Job Discussion Forums

jessmess · Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

Hi there - I apologise in advance for the long windedness, i'd really like some advice. I'm a complete newbie as I took my CELTA last xmas but due to money/location and other personal issues have not taught since apart from a few private tute sessions, although I coped well with the course and know I have the ability to teach EFL and well. 9 months on and I've realised I must take the plunge so have been applying to various jobs, both in the uk, europe and japan. As always seems the case you have no luck then several come along at once. I've scored a job in London, part time hours to ease me in and although the pays pretty terrible and I'd have to move back in with the parents and away from the boyfriend (eak!) they seem a very supportive faculty and the start date is immediate. However there is obviously a wealth of teaching opportunities abroad and for those with no experience. I can't help thinking i'm merely delaying the inevitable by taking this job in London, as I'm distancing myself from friends and a relationship anyways and could atleast be off somewhere fantastic say for 6-9 months. My original intention for taking the tefl was to travel and teach in the South Americas after a spell of teaching elsewhere - It seems the best way to do this is to save up, head out and organise a job once there so it'd be sensible to gain a bit of experience at least.

Basically, would it be foolhardy to head straight abroad having had no experience since my CELTA and shakiness on teaching methods, or is it pointless working a few months in the uk when i could be better off saving and planning to go somewhere between now and next January and perhaps doing a few teaching obs at my old university to prepare in the mean time?

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:03 am Post subject:

You can always find reasons to not get started. Just get out there and do it. You have some training - get out and apply it.

Go

Now

Do it

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

jessmess,
Do you have a bachelor's degree in something?
What is your age and nationality?

jessmess · Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

I have a degree in English & Philosophy and i'm from the uk. I tick all the boxes. I may be being a bit of a wuss but the london job took me by suprise n i thought some teaching practice would boost my confidence till i found something abroad - i know it sounds ridiculous but i do feel like i've forgotten a lot and although i've been reading up its no substitute for teaching practice.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

jessmess,

Thanks for answering 2 out of 3 questions. In Japan you are eligible for a work visa with just the BA or BS degree, so you have the appropriate minimal qualifications already. Since you are British, you MIGHT qualify for a working holiday visa (you didn't state your age, so I can't say, but check out the MOFA web page to confirm). http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html

The reason I mention these things is that a work visa requires an employer to sponsor you, while a WHV doesn't. A WHV also does not require a degree. The WHV is good for only two 6-month periods, consecutively, and only once in your life, but at least you can get it easily enough and start work right away instead of waiting 4-8 weeks for a work visa and trying to get a sponsor.

jessmess · Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

sorry must have been half asleep, i'm 23...

I've done quite a lot of research but find all this sponsorship stuff quite confusing. Generally for sponsorship, flight contribution and any of the other perks for people without the start up cash, you must need to commit to a year (although a friend is going out with the westgate corp this month for a 3 month contract, flights and accomodation paid - this seems quite unusual though?). I would rather go for say 6 months to gain some EFL experience and perhaps even save a little, before heading elsewhere long term (ideally next summer). Is it really feasible to buy my own flight sort a job and stay 6 months without much of a safety net or am I wanting to have my cake and eat it? I'm probably coming across as a bit of a dreamer - the definitive decision to pursue EFL was relatively recent and my heads in a bit of a whirl.

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:14 am Post subject:

It takes about six months really, to begin to adjust and become skilled at what you are doing. Most employers are a bit chary of people who want to stay such a short time.

Why not try a full year? It is not really all that long . . .

lou_la · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 140 Location: Bristol

There's this posted on the jobs board:

Get paid $3,000 to get a free TESOL certificate (from the world leader in TESOL Certificate courses, TEFL International) and enjoy an amazing five-month Thailand adventure.
Dates: 25 September 2006 to 28 February 2007 (plan to arrive no later than 23 September)
* Fly to Bangkok (Round trip airfare from LAX, SFO or SEA for only $850)
* Free airport pick up and transfer to Ban Phe.
* Take a TESOL Certificate course from the world�s largest Course provider, TEFL International beginning 25 September in Ban Phe, Thailand.
* Work in a school in Thailand for 4 months earning 30,000 baht (currently $786) per month + housing (in comparison, local teachers earn only about 10,000 baht per month so this is more than enough to live comfortably)
* Many locations to choose from all over Thailand
* Complete your four month teaching commitment and training and receive your TESOL Certificate.
Requirements:
* Pay $200 as a non-refundable deposit
* Native English speakers from one of the following countries:
* USA
* Canada
* UK
* Australia
* New Zealand
* South Africa
* At least 20 years old
* Either a current university student completing the project for credit or a university graduate
To learn more please see our website at <http://www.teflintl.com/>www.teflintl.com or Email us at [email protected]

It's short term, but I don't think that you actually make any money at the end (I think you get paid about as much as the TESOL costs), and as you already have a CELTA, you may want to look elsewhere.

i-to-i have lots of short term placements, look on www.onlinetefl.com. However, you do have to pay them a �400 fee, which I think is a bit riduiculous. They have ones in Europe though.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:16 pm Post subject:

Re: two posts above.

"Free" TEFL certs are worth what you pay for them. You will find yourself working for substandard wages long enough to pay for the certification. It is just another marketing ploy.

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

MELEE · Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 3:04 pm Post subject:

jessmess · Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

You're right a year isn't a long time at all, and I do really want to go and spend atleast a year or two in Latin America, it was just the experience thing which has been dogging me hence wanting to do something before hand somewhere else, most probably this job in London (also as I haven't two pennies to rub together!) I am being unrealistic though I realise as i'm reading this thread back, so thanks for all your advice and i best get on and do it!!

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

It might be a lot easier to be in London and avoid the added stress of relocating abroad, adjusting to a foreign culture and climate, dealing with your visa status -- and of course leaving the BF thousands of miles away! And in London, you will be able to continue learning about teaching in a much more nurturing environment with experienced and beginning Brit teachers rather than with backpacker Yanks and Ozzies. Cool

A first teaching job is too important to chance the hazards of culture shock and other foreign distractions -- and the possiblity of a really dodgy school that you can't escape from. You'll have plenty of time to go abroad after your first year of solid experience.