Job Discussion Forums

MelissaNH · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

I have a BS(in hospitality) and many years of tutoring experience. Do I also need to get a TEFL certificate to teach ESL abroad?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

ESL abroad (or rather, EFL) is something different, very different. Depends a lot on where you want to go, but it is a good idea to have some form of training before embarking on something new. Your students will appreciate a trained teacher.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:39 pm Post subject:

I'll second that. To start teaching professionally without any kind of professional training seems unfair to your students.

But in response to your direct question- it you might not need one. (I still think you should get one, but...) There are plenty of places where teaching work can be found without. Where are you thinking about going? What would you like to do?

best,
Justin

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

It will help yas a teacher, but whether or not employers require it depends on where you go. For example, here in Peru, They want someone who's a native speaker with a BA. TEFL certs aren't that imporatnt here.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Do you need one? Not in Japan, for most jobs. That's the short answer.

The long one stems partly from what others have written, but bare bones answer (for Japan) is no.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

If you do a course, then do it where you are going to teach, not back in the West. It is a lot cheaper also as the deal usually provides you with accommodation and food.

When you are looking for a Uni to teach in then use your degree in hospitality to advantage. Keep in mind but that here in Asia the students that are low level get to do such a course not the bright ones.

1 - 10 of about 2,070,000 for Tourism hospitality University China.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&newwindow=1&q=Tourism+hospitality+University+China&btnG=Search

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

Anda

Chancellor · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject:

At the very least, having some formal training in carrying out the task of teaching English is helpful.

By the way, has anyone seen the new TEFL documentary Talking TEFL? It's worth watching (even if they didn't interview Dave Sperling for it).

http://www.esldepot.com/product.php/62/15

DrAkAx · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 5 Location: santa barbara, CA

Hi,

I had a couple of questions for the experts out here. I'm french but have been living in the US for 7 years. I'm currently a senior at a UC and I speak french, english and spanish fluently.
What I'm wondering is, knowing that I'm not considered a native english speaker, would I still be able to teach english abroad ? Would getting a TEFL certificate help my chances of teaching abroad ? Moreover, how would I go about teaching french and spanish abroad ?
If anyone has answers to these questions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

You do Net searches like:

1 - 10 of about 332,000 for spanish teacher China.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&newwindow=1&q=spanish+teacher+China&btnG=Search

You post your resume here on Dave's for free:

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

The short answer is yes there are plenty of jobs here in Asia for you but many places will only take someone from an English speaking country. Welcome to ESL teaching.