Job Discussion Forums

grumpyvb1 · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 5

Hi everyone! I read through applicable topics on this first page and couldn't find any that helped me. I am a certified elementary teacher with a bachelors in psychology and a masters in teaching. I would like to be able to teach ESL. Initially I would like to teach ESL in the states, making myself more marketable as a teacher. But I would also like to keep the option of teaching overseas open as well. What certification would I need? There are TOO many options! Confused

TESL, TOESL, TOEFL... Please help!

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

YOu should be fine. An intensive TEFL course might help, but your El Ed is a big help. Look for jobs in preschools, kindergartens or schools.

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

What is needed for ESL in the USA may not be the same for EFL in other countries. You need to do the research. Perhaps there are even differences in ESL certification between U.S. states!

Determine what you need in the USA first.

Pick a country, then look up international schools there and see what they advertise, or perhaps contact the international job fairs (that cater to IS) and inquire. http://www.iss.edu/

For jobs in other types of schools (in Japan, anyway), you won't need a lick of certification to land the job. You might feel you need it to teach, though. You decide.