Job Discussion Forums

vox · Joined: 26 Sep 2005 Posts: 7

So here's my situation:

Next year, I'll be a fresh college graduate with an Associate's Degree, not a Bachelor's.

I'd like to teach English abroad, and I'm considering South America as somewhere I'd like to go. I have studied Spanish for several years, and would enjoy the opportunity to live in a foreign environment. I am no stranger to travel, a good chunk of my paycheck goes into travel every year. I've been to Europe twice in the past year, and I'll be headed to Mexico early next year.

So if I had a generic (non Cambridge/Trinity) TEFL cert, what kind of job could I expect to land (if any)?

If I invested $3000+ into taking the Trinity cert, what kind of job could I expect to land?

Thanks!

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

Firecat · Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 14

An Associate�s Degree dose not carry much weight within the U.S. either. Sorry. Keep going and get the BA/BS if you are looking at teaching as a career. There are plenty of good career choices that do not require higher education; however, teaching is not one of them.

If you want to teach in Latin America, a BA/BS degree is pretty important. I'm not saying that it will be impossible to find a job in Latin America, just very hard. If you are only looking for something to do for a couple of years before returning home and pursuing a non-teaching career, you may want to consider going to Asia to teach.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 1:49 am Post subject:

I'm not sure about that. I agree wholeheartedly that a degree is always a good idea. And that it opens up a wealth of possibilities. But I've known a fair number of long term, highly placed, LA teachers, who are without a degree.

If you REALLY don't want to finish your BA, be warned that your career ladder will be lengthened. (With you starting lower. Probably more than two years lower, so the degree makes sense.) But I won't say it's impossible, cause it's not. Look into "alternative" training, if you go that route.

Regards,
Justin

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

just remember, I would say that the average pay here in South America is around 500 dollars a month. Remember that before investing in a 3000 dolalrs cert.