Job Discussion Forums

[KyleK]

Does anyone here have experience with online certifications?

The reason I ask is because my girlfriend, who is a Spanish Education student, will likely teach abroad fall of 2011 and I would like to plan to be working as a English teacher in whatever country she does her student teaching at.

I think for best flexibility I should get my certification online while here in the US working full time to save some money. That way when it comes time to leave I will be certified and ready to go. From what I have figured out, it may be best to simply travel to the country and look for a job when I arrive. When I was in Veracruz there were job postings all over the place.

My main question is who has experience with what online courses? Any suggestions on which ones are the best to look at? Does a lack of in class experience matter a lot when I am finally in S. America applying for jobs?

Thanks everyone!

-Kyle

[naturegirl321]

ONline certs are ok, but not ideal. It's best if you have practice teaching students. Teaching abroad, just for one semester is going to be tough. You could try ASia, I know china might have short term contracts. Don't expect to make much money though.

ANother thing you're going to have to worry about is the visa. While you can simply show up, and many people do, some places you can't get work visas in country and will have to leave.

BUT, South America is pretty open. Mexico seems to be a good place to start. As does Ecuador now with their new tourist/work visa.

[KyleK]

Actually the plan is to stay there for an extended period of time. She would have to travel back to the states to finish the semester and graduate, but I would like to remain in South America and hopefully she could return.

The only issue we are having is that we would like to be in the same city when we are both abroad. So she has to find out where she is able to student teach at, THEN I will go ahead and look for options. The issue here is timing. When can she find her location to teach, and will I be able to sign up for a certification course, travel to the country for the certification, and then find a job. An online certification would reduce the need for me to decide and sign up for an onsite certification, since I could do it here in the states while working full time. However as you said, Online certs are not ideal.

I have looked into and/or talked with people at EIL Ecuador and Teachers Latin America in Mexico City. Does anyone have any experience with either? TLA seems like they have a ton of support with job searches, however their program is only two weeks long. From what I have seen 100 hours is the minimal to seriously consider.

[Justin Trullinger]

I can vouch for the folks at EIL Ecuador. (Without too much bias- I set that program up, several years ago, but am no longer there. Great folks, though, and a heck of a country.)

In general, in considering a program, I wouldn�t put too much stock in job hunt assistance.

Some programs say they give you a lot. Some are more honest. But in virtually every case, it's up to YOU to find a job. And in Latin America, it still just isn�t very hard. Get a good cert, so you�re ready to teach. BUt don�t sweat the job hunt too much. It�s still pretty much a teachers market in most of Latin America.

Best,
Justin

[naturegirl321]

[TeresaLopez]

Not that it has anything to do with your question, but I am curious as to how and why your girlfriend is going to student teach in another country, Is that to be certified to teach in the US? I have never heard of a program that allows student teaching abroad, it has to be observed by a member of the faculty of the university you are attending in order to be graded.

[Guy Courchesne]

[naturegirl321]

[TeresaLopez]

[Prof.Gringo]