Job Discussion Forums

[travel=freedom]

Hello,
I just want to introduce myself to the message boards. I am 19 years old, female, and going to college in Fl. I know I want to teach ESL abroad after I get my BA in about 2 years. I am thinking of majoring in English Lit and minoring in French. I already speak Russian as well. My big question is whether to major in Lit. or to go into Secondary Education. Is there really a big difference to employers? And of course I'm planning on getting a certification in ESL after graduation as well.

I was very excited when I found this website and hope to hear some valuable advice from those of you who have been doing this for a while.

Thanks so much,
Karina

[spiral78]

I am sometimes involved in hiring staff for the university where I work and have worked with private language schools as well, for over 12 years now.

My take:

English lit is not considered a closely related field to teaching English as a second language in the parts of the world where I have worked (Europe and North America) by many employers.

Knowing the language (and/or its literature) does not directly focus on approaches and methods used to convey the language to learners. Some education component would be much more applicable. I do not myself know much about US degrees - no doubt other posters will have more precise advice to offer.

[travel=freedom]

spiral,
thanks for your reply. It seems just as I have suspected. I have heard of people having degrees in unrelated fields (ex. Business) and still teach. It is my understanding that a degree in Education is obviously more relevant and could lead to a higher paying job than an unrelated degree?

[spiral78]

yes. It is obviously possible to get newbie-level teaching jobs with any old BA, but a relevant one puts you on the road to a career in ESL if you decide you want one later. Keep in mind that, for real 'career' jobs such as in universities, you will likely need a related MA, but a BEd is a decent start.

[somewhere_else]

It's probably a good idea to look into getting a degree in education and teacher certification if you can. Many states have ESL as an add-on to a regular teaching license and you could probably work on getting that at the same time as your degree. Having an education degree and teacher certification (with an endorsement in ESL) will definitely make you stand out when you go to apply for jobs, and the teacher certification might make you eligible for jobs in international schools. Good luck!

[TeresaLopez]

Also, if you are in a state that has certification for Bi-lingual education you might want to do that coursework as well. I have a degree in Elementary Education, with an Endorsement in Bi-Lingual Education and an Endorsement in Reading. Each of those require around 30 additional hours of coursework, but they making you MUCH more marketable, both in the US, and abroad. Most , if not all, international schools require a degree in education, and if you are certified in more than one area, you are more valuable to them. In addition, the Bi-lingual coursework will give you the foundation of teaching ESL as well, though the focus will be on teaching children, there are many principles that apply to all second language teaching. Add a TEFL certificate or CELTA to that and you will be very much in demand.

[spanglish]

The difference in Colombia between the earning potential of someone with a CELTA plus unrelated degree vs. someone with an education degree + teaching endorsement is astounding. Those with education degrees will make at least double of those with just the CELTA.

[Glenski]

Are you planning to be in EFL/ESL for the long haul, or is this still an up in the air thing? If the former, get properly trained and educated (minimum of a master's).

Yes, people get into EFL/ESL with teaching unrelated degrees (I did), but staying and prospering takes an effort including additional training.

What country(ies) did you have in mind? Could make a difference.

[Chancellor]

[spiral78]

The OP speaks Russian.

[travel=freedom]

Wow! Thanks so much for all of your replies!!
The Bilingual coursework is an interesting option. I've never heard of it before. I'll have to ask around and see if my college offers this. I plan on minoring in French (I've studied it for 6 yrs now) and yes I speak Russian (I'm from Ukraine).

Ah I'm not sure if I'm in it for the long haul but there's a good chance I could be. Then yes of course I'd need a degree in it.

As for countries I'd like to teach in: definitely Brazil and perhaps other South American countries (thanks for the heads up in Colombia )

Also in the EU (particularly France)--and yes I've read its like impossible to teach there without citizenship...

And mother Russia of course

Lots to think about...
-Karina

[travel=freedom]

And one more thing...
Teresa Lopez,
How do I go about the Bilingual coursework? Through college or some state licensing program?

Thanks,
K

[travel=freedom]

And Japan!!! So want to teach in Japan as well!
Ahh this is all so exciting

[spanglish]

That info on education degree vs. CELTA seems to be the case for the whole world given what I've read on here. It's certainly very very true for Latin America. It means the difference between barely scraping by (unless you have many years of ESL experience and a qualification called the DELTA that comes after the CELTA) and living at a very high standard and saving money. Of course it would also mean teaching some very rich kids.

Check out info on the JET program if you're interested in Japan, really seems to be the way to go.

[Glenski]