Job Discussion Forums

[OriontheGreat]

Hi,

I'm considering teaching English in Costa Rica. I realize that TEFL or TESOL certification is one of the few recommended pre reqs for doing so. I've read that online courses are a joke, but on the other hand, traditional courses are much much more expensive; around $800.00 vs. $300.00 for an online course.

I want to get a job teaching English but I also want to do my job well. Some traditional courses offer job placement assistance.

What do you experienced people say about this? Is the expensive traditional course worthwhile if you have the money? Does anyone have experience with their job placement offers?

I'm not afraid to come to Costa Rica without anything secured, but if I can secure a position in advance I certainly would'nt mind.

Thanks,

Orion

[Cdaniels]

I researched this for a long time. If you having some teaching experience, it may be worthwhile to go right in. You will be unlikely to get anything before interviewing there, but once you get do, it should be easy to find a job, even without certification. Face-to-face meeting is very important in Tico culture. Is there any reason why you can't try it out, then get certified afterwards? I am able to afford a CELTA (which you can also get in San Jose) and for a variety of reason I'm getting it first, But if I had more confidence about living in a foreign country, I would just go straight to San Jose.

[Guy Courchesne]

One of the nice benefits of taking a local TEFL course is that the course provider should be able to offer local job contacts. Every course provider in the region does this, which greatly helps to make up for the face-to-face nature of gaining employment in CR and elsewhere.