Job Discussion Forums

[Sarasota]

I would like to become an English teacher in a foreign country such as Japan or Brazil. I would like to do this as a career, not just to see a country. I want to make sure that I can get a good job in a city that I want to be in and have the qualifications to make a decent living. I also would like to have some training as a teacher so I have a better chance of doing a good job. For these reasons I think it may be wise to become a teacher in my home country of the United States. I already have a bachelors degree but it is business management so it would take some time to become a teacher. My questions are: Is becoming a teacher in my home country going to give me a big advantage over other job applicants that just have a bachelors degree and no teaching experience? And what type of teacher should I be in the U.S.? I assumed English teacher would be the best.

[natsume]

It sounds like when you say teaching, you are talking about k-12, and not adults at the private or university level. If that is the case, and you do indeed see the value of getting a credential in the states, then you seem to be on your way towards a career in international schools. American and British ISs are essentially English language college preparatory institutions, and you by no means would need to focus on English. In fact, it would be to your advantage to research more high needs areas at ISs before your training, but I imagine, like everywhere, math and science would be a more secure path.

I am planning on returning to the states to get credentialed specifically in preparation for work in ISs. I want to be an English teacher at the secondary level, which is the logical choice given my background and experience. The top-tier schools all seem to have an industry standard "basic" qualification of home country credential plus two years home country experience post credential.

This site has a forum you may want to search;
http://www.internationalschoolsreview.com/

[SandyG20]

Even if you get into a fast track training program - expensive too - then you will need 2 years of state side contract teaching for ISS schools - and subbing and temp teaching doesn't count - to get those jobs. Jobs in the USA are very very competitive right now - economy is causing many schools to close and massive layoffs. The best area to study is high level maths and sciences to find a job anywhere.

[Glenski]

Where exactly to you want to teach? K-12, university, junior college, tech school?

As mentioned, getting a teaching license (plus experience) will be needed if you want to work in international schools. Perhaps others who have such jobs can comment on the longevity of them. I can't.

The teaching license may give you an edge over some candidates for the JET Programme ALT slots (Chthulhu may respond on this. Heed his remarks.) My take is that JET is looking for more serious types, but you need to understand what an ALT is and does, or you may be seriously disappointed. That applies to dispatch agency ALTs, too.

For a long-term career as EFL teacher, you should also understand the market. I'm in Japan, so I can tell you a lot about that. Start with the saturated market right now. Add a declining birth rate which forces schools to close, merge, or just accept anyone despite entrance exams. Competition is high right now for many jobs. An education in TEFL will probably be a good thing for your life in the classroom, but learn what more there is to a teaching career here.

If you want a uni job, you'll need a master's or PhD in a specific field, plus publications, experience in Japan (usually) and J language skills.

(Post in the Japan forum for more info.)

[natsume]

[naturegirl321]

A teaching qualification will help you if you want to work with kids in schools. I-d skip English, and get one in Maths, Science, History, something like that. There are TONS of English teachers.

If you want to teach adults, skip it. Do an MA or CELTA and then a DELTA instead.

Lots of states have fast track programmes.

WIth NJ, you can actually get a cert, without having to study education, you just have to have enough courses in the subject area and pass the praxis test. BUT, I-m a certified teacher, not a licensed one. Meaning that I CAN teach in NJ public schools, but since I never HAVE, I don-t have a license.

[Sarasota]

Thank You for all the replies. Yes it is true in the current economy it would be hard to get a job K-12 in the U.S. Now that I think about it, I would prefer to teach in a University, community college or tech school in the U.S. Any information on what I need to do to teach at the college level would be helpful. In a foreign country also I would prefer to teach at the college level or adults rather than K-12. I don't have an aptitude for Math or Science. I like psychology and history. My end game still remains to teach in a foreign country so I thought they needed oral English teachers. If I don't speak the native language of the country I am in, how can I teach anything but oral English?

[denise]

If you want to teach in universities, you should get an MA. Being a certified teacher in the US won't necessarily help you. You'll also need an MA (TESOL or Applied Linguistics) to teach in community colleges in the US.

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[Sarasota]

If you want to teach in universities, you should get an MA. Being a certified teacher in the US won't necessarily help you. You'll also need an MA (TESOL or Applied Linguistics) to teach in community colleges in the US.

What is an MA? Being a certified teacher in the U.S. won't help me do what?

[spiral78]

MA=Master's degree. University positions are generally quite competitive and the standard to be successful in this market is to have both experience and post-grad qualifications. This is one of the most common ways to make a career of teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language these days.

[jgmodlin]

I also had a Bachelors of Business Admin and worked in sales and marketing for a time. If you have more than a couple of years of experience working after college, then you should go through Florida's career switcher program. It is a fast track way to getting certified as a K-12 teacher. Here in Virginia, it took about 6 months with classes online and weekends and cost around $3500.

The MA in Tesol or Linguistic Arts route would make more sense if you plan on teaching overseas at colleges. I would temper your expectations though if you plan on teaching college here in the USA. With a MA most community colleges are just going to hire you part time to teach a couple of ESL classes, and the pay is not that great. Universities in the USA would be even more competitive. Public school teachers make more thsn community colleges (35 - 40K) starting out and that's just for 10 months of work. Universities would pay more, but again only if you could get on full time with one.

As for which endorsement to get, ESL is a critical need subject in many states including Florida. You can always take additional Praxis II tests later to add on other endorsements. Here in Virginia, the state is now requiring all ESL teachers to also be endorsed in English so that the ESL students can receive English credits for the ESL classes they take (part of NCLB). Easy enough though, I just took the Praxis II test last month to add it on.

I'll have two years of post-credential experience this year and intend to go the international school route myself.

[ssjup81]

I'm interested in teaching as well, and right now, studying for my Praxis I test, which will be given July 25. I'm confident on all the sections, 'cept for the math (it's my weakest), so I'm trying to relearn all this stuff. I have my BA, but I can't enter a teaching program unless I get through the Praxis I, and then I can concentrate on the Praxis II tests.

I think getting a license early on in the states will definitely improve your chances. Looking at it now, I'm more interested in literally teaching as opposed to going the ALT route (but I'd take it, if the opportunity presented itself).

[jgmodlin]

ssjup81, what part of central Virginia are you in? I live in Richmond and taught in Japan for 8 years prior to coming back here to teach high school ESL. Here in VA, the VCCS Career Switcher program is really good if you have been out of school for a couple of years and don't want to have to spend the time and money going through the conventional program. I can PM you with my email address if you want to chat.

[ssjup81]