Job Discussion Forums

[dav06012]

-22 Years Old, BA in El. Ed, TESOL certificate. Native US English speaker. Volunteered as English Teacher in St. Pete, Russia, been studying Russian for 2 years.

K, now to my question:

Is the only way to start out being an EFL teacher is to go the McSchool route? I just feel like I'd have a bad experience. Are some countries better than others? I'm really interested in Europe, mainly Eastern Europe or Russia. Any help would be appreciated.

[denise]

Not all language schools are McSchools. My first job was with a private institute in Prague, and it was really a good first job. Just do a bit of research, ask around, try to find out whether or not your potential boss is a psycho, etc.

And if you're really worried about it, then you can always spend a couple more years in the US building up teaching experience and then apply to international schools.

d

[Glenski]

There is more than one way to start out. Assuming one has generic qualifications (like they seem to do in Japan)...

1) conversation schools (the "McSchools" you referred to, called eikaiwa here)

2) ALT work, whether through a dispatch agency or a government program like JET

3) direct hire as an ALT (rare)

4) business English school (often more for people with some non-teaching experience, but not always; this could be through an agency or again through direct hire)

5) start your own school (personally, I would say this is only for the very brave and life-experienced if you are a newbie)

[dav06012]

Thanks guys, that makes me feel better. I guess it's all about doin' your research, eh?