Job Discussion Forums

[ButterflyAngie]

Respected colleagues,

I have so many questions!

I am a newbie here. I have been saving, dreaming, and now DYING to go live and work abroad. I am hoping to leave next summer. And I am in the process of selecting a program to get certified and have been looking at Language Corps, BridgeTEFL, and SIT. I'm looking for anyone that has been through one of those programs to give any feedback. Or any other program I should be looking into?

To tell a bit of background about me (I've been reading the threads and people always ask "what are your goals? where do you want to go?):
1) I want to live anywhere Spanish is spoken. My top choices are Ecuador, Chile, and maybe Mexico. One of my goals is to become fluent in Spanish and become immersed in the culture.
2.) I am going into this as a career change, one that may lead me back to the states in 5-10 years, or one that could have me spending my life seeing the world. The only "experience" I have teaching is that for one semester I taught English to a classroom of adult english learners as a volunteer. I absolutely loved it, but knew I could do a better job with more training and time (I have done some training, but nothing official). I also tutored for a semester for another nonprofit. I definitely want to get certified through a good program. And while I want to travel, learn spanish and the culture, I do have an interest in teaching. Oh, and I do have college degrees, BS in Mass Communications and an MLS (Masters in Library Science).
3.) What I'm looking for in a program are: good training so I can be well-prepared in a classroom; real practice with real students; good connections/job placement assistance; assistance with getting the right documentation/paperwork and assistance with finding housing while I am doing the certification program.
4.) I also would like to get certified abroad. I want a program where I can get certified in Ecuador/Chile/Mexico/Costa Rica and where hopefully I can find employment soon after the program is over. But it seems slightly crazy to get up and move to get certified without a job waiting. Is it?


So: where did you get certified? DId you do it abroad? Any good/bad experiences? DId anyone get certified abroad and how long after did you find a job?

[Justin Trullinger]

People who have taken the courses you're considering are likely to chime in here shortly. I've never been a participant on any of the programs you're considering, but am very familiar with the site(s) you're considering in Ecuador. I was the lead TESOL trainer on the SIT course there, and worked closely with the LC reps.

Something you may not know is that Language Corps, in some parts of the world, offers their own course, but in others, they work with a local partner in the country where they operate.

Their partner in Ecuador actually IS the local SIT center- so if you do LanguageCorps program there, you would have their support features, and still get the SIT TESOL certificate.

I'd recommend the SIT course, due to the high profile in the field of the SIT Masters programs- if you stay in the field long, you can receive graduate credit for the course through SIT, and also can get a discount on their MAT program in the future...


BEst,
Justin

PS- If you'd like to make contact with grads of that course, just drop me a line. [email protected] (I'm no longer in Ecuador, or affiliated with that course, but...still have a LOT of friends from those days...)

[ButterflyAngie]

Thanks for your reply Justin! That is certainly something to consider about SIT having the possibility to apply to graduate credit in the future. And I didn't know that Language Corps partners up with other programs.

I also just came across another program while reading through the forums: Maximo Nivel, which looks like a great program as well! I love how they seem to really offer a lot in terms of accomodations (ex: monthly party) and the curriculum looks very comprehensive.

THanks again, I'll be contacting you soon about Ecuador!

[spanglish]

Honestly for the sake of brand name recognition and to ensure you'd be getting a rigorous course, I'd just go with one of the big 3: CELTA, Trinity or SIT. Ecuador has always sounded like a better place to get started teaching than my location of Colombia (lower cost of living and same pay, better quality of life in Quito and Cuenca than Bogota). I'm aware of SIT's course in Ecuador and the CELTA offered by Southern Cross. Both would be fine.

[naturegirl321]

I lived in Peru for six years. I have to say that teaching English is NOT the way to learn the language of a country. Your colleagues will want to practice English with you. Unless your Spanish is high or you're very motivated or you get a Spanish speaking boyfriend, it's tough.

Mexico is pretty easy as far as getting legal work. YOu can also work in Peru pretty easily, just don't expect a visa.

My advice to you is to go and study the language rather than teaching English.

Also, fluency is relative. I've been speaking Spanish at home for over 6 years (it's the only language we use at home) and I don't consider myself fluent. And I highly doubt I'll ever be.

As for certification: CELTA, SIT, and Trinity are the big ones.

In Latin America, you'll have to consider jobs and good jobs. There are plenty of jobs, but good jobs: ones that get you a visa, housing, flights, and don't have you work split shift are few and far between.

[spanglish]

The last paragraph of naturegirl is what I tell all newbies to Colombia.

[ButterflyAngie]

That's a really good point about speaking English the majority of the time. I know of a guy that taught in Argentina for a year and he said he became frustrated that everyone wanted to speak English to him. I'm about to post another topic on this, because I would think his experience would be different as he is white, and I am actually a Latina. Even in the U.S. people speak to me in Spanish when I go out!

And while, yes it would be fun to just up and go study Spanish for a while, I don't think that's very realistic unless I had a trust fund or something. I do know Spanish, but not quite fluent. I studied as a kid in school (both elementary and high school), took one semester in college, and post-college I have taken a couple classes through adult education at the local universities. I am currently taking one at work too, and signed up for two more at the university down the street. I practice when I can with people in the U.S. that are from Latin America. And I'm studying like crazy and practicing here to prepare.

But don't worry, I am really interested in teaching!!! I'm looking at this as a career change, not as solely a way to travel and learn Spanish. I've thought this over for years. I think realistically if I make this a career I will end up in Asia somewhere to make real money, but after I get a few years experience - which I would like to be in Latin America. I have always loved school, and honestly thought I could never be a teacher because I am soft-spoken and don't have a very dominant personality. But my (little, I know) experience as a volunteer teacher, and maturing over the past few years has taught me that I actually really enjoy it. I love seeing the students learn, coming up with fun new ways to learn by incorporating games, music, and am enthusiastic about the process of learning and teaching.

I think this forum is fantastic, I have gotten so much information and feedback. You guys are my heroes!

[spanglish]

Excellent plan. It sounds like you've got the right idea. I'm glad I started in Latin America, just cause I've learned some much about the society down here and I like my life here, even being a poor teacher with a bad employer teaches you so many things! But...I think it's a much better plan to do at least a year in Asia first to save money and get some experience. Just make sure you do a CELTA or equivalent first so that experience will count for you. I also agree that it's smartest to just save up your money in the US (very doable) and come down here to initially study Spanish, like 8 months of study before you start the CELTA or have a job.

[latif]

Re: learning Spanish - if you already know some Spanish, I'd suggest taking one of the intensive language courses for 6-12 weeks before you do your CELTA/SIT .

I usually recommend UNAM in Mexico City - because they have a more structured university environment - for relatively serious students - some of the numerous language institutions are also very good, but at times they can have too much of a resort type atmosphere - more play less study.

[Justin Trullinger]

Most places that do certificate courses can also arrange Spanish courses. At the SIT TESOL center in Quito, there's a separate Spanish department with excellent teachers. (And if you wind up there, please give Elias a great big hug for me! World's greatest Spanish teacher.)

I'll chime in more on the other thread when you get it up Angie- I just wanted to say that language learning is not so much abou the situation you're in, but about what you do with the opportunities you have.

I'm so white that at the beach, it hurts to look at me without sunglasses. I have only ever lived in Spanish speaking countries as an English teacher. And yet, I feel I've done quite well with my Spanish. If you do what it takes, it can be done. If you don't do what it takes, you'll blame it on the fact that your job makes you speak English all day, or some such reason.

Best,
Justin

[warda]

I did my CELTA with Bridge at their Denver location. I don't know anything about their other programs. The input sessions are informative and useful in the practice teaching. The "teaching practice" classes are real classes with real students. The groups in Denver are great to work with! The job placement didn't do much for me, but I had to go back and finish my degree after the course. They also didn't have good information on my regional preferences, but most of my classmates wanted to go to Latin America, used the job placement service, and were happy with their posts. In your situation, I'd say Bridge job placement offers lots of benefits. They have their own schools and contacts with other programs in the countries you're considering.
I took a homestay through Bridge for the course, and it was great. My host took great care of us. One of my classmates was placed in the same house. It was a relaxing environment to come back to after class!
I'm sure they would help you had the right visa if you took one of their courses overseas.

As far as how long it took to find a job, I took CELTA last September, got my BA in May, and moved to Bangkok in July.