Job Discussion Forums

[rooski]

I just got back from a quick five-week backpacking trip through Chile and Argentina. I met many people travelling the world, funding their trip by teaching English along the way. I am a certified Social Studies teacher/ youth swim coach in Texas, USA and am questioning my need for a TESOL certificate (mostly because funds are really tight). Since the nature of my trip will hopefully be literally a trip around the world, I am not looking to sign any two-year contracts with a school, but wouldn't mind spending 6-9 months here, 6-9 months there as I work my way around. Is there anyone who has done this type of trip and has some advice? I want to start in Latin America and go west. How easy is it to show up first and then look for a job? How impressive to employers is my education degree/teaching experience/native tounge vs. a TESOL/TEFL certificate?
Thanks for any help,
Ross

[Jizzo T. Clown]

If you want to travel all around the world, you'd better not have any other long-term plans for the next few years. From what I gather, most places will require you to sign a one-year contract.

There are programs like Westgate in Japan which have shorter contracts, and you probably wouldn't have any trouble finding a summer gig, but to get the most out of your experience, it'd be a good idea to plan on committing a year to each employer, especially if want to use them as a reference while looking for your next TEFL job.

Then, there are companies ("schools") that don't really care about your credibility, as long as you're a native speaker, but I'm not sure these are the types of places where you'd want to work.

Just my two cents'. There are more experienced posters on this site who may have better advice.

[Guy Courchesne]

You can do short terms...3-6 months in several Latin American countries, but as Jizzo alludes, you'll probably only find such gigs at language schools - lower pay than international schools and local universities. Mexico and Costa Rica are good places to look.

[wildchild]

rooski,

You will be able to get jobs with what you have but that doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be any good at it. As I am sure you know, language teaching can be quite different from Soc Sci teachin. So, the cheaper way would be to get a hold of some TESOL methods literature and educate yourself with it. If you're not very good at book learnin, then you might consider taking an actual class. Good luck.