Job Discussion Forums

leibowlips · Joined: 03 Jun 2010 Posts: 2

I am hoping for some feedback and/or success stories regarding landing a job with an online TEFL certificate. I realize that this topic has been covered countless times and I've spent hours reading and gathering information on it. I am now fully aware that an on-site CELTA certification completely trumps an online TEFL with regards to landing a good job (or any job for that matter). Yet with that being said, I can only afford an online TEFL course at the moment and given that this is my only option, I am going to proceed as planned. I figure that although it is not even in the same league as a CELTA certification, it's better than nothing at all.

I'm 38 year old male and I just graduated from a major university with B.A. in Sociology. I am hoping to teach in South America (preferably Colombia) yet haven't ruled out teaching elsewhere.

If for nothing else than providing me with a bit of hope or guidance, can anyone tell me if they have, or know of others who have landed a somewhat decent job with only a bachelor's degree and an online TEFL certificate.

Thanks in advance.

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

You can GET a job in Mexico with one, but can you DO the job is the question. It�s better than nothing, especially if you do it thoughtfully. Is there any possibility of you doing some volunteer teaching or tutoring where you live now, so you at least have sone classroom experience under your belt. I am increasingly unhappy with the number of people who go into teaching ESL because they can, without any kind of preparation. Please, give it some thought. In many developing countries learning English is a good way to move up the career ladder, and people often spend an alarming chunk of their dibposable income on English classes, only to have someone show up who can�t teach, and leaves them with little in the way of English skills, but lighter in the pocket. I�m not saying this is you, but please give the ramifications of what being an inexperienced teacher might mean to your students.

tttompatz · Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 11:50 pm Post subject:

When it comes to getting a work visa the BA trumps the TEFL certification virtually everywhere (PROVIDED you come from one of the major Anglophone countries (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ).

Your BA will guarantee that you are able to LEGALLY work in all of Asia, central and south America as an English teacher. Your TEFL certificate is just icing on the cake (and will help you when you actually get in front of the class).

.

Iceman33 · Joined: 08 Nov 2009 Posts: 91

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

There are always jobs out there, the problem is finding a GOOD job . If you want to teach English for a bit, then you'll be ok. You shoudl read up on teaching at the library or talk to some teachers. If you want to make a career of it, then you'll eventually need higher quals, like an MA

tttompatz · Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:59 am Post subject:

leibowlips · Joined: 03 Jun 2010 Posts: 2

Thanks for all the feedback!

@TeresaLopez- point taken. It just so happens that I am actually in the process of arranging to volunteer in the ESL Department at a local Community College in order to get some much needed teaching practice and experience. Although I'm uncertain as to whether this will help in actually finding a job, I'm confident it will help me to be more prepared to teach when the time arises. Additionally, I absolutely agree with you that I owe it to my future students to be as prepared as possible and I plan on doing all that I can get to that point. While I realize that you have probably seen more than your share of inadequate and unprepared teachers, I do believe there are intangibles (i.e. natural ability, patience, ability to adapt, desire to improve, etc.) that cannot be taught to any significant extent, in any course. And while I�m certainly not claiming to possess inordinate amounts of these qualities, I am confident that I do hold them to some extent and more importantly, that I have a strong desire to improve upon them.

@ everyone else- your feedback and information is invaluable. I'm not certain if teaching is something I will wind up doing for a few years or if it will turn into a career yet it is comforting to know that at least I can get started to some degree with my B.A. and TEFL certificate. I realize that I probably won't get a great job right away but then again, I've kind of gotten used to that!

Iceman33 · Joined: 08 Nov 2009 Posts: 91

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 4:41 am Post subject:

Who told you that?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I was told that if I did a Celta course, considering my Master's in linguistics that I could get a job in the EU. Schools in Europe said that, even though I am a non-EU citizen.

Now, if you're talking of one of the 'new' EU countries such as the Czech Rep, Poland, etc. that still hire non-EU teachers with CELTA or equivalent, yes.

But Western Europe? No. There are lots of UK teachers around here with related MAs. With my MA TESL/TEFL from a British uni, I was able to get an exceptional visa - but ONLY because I specialised in the approach/method used here AND have local contacts.

If A school in a Western European country promised you this, then jump on it and let us know if it's real. I'll eat my hat.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:54 am Post subject:

Yet, it poses the question - why would only the lack of a CELTA be an impediment if your MA was otherwise considered good enough to get round the immigration issues? Sorry Iceman, but you won't cometh to the EU based only on those quals no matter what you've been told... the western states any way. Soon, none of them will be open...

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

why would only the lack of a CELTA be an impediment if your MA was otherwise considered good enough to get round the immigration issues?
It wouldn't. We have teachers on our team without CELTA - but they have the correct nationality.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 10:26 am Post subject:

Oh Spiral, I'm not being Socratic with you, but with Iceman!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I got that - my intent was just to further highlight/illustrate your point:-)

WhatTimeFinish? · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 11:37 am Post subject: Online TEFL

Hi leibowlips, I don't know of anyone who's got a particularly well-paid job without a proper (i.e. on site) TEFL qualification, but you can get a decent job with a good school, if you do your research. This, in my humble opinion, is not stated clearly enough to new teachers, which makes their first position somewhat of a lottery and could put a potentially excellent teacher off, before they've even really started in their career.

And, if you look around, you'll sometimes see schools which will take you on as a teacher and will include the on site TEFL course as part of the package. A few institutes will so this with the DELTA as well. Of course, you don't get something for nothing and you'll be expected to work hard, and on lower wages than if you'd got a full TEFL before.

In summary - get a good school and keep a relaxed attitude.

And good luck!