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jimmy86
Joined: 14 Feb 2010
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 5:57 pm Post subject: Another Advice Thread |
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Hey all, I've become really interested in the possibility of teaching english overseas for many of the reasons discussed on the board; adventure/travel/money/etc. I'll be graduating this spring from an american university with a BS business management degree. I have two passports American/Italian, however I do not speak italian. Given my situation what is the best way to proceed? Should I get a TEFL certificate, if so which one? What countries can I save the most money and have a good quality of life, given my lack of experience? Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated  |
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Isla Guapa
Joined: 19 Apr 2010
Posts: 1520
Location: Mexico City o sea La Gran Manzana Mexicana
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 7:28 pm Post subject: Re: Another Advice Thread |
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| jimmy86 wrote: |
| Hey all, I've become really interested in the possibility of teaching english overseas for many of the reasons discussed on the board; adventure/travel/money/etc. . . . |
I hope that a part of your reason for want to teach English abroad is that you have some interest in teaching.  |
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TeresaLopez
Joined: 18 Apr 2010
Posts: 601
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 8:09 pm Post subject: Re: Another Advice Thread |
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[quote="Isla Guapa"]
| jimmy86 wrote: |
I hope that a part of your reason for want to teach English abroad is that you have some interest in teaching. |
You need to get some kind of training to see if you even like teaching. So many people come on here expressing the same opinion that you do. But, how about a reality check. Many students in developing countries spend a good portio of their disposable income to take English classes in order to improve their job situation/pay. Do you feel any obligation to them to do a decent job? Please think about that too. Since you have no experience teaching, perhaps you could find a volunteer position teaching imigrants - many community colleges all over the US have these types of programs, get a few books from the library about second language teaching, and then if you think it is something you think you would like and be good at, look for a training course of some kind. Or at least find a school that will offer you training before you start to teach. American TESOL Institute, for example, offers a program in Thailand where you take their training course (it�s fairly comprehensive, I�ve taken it) and then give you a 4 or 5 month job. After that you can look around for a better job, and you will be a lot better equiped to do a good job while pursueing adventure/money etc. |
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Zero
Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 1402
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 9:45 pm Post subject: Re: Another Advice Thread |
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| jimmy86 wrote: |
| Hey all, I've become really interested in the possibility of teaching english overseas for many of the reasons discussed on the board; adventure/travel/money/etc. I'll be graduating this spring from an american university with a BS business management degree. I have two passports American/Italian, however I do not speak italian. Given my situation what is the best way to proceed? Should I get a TEFL certificate, if so which one? What countries can I save the most money and have a good quality of life, given my lack of experience? Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated |
I have an answer that might not be too popular. As you graduate from college, the world is your oyster. You won't have another chance like this. Money might not seem important now. But when you get 35 years old or so and you notice some of your former classmates are now making $150,000 and up per year, managing businesses, you may wish you had never heard of EFL. Why not seek work in your field, or at least an internship? In fact, nowadays there are a lot of overseas internships. At least, if you get with the right company, after a few years you may get sent on an expat assignment, earning as much in a year as any 10 posters on this board put together. Get off track now, and you may never quite make it back. |
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artemisia
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 875
Location: the world
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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| That's good advice. Contrary to certain views expounded, at times, on this board, many recognise that working in EFL has some serious limitations depending on what you want to do or where you want to live long-term. That doesn't devalue doing a good teaching job as an English language teacher so T Lopez is right, too. Not sure about the money estimations but certainly, if that's the most important thing to you, then it's good to bear in mind. If you want to get into TEFL then it probably is a good idea to at least get some experience in the field you've qualified in first. If that's possible (?). |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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| jimmy86 wrote: |
| What countries can I save the most money and have a good quality of life, given my lack of experience? |
What exactly is your definition of "a good quality of life"? People's definitions vary.
Also, as far as saving money goes, what do you have to pay off in students loans per month? |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Do you have a specific country, or at least a specific area in mind? And I second the student loan question. If you have student loans, that will limit where you can go. |
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Daktari
Joined: 08 Mar 2010
Posts: 57
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:41 am Post subject: TEFL ? |
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Go for it my son!
I got myself 3 wives on 3 continents (not at the same time), seven kids (all of whom I keep in touch with and help support). Got a potential no.4 and twins on the way. A job in Antarctic and it's a running flush.
Despite all the negativity expressed here - if you do it right - you do it good... |
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naturegirl321
Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:21 am Post subject: Re: TEFL ? |
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| Daktari wrote: |
Go for it my son!
I got myself 3 wives on 3 continents (not at the same time), seven kids (all of whom I keep in touch with and help support). Got a potential no.4 and twins on the way. A job in Antarctic and it's a running flush.
Despite all the negativity expressed here - if you do it right - you do it good... |
Yikes! I do hope you're kidding. It's hard enough for me to support myself and husband and save. I can't imagine supporting an additional 12  |
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