Job Discussion Forums

kmbush40 · Joined: 24 Nov 2008 Posts: 2 Location: South Florida, USA

Hi. Any help with the following is appreciated. (By the way, I'm cross posting this also in the General Europe forum because I'm not sure which is more appropriate. Hope that's not in bad form).

I'm an American in my mid-twenties who would like to teach English in Europe, preferably adults, preferably in Germany, Austria or the Czech Republic, and preferably (but not necessarily) part time. I have a B.A. in history and 4 years experience as a classroom teacher / tutor for Kaplan Test Prep., including a limited amount of teaching E.S.L. (in addition to other work experience, most of which would probably not be relevant). Prior to applying, I'm going to take a course for TEFL or similar certification.

A couple related questions. Do European employers care whether the TEFL course was done in a classroom or online? For financial reasons I'd prefer to take an online class, of course, but would take one face-to-face if it will help make finding a job easier.

Also, I assume employers look more favorably on certification courses if they are in the 20 day--4 week range than in the weekend--1 week range. But is this actually true? In particular, is CELTA certification worth the time & expense when it comes to finding jobs? (My intention to is work for 1--3 years or so, not make a career of it.)

After some research, it seems CELTA may be the way to go, but it would be much easier to take a course in the US, then apply for work, get hired, and then make moving arrangements, put my things in storage, obtain a visa, etc. The other option is to take a course in the city in which I want to teach -- presumably the local schools would be better situated to place their students with jobs in the local market. How helpful are the teacher-certification courses in finding local work for their students? Will it make a real difference to get take a class in America vs. Europe?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Kevin Bush

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

CELTA and Trinity are the big names. that being said that are lots of other reputable courses out there. Make sure they have 120 hours plus 6 hours of teaching practise. You can't learn much about teaching in a weekend, some would say the same for the one month courses, but a month is much better than a week.

Are you a licensed teacher? If you are, look at international schools.

Classroom courses are better, unless you can find one with teaching practise.

About europe, unless you have a european passport, it'll be hard to break into. Some of the new EU places, like Czech Rep and Poland are still a possibility though. If you take it in the country where you want to teach, then your trainers might have info about local schools.

Chancellor · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject:

One that meets your particular situation but that includes at least 120 hours of instruction and at least six hours of teaching practice with real EFL students.

As was mentioned in an earlier post, CELTA and Trinity are the big names but there are other courses out there, many of them are on-site courses, some are online (which tend to not have actual teaching practice, e.g. i-to-i), some offer either option (and have actual teaching practice with real students).

For example:

http://www.ontesol.com/

The full 250-hour course consists of three modules: grammar, methodology and phonology. In order to be awarded the TESOL Certificate - Cert. (T.M) TESOL �Certificate in the Theory and Methodology of Teaching English to Speakers of Other languages accredited by ACTDEC, all three modules must be completed. For those interested in applying for the TESL Canada Professional Certification Standard Level 2 on completion of the course, the three modules and the practicum must be completed. The teaching practicum for this course is 10 hours of observation and 10 hours of teaching actual students.

Check the appropriate section of Dave's ESL Cafe for information on various other courses.

Your B.A. is going to get you entry into countries you would not be able to get into without a degree. As an American, you are likely going to find it difficult to get a job in Europe.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

There are a few threads about TEFL course in the newbie section that might be worth looking at.

I would also suggest looking through some job listings here and at TEFL.com. I am currently looking at Poland and I see most jobs ask for UK or EU citizens only....

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Have you got a European passport? If not you will have difficulty (virtually impossible in fact) in finding LEGAL work in Germany or Austria - or any of the core EEC countries. I think it's easier for non-European passport holders to find work in the Czech Republic and other central/eastern European countries, but best to check on those forums.

Littlebird · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 82 Location: UK

Naturegirl

What other reputable courses are there other than Trinity and CELTA , please ?

Cheers SAM

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

Gusss · Joined: 08 Nov 2008 Posts: 81

Celta , Trinity are the only ones endorsed by the British council. However IELTS seems to be growing internationally. Im not sure if IELTS is just an exam or if there is a course as well, but it seems very popular.

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

IELTS is a test, and the courses are meant to support students who are going to take the test. It's nothing at all to do with teacher training, though there is IELTS training for teachers who are going to give/assess the test.

killian · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:51 am Post subject:

post recalled.