Job Discussion Forums

Preston866 · Joined: 11 Mar 2005 Posts: 12

Hello! I am new to the idea of TEFL and am trying to decide if it's right for me. My main question is will I be able to get a job teaching english with a tefl certficate alone? I do not have a college degree. I have already been told to forget about Greece that you must have a Bachelors Degree. What about South America and parts of Europe like Poland, Spain, Czech Republic? I really don't want to finish college and I especially dont want to fork over the money for a tefl certification if it won't qualify me for jobs. Thanks for your help!

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

It varies not just from country to country, but school to school.
China and Indonesia are wide open to you with a 'mere' TEFL Certificate, as are some schools in other parts of SE Asia.
You might find work in a smaller school in Latin America, but it will pay subsistence wages.
If you are just looking to teach as a lark for a couple of years, a TEFL Certificate is fine. If you are thinking longer term and want to make enough salary to save, you'll need a degree.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Much of Latin America would be open to you for teaching jobs with just a TEFL cert. However, many courses require a degree or some college to enroll. Some countries require a degree for immigration, some don't. Many Latin American countries are easy to work in under the table without working papers as well.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

What country are you from, and how old are you? You might qualify for a working holiday visa. Better than nothing.

Deconstructor · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 775 Location: Montreal

You have insufficient education, you say? Well old chap, you are finally home!! Here you can call yourself a TEACHER while being clueless about exactly what it is you are supposed to teach. Ain't that a hoot?! Where else can you go in this world where your unqualifications are as greatly appreciated as in the wonderful world of Disney... er... I mean TEFL? Join us on our fun filled rollercoaster ride as you meet our TEFL president and CEO Mickey Mouse. At our never land everyone is accepted as one would be in heaven. You know not grammar? Constipate not. We shall teach you how to pretend that you do. You know not what to do with three hours of class time? Never worry, we shall teach you how to effectively kill time while achieving less than nothing. You know not how to answer the students� rarely complex questions? stay cool, we shall teach you how to use big words even you don�t understand, to intimidate those pesky students who think they know more than you (though they might).

Isn�t it wonderful to have the illusion of a career as you travel the world and learn the mysteries of life such as the one about the future perfect? But please, do not start wondering about how perfect your own future may be having chosen the mother of all careers. This may lead you to give up that for which you�ve worked for so, so little.

May you find your path in the valley of TEFL. Remember, we are all walking with you and if you see only your own footsteps in the mud, it only means that you are carrying us all. Or perhaps we�re all at the local boozarama replenishing our faith.

AMEN!

Preston866 · Joined: 11 Mar 2005 Posts: 12

I have been going to college for 3 years, but I just don't have any desire to finish. I have a small amount of assistant teaching experience with children who have learning disabilities. I am an entrepreneur at heart and own a antique business here in the US and am about to buy my first duplex to rent out. I am only 21 years old and this poses a problem I think in getting my TEFL cert. I don't feel like I could confidently walk into a this course. I still use words like: like, you know, and have a sort of immature tone to my voice not to mention I look like I'm 15. I was thinking about getting my cert in a year and try to mature some Smile

Ideally I'd like to teach in Greece but I was told I definitely need a BA. Other countries I'd be interested in are Spain, Poland, Czech Rep., and parts of Africa and South America. I just don't want to fork over the money for this certification if it's not going to get me a job. I will live in Greece one day for sure and I wonder if I could do private tutoring with just a TEFL cert? Does anyone know about that? Thanks you guys!

Preston866 · Joined: 11 Mar 2005 Posts: 12

Anybody live in Greece?

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

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 6:10 pm Post subject:

Agree with IS650- A degree could do you a lot of favours, and you're almost there.

I didn't have one myself until fairly recently, so I know whereof I speak. It's possible to work without (and I did) but better jobs do open up if you finish it.
Your habit of "like, you know" speech will be easy enough to break, and maybe with some voice training...

Good Luck
Justin

Preston866 · Joined: 11 Mar 2005 Posts: 12

i will continue my college "experience" only if I can finish my BA online. Can anyone recommend online schools?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Where are you from? This makes a difference in whether you can obtain work permits for some of the countries you mentioned. Most European countries will prefer an EU member state citizen with a degree, certification, and experience over anybody else.....and there are a lot of candidates out there who meet all or most of those requirements.

Preston866 · Joined: 11 Mar 2005 Posts: 12

I am from the US, however, I plan on buying property and building a house in Greece so I don't know if that will help w/ some of the paperwork?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Try the University of Phoenix for info on finishing your degree online. Any other type of search will yield more diploma mills than you can shake a keyboard at.

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

The problem with finishing your degree with another university is that you will only be able to transfer up to 2 years of your degree. So you would need to do 2 years online instead of being impatient and finishing your last year. I can tell you that you will regret quitting now that you are so close. People will also respect you more as well if you finish.