Job Discussion Forums

[erictwelve]

Hey everyone, I�ve been browsing around here for a bit now looking for some information on ESL teaching. I have a few of questions about it, and I was hoping some of you could give me some advice.

My name�s Eric, from the US. I just graduated with a bachelors degree in English Literature, but have no certification (CELTA or otherwise) to teach ESL. I would prefer to get the CELTA certification, but the closest place for me would be New York City (I live west of Philly). My only option would probably be for me to quit my job and move there for a month so I can get certified, but that doesn�t sound too appealing. I�d like to already have a job lined up before I quit the one I have now.

Also, I would like to save money while I�m away. As much as I can, but definitely (at minimum) enough for me to be able to move back to the States and live a few months while I look for a job if things don't work out, but preferably more than that. I would like to have enough money to live comfortably wherever I might end up teaching as well. My plan as of now is to go to graduate school in a few years, so I'd like to have some money prepared for that possibility.

I am mostly looking at Europe for my first job teaching, since I know a lot of people who live there. Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Russia or France would be top picks (I�d prefer to try and pick up a widely-spoken language). I don�t speak any other language fluently, but I know a bit of German and Spanish, and am familiar with French and Russian. I would also be open to working in Asia, but only if Europe simply was not a realistic option for me.

The problem is I have no teaching experience whatsoever. I really would like to teach language, though, and I know that I could do it well if someone could get me started a bit. That�s why I�d really like to take the certification classes in-class to get me better prepared. I�ve given informal private English lessons many times, though, and I feel confident in my ability to teach the language well (if given the opportunity).

So basically, I have a bachelor�s degree, but no teaching certificate or experience. I�d like to save money. I�d like to work in Europe, but am open to other options. I�m just wondering what the best way to get a certificate might be (or which one would be worth it), and if I�d be able to make enough money working in Asia or Europe to live basically (but comfortably, don�t need to party all time and spend a lot of dough on anything I don�t really need), and be able to save some on top of that.

I�d appreciate any feedback or advice you might have. Thanks!

[Glenski]

I think the first thing you need to realize is that Americans cannot get work visas/permits for most European countries, AFAIK, eastern bloc excluded.

[santi84]

Sorry, Asia is your best option.

You are not able to teach in those European countries for several reasons. You have an unrelated degree (English Literature is not ESL/EFL/Education), you are American (if you had an EU passport or other method of being eligible for a visa, this would not be an issue), and you want to save

That being said, you do have some good options. First, Asia, specifically South Korea (you must register on the Korea forum for more info - it cannot be discussed on this forum) is a good bet for a newbie such as you. "Asia" is big though - from what I have read, Japan is really flooded right now and I'm not sure how much you can save at this time. Perhaps China is a good option as well.

If you take out the "savings" requirement, you may find that some countries in eastern Europe are good options.

It would recommend you grab a cup of coffee and start searching through this forum. There are a lot of myths about EFL. The biggest myth is that you can make a decent living anywhere in the world because you know English. My TESL professor said this was certainly true - 30 years ago - but times have changed.

Good luck!

Sorry, I cannot offer advice on the TESL/TEFL certificate - mine was part of my undergraduate program graduate requirements, I have no experience with CELTA or anything like that.

[Chris_Crossley]

[spiral78]

Also, I would like to save money while I�m away. As much as I can, but definitely (at minimum) enough for me to be able to move back to the States and live a few months while I look for a job if things don't work out, but preferably more than that. I would like to have enough money to live comfortably wherever I might end up teaching as well. My plan as of now is to go to graduate school in a few years, so I'd like to have some money prepared for that possibility.

This is not feasible in Europe at the newbie level.

I am mostly looking at Europe for my first job teaching, since I know a lot of people who live there. Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Russia or France would be top picks (I�d prefer to try and pick up a widely-spoken language). I don�t speak any other language fluently, but I know a bit of German and Spanish, and am familiar with French and Russian. I would also be open to working in Asia, but only if Europe simply was not a realistic option for me.

Consider Asia.

Germany, Spain, Italy, and France are no-go for non-EU citizens, particularly someone who expects to save money and live/work legally.

Belgium in the past still allowed US citizens to get legal work permits (I don't know if that's still true) but the market for teachers there is abysmal. I interviewed at least 6 experienced native English speaker teachers over the summer who are doing all they can to land a job ouside of Belgium, in fear of starvation

Russia has recently tightened visa rules and there may be less teaching available there than in the past. Pay is subsistence level. Read current threads on the Russia forum.

The Central/Eastern European countries where you CAN get legal work permits pay subsistence wages. Most definitely not enough to support yourself for any time back in the US, or to pay for your post grad studies.

Finally, European jobs at the newbie level are very rarely found from abroad. You generally have to make the investment to come here, and support yourself for a few months before getting a first paycheck. There are simply too many teachers around for most reputable employers to pay any attention to someone from abroad.

Asia will be more likely to meet your criteria.

[naturegirl321]

You MIGHT be able to work in the new EU countries, but expect about 700 usd a month, and housing, and heat is expensive.

Sving money, then skip Europe, won't save there. Biggest places for saving are Japan, taiwan, Korea and the Middle East.

YOu could work in Russia

Brush up on teaching, hit the local library.

[spiral78]

heat is expensive

NG, you've posted this before. It's inaccurate. Heat can be expensive in some places at some times, but this is NOT a common situation in Europe in general.

[jpvanderwerf2001]

To me, it sounds like Ukraine is the perfect fit.
There are jobs in Ukraine on this site and others if you search enough. With a decent job and some private work on the side, you should be able to save some coin.
Check it out. I lived in Ukraine and loved the place.
Otherwise, you might consider Kazhastan, as (I think) they pay rather well, and Russian would of course be widely spoken there.
Otherwise, east Asia.
Good luck!

[naturegirl321]

[spiral78]

In the Netherlands I pay 32-38 euro monthly for electricity, gas, and heat combined.
In the Czech Rep I pay roughly 380czk monthly for above.

Bills are not greater in winter. They are averaged across a 12-month period.

[naturegirl321]

[erictwelve]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I really appreciate it
Not exactly the news I was hoping for but I need to be realistic about this.

So Europe is entirely out of the question (save for Eastern Europe, where I probably wouldn�t be able to save money). Do you think, if I chose to work in Eastern Europe.. somewhere perhaps in the EU, that I might have better chances of getting a job in Europe in the future? Would I be able to obtain an EU/EEA passport this way (I�m guessing not..)? Or is Western Europe just simply out of the question for an American? Also, Ukraine would definitely be an option I�d consider. I�ll look into that further.

And I wouldn�t mind teaching in Asia either, though my thoughts were mainly focused on Japan, where I suppose it might be the hardest place for an English teacher to get a job. Why do all the places I want to work end up being the hardest places to get in? I�ll check out the Japanese board and other country forums for more specific questions.

But you�ve all really helped me answer many of my general questions about this subject. I�ll lurk the site a bit more, and maybe get some more answers in info along the way.

Thanks again to all! Hopefully I�ll be able to find a job soon along this path

[Glenski]

[spiral78]

So Europe is entirely out of the question (save for Eastern Europe, where I probably wouldn�t be able to save money). Do you think, if I chose to work in Eastern Europe.. somewhere perhaps in the EU, that I might have better chances of getting a job in Europe in the future? Would I be able to obtain an EU/EEA passport this way (I�m guessing not..)? Or is Western Europe just simply out of the question for an American? Also, Ukraine would definitely be an option I�d consider. I�ll look into that further

Working in Eastern Europe won't get you into other European countries, unless you somehow become a citizen Through marraige is about the only way, and even then citizenship isn't a given, though you would gain permanent residency in the country your spouse is from. For citizenship, you must normally meet residency and language proficiency requirements and some countries still require you to give up your original citizenship as well.