Job Discussion Forums

[Ccope]

I've been reading up on the posts here for awhile and have found most comments from veteran teachers to be encouraging for those who want to begin a career teaching abroad. Every once in a while, though, I see comments about the economy going slack and TEFL jobs drying up. I would like to hear more from the veterans on this prediction. Before I, or any one else, spends a few thousand on a TEFL certificate or moving to another country, I would like to have an idea that there is still a job market.

Just for some background information, I am thinking of looking for jobs in Latin America or Asia after completing a TEFL certificate course (hopefully in Mexico, but maybe somewhere else in LA). I have an Interdisciplinary Studies BA (not in education) and two years experience running a primary school in Southern Sudan (got that job simply by being in the right place at the right time).

Again, I would appreciate hearing from those of you that are already out on the field, about the TEFL job market staying alive for a few more years. Rather than disappearing, do you see salary or benefits for TEFL jobs taking a severe hit?

Thanks in advance.

[mandalayroad]

No offense, but are you kidding? Very few get rich in TEFL (unless they own a school), but there are still plenty of jobs around the world. Having the right paper documents have become more and more important to get the better jobs, but TEFL careers will not disappear in our lifetime.

[parrothead]

Keep researching these and other boards before you make your decision. If possible, try and check out some school websites and try to get a better idea about what this field is like. I don't think you understand it yet. To be sure, Asia and Latin America are very big places, so when you talk about availability of TEFL jobs you really need to specify a particular country. Some countries have more demand than others. Some regions require more qualifications. Some prefer teachers with specific nationalities. There are jobs everywhere, and if you are flexible enough you will be able to find one.

[Justin Trullinger]

It may be true that, as various countries and regions get more "experience" in English learning, the backpack and teach kind of jobs may dry up. BUt overall, it seems unlikely that qualified teachers will have problems. There's still a major need for English world wide.

I've been in the field eight years, and get a lot more offers than I did eight years ago.


Best,
Justn

[naturegirl321]

I've been teaching for six and have had tons of offers in Feb when I was looking for a job, and they were fromschools. As far as insitutes go, once you have experience, you can walk into mmost and get a job. Most, that is. I don't think that jobs will dry up anytime soon. They might be harder to get as more peopel get qualified though.

[Kootvela]

The problem isn't getting a teaching job. The problem is getting a well-paid teaching job.

[naturegirl321]

[Justin Trullinger]

[Kootvela]

[Anda]

Well I started into this game in 1990 in South Korea and did 16 months of teaching on a tourist visa before I decided to get a Uni degree and make a go of it long term. The market wasn't near as big back then but the competition wasn't there either.

Korea used to be dead easy to walk into a job without any experience or a degree. Nowadays it is next to impossible without a degree etc. China is following Korea and currently tightening up with English teaching visas.

I think wages will stay pretty flat while inflation keeps going up however I expect this world wide. I think a lot of the work in institutes will dry up soon as parents will have to pay more for food and other necessary expenses leaving less money over for things like English lessons. However as employment is dropping in general in the West and exports out of China etc are dropping I think a good teacher will still be able to stay employed in places like Asia.

For someone starting out into teaching English currently I would say that they shouldn't think that they are going to walk into the better jobs straight off. You need to get somewhere and establish yourself as a good teacher in general to have doors open for better paid work.

I don't earn much where I work in China but it still affords me a good life here in China. Korea is still much better if one wants or needs to save however than China.

You have to like the life as that is mostly what you get out of teaching English; meaning a different life to that of everyday life in one�s home country. You need to be very outgoing and friendly.

[Kootvela]

I agree with Anda about getting established first. I strated my private teaching practice last October. It was easy because I live with my parents and I only contribute to the overall bills. I set my own standards, my own rates, my own times and my own rules. I can get into many projects for freelancers with much better pay options than a language school can offer. The amount of inquiries shows that my offer is attractive to clients. I expect my business to be on the wave in a couple of years from now because with the going inflation rate I can offer compettive rates to compete with language schools.

[spiral78]

To add to Kootvela's useful post - local contacts and language skills are key to those who hope to get set up on their own.

Imagine trying to contact company HR staff and arrange contracts when you've little to no command of the local language....And, if you are functional or even fluent, it's difficult for an individual to compete with reputable language schools - you need some local references to establish your credibility.

It's a brilliant route when one has the keys to do it successfully, for a lot of reasons: the companies will certainly wind up paying less to an individual teacher than to any school, and they can count on that teacher to be professional, reliable, and responsible since the relationship is established. Students benefit by having a teacher who is well aware of them and their individual needs.

Not that private language schools don't generally employ good teachers (they do) but the turnover is always going to be higher, due to relatively lower pay. Meaning that companies are getting new teachers fairly regularly, who usually have to start out with minimal info about the students.

[Kootvela]

In addition, my contracts seem to have continuity. People know they need English and if they are satisfied with what they get (including lessons being at their workplace at their convenient time) they don't offer close-end contracts. Holidays and other breaks are agreed upon personally. Whereas, as mentioned in the post above, teacher turnover at language schools leave them with two or three different teachers per year, which isn't a plus for either part.

[Anda]

Keep in mind that in places like Korea and China private work is not allowed unless you are married to a local and have been granted permition which takes a number of years to get like in say in South Korea.

[Ccope]

Thanks for the advice. You all were helpful!