Job Discussion Forums

[BrettDM]

Hey I have been lurking on here for quite a while and now I am committing to TESL, so I have lots of questions to ask.

First I need to decide what certification to go for. It seems to me that CELTA is the certification that will allow me to teach in the most places possible, is this correct?

I know other certification programs offer help with placement in schools upon completion of the course, does the CELTA offer this as well?

I am also under the impression that it would be best to take the certification in the country in which I want to teach in. If someone could explain why this is best. Just because you can visit schools while you are taking the course, or because schools recruit from the center you take the certification?

Here are my top choices for teaching locations. Rio De Janeiro, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Thailand (Phuket for the course, likely bangkok to teach), Prague, Spain, and Italy.

I am a US citizen, so my hopes of Italy or Spain are not strong. But I had an old co-worker who went and got certified in Italy and has now worked there for about a year and a half. I do not know if he had a second passport or something like that. Or maybe it was because he got his certification there. Could someone tell me how he could have done this?

A bit about me. I received a BS in Business with an emphasis in marketing from the University of Colorado. I want to teach English abroad in order to work and travel around the world. I chose my top choices because I want to live and work in a place with good nightlife and attractive women (just being honest). I have traveled to Istanbul with my ex-girlfriend (who was Turkish) before and liked it. It had good nightlife and I find middle eastern women very attractive, so it is a top choice of mine. But looking online is seems that most schools there require experienced teachers, most I looked at required 2 years experience. If I go there to get certified will I have a very difficult time finding a job with my lack of experience?

Brazil seems to pose a problem because of the difficulty obtaining work visas, will it be impossible for me to obtain one? What options do I have regarding that problem? Are there any other concerns I should have regarding Brazil?

I haven't looked into Argentina much. But it seems that there are not many job postings online there, and I am also fearful of visa difficulties.

Thailand seems like a somewhat easy place for TEFL teachers. It appears to me that there are an abundance of jobs there. Where are the majority of jobs, in the cities or countrysides? I am considering these courses:

http://www.tesolcoursethailand.com/phuket.shtml

http://www.eccthai.com/training/schedule.asp

Has anyone had experience with or heard about these courses?

Prague I have not done extensive research on. But it seems there is a good market for teachers there, and it is accessible to Non- EU passport holders.

While I want to teach and travel to have fun, I believe I would truly be a good teacher. I take my work seriously and do not let my fun interfere wit my profession. I currently work as a personal trainer, and I really enjoy coaching and teaching people and seeing them improve and progress due to my instruction. I believe I will get the same satisfaction from teaching TEFL, and get the the opportunity to travel and experience other cultures. It sounds like a great job. I am not expecting to make a ton of money, but enough to to get by will suit me.

Anyway, I wrote a whole novel of a question here, hopefully you guys got through it all.

All your answers and help is much appreciated, I am very glad to have access to a forum like this with such good contributors to help me with a major life decision such as this.

Thanks again

-Brett

[denise]

There are several advantages to getting certified in the city/country you want to teach in.

* Your course can help you set up interviews.

* You can start looking for housing and get slightly settled before you begin working.

* In your TEFL course, you will see what the students are like: their strengths, weaknesses, etc.

Of course, you can do the course anywhere and hop on a plane to anywhere else and just start knocking on doors, but having a few weeks to get settled in can be a bit more comforting than just going somewhere with no contacts.

As to getting work in the EU: as far as I know, Americans can still work illegally... everything is under the table, no records filed... I'm not suggesting this, but I imagine there are people out there doing it. You can of course run into huge problems if you get caught... And if you end up working for a dud employer, you are powerless.

No need to apologize. Dating is a normal part of adult life. I'd love to see a few more single, eligible, attractive men around here...

d

[smithrn1983]

[denise]

Actually, it is quite possible to maintain a social life, including nightlife. Yes, there may be days when you have early classes and/or late finishes, but chances are that won't happen five days a week.

I didn't get the impression at all that the OP was more interested in vacationing than in working. It's really quite simple: take yourself seriously when you're at work--starting with not showing up hung over too often!!; go out and enjoy yourself when you're not. What's difficult is doing extended traveling. You will get national holidays, weekends, and maybe (unpaid?) summer vacations, but in between, it is a 40-hour-a-week job.

I taught in Prague, had 7am classes on the other side of town, and had to give up my tram seat on many occasions. I was standing out in the cold -5 degree air waiting for the tram at 5:42am. And I had quite an active social life the whole time I was there.

d

[smithrn1983]

I'm not saying you can't have a social life as an EFL teacher, just that the job can put limitations on it. The city you're in, the job you have, where you work and live, and the schedule they give you all play a part in it.

[spiral78]

As to getting work in the EU: as far as I know, Americans can still work illegally... everything is under the table, no records filed... I'm not suggesting this, but I imagine there are people out there doing it. You can of course run into huge problems if you get caught... And if you end up working for a dud employer, you are powerless.

Denise, things have changed. Jan 2009 saw important changes in Schengen zone laws that now require non-EU citizens visiting in the zone to be in for no longer than 90 days - and then out of the zone for 90 days before returning. A border hop is no longer sufficient to restart the 90 days, as it was in the past.

The issue is that when transiting any border now, the officials are quite likely to check when one arrived. I know of people who have been deported to their home countries (talking about Americans and Canadians here). Further penalties are up to a ten-year ban on entering the zone.

In the past, it was much easier because a simple border run was enough to recharge one's passport for another 90 days of legal stay in a country. No worries at any border - only if one actually got caught working somehow - not so likely.

Now it's more than that - it's a matter of being illegally in the zone AND working illegally.

[BrettDM]

Thanks for the answers everyone.

I may be a newbie but I am not so naive into thinking that a placement will just put me into a school with no interview. I was thinking they would have contacts in various schools and help you get your foot in the door so you can then interview and (hopefully) impress them.

Also I am not considering this some extended vacation. I will be working, and work is work. But is seems like it will give me the ability to travel to and work in many different countries. I have a job similar to teaching now, with crazy hours and such. But you still have time off and weekends, so you can still have a good time. I'm not gonna party all the time, but I definitely want the time time, some spare cash, and opportunity to have fun.

Istanbul and Rio are my top choices. Anyone have any insight into them. Also considering some other SA countries, Argentina like I said in the original post, and now am looking into Colombia. Any other suggestions?

Since it seems like most schools in Istanbul require 2 years experience. And that the Visas in South America are hard to come I have a new thought. I could get my cert and work in Rio for 6 months or so, going for a visa run every 90 days. Then go on to Buenos Aires, Colombia, then possibly Mexico. Getting my 2 years of experience before going to Istanbul. This seems like is would be very hard, but not entire impossible. Any thoughts on this.

Also, is it worth the investment to get the YL addition to the CELTA, or getting a specialty in Business English.

[smithrn1983]

[coledavis]

First I need to decide what certification to go for. It seems to me that CELTA is the certification that will allow me to teach in the most places possible, is this correct?
When employers ask for a qualification specifically, this is usually the one.

I know other certification programs offer help with placement in schools upon completion of the course, does the CELTA offer this as well?
I suspect that they help you to look at the advertisements! If you have Celta, you should be able to find jobs for yourself.

I am also under the impression that it would be best to take the certification in the country in which I want to teach in. If someone could explain why this is best.
No, it usually doesn't matter, although I suppose it would allow you to visit some schools in person.

I am a US citizen, so my hopes of Italy or Spain are not strong.
Essentially this is true. In almost all exceptions, as in the case you cited, there is an individual 'in'.

With regards to the countries you mention, go and look at the geographically relevant boards.

[spiral78]

I am also under the impression that it would be best to take the certification in the country in which I want to teach in. If someone could explain why this is best

If you are going to a country where jobs can be found from abroad, and your new employer will be taking care of your initial needs, such as airport pickup and local orientation, taking a cert course in your home country (if it's cheaper, easier, or safer) isn't a bad option.

If you are going to one of the many countries where jobs are NOT found from abroad - but you need to be in-country to interview - consider doing the course there. There are lots of good reasons - most cert providers will arrange for your accomodation during the course, said airport pickup and local orientation, and generally help bridge you into country/culture.
Your practice teaching students will be really representative of those you'll be working with when you start. Your fellow trainees can form your first social network in the new country. Your course provider can give you invaluable info regarding reputable local employers.

[artemisia]

OP:

[naturegirl321]

Since you're looking at Brazil and Turkey, you should try posting on those country specific forums. People will probably give you more insight there.