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Eager2teach
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 30
Location: Madison, Wisconsin US
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 Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:57 pm Post subject: Newbie with a B.A. in Social Work, plus a CELTA. |
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Hey out there,
I've been told by a recruiter with lots of experience in the biz that with a CELTA I can "call my shots". I'm not as confident as he is! I don't have experience other than doing some one on one tutoring. I'm also not young anymore. I'm a 47 y/o native speaker from the US.
I'll take any advice or information on where to look and how to present myself when applying for jobs.
thanks,
John |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 9:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Do you have at least a bachelor's degree in something? Without it, you are going to be severely limited in most countries. It's usually required for a work visa, regardless of having a CELTA or not. |
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ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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The OP states "B.A. in Social Work" in the subject...
I'm not quite sure what the recruiter meant when he said "call your shots". The CELTA might give you a slight edge over someone with no certificate, or a generic certificate, depending on the country. In some countries it counts more, but in most it doesn't mean that much. It sounds like the recruiter is trying to sell you a course!
That's not to say a CELTA isn't useful if you have no teaching experience. It can be very informative and helpful, but I think a lot of schools tend to puff up its worth. |
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Eager2teach
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Posts: 30
Location: Madison, Wisconsin US
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 11:03 pm Post subject: CELTA |
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| I already went through and passed the CELTA. The recruiter is from Toronto and that's where I took my course. So, no, he is NOT trying to sell me a course. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 1:46 am Post subject: Re: CELTA |
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| Eager2teach wrote: |
| I already went through and passed the CELTA. The recruiter is from Toronto and that's where I took my course. So, no, he is NOT trying to sell me a course. |
So where exactly in the world are you interested in working? Many Asian countries dont require a CELTA but you need a degree to get a work visa.
Personally I wouldnt trust recruiters as far as i can throw them, as they get paid for finding warm bodies for their clients. Like used car salesmen they will do and say anything to make a sale. |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 1:53 am Post subject: |
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| With a BA and Celta, you should be able to find work in almost any country at the bottom of the rung kind of school. You need experience before you can call your shots. This is the way it should be and is what we all went through as well. Over time, you slowly work your way up the totem pole, not such a bad thing. If anyone armed with a tefl and degree could get really good jobs, then they aren't really all that good are they? |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 1:57 am Post subject: |
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| Gordon wrote: |
| With a BA and Celta, you should be able to find work in almost any country at the bottom of the rung kind of school. You need experience before you can call your shots. This is the way it should be and is what we all went through as well. Over time, you slowly work your way up the totem pole, not such a bad thing. If anyone armed with a tefl and degree could get really good jobs, then they aren't really all that good are they? |
The only way to call the shots is get a permanent visa, perhaps marry a local and then open your own language school. Until that happens you are a salaried employee and only as useful as the length of your current visa which isn some countries like Korea and Taiwan, are owned by your employer, not you.
You call the shots when you pay your own salary or at the very least, become indispensible, and in ELT those jobs are very rare. A person starting out can not expect to write their own paycheck. |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 2:05 am Post subject: |
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Paul,
I think in a general way, most countries are more desperate for English teachers than in Japan. We have no leverage in Japan, but we do in many other countries just because of the lack of teachers available and because the pay is cr@p. Still you need experience before you have some bargaining power.
I agree with you about Japan though |
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saint57
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 1221
Location: Beyond the Dune Sea
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:35 am Post subject: |
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Hi itchyitchy,
I'm a recent university grad from Canada. I really want to teach abroad. I've heard Korea is the best place for making money? Is 1,600,000 a good salary to start at? Can you really hook me up with a school that provides airfare and a FREE studio apartment? I'm really getting excited, but I need to start soon. Can you get back to me as quickly as possible about this tremendous opportunity? |
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ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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| saint57 wrote: |
| Is 1,600,000 a good salary to start at? |
Most Korean schools have a starting salary of 2 million or more. |
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