm still really a beginner, and given my workload I don't see myself progressing to the point where I need to be in order to jump into a PhD program in Italy, which is really my best option.

For various reasons I'm going to stick with Korea, and TESL only (non-technical). It just seems these jobs are so much more prevelent, and since I am basically a newbie at this, I don't want break my back getting the "dream position" if I decide in a year's time that I hate it.

The timeframe is going to be starting in Fall 2006.

This leaves me lots of time obviously. One quick question though. Is it an asset or a detriment that I have adopted siblings from Korea? In other words, should I let that information be known or not? I assume the fact that I've now traveled there and visited, including visiting an elementary school (as a tourist, but still) is a plus....

schwa · Joined: 12 Oct 2003 Posts: 164 Location: yap

Sure, any & all experience or connection with Korea would stand you in good stead with prospective employers. Simple reality -- a fair number of those fresh off the plane fail to cope.

Your time frame is overgenerous -- little happens till last minute here. Best bet, continue to monitor the general situation & then just come on over when youre ready. Lots of jobs & you cant beat sizing them up in person.

You sound confident & smart. You could do very well here.

ShaneM · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 20 Location: Boulder, CO USA

Yeah I figured the fact that it gives some insurance against culture shock is good, I just have heard that oftentimes, the concept of western adoption of Koreans is more or less a "taboo" topic for discussion with people you aren't relatively close to.

Yeah I know I have tons of time. I thought about taking the CELTA but I don't think I'm going to do that, as I get decent experience tutoring here and TA'ing in front of college kids.

ShaneM · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 20 Location: Boulder, CO USA

I'm pulling the cobwebs off this thread for a couple questions.

Looks like my timeframe for flying to SK is mid august-early september. I know that the public schools start in September. When is the "best" time to arrive for that, to allow for ample time to choose a particular position? Should I start applying ahead of time, or just wait til I get there? I have (Korean) friends in Seoul so I'm a little flexible with time/money.

Also, I'd like to get my own apartment starting out. Is this feasible, or too much detail to deal with just starting out? I'm looking at either Jeju or Seoul, highly leaning toward Seoul at the moment.

memorabilis · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 54 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Why would having a Masters in engineering make you overqualified to teach ESL? They are hardly similar.

ShaneM · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 20 Location: Boulder, CO USA

I wouldn't say I was overqualified. I'd say I was overeducated.

Topo Gigo · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 57 Location: Japan

Hi ShaneM

Don't know if you are still reading these boards, but thought I'd give this thread another dusting off. Have you looked at getting any jobs yet over in Korea? was just wondering if they valued your qualifications or not? I'm in a similar position - I have a PhD (in biomedical science) but am taking a year or two out and going to teach in Japan or Korea this autumn. Are your extra qualifications valued, or do they not really care, with them not being English/teaching related?

Fishy · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 138

Hi Shane, well done on all of your qualifications! Why do you feel a masters degree in engineering makes you qualified to teach English? It sounds like you have done brilliantly so far in your studies so why not take a CELTA course? I have just finished my CELTA and it was brilliant. You can learn a huge amount about good lesson planning and teaching techniques in a four week course and you will really enjoy it. The CELTA course can't teacher you to be a complete teacher in four weeks but it is a great foundation and sets you on your way. With any amount of degrees, MAs, PhDs, I would still think you should consider doing a CELTA as a minimum so that you will become a good teacher.

Some good points here also http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=38925

Best of luck!!

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