Job Discussion Forums

[fuzzydimond]

Hi. I'm new this website and TESL, but I've read a lot of the posts on here and have made up mind that I want to teach abroad.

I am a U.C. Berkeley graduate with a B.A. in English and have formal no teaching experience, which has lead me to believe that the most sensible idea is for me to get a TESL certification.

I have been researching the U.C. Berkeley Extension TEFL certification program and the Berkeley Learning Teaching Consultants (offered through the School for International Training Graduate Institute and World Learning) TESOL certification program. The Berkeley Extension program is much longer and more expensive, so as of now I'm leaning towards the SIT TESOL.

I'm most interested in teaching in China, South Korea, Thailand, or Taiwan.

My goal is: to teach at a good school (I'm fine with teaching children or adults), live in a bustling urban setting, receive good pay, and have clean, comfortable accommodations provided for me.

Can anyone tell me more information about which of these certifications is more desired by schools in these countries?

Is it realistic to think that I will be able to reach my goal with one of these certificates?

Any and all advice is much appreciated.

[roamingteacher]

Being from the UK, I have never heard of those certificates. The CELTA and TESOL are the most popular EFL teaching qualifications here, but I guess any equivalent would be equally acceptable. Your degree stands you in good stead anyway, as sometimes that's all you need. However, I would not recommend teaching without some kind of training beforehand, especially if it is something you intend to do longer term, and might possibly be looking for career advancement at some stage.

Asian countries all have their own requirements for work permits, from those that will take you with a passport from an English-speaking country, to those that will require qualified teacher status (i.e. for teaching in the state sector in your home country).

Best thing to do is peruse the forums, see what places you like the sound of and go from there. Thailand is a relatively easy gateway to Asia, but it really depends on the lifestyle you are looking for. In most Asian countries, you will be comfortable on a teaching salary.

Good luck

[motown]

Wow....the U.C. Berkeley Extension TESOL sounds impressive but will employers in Asia know what it is. You'll be the only person to have one.
CELTA, TRINITY TESOL AND THE SIT TESOL seem to be the three top certificates to go for as they are recognized worldwide. Consider taking the course in the country where you want to teach.

[khmerhit]

BERKELEY SHMERKELY
BOOKS SHMOOKS
CURRICULUM SHMURRICULUM















c A M B O D I A
TRY IT AND SEE

[runthegauntlet]

You won't need a cert. for S. Korea. If you're going to get one, though, CELTA and Trinity TESOL are the ones that people have actually heard of and would probably be the most 'useful'.