Job Discussion Forums

Stellabella · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 14 Location: Australia

Hello there to all the great people on this site...this is my very first post so pardon me if I waffle on...I am posting this on another part of the forum as well

Some info about me...I am Australian born & my parents hail from Greece so I have applied for an EU passport which is almost ready.

I am going to travel overseas next year SOLO. I thought I may like to stay in Asia for approx 6 to 12 months and then head off to Europe and see what awaits for me there.

I am a fit & healthy 39 yo and have been government employed for over 15 years as a Counsellor and an Aged Care Consultant in a major Sydney Hospital. I have been teaching Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention to Children, Teenagers & Adults for approx 10 years, which is very involved & needs great skill as you can imagine.

I have also hosted homestay students from all over Asia as house guests for over 10 years. I have been a Greek teacher & I have taught Greek to Greek-Australian children ages 7-12 for over 10 years.

Ok a few questions here

#1 I am looking to undertake a Tesol / Tefl course next month. After CAREFUL reading on this site, I have realised that the Celta course is the most recognised/respected, but working fulltime I have time constraints so may need to do something else online/distance (any recommendations) I am still so confused by the huge variety of courses out there. Please don't take offence but info is contradicting on not just this website but many others...which is the most recognised ONLINE/DISTANCE course one can undertake.

#2 Also after reading all of your postings to each other , I see I may (or most certainly will) encounter scams and scammers along the way. So my question..is there a WEBSITE to guide me to ie non-fraudulent schools...reputable agencies...somewhere to tell me which countries are better/safer....or is there anybody you could recommend me to. I am truly terrified as I will be travelling ALONE!!!

#3 I have Dip and Assoc Dip but no Bachelor Degree...so I realise this limits my stays/choices in certain countries. So it looks like China and a few other are my options...any other countries that you know of please tell me

Thanks...any advice...would be soothing and helpful

Stella

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

I travel alone frequently, throughout Europe. I have to say that if the idea is so scary to you, this might not be the best step for you to take. One idea that might help you would be if you could consider an on-site TEFL training course in Europe or Asia. While you are on the course, you'll have at least a minimal support structure around you (other students on the course, probably housing arranged, and information available). On site courses that offer evaluated teaching practice are usually more recognized than online courses in terms of employment (the big flaw with an online course is lack of supervised teaching practice; no way around that!). To take a course somewhere you think you might like to be can help to introduce you to that location with less stress, and also to the ins and outs of travel in general.

Stellabella · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 14 Location: Australia

Hi Spiral

Thanks for your feedback!! You were quick Smile

Well I am not frightened of travelling alone as I have done this in Australia quite a bit already. I guess I am more frightened of some of the horror stories I have read from the very intelligent, vintage travellers on these boards. For example I have read about 50 stories of people accepting jobs in China only to be ripped off wages, their passports kept for lengthy periods of time, promises of good accommodation, only to find they get put in a rat hole etc...That part of it scares me...not the travelling alone

sojourner · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 2:39 pm Post subject:

I have responded to your query, on the Aust/NZ Forum.

Peter

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

Ah, I see, it's not the travel, but the possible problems with schools.
I haven't read Sojourner's feedback (which I expect is going to be quite useful) but I'll offer a couple of general guidelines, for whatever that might be worth.
I would always try to talk to other teachers employed by the school, preferably away from the management. Many reputable schools will provide you with contacts among their staff. Also, most teachers in an area will have some idea of the schools in that area; not just their own. You should be able to get some useful information this way. When you know what your destination is, you should be able to make contacts in that area.
Training schools for certification also have lists of schools their graduates have worked with, and can provide you with useful feedback in many cases.
�ou'll be able to get more information on this forum when you decide on locations to ask specifically about, too.

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

Haven't read your other posts, but you are going to find it hard to land a job without a college degree. Being over 30, you are ineligible for a working holiday visa, too. Have you pinned down a country yet? I'm in Japan and would have to tell you that you won't find work here unless you get that degree first.

Stellabella · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 14 Location: Australia

Thanks for your both your replies.

Firstly I am aware of the many obstacles faced if one does not have a degree and is a little older. Hence the reason I am obtaining a second passport as a resident of Greece in order to have dual citizenship in both Oz and Greece for an EU passport...that takes care of the age factor and working visa problems (well at least with Europe..EU )

Which I guess is why I asked about which counties were best to apply to (is there a website or list available on these boards perhaps)

Spiral thanks for your info, that's a great idea and funny enough I did get one Chinese school approach me through an Aussie jobsite and when I asked to see some contractual stuff...they never replied (prior to this they were emailing me daily...lmao)

Keep the advice coming guys...I need all I can get!!!!

BRUGAL · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:49 pm Post subject:

Hi Stellabella I too am gonna be travelling alone and without a degree so i'm facing many of the same problems. I intend to take a 1 month intensive Trinity CertTEFL course in Barcelona because I have no previous teaching experience. Then I intend to head to China. I am finding it very difficult to get any info on what countries you can go to without a degree (so sorry i'm no help here) i think it changes everyday, but I know you can definatley go to China. One of the most reputable companies i've found for employment in China is called English First (their recruitment people are always happy to answer any questions so ask them the queries you have) they deal with all visa applications on your behalf if you were to work for them so they might be able to answer any age realted concerns. One of the teachers at my local college recommended them to me as this where they first taught. I'm sure there are many other reputable schools out there but this is one you might want to take a look at.

Sorry I cant be of much help, their website if www.englishfirst.com if you wanna check them out.

Good luck with everything Very Happy

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

Stellabella,
You mentioned going to Asia first, which is why I chimed in. Sorry to be so negative, but that's the situation with no degree.

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

No degree will limit you, but it's still possible to find employment. For example, Indonesia only requires a TEFL Certificate or a degree, not both.

YearOfTheDog · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 5:13 am Post subject:

Stellabella · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 14 Location: Australia

Brugal... I took a look at the website you suggested but I would do a little more research on this site and others to take a look at the big picture. There are MANY recruiters, agencies out there that will give you half truths, half baked contracts so please be careful. This is my EXACT reason for joining up and asking for help. If you like, PM me anytime (same goes with all members on here) and let's exchange ideas and knowledge and information.

Glenski...aww you making me feel like an old bag Sad

...hehehe just joking...I knowwww I know...I am too old for working visa's etc. But when I get dual citizenship for Oz/Greece it will be better and I am thinking that Greece is the most sensible and practical place for me to start my working holiday/career/come-what-may journey in life. I only look and feel 30 ...I wish passports didn't have to mention my age...grrrr

Rolling Eyes

What do you think?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

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

Stellabella · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 14 Location: Australia

Once again I do treasure the advice you are giving me Glenski and I truly was joking when I wrote the above.

I am though still learning all about my visa's and the differences between my TEFL TESOL & CELTA & DELTA...ugh Confused

So I won't pretend it was a typo Crying or Very sad