Job Discussion Forums

[coolcq]

Hi there,
I'm a 24 year old female, I'm from Colorado and I have a BS in Journalism (focused on news editing and writing). I'm seriously considering teaching abroad. I've traveled a bit, but I've always wanted to live in another country, and I think I would really like it. Teaching seems like a good way to live in and learn about another culture and travel, while not putting myself under financially (please correct me if I'm wrong about that). I'm most interested in working somewhere in Southeastern Asia, although South America is also attractive to me. I'm not opposed to Eastern Europe, either.

I looked through many previous posts, but couldn't find someone who'd asked specifically about the necessity of having some sort of official certification....

So my basic question is, do I really need it?
I've seen a lot of job posts that don't require it, but as I don't have any teaching experience, maybe this would be helpful to me in a new job.

That said, I'm a little overwhelmed by the certification options available. Is there one that is better, more applicable or accepted by employers? For example, I was looking at the Oxford Seminars program, but I've read conflicting things about it, so I'm not entirely sure....

Also, I've seen many people talk about certification programs that take place in the country that one would be working in. Is there any kind of advantage of this type of program over one that takes place in the US? Also, are they more expensive? I think maybe so, since you wouldn't be working while you're getting certified... My only problem with this is that I don't have a lot of money right now, and if a cheaper option is just as good as one that 's expensive, I'd like to go the cheaper route.

Something else I've seen others post about are scams associated with getting certified. Is there any good rule of thumb in avoiding a scam when looking for certification programs?

I'm currently researching to answer these questions myself, but anything people can offer me in terms of advice or personal experience would be much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to check out my post!

[coolcq]

I also forgot to mention this: I've noticed people talking about getting an MA in teaching English, which I'm assuming takes probably a year or two to complete. I should clarify that I'm not necessarily looking to make a career out of this, but to get at least several months or a year or two abroad working.

In this case, I suppose I'm looking for a program that won't take months and months to complete. A lot of programs I've seen have courses that last a month or a few weeks, so perhaps that is the general norm...? I'm not sure if the length of a course is a testament to its legitimacy or merit. In ideal circumstances, I'd like to be abroad in the next few months, but I'm also not sure if this is realistic or not. Several people who've taught abroad have said that it's not, but any additional advice would be helpful!

[spiral78]

These questions are quite common on Dave's. I'll give the general answers here.

The basic standard newbie course for most regions in the world is 120 hours on site, including (this bit is key) 6+ hours of supervised teaching practice with real students - not peer trainees - and feedback on this from qualified teacher trainers. CELTA is the name brand, but some generic courses meet the standard. Online courses aren't recognized everywhere, because of the lack of supervised teaching practice.

I can speak from personal experience for the Central/Eastern European bit - you would need a cert as described above, simply because by far most newbies in the region have one like this, and anything less puts you at the bottom of the heap on the job market.

Also, I've seen many people talk about certification programs that take place in the country that one would be working in. Is there any kind of advantage of this type of program over one that takes place in the US?

There are lots of very good reasons to take a course in the country where you want to start working, if at all possible.

Training in-country offers you a great chance to get your feet wet in the country/culture while you still have a support system � they usually arrange for your housing during the course, airport pickup, and local orientation. Your practice teaching students will really be representative of those you�ll be working with when you start. You can be sure that your certification will be recognized by local employers, and a training centre can give you invaluable contacts and advice regarding reputable local employers.

I don't have a lot of money right now

On a final, but VERY important note - DON'T go abroad without enough financial cushion to safely tide you over and get you started. Be aware that most jobs will not pay for your travel expenses or provide housing.

You'll most likely need to expect to pay for flights, and getting set up in accomodation can be a considerable expense: landlords very often want one months rent as security and the first month up front - you may likely also have to pay an agent fee equivalent to a month's rent (remember you will be getting legal contracts in a foreign language - you'll obviously need some help to do it correctly and it is often the case that housing contracts must be in the local language - not English).

Most private language schools pay monthly, at the END of the month worked.

Don't consider getting yourself into a situation where a little bad luck could cause big problems for you!

That said, many, many people have made it work. The intention of my post is not to discourage (I've made a career of this myself, and have many friends and contacts who have done the same), but it's VITALLY important to have realistic expectations in the planning stages!!

My perspective is primarily the Central/Eastern European one. Asia is somewhat different, and Latin America may be as well.

[justcolleen]

[nickpellatt]

*wishes he could use the quote feature competently as it makes things so much easier*

Anyway ... Ill add a little from my experience, and this is based around working in China by the way ( the only country other than the UK I have TEFL'd in )

Spirals comments about courses are spot on by the way ... but as you have noted, to work in some places, you dont need any teaching cert. This is true for China where you degree would be enough to get you in the door.

HOWEVER. If you were at my side now, and I asked you to cover my lesson tomorrow, what would you do with 15 teenagers, no course material or book to work from, and a 90 minute lesson to fill? It can be daunting ... and then when you have been in class for 30 seconds and someone asks you about how to use the present perfect tense ... its not always easy. Speaking English isnt always enough. Taking the type of course referred to (120 hours, observed teaching practice) wont make you the finished article, and wont teach you everything, but it will point you in the right direction, and give you an idea about where to start.

Now if the scenario I have described sounds far fetched ... in China, you could expect exactly that to happen. Although it wouldnt be 15 kids, it might be 50, and it wouldnt be one 90 min lesson. It could be 4 of them.

The other thing to bear in mind is the students do deserve a competent teacher. Everyone does learn on the job to some degree, and I expect to still be learning the finer points for years! However ... I do think our students deserve some level of competence. Many of them have to pay fees for the privilege of my classes ... its not really fair if I use them simple as my training ground.

Anyway ... in China you can expect housing to be included. Some people choose not to take this ... but the vast majority of jobs will include a home of some sort. This removes the initial set up costs mentioned in other replies. Again, this is only my experience, but in my first job in China, salaries were paid on the 10th of the month, this meant I had a full months salary 10 days after arriving. I also had a joining bonus as well. This all meant I didnt need so much start up cash.

Finally. A few words on taking a course in country. Im always the dissenting voice here as I would suggest taking it at home if possible. Whilst there are advantages which have already been mentioned, I also see some downsides.

The first of which is the course is often talking about as being hard, stressful and a very trying experience. Bearing this in mind being able to do this in your own country may make this easier. More so if you can take it in your own town or city where your own support network already exists. I did my course in my hometown, and so I didnt incur any extra housing or travel costs and this was important to me. I really wouldnt like to have taken a course elsewhere, and to have had all the distractions that a new country and culture may hold.

I also hope to work in my hometown in the future ... and what better way to make some local contacts at home? I have met and know a number of people in the EFL circle in my hometown now!

Hope that helps ... although all this conflicting info may make it even harder for you to decide!!!

I would say though ... a young woman with a degree and a decent TEFL cert would be highly employable in China in my opinion. That is assuming you are a native speaker and (hate to say this) white. That is quite a key requirement in some Chinese schools im afraid to say

[naturegirl321]

Long and short, it depends. Certs help you in the classroom. SOme employers require them, others don't. Depends on where you go.

One things for sure, they're not helpful for visas. For visas, you'll need a degree.

Oxford Semiars, pass on that one.

[coolcq]

Thanks so much for your posts! This is tremendously helpful - I have a lot to think about now!

And of course, it made me think of a few more questions:

spiral78, do you have any recommendations on where to find a reputable program for something like CELTA? I mean, is that something that is taught through a university or school, or are there companies that specifically do training? I think I've come across both things in my searches, but I thought I'd ask.

Also, what would be your idea of a good financial cushion to tide oneself over? I know this will be different per country (I'm strongly leaning to someplace like Thailand) and per person, but I thought it was worth asking.

Everyone else, thank you very much for your advice and opinions - I'm feeling a bit more grounded in this search already!

[spiral78]

If it's CELTA you go for, the course is externally monitored and you should be fine regardless of where you actually take the course. Because it's the name brand, it matters less where you take it - a CELTA's a CELTA.

If you're focusing on Thailand - you might consider posting on the country-specific forum regarding how much money you should have available in case you need it. My experience is in Europe, so I can't realistically advise on this one

[Glenski]

[Wide eyed wanderer]

Just putting in my two cents. I haven't gone overseas yet, but I am currently seeking jobs in Asia.

I highly suggest getting some sort of TESL certificate. Many of the job adds I have been looking at have been asking for it. A few years back in South Korea often you didn't need one, but now more of them are demanding one. I got a TESOL certificate through Oxford seminars... I will admit the actual course I took didn't teach me all that much about teaching in a classroom. Apparently that isn't there main objective, it is more an introductory course to teaching overseas things to expect, contract process, what to expect in your contracts, countries you can teach in, how each country varies in pay, benefits, housing, ect. It does briefly give you an idea of the types of lessons should be using and you get to do a trial class in front of your peers and they give you useful feedback. The class lasts for a couple of weekends so it doesn't last too long and you probably can take it in your hometown.

Another benefit of going with Oxford Seminars is that you get 6-month free contract set up with them, which I find is kind of helpful because they are a company that works with alot of different contracts I feel a little more confident that I won't get an awful contract that screws me over. Then again make sure that you always ask lots of questions and get exactly what you want and if there is something you are unsure about in your contract make sure you ask someone who is already living or has lived in the same country and/or with the same teaching company.

I hear Korea is typically a good place to go to save money, you get paid fairly well, get accommodation, flight there and back. However they also suggested that you bring at least $1335- 2225 USD with you to get started before you start making money, granted this is if you work in Korea and have a contract before you get there... otherwise you will probably need more.