Job Discussion Forums

want2travel · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 5

Greetings everyone,
I have read a lot of conflicting posts, esp. dealing with businesses like Oxford, I to I, most of the distance learning programs in general. I don�t want to waste time or ask the same things others have repeatedly asked but I am seeking more learned opinions than my own. I have no college degree. I am a native English speaker. My idea is to take the Oxford course as there is one in my area in the near future. From there to volunteer for more classroom experience in the nearby cities community programs (huge Spanish and Laotian populations) just to familiarize myself with material and become more comfortable with the idea of teaching. I understand in the bigger picture none of this will likely help me find placement overseas. I�m looking to get my feet wet, and to see if this is something that I could do. It is almost certain the company I work for will reimburse the price of the course; however cannot get a month off to take one of the more highly praised programs. The long term goal is to teach overseas. Does this first step, testing the waters make sense to anyone besides me?
Thanks for any responses in advance-

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:55 pm Post subject:

Oxford is one of those overused names- Oxford Seminars? Oxford House? Oxford University? Very different organisations.

Let us know what program you're looking at and we can tell you more.

Best.
Justin

want2travel · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 5

Oxford seminars, aprx. 60 hours over 3 weekends. Only teaching in class is done with other students, and then it's only a 30 minute routine given for feedback from the other attendees.

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

The key element of on-site courses is supervised teaching practice with actual students, with feedback from experienced teacher-trainers on how you did.

Oxford doesn't include this, nor does your plan to volunteer, I'm afraid.

If you're entirely unsure that you want to do this, then personally I'd go to where English language teaching is going on and ask an experienced (hopefully qualified!) teacher if I could observe some lessons. Then you could volunteer yourself to test out whether you like the experience in general.

The next big step would be to relocate somewhere abroad, and take a proper course when you get there!

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 suggest you skip Oxford, in other words.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

The idea to volunteer teach or to observe others teaching, in a voluntary capacity or not is a really good ... and one I think more people should do. It may possibly be more valuable to you than the type of course you are considering, which may be designed with little more in mind than parting you from your hard earned money.

Although the course may claim to be internationally recognised, these claims are dubious ... the employers that would take you with these qualifications, would probably still take you without them. If you then decide to move schools/countries, you may find yourself back at square one, needing to complete the more recognised programs in order to seek employment.

That doesnt mean its impossible to teach and travel without these courses, or even a degree, but it does mean there will be less opportunities for you. Some schools may be off limits for you, and some countries may also be almost impossible for you. I would go ahead with the plan to volunteer and observe classes ... and see where it takes you. You may even decide (when in an EFL environment) that this is what you want to do for sometime, which may make the course more attractive.

At this point though, save the money that the poor quality course want....start by volunteering and buy some decent EFL type books...'Learning Teaching' by Jim Scrivener is a good place to start and quite informative.

Whilst you say you understand this wont make the long term goal of teaching overseas more likely ... I would beg to differ. There will be places in the world where the experience will count for something, and will help you find a job

want2travel · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 5

Thanks for the input guys. It's appreciated. I think any way to gain experience or to see it being done first hand is a good place to start. I'm not in the position currently to travel abroad to observe. I can begin by checking the local ESL community programs/teachers and take it from there.I understand it's a whole different ballgame then actually being abroad, or competing for positions without a degree or even certification. I wonder too about just having the cert from one of the better programs, without a college degree being enough? Not looking to get rich just would prefer not to starve. Thanks for the tip on the book-sure I will be posting again soon.

Chancellor