Job Discussion Forums

[cathywantstoteachabroad]

Hi all, I'm Catherine and would like any advice anyone here can give me regarding this new adventure I'd like to start.
I'm 29 years old, graduated with a BA in Sociology and Psychology in 2003. My "teaching" exeprience comes in the form of teaching gymnastics to all ages. I don't suppose that will be looked upon as experience, but I do have the experience of coaching, working with kids and some insight into how kids learn etc..
I would like to do some sort of course (CELTA, tesol) as I cannot imagine going into teaching without it.
I have some loans at home that will still need to be paid.
I can live quite cheaply do not need a lot of entertainment, western style amenites etc.

The options I have been thinking include:

Take a tesol course at home, then apply with a recruiter to a school in Korea, Taiwan, Japan or Thailand

Take the CELTA in Thailand, then look in the above mentioned countries.

Use ATI for their "Special Thai", or "Special Thai-Korea" Projects to take a course and then find a job.

I'm continually researching all opf the above options, plus any others I come across, but i would like to hear any specific advice from those of you who have done any of this before.
Thanks so much
Catherine

[Glenski]

Re: Japan

Come to the Japan forum for more people to give advice. See also the FAQ stickies there.

You have the minimum requirements for entry level work. A certificate may or may not help. Most entry level employers don't care about certs, but the market here is terribly flooded with teachers.

Think JET Programme, conversation schools, or ALT dispatch company.

JET pays the most and pays airfare (sometimes all or part of your rent, too). Extremely few of the other options pay for any of those things, and salaries are dropping.

If you can't come here to interview, your options are severely limited.

[naturegirl321]

Don't use recruiters, there are plenty of good jobs that you can find yourself.