Job Discussion Forums

[balatro]

My name is David, I live in North Carolina, USA. I'm caught between wanting to goto college and travel the world to teach English and pickup on foreign languages.

My Latin teacher in HS was a TEFL teacher for over 20 years; he had lived in China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Laos. All in all he says he's visited over 50 countries and can speak fluently in over 15 languages. He could definitely translate in all 15 ... he'd frequently let us find texts in certain languages and he would provide accurate translations 100% of the time. His rationale "Some collect baseball cards, others cars, some money ... I collect the greatest one of them all, human languages!"

He's since moved on to another school and I no longer have contact with him. However he has served as an incredible influence to me.

I know full well the value of a college education but as St. Augustine once said "The world is a great book, of which they who never stir from home read only a page." but I also want to travel and work several TEFL jobs.

Is it possible to do both at once? Are there TEFL programs that provide assistance to people wanting to get their BA/BS?

If not, what I was also thinking was that I could goto school and during my Summers, which would be 2-3 months in length that I could use that time to teach - say in Asia or Europe.

Would that be possible? Are there programs that would permit me to work 2-3 months during my Summer to gain a basic understanding of it all? It would be done 4 times, so ultimately it'd roughly be a year's worth of work over a 4 year period -- if it was a reputable program and one that I enjoyed doing, I'd even consider a contract promising to do the full 2-3 month times all 4 years at the same place.

What do you guys think about that? Maybe there are some DOS on this board who would be willing to give some strong advice or even consider me --- I have a varied resume with plenty of tutor experience in various subjects during HS.

Also, what are some particular programs that you guys prefer for TEFL training? I'd prefer one where I trained onsite, so as to get the teaching practice.

I've heard nothing but good things about the Caledonian School in Prague, any experience?

As far as teaching preference if this is of any need:

I would prefer to teach in Eastern Europe/Russia -- i.e. Prague, Romania, Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg). Though I would gladly consider choosing places in China, Korea, Thailand, etc within the Asian continent. I've heard mixed reports about the Middle East -- but if I had a reliable source and areas to do research on the area as far as TEFL goes, I'd consider that area. My #1 preference is in Prague however -- my father took me there as a young teenager and I've fallen in love with it. I still claim that I intend to move to Prague and live!

Once again, any help would be beneficial!!

I thank you all in advance.

~David G.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Go to college. Get a degree (you could major in Linguistics and/or Modern Languages- those will help with teaching English enormously). Preferably followed by some real Teacher Training. Then go overseas.

Employment prospects for people who don't have a degree are much more limited than for those who do.

The Czech Republic is now a part of the EU, so getting a job there without an EU member country's passport may be difficult, especially without a degree.

[balatro]

[ls650]

[balatro]

[ls650]

Try looking at www.tefl.com

[Glenski]