Job Discussion Forums

Captain_Fil

Hello everyone.

I've been hearing that two years of experience is required to gain employment in TEFL.

Is this true? Shocked

Or, are there ways around this requirement? Confused

I had been planning to finish my CELTA certification this year. And next year, I would start my first TEFL job in Asia.

I had also been planning to enhance my opportunities with, at the very least, six months of volunteer ESL teaching to immigrants in California.

As some of you already know, I have a US passport and a BA degree from San Francisco State University. I just need certification and experience.

However, if two years of experience is absolutely required - my current plans are shot. Sad

Any hope for my plans?

Question

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Who told you that? It would be impossible for anyone to get started if we all needed two years of experience to get our first job!

University jobs and international schools generally require experience. Private language schools might request experience, but they are often newbie-friendly.

d

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I agree with denise. It's just not possible to start a career ("gain employment" = get a job) if you need 2 years of experience already. Worse than a Catch-22.

So, what exactly did you hear?

And, where in Asia are you interested? It's a big place.

tttompatz · Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:22 am Post subject:

About the only place that (officially) requires 2 years of experience is China and that is not written in stone.

Any of the other countries where "entry level" ESL is common (Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, ANY OF central and south America) do NOT require "experience" for purposes of gaining a visa.

Employers MAY ask for it. They may also ASK for a CELTA, MA, Ph.D, etc but what they ask for and what they will accept are 2 very different things.

In Thailand as an example, you will be required to have a degree to gain LEGAL employment. Your employer may ask for (and hope that you have) a CELTA or other TESOL cert. and/or many years of experience but they WILL settle for what they can get when they can get it (usually just an unrelated degree).

The same can be said of ALL the entry level jobs in ESL in Asia.

Your degree meets the requirements of ALL the countries in Asia for gaining a work visa to teach ESL.

EVERYTHING else is just icing on the cake (for the employer) but (having said all that) it does make you more desirable when you are competing against anyone else with something less to offer.

Back to answer the question: No, 2 years is NOT a written in stone requirement to teach ESL anywhere that you (as an American) can legally teach.

Having a degree and a pulse usually are.

.

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

There are entry level jobs all over. Even China, where they "require" two years. Just check the job boards.

tttompatz · Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 10:08 am Post subject:

Old Surrender · Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:57 pm Post subject:

China's two-year rule is open to interpretation of the province that your job is. Shanghai, Beijing, and other areas that are popular are pretty strict. Some places don't seem to care.

It also comes down to your employer's connections with the government. If they have the connections, then the two-year rule vanishes.

Korea and Taiwan are newbie-friendly.

Captain_Fil · Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 3:49 am Post subject:

Thanks everyone.

I feel as if a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders. (The burdensome weight of inexperience.)

Time to put my plans into motion.

I'm just limitless.

Very Happy

Captain_Fil · Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 4:09 am Post subject:

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

I read that somewhere on these forums. But I don't exactly remember where or what. Maybe I just had a false impression or misunderstanding.

I think you may have read it on one of the ME boards - where it's often true.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Captain_Fil · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:28 am Post subject:

I should avoid futility by not applying for my first job at an international school nor the Middle East.

Thanks for the info, guys. You saved me precious time.

Smile

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

You usually need two years experience to get into a masters degree in teaching English, but that's an educational qualification, not entry into the field.

Scott R · Joined: 21 Jan 2011 Posts: 59 Location: Rangsit Thailand

I noticed you are in California. If you are close to one of the University of California schools and have the time to do a 6 month program, look at their 240 hour TEFL Certificate. You will qualify for California resident tuition which is about $3,000 instead of $8,000.

Captain_Fil · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:32 am Post subject: