Job Discussion Forums

tkrawczyk · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 10

I am an 18 year old Canadian male, just graduated from high school and thinking of taking a year off university to take a TESOL course and go teach englich abroad. My first preference is Thailand, but I would like your guys' honest opinions on whether you think I would be able to get by with just a TESOL certificate.

If not, where would a guy like me be best to go - I don't plan on making a million bucks, I just wanna break near even in the end. Or would my best bet be to stay home and continue with this after I get a degree? If at all possible, I do want to go now though...

C76 · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2003 7:34 pm Post subject:

There's a thread on this board entitled "A List...Countries to Teach With No Degree..." Go check it out.

In my experience thus far, I suppose my degree is helping me on a subconscious level. (I majored in English Lit.) But when I teach...I use much of what I've learned while studying for my certification.

I can't really answer the last question your second paragraph though. I think it depends on you. You may get your cert, start teaching, and never want to stop.

On the other hand, you may get your certificate, teach, go to uni and earn your degree. You might prefer to take this route.

Something inside of me wants to lecture about the importance of earning your bachelors...At the very least, if you want, you could get it by correspondence.

*C76 steps back for a non-newbie to offer some advice*

aaronschwartz · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Beijing

Take some time out and get some real life experience under your belt.
But FINISH that degree. If you do not finish, you will have regrets all of your life.

tkrawczyk · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 10

Well, it's not so much the knowledge of teaching that I'm concerned about, I feel that the TESOL certificate plus my own intellect should suffice. What I was more concerned about is whether I can even find work without the degree - but I see your points, thank you.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

double agent · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2003 12:38 pm Post subject: young and canuck

howdy cowboy Embarassed

first let me break your sweet Canadian heart jus� a �litttllle baby.
You are too young. They wont hire you. Mad

They will SEE Rolling Eyes

how young and cute
you are and duck you over for your wages. Razz

They will lie to you and postpone your salary another day another week after the weekend Wink

and you will be broke and young with some foriegn dystentry or sumting. Shocked

Go travelling, finish your degree, get your TEFL better yet get a TEFL Diploma, the pay increases greatly in GOOD countries.

Go make a pile of money, in the middle east, japan, taiwan,
go back home, put a deposit on your FIRST house. Rent it out.
Go back travelling the world, and working while still SAVING.

You will be miles ahead of the game if you play it like this. The other
way WILL BE HARD and it will SUCK BIG TIME. Embarassed

Thailand aint so great I have been there and it is dirty and it
sucks big time. Go to Morocco for dddrrrruuuuggggssss..

Where are u from in Canada_

Try the CES

tkrawczyk · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 10

I'm from Saskatchewan, and I actually really like your idea. I have always been a little skeptical of teaching at 18, but one of my high school teachers, a young guy, told me that when he went to Thailand there were job offers like crazy, and he basically told me that I was a fool to not check it out. He said he lived like a king, and his stuff wasn't in Korea at the time, he would have never left. I think I probly will just travel around Asia, maybe Europe and South America as well.

Quick question though.. I've heard from a lot of people that tutoring makes up a large part of teachers incomes - would I be able to make some money teaching families under the table? Of course I wouldn't plan to make much money tutoring in Thailand, but maybe Taiwan or Japan, just a little to extend my travel funding. I beleive that if I really sold myself, and came across as real outgoing and happy, the Japanese would love me. But of course, that is just my ignorant opinion, would do you guys think?[/list]

double agent · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2003 6:52 pm Post subject: furrrgiiittt bbbouuutt iiittt

maybe 100 years ago when this TEACHER of yours
was in thailand getting laid by young underage thai girls
he felt like a king. SAD.

Razz

Now the market is saturated. Lots of places advertise
but few are GOOD. I mean few. Being so young they
wont hire you. Maybe if you were at least 22 ..but 18...
no way.

Maybe u will get lucky and get a tutoring job.
More than not, THEY WILL WANT SOMETHING FROM YOU!
Your money, your love, just send them 500 dollars a month
when you get back to Canada. They will LUUUVVVV u forever.

Most of Asia is out to take money outta your pocket. Being
western makes you a target.

Being young will make you a victim.

just travel for a month have fun be safe. Aids is big.
dont be silly and lose you health.

aaronschwartz · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Beijing

Too much negativity here! Try China, forget Thailand.