Job Discussion Forums

[partymop]

As the title suggests, I'm looking for some advice on this particular career path. I have a BA in English from a Canadian University, CELTA, 3 years experience in Korea (public and private) and now I'm teaching in a bilingual school in Thailand. Basically, I want to acquire a teacher's cert, possibly a masters, or even better, find a program that does the accelerated masters+teacher's cert combined. Let me be clear, I have zero interest in teaching back home, I just want the qualifications so I can teach in international schools. So getting a teacher's cert for, say, California (even though I couldn't use it due to my Canadian citizenship) would be okay as long as it helped me meet the requirements of most good international schools in asia. I know that many want at least 2 years of actual teaching back home, but I think that aspect can often be flexible.

I have some money saved, but I want to find a program that won't kill me on the international student fees and I can do preferably in 1 year. I have a friend who did an intensive 1 year masters+teacher's cert at the university of Portland, but does anybody else have any experience/suggestions? I'm open to any country/program. I just need a little guidance, can anyone help? thanks!

[tttompatz]

[natsume]

OP, I share your interest in working in ISs and also share your feelings about having zero interest in working back home.

That said, after research and long hard thought, I accepted that the best move to make career-wise will be to go home, get trained, and work for a couple/few years getting the qualifications that the better ISs ask for. Now more than ever, competitiveness is key. I will enter an accelarated MAT/credential program at a University of California next year. (Barring the hairiest inner-city schools, I will be pretty much willing to move anywhere to get experience, although I of course hope I get lucky and land relatively close to friends and family.)

[fladude]

I don't know the process in Canada. In the US a Masters is more valuable if it is coupled with actual teaching experience. But if you find a program that does both at once.... then obviously that's even better. As others have mentioned you will have a harder go if you don't get 2-3 years experience at home before you go back into International Teaching, however, there are certainly places that would still hire you especially if you were already in country.

[partymop]

thanks for the responses. I've looked into doing the programs in BC (Simon Fraser, UBC, UVic), but they require a couple of pre-req classes that I haven't done which is a big pain in the butt. I have thought about making those up online, but haven't been able to find a place that offers less that $1000 per online class which is absolutely ridiculous (maybe someone knows of one too). In any case, that might be the route I take.

I'm going to add another twist in my dilemna here. My girlfriend and I are both looking into doing this, but she is American and I am Canadian which is really complicating things. It seems like one will have a tough time getting into the others country education training system, especially for her to take it in Canada.

That being said, I don't think its absolutely necessary to be teaching home for a couple years. I would be more than willing to put a couple years in a rural area in N.A., but i dont think this is a deal breaker. I have friends who have gotten amazing IS jobs right out of school, and I know some who end up working in Hagwons in the K. country, so it really just comes down to being in the right place at the right time in a lot of cases. My friend works in a really good one in K. country now that she got because they were new and needing teacher asap. Also, from what I've seen in Thailand, you can often start at lower end IS and work your way up without experience from home. But then again, I'm certainly no expert.

[fladude]

Yeah she would be better off doing alternative certification, at least in states where it is available (cheaper and often faster). Of course that assumes she already has a degree. But then what would you do? I doubt you could go that route. So that's tough.

Maybe get one of you certified at a time.... The other could teach english or something while the other teaches for a year or two.

[rayman]

You're right, having the 2 years experience in your 'home country' is less of a requirement than most people seem to put out there. Particularly as you'll likely get your first job as a local hire. Then later to better schools, as overseas hires.

Some friends have completed their teaching degree (1 year postgraduate) through Murdoch University in Australia. It was done online. They were teaching English in Asia at the time and were allowed to do the practicum component of the degree in an international school in that country. After getting their teaching certificate, they moved straight into international schools as local hires.

Personally, I did a postgraduate teaching course in Australia, then moved to Asia straight after my degree as a 22 year old. I picked up my first job as a local hire in a lower tier international school. After getting experience, I worked my way up the ladder to now be at a top tier school. So it can be done. Being in the right place at the right time can have something to do with landing a position in one of the low to mid tier schools. But for the better (and higher paying) schools, a lot more of it comes down to building a good professional reputation. The international school community is small. Word spreads easily, so reputation is key.

Good luck

[partymop]

thanks again for the replies. I've thought about Australia as I think certification there can also be accepted for Ontario strangely enough, but in any case, like I said I'm more interested in international. To the previous poster, did your friends have any problems in taking an online degree being frowned upon by employers?

I've thought about the relative proximity option, ex. Windsor-Detroit, Vancouver-Bellingham, Buffalo-Toronto etc but hopefully it doesn't come to that. Anyways, thanks people. Anybody else have some good advice, keep it rolling. i think a lot of people out there are interested in this topic

[rayman]

I did my degree at a Sydney university and the cohort was 90% Canadian international students. Reason being, there were so few places in the equivalent Canadian courses (this was 2003). A good friend from that course is from Ontario and I can confirm their acceptance of Australian teaching certification as she went straight back to teach in the government system.

There were no issues with my friends that did their teaching degree online. Providing the courses include the same practicum amounts, I can't see why they would. Online learning is where all tertiary education is heading anyway. As said, after a few years experience in the international school circuit, admin really couldn't care less where you got your teaching certification. As long as you have it.

[Nemodot]

Only at third rate "international schools" ! In reality at moment mass expansion of Int schools has meant that those without home cert plus at least 2 years home experience have got jobs in some poor scho. But that limits your career severely. I bit the bullet and went home to UK to qualify and get 3 years home experience. It is best

[Glenski]

So, where exactly do you want to teach in the future, if not Canada and the U.S.? Despite what rayman wrote about 2 years of experience not always being a requirement after you get your teaching license, it will obviously depend on what country(ies) you choose.