Job Discussion Forums

[ITTP]

It is possible to teach in S.Korea without a TEFL/TESOL certificate.
The same applies also in Japan and Taiwan, where the money is also very good (although the Japanese market is past its boom and stagnating a little now).
For these positions you will need a Bachelors degree though. A degree is viewed as a sign of education status (which is perceived as guaranteeing quality teaching skills), and also required for the visa process.
The same is true of emerging TEFL/TESOL markets, such as Vietnam.

I agree with Chris that S.Korea has definitely gained a reputation for being a bit of a teaching mill and teachers tend to just stay for their year contract and then head off to another TEFL/TESOL destination, where they feel a bit less like just a number on a school's rosta.

I wouldn't want to teach without being qualified to teach first and I would definitely recommend you to get certified.

Typically, schools in Japan and S.Korea will have induction training where you learn the 'ropes' within a 1 or 2 week period and this amounts to very little actual training really.

My advice to you if you really don't have the funds to take your certification now is to land a job in Asia and then invest in your training through a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA Course whilst there.

[jsbankston]

Well, as I mentioned I do have a BA, with a double major in English and history and some marginaly teaching experience as a tutor and subtitute teacher.

But it does sound more and more that the way for me to g, since I'm flat broke right now is make a little money here to get airfare, etc., head to Asia, make some more money, take a TEFL course, and then move on from there.

[ITTP]

If you did choose to head out to S.Korea then many S.Korean schools will pay your airfare for you to get you out there (you will be asked to sign a contract for 1 year though).
Of course, it is always an advantage to search for work once you are in the country of your choice as you will have a better idea of local salaries/ conditions, etc.
All the best with your search!

[Henry_Cowell]

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=43648&start=0

[jsbankston]

What's this, Henry? Hunting for all my posts and trying to keep me from asking questions anywhere on the site because you didn't like what I had to say? That's really mature of you.

[Henry_Cowell]

Just a word of caution to readers

[jsbankston]

Well, I'm sure everyone can sleep a little better at night knowing you're looking out for them.

[Chris Westergaard]

Ok, after going over all of this information I have reached some kind of conclusion regarding what advice I can offer you.
First, you have to understand that living and working abroad is more difficult than living at home. If you are having problems finding or keeping a job at home, you will have equal if not greater problems abroad. Everything is more difficult and stressfull. Simple things like buying groceries can be a task in itself. The whole environment forces you to be completely independent and it will be up to you whether you sink or swim.

I believe that your first step to making this work is to find some solid work back home. Before you even think about going abroad, you will have to have some liquid cash on hand.

Get a job at home and keep it. Wait tables or do something that can push you out of debt.

Remember that the U.S. economy is one of the strongest in the world. If you cannot support yourself there, it will be a lot harder supporting yourself overseas.

As far as teaching goes, the only place that I believe you could manage would be in Korea. Go to a site like TEFL.com and start researching the area. Forget about Europe completely for now. However, before you move abroad, you have to become a little more independent or you will be lost.
But remember my initial advice. If you can't make in the U.S. then making it abroad will be twice as hard. Find a job back home and stick with it even if you hate it. Save some money and start learning to manage things on your own and you will be fine.


Cheers,

[Henry_Cowell]

EXCELLENT advice, Chris!

Unfortunately, I fear that it's not the advice the OP wants to hear. He'll soon start another thread somewhere else, hoping to hear the right words: "Here's how to obtain instant money, travel abroad, land a great job, and finally get your book published."

[jsbankston]

Henry, why don't you mind your own business and stop going so out of your way to be a p***k.

[Chris Westergaard]

Hey i'm just trying to give the best advice I can give. Go for Korea and make the jump. Realize that things will never be easy anywhere you go. That's just life. I wish you luck with whatever path you take.


All the best,

[Henry_Cowell]

He has no money to get to Korea.

[jsbankston]

[Henry_Cowell]

From the blog of "jsbankston":

http://www.jsbankston.com/site/

...Now I love getting on message boards, being a troll, and starting flame wars, but the funny thing is the things I say that piss other board members off are not made up�they're my actual opinions and beliefs.

But now the shoe is on the other foot. A lot of people on this TEFL board are angry with the randomness and naivete of my questions. Then I made the mistake of asking for suggestions as to how I might win my mom over to the idea of my taking this trip. In the process I revealed way too much about my personal situation, misfit existence, and family skeletons, and this caused several people to scold and berate me and tell me to get off my ass, get a job, and grow up. But one guy in particular took it a little too far. He got very nasty, called me a bum and a mama's boy, and made insulting comments about Fred. So I told him to go f*ck himself....

[wildchild]

Did you hear that? It sounded like someone is Bu...bu...bu...BUSTED!!!!!!!!

Well done Sherlock Cowell!!!!! You've found the smoking gun, the red hand, the red hand in the cookie jar, the pants are down!!!!

Game's up jbank!!! Let's go for a little ride downtown!!!!!!!!