Job Discussion Forums

[Thumper]

I had on another forum, while waiting for my account to be activated here, and had posted the following but the the forum was pretty dead. I was hoping I could get some advice here. I have had the hardest time finding people who have experience teaching overseas. Anyways here goes:

I am currently getting my Master's degree in Art Education. I have a BFA in Illustration and a minor in Creative Writing. I finish my grad program in May and I am trying to figure out what is best for me to do.

The country I would most like to teach in would be Japan. However, I have been told that it is extremely saturated with English teachers already. My cousin taught in Japan for a year and had a great experience which was the really the first time I heard of the possibility to teach abroad. I have been teaching lessons on Japanese art and culture through my student-teaching. I love teaching about other cultures, but all of my knowledge of Japanese culture comes from textbooks and research. I would like to actually be a part of another culture so I could really teach it from my own experiences.

That being said, I would be perfectly happy to teach in another Asian country like Korea or Taiwan. The only reason Japan is where I want to teach the most is because I know the most about their art and culture compared to the others. I am sure, with research and some exposure, I could be just as excited about any of the other countries.

I just feel like this upcoming year, before I really settle down and try to begin a career in America, is a window of opportunity to try something like this. I am approaching this experience with the intent on turning it into a career, but I don't want to say whether I could see myself teaching in another country as a career because I don't know how much I will enjoy it. I would be thrilled if it was an amazing experience and I continued to do it for a career. If it wasn't what I thought it would be, then I could return to America knowing that I at least gave it a try when I had the opportunity. I am only going to be 24.

I love teaching. I love art and I love learning about the art and culture of other countries, especially those in Asia. I am considering taking the Oxford Seminars (They referred me to this forum) course this summer to get a TEFL/TESOL/TESL certificate. There have been graduates from my program who have done this and gone on to teach in countries like Poland. I would most like to teach middle school age children (ie grades 6- 8.). I don't want to sound like I am simply pursuing this as just an "experience" or as a "vacation." I am very serious about teaching and would like to develop as a teacher while I learn a new culture.

In terms of money, I am just finishing college, so there are all of those student loans to pay back. I still have health insurance through my parents for 2 more years, so that is one less expense (would I still be covered in another country?). In terms of whether, I have lived in Cleveland, OH so I am not picky about weather. I do not live lavishly and I can and have lived on peanut butter and jelly for the past couple of years in college. I am hoping to find an opportunity to teach where a place to live is provided. I would just spend some money on food, a little traveling, and some touristy things, but the rest would just be pocketed to pay off loans.

Any advice about where to go after I finish grad school in terms of obtaining the requirements to teach abroad? What are the opportunities to teach in Japan or Korea? Or if I should be doing something different? Sorry for my rambling, it is just difficult to find places to get advice on this. Thanks for any help. If there is more information I can provide that will lead to more accurate advice, please let me know.

Thanks,

Zach

[Zero]

I am 10 years older and here is what I have learned about life: It is about the money. You need to get your student loans paid off. Until you do, you are a slave to debt.

There is a particular country that would be conducive to doing this, even with no additional specialized qualifications. Fortunately for you, it happens to be in Asia. It's on a peninsula, just south of the one with the crazy dictator. It has its own forum here at Dave's. I shall speak no more of it.

Spend two years in this scenario and, if you live frugally, you should just about have your loans paid off. You'll have some experience under your belt and be in a good position to know whether you'd like to spend the rest of your days in ESL. And you can decide whether you'd like to obtain additional ESL credentials and/or move to another country or back home.

Good luck.

[nickpellatt]

Im surprised Oxford Seminars sent you here. Their course has a bad reputation and if you search this forum you will see that few people would recommend it. I would be one of many people who would say to avoid a company like them as many of the claims about the certification is bogus, and their courses dont meet the minimum standard in many regions of the world.

The odds of an American finding legal work in Poland with an Oxford Seminars certificate is very slight IMO. If they claimed that, its is possibly another one of their slightly spurious claims.

I cant comment much on Japan, but there is a very knowledgeable forum member called Glenski who is in Japan, and will probably pop up on this thread soonish!

All I would advise is for you to search for threads relating to TEFL qualifications and Oxford Seminars for further information. Im not sure TEFL certification is a pre-requisite for working in Japan ... but if you do want to get certified, you need a course that offers a 120 hour onsite program WITH observed teaching practice of real students by experienced instructors. CELTA/Trinity are the brand names, but other people do offer similar. Anything less will put you at a disadvantage in what may be a competitive market.

[Thumper]

I have been reading the various message boards on this site and I have been considering that one country that shall not be named on this forum, just as Zero suggested, I believe it will help me with my loans the most and I am more than able to live a frugal lifestyle.

I believe with a Master's degree in Education that I will have met most qualifications in Asia to teach there. Would it be smarter to try to find a job without the getting the Oxford certificate and then try to get certified through CELTA/Trinity if I find that teaching abroad is what I want to continue to do?

[Glenski]

[naturegirl321]

I think it's fantastic that Oxford Seminars sent you to this forum. Dave's is THE place to find info about teacing overseas. Tehre's a separate Korean forum, so you can ask for info there.

Glenski basically gave you the rundown on Japan. He's been there a long, long time, so he knows what he's talking about.

I agree: it's about the money. I figured that out after teaching in third world countries for nearly 8 years. Asia and the Middle East are the places to be. China (you can do IELTS and get more cash), Korea, maybe parts of SE Asia, such as Vietnam (lower cost of living) are good places to go. Since you have an MA, you might be able to get a job in the Middle East, where basicallly EVRYTHING is paid for and there are no taxes.

Check out the job forums and start applying. Best of luck!

FYI: forget about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to save money. Peanut butter is a luxury. I spent about $6 on a dinky one.

[spiral78]

[Sashadroogie]

Getting into IELTS will be a more long-term plan - as an examiner at least. Not likely to happen first thing in one's TEFL career.

[naturegirl321]

[Thumper]

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to give me some thoughtful insight and advice. This is the kind of information that I have been searching for and has given me a lot to think about.

[santi84]

I wanted to teach art as well, but chose to specify in TESL at university because job opportunities were much wider (in hindsight, I'm not so sure that assumption was correct either!).

My suggestion - if art is your passion, then do art. Get your teaching certificate and a few years experience, then go internationally. When your true passion is teaching art history or perspective, and you are doing modal drills, it's just.... heh

I truly believe that you cannot be a good career teacher unless you have some sort of passion for your subject. Yes, people can wing their way through various subjects, but in the long-term, you must be passionate. If art is your passion, then take the extra time/steps and do it.

Good luck!

I am considering going back to university for further education in a different teaching subject myself.

[Sashadroogie]

Probably right. Few people can be passionate about IELTS. But then, maybe that's just as well...