Job Discussion Forums

[frozenflame]

Hi, I am a 25 year old who is curious about completing a TESOL course in Australia. But I'm worried about several things. I guess these questions may seem basic or even repetitive to most people; but given what is at stake for me, I cannot afford to base my judgement solely on what can be learnt on this forum by lurking alone.

1. I might be disavantaged by my citizenship and race. I am Singaporean by citizenship but currently am an Australian Permanent Resident. I am and look completely Asian; and I fear that it will be impossible to find decent employment as an ESL teacher as a result. Is it worth pursuing this at all?

I have an IELTS average score of 8.5 however, and English has been my first language for my entire life - it is the de facto language in Singapore. I also speak Chinese and understand basic phrases in Malay and Japanese.

2. My degree is a four-year BSc Hons (upper second) from the University of Adelaide; which teaches in English; I also have a written research thesis. But I'm worried as its not a Linguistics or Arts qualification which seems to be what most people here have.

3. Six months full-time work as an Education Officer in a museum, preparing activity sheets and running excursions for mostly primary school children, is all I have to show for in terms of teaching experience. I can also add a further 6 months working as an admin in another university as experience in a teaching environment, not sure if it counts. I have deeply enjoyed both experiences and have glowing testimonials from both employers.

4. Is Teach International a reputable organisation?

5. The reason I am considering TESOL is because of the current financial crisis. It is hard for me to get a job in my current field without postgraduate qualifications, and I have trouble obtaining a scholarship generous enough to provide for my needs until I complete this. If I get a job overseas, then I am willing to work for 1 - 2 years to save funds for a coursework MSc. that comes with an internship.

6. I'm not picky about my living conditions at all and am used to living on half as much as anyone else; but would like to avoid working in any place with much snow as I am physically too sensitive to cold. Blazing heat on the other hand, keeps me alert and happy.

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The biggest worry is my first point, if it is impossible to get over the hurdle of the fact I am not a citizen of the US,UK, Ireland, South Africath, Australia etc. then the other considerations are a moot point.

[naturegirl321]

Yes, your looks may be a disadvantage, but do you really wnt to work for those people? Your passport might be a problem though. Is there any way that you can get OZ cit?

Don-t worry about your degree. They just want a BA.

your teach experience is good, play it for what you can

I don-t know about Teach International. Do they make you pay for a placement"? I-d be wary about places that do.

One thing about TeFLing, you-re not going to get rich. The typical save a lot countries have also suffered as well. Average salary, ex China is 500USD. Europe is out because of your passport.

Hope this helps

[frozenflame]

Lol...I will keel over and freeze to death in most of Europe anyway; even if the option was open to me, I probably would not take it.

Unfortunately I cannot get Australian citizenship, for several practical reasons that have little to do with teaching. This is really the thing that gets to me...I cook very simple food (tending towards vegetarian), don't socialise much, don't smoke, hardly drink, have perfect health, and do not need much to live on (my entertainment for the last several years has been mainly public libraries and hiking) but I would definitely need to set aside enough money for further education.

I guess the ideal for me would be an employer some place where the climate is above 15 degrees for most of the year, can provide much of my very austere living needs, so I can dump almost everything else into savings.

Teach International does not offer job placement but comes job search/resume/networking help with a money back job guarantee; which unfortunately only extends to people born in native-english countries. The course I'm looking at could be done in a month, about 110 hours including 10 hours practice teaching adult migrants and 28 hours in-class teaching.

[denise]

Did you say something about blazing heat? Well then, how about Oman? Many places here require MAs, and those that don't will still pay more for an MA, but even with a BA, you'll earn enough to save, especially if you really have such a frugal lifestyle. I must say, though, that the salaries here are good enough for you to treat yourself to certain creature comforts (e.g., satellite TV, internet, a car, etc.) that you may think you can do without, but here those things really do make a difference in your life. I save half of my salary quite easily, but I'd go crazy if I tried to be frugal here!

d

[frozenflame]

How unusual! I've just called Teach International's Academic Manager and he is an extremely honest man. He agrees that with my Asian looks and citizenship, it would be hard to find work as an ESL teacher even after taking any of the organisation's TESOL courses; to the point that he politely suggested it would be better to pursue other things.

It takes balls of steel to recommend something that goes against one's commercial interests and I salute him for this.

Though I wonder, is it *really* this bad? To the point that I should drop any consideration of TESOL altogether?


denise: I'm certainly more than happy to consider Oman...the weather sounds WONDERFUL!
But like anywhere else, I worry about the fact I will never be able to pose as a 'native english' speaker, or look remotely like one!

[naturegirl321]

It's not that bad. There are places that don't want to hire blacks, Asian, etc, but there are palces taht will. Send out your Cv and give it a try. There's alwasy Latin America

[denise]

[nickpellatt]

Your ethnicicity will make it harder, but it wont be impossible, even in China! (although you may encounter some racism in applying for jobs, and whilst at work).

Despite that, there are lots of non white people teaching English in China.

Drop me a message if you would consider Hainan. It would certainly suit you in terms of climate, I have recently helped a non-native speaker find work there through my old contacts (she was white, but English isnt her first language). She was actually offered two positions within a week though!

I couldnt promise anything, but I can give you an email address for my old employer who will be able to give you honest advice, and put you in touch with any local schools or colleges if they have vacancies.

[stillnosheep]

With a BSc hons, a proper TESOL cert and experience as a museum education officer you would be better qualified than most EFL teachers starting out in Asia - and I suspect many of them might struggle to average 8.5 at IELTS

So the only problem might be getting that first job as a non-native speaker. There are non-native EFL teachers in England (I know that you can't work in the EU but you get my point), It can be argued that a fluent English speaker who has learnt English as second language or who is bilingual may be preferable to a native speaker in most circumstances as they are likely to better understand the learners' difficulties learners and have a firmer grasp of the grammar; and with your Chinese I would imagine that you would walk into a job in China.

Some employers will discriminate against you; their loss. Your frugal lifestyle allows you to look at less well paying areas for your first job and once you have some experience you've got it made. If you really want to teach EFL and are prepared to see your uniqueness (native or near native level English AND Chinese) as a strength, not a weakness then I say go for it.

Stress your Australian residency. Market yourself as Chinese-Australian, or Singapore-Chinese-Australian; and don't worry about what you look like. Many native English speakers look just like you.

[stillnosheep]

But do make sure that the course that you take is internationally recognised, as are eg the CELTA or Trinity CTESOL.

[frozenflame]

Unfortunately Teach International's site makes it clear that they are only nationally, not internationally accredited. Well at least they've always been honest so far. However a search of internationally accredited TESOL providers in my area has also come to naught...it might leave me with little choice.

I think, since the next course does not begin till February, I shall wait it out first and see if I land some sort of scholarship anyway for postgraduate studies - I have already applied. If I do gain a scholarship then TESOL won't be a consideration for a very long time.

Anyway I thank everyone who has given me advice here. In a month's time, I will know for certain where I have to go.

[stillnosheep]

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. If you do decide to get a TEFL qualificationm in the future then give serious consideration to making sure it is either the CELTA or Trinity CTESOL as they are the two 'name brands' internationally and if you feel that your nationality might count against you it would probably be good to make sure that yiuor qualification was accepted by all.

And good luck with your scholarship application.