Job Discussion Forums

Jaqueeta · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Red Sox Nation, MA

I am new to posting on this forum. I have been doing some research, but I wanted to get some people's opinions and maybe do some chatting.

I have a BA in psych and have been working as a teacher's assistant for the past 5 years. I love to travel and experience new cultures. I am trying to decided if I should take TEFL certification program in Costa Rica/Mexico or should I take a course here in the US. I know I want to take one at least 4 weeks long. I feel that maybe taking it in another couintry will help give me more experience and see more. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have taken a leave from my job and have quite a bit of money saved up, so those things don't matter in my decision. Also, I would like to learn some more spanish. Hopefully, becoming fluent in it.

Thanks for reading. Smile

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

It's a good idea to take a course abroad, in a country where you think you'd like to start teaching. You can make useful contacts while you are there, the students you are practice teaching with will be closer models to your own future students, and you can 'get your feet wet' in the country before you have to really strike out on your own.
Good training centres can help you with job interview tips, steer you to the better schools, help you with housing contacts, and give you some overall useful orientation to an area.

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:26 am Post subject:

I agree with Spiral - on every point.

Additionally, your confidence will be much greater when you finish the program as you will already know your way around a bit vs. just getting off the plane a bit baffled and lost.

The issue of getting a handle on common student errors in the country where you want to work is important too - and you will get good exposure to them during training.

Jaqueeta · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Red Sox Nation, MA

Thank you for your replies. I was wondering if you had to pick, what would be your no. 1 program to take? Also does it matter the time of year I take the program?

I definetly am going to do my studies in another country. Now I have to decide where and which one. Decisions Question

tedkarma · Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 1:44 am Post subject:

When you identify the country you want to work in - ask on the appropirate boards here if there is a hiring season when teachers are most in demand. Plan your arrival and TEFL Cert to precede that by a couple weeks.

Most, but not all, countries will have a couple times of year when it would be most advantageous for you to look for work.

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita