Job Discussion Forums

rd8277 · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 15

I've been a TEFL teacher for 5 years now, 3 years in Europe in Czech and Slovenia teaching adults, and 2 years in Taiwan teaching kids and adults. I have a BA degree and a CELTA. I love teaching, but I want to have some sort of career too.

So what are my next steps? I'm thinking about an ADOS job or something similar... am I likely to get one based on my experience? I want to leave Asia this year and head back to Europe - can anyone recommend a country or a school where there are good possibilities for career advancement? When I return to Europe I don't want to get just another teaching job, or if I do, there should be prospects...

Can anyone help? Any advice or suggestions would be really appreciated!!

Caledonian Craig · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 34

PGDE? DELTA; Dip TESOL? NET scheme in Hong Kong?

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

Be self-employed, like me. Less stress, more work, more job satisfaction, pretty close the same pay, no ugly boss. Plus, you can alsways freelance part-time.

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

If you're an American citizen, you can apply for DLI. They just put up an ad on 'USAJOBS' two days ago with an initial deadline of 29 February. You can't ask for more stability in an ESL/EFL teaching position. You can also continue to travel. Need more info, PM me.

Sadebugo
Djibouti, Horn of Africa
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

rd8277 · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 15

Thanks for the ideas guys! Regarding the NET scheme, I'd preferably not stay in Asia, and PGCE or PGDE means going back to Britain and teaching British kids - no way! I'm definately interested in a DELTA or equivalent, or any other qualification abroad, but I can't afford to stop working to do it - I would have to be able to do it alongside a teaching job, which brings me back to my original question - can I get an ADOS job or something similar based on my current situation (and do a DELTA or equivalent alongside for example), and either way, does anyone have any experience with a particular school or place in Europe where there are many opportunities?

As for continuing to travel - yes, that appeals to me very much, but I really want to try to have this career, if I can, and I don't feel I'm ready to be self-employed yet.

Sadebugo - I'm afraid I'm not a US citizen but thanks for the suggestion!

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

With your current qualifications, you might get on somewhere as a teacher trainer. You could check with training centres - the openings aren't so abundant, and there are many trainers with stronger credentials than yours (DELTA, related MA), but you might get lucky.

I'd start in places like Prague, Madrid, Barcelona, where there are lots of 'generic' TEFL certification programs running.

Training would probably give you some opps for gaining additional qualifications, along the way.

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

I wanted to add that DOS positions often really require a pretty strong command of the local language - that would limit you a bit. An optimal DOS candidate also has local connections. It's not that likely that you'd land a director's position from abroad in a place where you haven't got language/connections.

rd8277 · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 15

Thanks Spiral78. I'm definately going to check out the teacher trainer route. As for DOS positions, that's something I'm sure is out of my reach for now, I was thinking more along the lines of an assistant DOS job (and if I return to Prague, my Czech's not bad)...or I'd just like to know of any schools which offer decent training/promotion opportunities to its teachers.