Job Discussion Forums

Rjt98 · Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2 Location: California

How many jobs are available to english teachers that have only a TEFL certificate, and not much experience?

Is it possible to get jobs in eastern europe, or only in SE asia.

Also, where is the best place to go to job search and apply for positions?

Thanks in advance for any help,

rt

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

There should be many possibilities...you can look on the job board here on tefl.com, internationalhouse.com, or just google.

Good luck Smile

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

That's a damned good question.
I don't know. I was recently turned down for a job in Indonesia - INDONESIA!! - for not having a degree, even though I have a Trinity diploma and three years' experience as a DOS, in addition to eight MORE years' experience teaching.
China has been cracking down on the no-degreed people as well. What is this world coming to??

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

Do you have a degree?

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Well,
If I had a degree, I'd have told Mr. Indonesia Guy, wouldn't I?
Nope. No degree. Just that bloody diploma, ten years' experience teaching (three of which were in Jakarta) and three years' experience as a DOS. So I'm not worthy to work in Indo anymore, I guess...

Chris_Crossley

I think you should blame the governments of the countries who say that "only" graduates should be admitted, not the schools themselves. This is partly to do with the fact that there are so many people who let the "profession" down with their very "unprofessional" behaviour, both in and out of class, that has led to a kneejerk reaction on the part of government, which has promptly labelled these people as "undesirables", as they consider them likely to be college drop-outs, suggesting, perhaps (lack of financial means notwithstanding), that, as far as the mentality of the people who run these governments goes, drop-outs "must" be dead-beats who don't want to do a stroke of hard work.

Of course, from our point of view, that simply is not true. Gregor has got the TESOL qualifications and the experience to do the job, BUT - and it is a BIG "but" - these governments must have told these embassy visa and consular section people, "Look for a degree - if you don't see one, don't grant them a visa".

Just as well Bill Gates isn't looking for a TEFL job in Indonesia, then.

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

expatben · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 8:59 am Post subject:

Ido't have a degree just basic TESOL and a little experience here and there but I got a job in Poland so I guess it is possible.
Xpat

LadyJane · Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 8

Rjt98,

I think it is possible to find something in Eastern Europe. Right now, it seems, some schools are scrambling to get teachers. I think they had previously hired someone and they didn't show, or they have additional students and need staff to go with them. Whatever the reason, I've had 3 and a half offers in a week compared to only nibbles for a couple of months. I'm a relative newbie, with only a little bit more than a year's experience. If my e-mails are any indication, Poland might be a good direction for you to look. Turkey also seems to have some possibilities. If you don't find what you're looking for on this site, just google esl + employment and you'll get a bunch of others.

I don't know if you have EU citizenship, but the new EU countries in Eastern Europe seem to still have employers willing to do the work permit papers for those of us who don't. I found such an employer, so it can't be unheard of.

Good luck! Smile

LJ

LadyJane · Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 8

Rjt98,

I think it is possible to find something in Eastern Europe. Right now, it seems, some schools are scrambling to get teachers. I think they had previously hired someone and they didn't show, or they have additional students and need staff to go with them. Whatever the reason, I've had 3 and a half offers in a week compared to only nibbles for a couple of months. I'm a relative newbie, with only a little bit more than a year's experience. If my e-mails are any indication, Poland might be a good direction for you to look. Turkey also seems to have some possibilities. If you don't find what you're looking for on this site, just google esl + employment and you'll get a bunch of others.

I don't know if you have EU citizenship, but the new EU countries in Eastern Europe seem to still have employers willing to do the work permit papers for those of us who don't. I found such an employer, so it can't be unheard of.

Good luck! Smile

LJ