Job Discussion Forums

shin12 · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 37

Hey as above i have tefl 20hr plus degree no experience been looking at specs for jobs abd alot ask for Cambridge courses etc . can anyone help and let me know how easy/hard it will be for me to get a good job in Europe with above or shall i do another course. all advice much appreciated . i am english by the way Laughing

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

Newbie level positions in Europe generally require a 100+ hour on-site course including supervised teaching practice on actual students, with feedback from experienced teacher trainers.
With less, you are below the bottom level on the job market.

Good job? You can expect to make enough to live on, barely. With the basic qualification I've described above, I mean. Not enough to save up or pay off debt or buy anything big like a car or flat.

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

By the way, 'Cambridge' refers to courses and a set of tests for English language skill - it is for learners of the language, not native speakers of English.

You probably mean CELTA- which is the name brand 100+ hour newbie course I"ve described. There are also generic courses that meet the standard.

shin12 · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 37

seriously . That is crap the tutor said this with a degree should be enough. just out of interest what country are you teaching in at the moment and if i want get more experience who is the best course provider, i did the 20hr course with i-i . Crying or Very sad

Are there any other country where i could get by on thwe 20hr ? Embarassed

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

I have taught in the Czech Rep, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. I have been working in Europe for nearly 15 years. I have been involved in teacher training, management at private language schools, and for the past six years, at European universities.

If you think it's crap, go for it in Italy or Spain (where I've got both friends and work colleagues and DO know something about the job market) with your 'excellent' 20 hour certification.

Ok, one more time I'll try to be polite: the name brand course is CELTA, but any generic course that is 100+ hours on site, including at least 6 hours of supervised teaching practice with real students is the minimum basic course.

Good luck to you.

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

You might also note that your i-to-i tutor was paid because you took the course.

I am offering solid advice for free - who is more likely to be realistic and unbiased in such a situation????

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

120 hours with 6 of practise is the norm. GOod news is that you can legally work in Europe. Try to get a bit of experience, tutoring, volutneering under your belt. IF you can, do another cert.

Spiral's right, as usual. Jobs just don't pay much. Asia at least, you earn what you would in Europe, but have free housing. Try China, lots of newbies start there. Thailand might be an option or Japan, pay is good. DO you have a BA? Korea's also an ok place to start, but the won is falling.

Sorry, but your tutor lied. YOu need at least 100 hours more.

Chancellor · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:40 pm Post subject:

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

That'll be an impossible challenge for Europe Rolling Eyes

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

they might be able to garauntee you an interview, or an internship with them, but you'd probably have to pay.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:52 pm Post subject:

Most "job placement guarantees" include impossible conditions in the fine print.

And a job you could get with an online cert in Europe isn't a job you want.

Best,
Justin

PS- Chancellor- really swamped right now- will PM you Monday!!

beetlil · Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 53 Location: Hanoi

Hey Spiral. I think the poster was actually saying that it was 'crap' that you were able to give this information and yet the tutor at the i-i course was obviously misinformed or chose to misinform the students of the 20hr course. I think it was a dig at the course provider - not you.

I could be wrong but I read the reply in a different context to you (taking the emoticons into account as well).

If I'm wrong, then hopefully the poster will advise.

matthew156 · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 140 Location: The Majik Kindom

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matthew156 · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 140 Location: The Majik Kindom

hello shin12,

I remember before I decided to be a language teacher researching job forums and finding out what is required in this profession because after all we are now professionals. If you can do something like this it may be highly enlightening. The suggestions/advice that I have seen on this thread seem very good and there is always the possibility that it can be wrong but highly unlikely.

Seriously if I were an employer in a first world country I would be looking at qualifications, experience, references and see how they present their pitch in a cover letter.

Since you may have none of these then the only place to get it is in developing or third world countries. The latter I would not recommend.
Other than that seeking advice here means just that; you are seeking advice. It's not appropriate to do certain things here which I am guilty of too but I have always made ammends. To this affect I would suggest some courtesy and maybe consider some reconciliation here. Just my advice since you are seeking.

Regards.

Matt

shin12 · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 37

i was talking about the tutor being crap . apologises if you misunderstood. thanks for advice