Job Discussion Forums

[GhostWriter]

Hello Everyone. Please bare with me, as I am knew to this forum; I have some basic questions for those willing to share their knowledge.

Here's my situation...

I am 35 years old, living in the southern USA. I have spent most of my adult life working professionally in the software industry. I have held some very good management, and project management positions. Considering I do not have a degree, and only a few college credits to my name, I've done very well for myself - but for two reasons: I speak and write english well, and I am a talented public speaker and motivator.

However, as many careers often do, I have become increasingly bored and burned out with the corporate rat race in America.

For several weeks I've been exploring various career paths. Around four weeks ago, I began the process of narrowing down some career options I'd been considering.

I have a definite interest in TEFL, and more specifically, obtaining a CELTA.

I don't have very much debt at all, and very few attachments in the U.S.

My questions:

1. Keeping in mind that while I am experienced in certain fields with a definite level of expertise, but lacking a degree, where are the best-paying countries to work, teaching English with a CELTA or a TEFL?

2. How much will not having a degree hinder me, and what countries should I omit right off the bat, because of not having a degree? Are there countries, wherein a non-degreed person can teach without crossing over into the "illegalities?"

3. Finally, where are the more favorable places to obtain the certification? I understand places such as Prague are saturated with schools, and have a constant influx of new grads.

Obviously, I am open to relocating anywhere, where solid work can be found. I realize I am not going to become rich teaching English abroad, but I would like to live comfortably, as opposed to struggling to make ends meet. If I have to "pay my dues" for a season while I'm getting my feet wet, I've no problem with that. At the same time, I don't want to watch the "seasons" complete full rotation more than twice, still struggling to meet the ends.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

~Ghost

[thrifty]

You are likely to get just as burned out and bored with trying to make a living TEFLing without decent qualifications.

Paying your dues would be getting a degree, a CELTA, a few years experience and then getting the DELTA and then a Masters. Then you would be about ready to get bored and burned out.

Jobs for the degreeless, the inexperienced and the unqualified tend to be badly paid, illegal and temporary.

To give an example. You could get hourly paid work in Istanbul without a degree easily. Ten dollars an hour tops and no benefits. 7 months of the year you could easily pull in 1200 dollars a month maybe more -if you want to work flat out. Your problems would be having to do the border run every 3 months-it eats away at your earnings and gets very boring. No holdidays, no sick pay and when the whole country is enjoying their holidays you earn nothing. Accomodation would be a flat share unless you wanted to blow half your pay on it.

[thrifty]

About getting the CELTA- My advice would be to get it in the country where you intend to work. That way you could look around for work while you are doing it, pick up contacts and look around for accomodation.

Avoid places like Prague which will be flooded with bright, young, well educated twenty somethings-you won't stand a chance of work unless it is what the aforementioned won't accept.

You will also have to swallow some of your pride as you will not be easily able to stand up for your "rights" as you will be illegal.

[Glenski]

[Girl Scout]

You should probably forget Taiwan. Both your age and you lack of degree will make it a difficult and unrewarding venture.

China would still be an option. You will need the CELTA to make yourself a worthwhile applicant compared to the twenty-somethings with degrees.

[GhostWriter]

Thank you all very much for taking the time to share your input. You have made it very easy for me to pass on the option of TEFL.

~Ghost

[Ariadne]

It was polite of us to bear with the new guy who writes English so well.

Yes, I know I'm being snippy. I've just been trying to book some flights, but when I push the 'purchase' button the posted fares/flights are suddenly unavailable. Grrrrr. I really don't want to have a 33 hour layover in Beijing or 29 hours in HK. No offense to either city, but I'd rather visit on holiday, not enroute.

Sorry for the highjack.

.

[jr1965]

And on a more positive note, there are a couple of other things that seem obvious to me about your situation that have yet to be pointed out:

1) Many places that offer the CELTA also provide work-placement assistance. Why don't you contact the places you're thinking of doing your CELTA, speak to a representative or counselor and explain your situation. Ask them for their advice. If the place you're looking to do your certificate is legit, they will not try to talk you into a course if it really doesn't meet your needs.

2) While it's true that you may have difficulty obtaining a visa that will allow you to work in language schools around the globe (b/c you lack a 4-year degree), there is something that you have to offer that a younger newbie with a 4-year degree doesn't: experience in the software/business world. There is a demand in a number of countries for an individual with your background�especially your experience in public speaking! If you want more info about this, why don't you PM me? I don't have time today to write all this up here.

Getting started in this field won't be easy. A few years back, I took a break from English language teaching and got into the software/tech industry. Hardest thing I ever did (apart from starting out in this field ), but I worked my behind off the first year, stuck with it, and it's paid off in ways I never could have imagined. I'm back in ELT and I'm also using the skills I acquired from working in tech. So there you go.

Yes, listen to things the posters above have already said. Things won't be easy starting out, but also remember that you're not 20 years old and just starting out in life and a first career. You DO have a lot to offer.

All the best!