Job Discussion Forums

[Hannah T]

Hi,
I arrived in San Jose from England a couple of weeks ago, and start the CELTA course on Monday. I've been keeping my eye on these conversations and thought I'd ask for some advice/info of my own. Am I likely to find it hard to get a job in San Jose afterwards with the qualification but no experience? And being an English English speaker, am I going to be less popular in the job market than a North American - that's how it looks judging by job adverts...

Also, I'm thinking of moving out of San Jose proper to somewhere like Santa Ana. Are there any English schools that way?

I'm sure I'll find the answers to these questions in my own time, but any info/advice from the more experienced of you out there in San Jose would be helpful.

Thanks, and here goes...

[davechile]

Hannah

Let's keep in touch, I am a year away from mirroring your CELTA and getting started in San Jose. i live in San Francisco. You'll have no problem finding work in San Jose. I am sure Ole and John Hall will be fine assistance to you. I am driving from SF to SJ. I have a big yellow lab so..

I will be curious to hear what you thought of the Britanico course. I plan to take it either sept 08 or March 09. I am taking 2-3 month to drive down. So, depending on my arrival, I will take the course.

please shoot me a personal message and we can correspond off the forum. I'd love to get the play by play as you experience it. I also can help you with things in CR and my time on Dave's ESL CAFE.

You might start a rapport with John Hall. He is the forum expert. Definitely, a guy that has been there and done that.

Pura Vida,

Dave

[OleLarssen]

As was already pointed out and now seconded, you'll have no trouble finding work. I don't know about specific schools out in Santa Ana, but there's money in those areas so there should be schools.

You being a Brit might be a minor issue in some cases, but I got a job with a Norwegian accent...

Ole

[davechile]

Brotha Ole, not everyone runs a history search on the forum before they ask a question. You are living it and take it for granted.

Cheers,
Dave

[cocinero]

Hannah, I too would like to see an occasional post on the CELTA course. I know it's a pretty serious commitment both professionally and financially. Your post says you have no experience but I don't know if you are just referring to experience teaching in Costa Rica or teaching experience in general. I know that graded teaching sessions are part of the CELTA course so any info you share would be much appreciated. Thanks

[Hannah T]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll certainly report back on the CELTA course... if I get a moment to breathe (all indications are that it's going to be incredibly tough). And, yes, I mean I have no experience of teaching whatsoever, so the teaching sessions on the course will be very much 'the deep end' for me. When (if?!) I get through it, I will be happy to answer any questions about the course itself or the Instituto.

An aside - San Jose is still a big unknown for me, so any recommendations social or professional are welcome, ie favourite bars/cafes and best places to make contacts (or is that another thread...)

H

[OleLarssen]

[doreenp]

When i worked at Interamericana in Heredia we had teachers from Ireland, Australia, England, a Texan a native New Orleans some from California and me from Canada. It was a great learning experience for the students.

We are all "native" english speakers. Although some of you do speak rather funny

d

[Hannah T]

Sounds good.

And some of you spell funny too

[John Hall]