Job Discussion Forums

missheidi

I know that this topic has been covered before, but I'm wondering if my work experience could be taken into account as well as my education in terms of finding work teaching overseas... Question

I am a current undergrad student and a Canadian citizen, born and raised Smile

I have years of experience and excellent references in the field of Editing at a great company called Clearword (www.clearword.ca for a better idea of what I "do"). Most of the projects that I have handle are actually the initial consultations for the work of ESL students, which includes light editing beforehand. As a result, I am experienced in explaining the most common errors that occur when using the English language. Although I am only about 1/2 way through my degree in Psych, I'm wondering if there is any way that I could be able to find work teaching English in Asia with just the experience that I have, my current transcripts (I plan to continue my school via correspondance if I could find work overseas), and TEFL certification. I am 24, but very professional and very eager to learn.

Is there anybody who might be able to give me realistic advice on what my options are?? Are my current qualifications enough to be able to apply for work, and if so, where are my chances the best? I understand that Japan is almost certainly out, as it is a legal requirement to have a degree there. What about Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, etc... or even South America?

If anyone has any real-life experience of teaching without having a degree, I would love to hear about this as well. Thanks so much!

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Korea and Taiwan also require a degree. My advice to you would be to finish your degree first, then head overseas. 2 years is not long and it will be just as good as it is today. You will get MUCH better jobs in general with a degree. Certainly the countries which pay the most (Japan, Korea and Taiwan) require degrees. However, you could come on a working holiday visa to Japan. You can work p/t and travel around. Be warned, Japan is an expensive place to travel.

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

joshua2004 · Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 3:54 pm Post subject:

I also agree. It helps for not only getting the much better jobs, but when it comes time for promotion, you will qualify. If I didn't have my masters, I could not have been promoted to English coordinator. I stuck out an extra seven years to get my bachelors and masters when I was in your position! And I am very glad I did.

Girl Scout · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 525 Location: Inbetween worlds

It can be done. However, you will most likely get the worst classes at the lowest pay. You will not be in a position to save a lot of money. You will likely not enjoy your experience.

Most people I met without degrees were working kindy classes. These classes will not utilize your experience.

Finish your degree. EFL jobs will still be available in 2 years.

missheidi · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 1:03 am Post subject:

Thanks to everyone for the advice - I though as much, but just needed to hear it from people who are "in the know" and have real experience Laughing

I was considering doing this program:

http://www.teflcourse.com/locations/banphe/

for a fun experience and taking a break from school for a semester or so, and then returning to Canada to finish school and continue on from there... any thoughts?

joshua2004 · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 2:49 am Post subject:

If you have a degree, you can be 99% sure you will not need a TEFL certificate. There are a scattered few locations that require a TEFL certificate to get a visa. Check for the area you want to go. I never recommend people getting a TEFL cert. A bachelors (or a masters!) and some practical experience is what you should focus on. Perhaps you could add on a ESL minor to your degree?

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

joshua2004 · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 4:52 am Post subject:

There is a saying in Spanish that implies if you do things the easy way, you work twice as hard. Likewise if you buy a cheap toaster that falls apart after a short time, you have to go back and spend more money and time getting a new toaster. The next time you are going to be sure to get something of quality that will last you. Why? Because in the end you are going to do it anyway. So why not do it right the first time?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

lady z · Joined: 28 Sep 2005 Posts: 39 Location: India

Though it is a personal choice, I agree with Joshua, Gordon, and Guy...I have a B.A. and an M.A. but since those degrees are in Anthropology and Counseling Psychology, and not anything related to teaching ESL or EFL, I am going to do a TEFL certificate before I start teaching.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Like everyone else, I think you should finish your degree first. If you are 24 and only halfway through your first undergraduate degree, do you have other full-time work experience?

In the meantime, to get some (more) experience, you can try to get a summer language camp job if you have time. Where I did one through a private language school in Ontario, there were teachers who taught ESL in the morning and early afternoon, and counsellors who brought the kids out to museums, did activities with them during the late afternoon and evening etc. The school may require education backgrounds of their ESL teachers (where I did one, only one of the four of us hadn't had a year's worth of education training, either a year long uni/college TESL certificate or a year long B.ed, and that one teacher had taught for a year in some sort of exchange position in Hong Kong and had access to a huge amount of teaching supplies through a family member) but the camp counsellors had no education backgrounds and were still undergraduates of various disciplines (they may have had related experience through being a leader in the cadets or other camp councellor positions, though).