Job Discussion Forums

turbolover · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

In June I will be graduating with my associates, and plan to do my next 2 years completely online (my school allows that). My ultimate goal is to go to japan, but since I will not be able to do that until I achieve my Bachelors degree I am trying to figure out somewhere else to go.

Teaching in Czech intrigues me but I am wondering about what schools I would be applying to (definitely some McSchool to get started out)

Russia seems cool however I worry about reliable net access as well as tolerating the cold. However there are places in the country I would love to visit. The two schools I am looking at are English First and IH, not sure which one would be better.

My only concern about china is the political environment and web access. Apparently this shouldn't be too bad of an issue as long as I am not getting involved in chinese political discussion or related websites.
Again the school I would be looking at there would be English First.

I would love to hear from anyone regarding their experiences in these countries with one of the easy to nab chain school positions. Also any recommendations on companies to check out would be appreciated.

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

RE: Czech Rep

Prague is something of a teacher training mecca. There are 6 or more training centres operating there, and, while all of their grads don't stay in the city, many opt to start there.

This means that you would need a certification at least equivalent to these to compete on the local job market. This qualification consists of 100+ hours on site, including at least 6 hours of supervised teaching practice.

An on-line certification (or none at all) won't get you far in the Czech market. Ideally, if you decide you want to go there, you should choose one of the training options in Prague.

Also, European schools don't generally hire from abroad. The directors will want to see you standing before them, CV in hand, looking professional and reliable, before giving you a second thought.

Not having completed your BA degree is a bit of a handicap, but it's overcome-able, assuming that you hold suitable certification and really are professional and reliable!!

turbolover · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

Yikes, then I would have to somehow finance paying for transport and school there on top of my ongoing shcool at ITT. I fear paying those bills.

turbolover · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

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

Schools in Europe don't usually pay for airfare. The regions' relatively popular, and this drives wages and benefits down, so that they are lower than those offered in other regions.

Also, if you would be needing to pay university fees, or have other out-of-country expenses, Europe won't pay enough to be feasible. Teachers generally earn enough to live all right, but not to save, travel extensively, or pay debt back home.

ITTP · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 343 Location: Prague/Worldwide

An Online certificate will be absolutely fine with teaching practice experience or prior teaching experience.
If your certificate is purely online with no teaching practice experience (or if you haven't taught before) then, as Spiral writes, you will find it a lot more difficult.
All the best!