Job Discussion Forums

[minguskhan]

Hi,

This is my first post ever to the ESL Cafe Web site. I have a B.A. in English lit and folklore studies. I have worked in the publishing industry and as a technical writer. I have also worked as a freelance writer and substitute teacher. However, I do not have any teaching credentials.

I would like to know if it is possible for someone like myself to get an English teaching job overseas. Ideally, I would like to teach in Europe (Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Scandanavia, ect.) or in possibly South America or the Caribbean. I need to make enough money to live, help take care of my family, and pay some school debt off. Any feedback and experience would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Mingus

[Glenski]

Japan doesn't require any teaching credentials or background. Just a degree in anything will get your foot in the door. Come to the Japan forum and read the FAQ stickies, then ask questions.

[denise]

If you're American, it will be hard to get a legal working visa in Europe.

In South America, you'll have a hard time earning enough to live comfortably, support a family, and pay debts.

Sorry to be so negative, but, well,... those are the restrictions.

d

[Anda]

"I need to make enough money to live, help take care of my family, and pay some school debt off. Any feedback and experience would be greatly appreciated."

Maybe South Korea but there is a risk of war. Japan takes about a year to get on your feet before you start saving. Not many make big dollars these days in Asia out of English teaching. Korea used to be good but currently the exchange rate is down.

China has some good jobs but not that many. No experiance is going to hold you back from the better jobs. Once again it takes a while to get on your feet; clothes and stuff for where you live etc.

I did have a friend that was freelance writting in Hong Kong for newspapers but that takes time to get on your feet also.

Advertise yourself on Daves here; it's free and see what comes up.

http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/wanted/#PostMessage


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[naturegirl321]

Legal work might be hard to get for the contries you want to go to in Europe, SA is more feasilble, but pay is lower. If you teach privates and work online in addition to normal classes, you could probably save money.

[minguskhan]

However, I wanted to ask. thank you for your responses. How about the Middle East? I heard you can make decent money in some of the countries there. Umm... What about not-so-legal work in Europe? How easy would it be for me to be like Dave and go to like South East Asia ( Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia... ect.) Will I be able to get a fast bike and find a beautiful wife like Dave too if I do what he did Of course, then again do I want to go to South East Asia?

Just thoughts,

Mingus

[johnslat]

Dear minguskhan,

"I have a B.A. in English lit and folklore studies. I have worked in the publishing industry and as a technical writer. I have also worked as a freelance writer and substitute teacher. However, I do not have any teaching credentials."

I'm afraid that the Middle East would not be for you - as an EFL teacher.
One needs an MA in TESOL or Applied Linguistics to get any kind of decent job there.

I worked for 20 years in the Middle East.

Regards,
John

[spiral78]

Those under-the-table jobs in Europe are subsistence level only. No savings, no sending money home.
And they are essentially only widely available in Spain - you would be hard pressed to find even illegal work in most of the countries you mention.

[minguskhan]

I need to get some sort of certification at the very least, correct? Barring going back to school to get a masters degree in TEOFL, what is the most legitimate certifcation to get in order to teach overseas? And of course, how much does it cost? Or, do I need to get a masters degree? Are there certain certifications that are favored over others depending on what part of the world you are teaching in?

Thanks for your feedback.

[spiral78]

The recognized name brand is probably CELTA, but generic certs are ok in most places.

The standard is:
120 hours on-site
Supervised teaching practice on real students (not peer trainees) with feedback from experienced teacher trainers.

Start with a basic 30-day cert as described above. If you like the work, consider an MA later on.

Ideally take your initial course within the country where you want to start work. There are lots of advantages (I should really archive this advice - I've given it so many times my keyboard almost types by itself - but that's not your problem!).

Your practice teaching students will be representative of those you'll start working with. A training centre offers a great opportunity to get your feet wet in a country/culture while you still have a support system - training centres usually arrange for your housing during the course, airport pickup, and some local orientation. Your cert will definitely be recognized by local language schools. The training centre can offer you invaluable advice about reputable employers, and other stuff.

In Asia, you may find jobs without any cert, but it's highly recommended that you get one, in fairness to any students you may have

TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language (in a country where it is not the native language)
TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language (in a country where English is a native language, to immigrants/exchange students/international students/etc)
TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

[minguskhan]

for a 30 - day CELTA cert? Where can I find information on these training centers? Are there any in Europe? BTW - I am curious. spiral78 - Where are you located?

[spiral78]

I work at a uni in Nederlands, and have been based in the Czech Rep for over ten years now. Used to work international projects for a Canadian uni.

PM me if you want more info - I'm a bit shy of public forums and personal info after picking up a very intense stalker from another forum some years ago.

You can easily find a CELTA course in Prague for certain, and I'm sure you can google similar courses in Poland or Germany. If you're from North America, you'll likely need to aim for a 'new' EU member country like Poland or the Czech Rep (Slovakia, as well) so that you'll be able to get a work permit. Remember that Europe ranges from impossible to difficult for non-EU member citizens these days - you CAN get legal working permits for some countries, but it WILL be a hassle. And you CANNOT get said permits in some countries, regardless of qualifications.

[ITTP]

Hi Spiral78.

'a bit shy of forums' , with over 2,000 posts
(just joking).

As with anywhere a lot depends on local costs compared with local wage.

In S.Korea (particularly Seoul) for example it still is possible to pick up 30-50 GBP per teaching hour (private tuition), but then again Seoul is Asia's most expensive city. There is always lots of work available in Buenos Aires and for the local costs/local wage balance it fares well.

If you are thinking of moving with your family Minguskhan then there will obviously be a whole lot of other factors you will need to consider.
I do disagree that all the best jobs in the Middle East require an MA in TESOL.
The Middle East might be a good option for you if you are traveling with your family; schools in the region encourage couples to apply together for teaching positions.

You will need a TEFL or CELTA if you want to teach in Prague but, as someone else mentioned, in Japan you can be taken on with just your college degree (although if you have a TEFL or CELTA then you will tend to be offered a higher pay scale).

All the best!

Neville
ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1

[spiral78]

I meant shy of personal information posted on forums

[ITTP]

Neville
ITTP Prague
Jungmanova 32
Prague 1