Job Discussion Forums

Rambling Man · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 4

I am just now starting to take the TEFL course. I am 55 yrs. old, and 11 hours short of a BA. Completing the degree right now is not an option. I traveled the world while in the military and loved it. I do have experience as a substitute teacher, and have been in management for the past 18 years.
My question, with the TEFL, and no degree, how limited will I be in securing jobs, and where will my best choices likely be?
Thank you for your insight and comments.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

If you can prove at least 3 years of FT teaching experience, you don't need the degree to get a work visa in Japan.

father Mackenzie · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Jakarta Barat

You could always research Indonesia. If you have some practical teaching experience and do not mind starting out at the bottom then there are plenty of teaching positions available.

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

I am just now starting to take the TEFL course.

What kind of course are you referring to? They're not all created equal.

Degrees are not legally necessary to get working visas in Central/Eastern Europe. But there are lots of teacher training centres in the region, and this means that 90% of newbies on the job market have a cert from an on-site course of 100+ hours, including supervised teaching practice with real students - this last bit is key - CELTA is the name brand, but there are some generic options that also meet the standards.

Without a BA, you're at something of a disadvantage (on paper, anyway) but your experience and professionalism will count for something. If your certification meets the basic standard, you could probably do all right in Central/Eastern Europe (meaning Czech Rep, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and further East).

Rambling Man · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 4

Thank you so much for the information and encouragement. No, I do not mind starting at the bottom. I guess mainly I just wanted to make sure I would not waste my time taking the course.
Thank you again.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 3:36 pm Post subject:

Rambling Man · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 4

I will be taking the TEFL course from TEFL International.

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

An on-site course? This should be ok.

Rambling Man · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 4

I will be taking it online.

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

May not be sufficient to get your toe in the door of reputable entry-level employers, depending on where you are planning to go.

You may want to ask questions specific to the regions you are thinking of, and/or do more research on on-line quals in this field in general.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 8:10 pm Post subject:

Do a search around here on online courses, certification courses, and the general requirements of a good course. (Check this forum, and the general discussion one.)

THere are actually several good threads on distance teacher training going on the general forum, one of with is on ITTT. (Which I think is TEFL International's course.)

THe short version: In my opinion, by doing an initial qualification at distance without a teaching element, you are wasting your time and money.

THese certs aren't really seem by many as a teaching qualification at all; the employers that would take you with them would probably take you without them.

Best,
Justin

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

You may not want to limit your choices even further by taking an online course...bottom line.