Job Discussion Forums

[workingnomad]

Am I right in thinking that volunteering for a while in teaching English before getting a CELTA and making the move to the destination country might be a sensible thing to do.

I am not entirely sure whether I am cut out for teaching, for instance kids tend to annoy me, but I have always fancied teaching adults and ultimately would like to teach business English.

I figure that by volunteering for a while I should get a feel for whether I will like it.

Or should I just take the plunge?

Does anyone have any recommendations for volunteering orgs that don't charge the earth as well. I am flexible on location. Thanks.

[saint57]

Volunteering is like a crrash course in the kind of exploitation you'll face in the world of TEFL. Go for it. Future employers might also read "sucker" on you resume. That only ups your appeal in this industry.

[Glenski]

So, you're thinking that just by volunteering without any sort of training, someone will be willing to take you on? Perhaps in a private lesson situation, but a practical student will want to know if you've done it before.

[ls650]

My observation is that volunteers mean well, but unless they have previous teaching experience and/or training, they don't really know what they're doing.

Take a CELTA-type course. You'll learn a little of what is required for the job, and you'll get some experience along the way.

[nickpellatt]

I know it is often frowned upon on here....but I took the exact route you describe...I did three months volunteer work here, and whilst here found a paid position which started in March.

I know its not for everyone...and it can be costly, but it was good for me. In honesty, if I hadnt done it...I woudnt be here now.

As far as training or experience....many people here are qualified teachers and can work in very demanding roles...many or also just conversational teachers...and to some degree, in some roles, are just to entertain students and to be a token white face to attract school fee's.

My students have seperate classes with Chinese teachers to cover English grammar, writing etc...my role is basically to encourage dialogue and speaking....

I had a one month orientation period with my volunteer company...this gave me plenty of time to meet local teachers, sit in their classes, and meet their students for English Corner activities and get a feel for my role here.

If you can do a course...do...but for me, with the work I do, many of the skills learned would possibly NOT be used in my classrooms...I have materials and books to use here, and I feel for me...the 100 hours volunteer work in class I did, was more suited to my role here than the course would be.

Now I am not professing to be the finished article by any means...and I will do more training as I am looking long term in this field...When I move on from being a simple foreign monkey needed as an entertainer, I will need more qualifications, and I am working toward those now.

Many volunteers may arrive under-prepared or unqualified...but in fairness, many degree holders (often in an unrelated field) may also have only their observed practice on their TEFL course as experience. That may only be 6 hours of classroom experience...which isnt a lot when you get your first timetable and you have 16 classes to nervously stumble through in your first week...

Im not experienced enough to say for sure...but from the little experience I do have...i think a lot of the learning is done "in class" when you are here on you own and left to it..

[workingnomad]

[fancynan]

I have been researching and considering the move to TEFL for quite a while. I have things in motion but I will not be ready to leave and take my course until January 2008. In the meantime, I have been volunteeringsince last September.

I started as a tutor with refugees and found I did not like one on one teaching due to the frequent cancellations, which mirrors real life from the posts here. When the new semester started in January, I switched to a classroom setting (adults) with a set curriculum, but with freedom to present as I liked. I found I really love it.

I have been training volunteers for almost 10 years, including training them to give presentations. I also went through training with the refugee organization and the school, albeit so slight as to be merely a token training. Nevertheless, I did learn some things. I have also read forums like this one and searched the internet for lesson ideas.

I had planned not to return for the fall semester as I will be in the final stages of leaving my job, making arrangements for my house and possessions, selling my car and figuring out how to take everything I want to take in 2 suitcases! But I have changed my mind because I really lost my heart to these students! So, I will be back, volunteering with them until 2 weeks before I embark on my adventure.

Bottom line - YES!!! VOLUNTEER! Make sure this is what you want to do before turning your life upside down. If you are just starting out, it is easier to make such a decision. I am 7 years away from retirement in a very well paying job, but have decided that this life journey is ready for a major change.
Good luck.

[workingnomad]

Thanks fancynan for the inspiration...

I have been searching for volunteer English teaching positions on the web and I am a little dismayed that some companies are asking up to �700 for 4 weeks, and thats not including flights or accomm!

Can you volunteer without having to pay so much?

[Glenski]