Job Discussion Forums

ksouks · Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Posts: 1

Hello. I live in Minnesota, USA and I have a few questions regarding the idea of teaching english elsewhere in the world.
- My first question has to do with how long you will work in a given area in the world. If I were to obtain the TEFL certificate and get a job in, say, Japan- how long would I be obligated to work there. At the moment I would love to just do this in the summer (mid May through mid August), seeing as how I am still in college for another couple years. Is something like this possible in Japan, Thailand, Brazil, Spain (which would be at the top of my list for countries to teach english in), or anywhere else in the world? Or are you typically obligated to working for at least 1 year?
- Will I even be able to find a job prior to finishing college (I have completed 2.5 years of college at this point, 3.5 GPA)
-My third question is using the TEFL certificate- long term. If I were to take the online course and pass the class, would my certificate be good for the remainder of my life? Or, if I may not use the TEFL certificate for several years, would I be better off waiting and taking it in the future?
-Does it matter which online course you take for the TEFL certificate? Is one website/course going to distinguish me from another person who obtained their certificate from another website?
Thank you for any information you can give me

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

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

If you're only available for a few months, keep your eyes open for ads for summer camps. They largely seem to be in China and Korea, so you may have to decide whether it is the teaching or the traveling (to Japan, Brazil, etc.) that appeals more to you.

d

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Get some experience at home in an English camp or summer school.

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

If your university offers a TESOL program or an Intensive English program they might have some direct contacts with various English camps. Taiwan, Korea, China, and yes, even Japan will have summer camps where they use almost all college students. Airfare, accommodation, and a small stipend are sometimes included. Check with your university or others in your area. My son worked in Taiwan for two summers and one in Korea while he was an undergraduate. When I was doing my TESOL the students were offered an opportunity to work at a camp in Japan. I think the camps can be a great way to get a taste of living and teaching overseas.

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

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

Glenski,

I think maybe we have tossed this topic around before. All I can say is that my university's TESOL program (in the US on the West Coast) had some kind of arrangement with a camp in Japan. The students were provided with airline tickets, accommodations, and meals. I read the printed materials and there were people in my course, with whom I spoke personally, who went to Japan for the camps. This was in 2003-2004. I think the word 'teacher' was not used.. probably to avoid visa problems. The camps had young, energetic, prevetted 'counselors' for their camps and the college kids had a great experience that didn't cost them any money. Maybe it was legal, maybe not. Maybe they still have programs like this, maybe not.

I know that other places, like Taiwan and Korea, also have similar programs, or did in the very recent past. I know because I drove my son to the airport. I also talked to most of his students by phone as a listening/speaking activity. Phone cards are cheap and the kids got a kick out of speaking with their teacher's Mama in America.

I would advise people to check what might be available through their universities. Talk to someone in TESOL or ESL or the Intensive English Program. Certainly can't hurt to give it a look-see.

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

Ariadne,
I honestly don't recall who I may have discussed summer camps with before.

You still didn't answer the most critical question, though, and I politely plead with you to find out what the visa situation is.

If they earn money, they are employed and need a visa of some sort. What is it? The following statement makes me more concerned than ever.

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

Glenski,

The college students who went to Japan weren't paid a salary. They were provided air tickets, accommodation, and meals. I only suggested that it might or might not have been legal because I really don't know, but I believe that it was on the up and up. The school was Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. Whether the college made the arrangements or just allowed the company/camp to distribute the information and recruit students, I don't know. I also don't know what kind of visa they traveled on.

Taiwan and Korea camps offered a stipend in addition to the air tickets and accommodation. They called it a stipend, not a salary.

The point I would really like to make is that there are a zillion opportunities out there, often right around the corner. Some people forget to use the resources that are closest at hand to search out those opportunities.

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amanda22 · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Nebraska, for now...

You could go to Brazil for your summer vacation on a tourist visa (valid for 90 days with an extension of another 90 days granted by the Federal Police) and check with English schools there. You probably won't get a full time position or make lots of cash, but they like native English speakers and you might be able to attend and participate in Conversation classes with more advanced students. Plus Brazil is an amazing country and the time you don't spend at an English school will be filled with plenty of things to do. Any questions and you can email me at [email protected] Good luck!