Job Discussion Forums

[717]

Unhappiness with my job prospects in the US and a serious regret that I never traveled extensively or studied abroad have prompted me to pursue a job teaching abroad. Furthermore, I feel like many circumstances in my life have conspired to allow me the opportunity to pursue this life long ambition finally. I have read a lot of the recommended literature on the subject, but I would love as much specific advice as anyone can provide me.

I have a Bachelor�s in English and a Master�s in Education (Secondary, English). I am 30 years old and female. I have a lot of teaching experience, but none related to ESL. The most relevant experience came from running a day treatment program for adolescents ages 12-17 coming in and out of lock-up facilities. In that capacity I taught every subject and wrote all of the curriculum.

I would be happiest teaching in a Spanish speaking Central/South American country, but I would consider many other places. My primary objective for at least the first 2 years is saving as much money I can to pay off my student loans. It�s not that I expect to make a fortune, but I don�t expect an extravagant social life or wild opportunities to travel within the first years. I want to get out of debt.

I do not have a TESOL certification, nor do I know if I can afford to obtain one. I live in Chicago, and most worthwhile courses here seem to run $2,000 to $3,000.

Should I expect the start-up costs of this career to be high? Can I realistically expect to enter this career relatively late with little savings?

[Gordon]

If I were you, I would pursue int'l schools. You will earn more than in a language school and easily be able to save money. You could save a lot in Hong Kong in their NET scheme program.
Look into joining ISS which is a company that has job fairs and job openings for teachers to work in int'l schools.

[Doglover]

[Justin Trullinger]

Hi there,
I agree with what's been written before. If you're interested in Central or South America, and you have debts, thing about international schools. Private universities would be another option.
If you want to really teach TEFL, stay in the US for another year or two, work like stink, and live frugally. Then, when your loans are paid off, come on down. There is relatively little way an entry level TEFL job would allow you to pay off US student loans.
International schools, private universities, or some private high schools would be possible. Otherwise, get the loans behind you before you come on down.

Regards,
Justin

PS- If Ecuador is of interest, let me know, and I can point you towards some possibilities. (I'm not recruiting here. If your student loans are normal sized, you wouldn't want to work here. Salary tooooooo small. But nice for living on.)

[nomadder]

Try Asia first to pay off debts(or at least some) and then go to Latin America. Quite common. Go for it!

[naturegirl321]

International schools sound like a good option for you.
You don-t necessarily need a TEFL Cert with the qualifications that you have the BA in english and the MA in English weight more.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hello 717


Your BA in English & MEd are great qualifications -

and will open most TEFL doors for you without additional quals.

Being female is also an advantage, in my humble opinion.

Having experience with special needs kids ...

is also a BIG feather in your cap!


Are you a state certified teacher as well?

If "yes", you could apply at a quality international school

right away --- with no extra costs whatsoever.


Here are a few more International School Placement resources.

Just be aware that these organizations almost always charge

a nominal fee for registration, but it's definitely worth it -

if they get you hooked up with a good school:


http://www.iss.edu/index.html (ISS / Int. Schools Services)

http://www.cois.org/ (CIS / Council of International Schools)

http://www.search-associates.com/ (Search Associates)

http://www.uni.edu/placement/overseas/ (UNI)

http://www.joyjobs.com/ (Joy Jobs)

http://tieonline.com/ (TIE Online)


As others have already mentioned, you'll earn a lot more $$$

at an international school than you will at a typical TEFL school.

If you have debts to pay off, this is the way to go ...

especially with qualifications like yours!

[Cdaniels]

Does anyone have ideas about a comparison to moving within the US (or Canada?) On another thread someone recommended teaching in Florida as there is a big demand for ESL teachers (teachers in general?) and it's relatively easy to get certified to teach there. A friend of mine lived quite well in San Angelo, Texas, where there's a low cost-of-living. Does it sound reasonable to pay off debts teaching in Florida or Texas, before teaching abroad?

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[incognito75]

So, if I'm reading this correctly, it sounds like most experienced foreign teachers here are saying that no one should leave to teach English overseas until their loans are paid off, correct??? I (like the original poster) am female and have tons of student loans, like $22,000!!!! Are most people advising I pay this amount off before even thinking of leavign the country? WOW! IS that even possible in two years (or less in my ideal situation)?

I was hoping to leave the USA by Aril 2006 EVEN with my student loan. I also would like to go to a Latin American country. I read a previous post suggesting going to an Asian country first to help pay off the loans and then going to a Latin American country.

So there is no way that student loans can be deferred while teaching or working abroad? Can I claim economic hardship?

Any ideas would be great!

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

I think people are saying don't go to Latin American countries if you have a huge amount of debt, but there are ways to pay back loans in Asia.


International Schools

NET programme

JET programme (if you can handle beig relegated to an Assistant)

With the OPs qualifications, the EPIK programme would aslo pay well (different levels depending on qualifications), although there have been complaints about the EPIK in comparison to JET.

[naturegirl321]

Yiou CAN claim economic hardship. I believe you have to earn 15,000 or less a year. Check with your loan people, though

[Justin Trullinger]

You can claim economic hardship deferments- talk to whoever holds/administers your loans for details. (Some of my current teachers have done this.) The problem is, the loans are there to stay, and if TEFL becomes a long term career, they're hard to deal with if you're in Latin America.

You can usually also consolidate them, and work out much lower monthly payments, but the downside of this is how long they last. (I think mine could be paid off by the time I'm the age that (I suspect) Mr. ROund da Block is.)

If you pay them off before you go (I didn't) then you'll have more lifestyle flexibility once you're here. But it can be done either way.

But I don't have an M Ed, or a state teaching license, which may make it possible for you to have the best of both worlds. (Some international schools offer a salary close to what you'd receive at home, but the cost of living is lower...)

Regards,
Justin

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[shenyanggerry]

A master's in English gives you a lot of flexability. I wouldn't worry about a TESL course. Read a few books. With your education and experience, that should be all you need.

There's a thread somewhere about where the best pay is available. I would say Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong in Asia. The OPEC countries pay well.

If you can get university work, take it. They tend to pay ontime and in full, including those months when you have no classes. You can then fill up your spare time with extra classes or privates.

China's better for me but I'm at a different age and stage.