Job Discussion Forums

[Pablo26]

Hi all,

I am considering doing a TEFL course but am concerned about spending a lot of money to do it and then having trouble finding teaching work.

I've had a horrendous time trying to find a job here in the UK in general, so don't want to repeat myself!

I wonder what the experiences of current ESOL jobseekers are right now?

Are you getting rejections due to 'lack of experience' etc?

Having done a bit of reading on here, it appears that the scene in South Korea is still fairly healthy. I would like to work in Japan but I believe things have dried up somewhat there.

Accounts of peoples' experiences would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

[currentaffairs]

Get a TEFL cert and put yourself out there. If you are not that picky then there are lots of opportunities to get your foot on the ladder. In Asia, Korea and China are good options in terms of making money and having a decent life..

[penguin2004]

Yeah, in many parts of the UK (such as mine) decent jobs (or any jobs) are hard to come by.

What are your qualifications? Any experience?

Take a look on here and on tefl.ccom. You will quickly see that most vacancies are in China. It is where I got my first role (with zero experience and not even a TEFL cert). Not much chance of Japan unless you can get on the JET scheme.

If you have a degree - ANY degree - then you WILL be able to find work in China. The demand to learn English is still huge. For some reason people in the UK are always horrified when I say I used to live in China. Actually, I quite liked the place! The city I was in felt really safe and had some nice parks. The students were pleasant, hardworking and respectful. The food was great and inexpensive. I managed to put money by every month and paid back my credit cards. Of course there is pollution and culture shock. Some people can't take the frustration of dealing with cultural and linguistic differences on a day-to-day basis. It is up to you - can you put up with that?

Once you are in the Middle Kingdom you will get job offers left and right. They don't usually tend to worry too much about TEFL certs but the degree is needed for the visa. Western teachers are still very much in demand there.

As for the working conditions? Well you might find yourself in an EF/ Wall Street/Shane type of franchise. These are money-making businesses and are run accordingly. Or maybe a position in a Uni or Secondary school. You can read about the upsides and downsides of these different options on the forums. There is no perfect job but if you go into it with your eyes open then the opportunities are most definitely there.

[scot47]

You say people in the UK are horrified when they hear you have been in China. As the Yookay becomes increasingly Americanised, "Foreign" and everything to do with "Abroad" is increasingly stigmatised.

That now extends to that activity we know as TEFL ! Xenophobia is everywhere.

[Pablo26]

Thanks for the replies, folks . . .

penguin2004:

I have a BSc and Mphil in biochemistry and PGCE Adult Education. I don't have a great deal of teaching experience, though. I have taught some ESOL as a volunteer and worked as a Primary school TA for a while.

I have considered China but have been advised against it by someone who claimed it would 'de-skill' me due to limits on career progression (typically only assistant work available).

Perhaps I will have to 'bite the bullet', as they say!

[nomad soul]

[scot47]

Qualifications in Biochemisty plus the ability to teach English could get you something sensible at a uni in China.

"Go bind your sons to exile........."

[penguin2004]

[currentaffairs]

It might be worth converting that PGCE to Primary/Secondary Education. You might be able to do it if you look in to it. Otherwise, apply to some international schools and if you don't get much joy look at your other options in the TEFL world.

[Pablo26]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies again, folks.

Teaching a non-TEFL subject overseas does appeal, but the ads I've seen tend to want super-experienced teachers, so that's what has put me off pursuing it.

I don't have QTS at the moment. I would need to do an 'assessment-only' route to QTS to qualify me to teach Primary/Secondary. Problem is, the assessment-only route demands years of teaching experience.

This is the maddening nonsensical beaurocracy that I'm looking to escape.

I was thinking the TEFL qualification would be a ticket to seeing some less depressing countries!

[penguin2004]

You have to read between the lines with those international job adverts.

Of course they all ask for PGCE+QTS, several years of UK and international teaching experience, proven track record of getting great IGCSE/A level results and all the rest.

Like anyone else international schools have an ideal wishlist of what they'd like in a perfect world.

But can they really demand this? A prestigious (so-called 'first-tier' school) in a popular location will have its pick of the teachers so...yeah. I guess they can.

But a not-so-well known (maybe third tier) school in less glamorous places such as China well...I know of a few who obtained their iPGCE (a distance qualification which does not confer QTS but is still accepted by SOME international schools) WHILST working at such institutions, i.e. when they started working they only had their Bachelor's degree. This is where you can go to get the experience you need to boost your CV. You have to do the research and decide if you want to go this route.

[nomad soul]

[currentaffairs]

[Lack]

[Prof.Gringo]