Job Discussion Forums

[7seas]

I'm just finnishing up my TESOL course and getting ready to start applying for jobs. I need some help getting started.

I don't have a degree or an EU passport. What options does that leave me as far as location?

Most of the posted job vacancies are in the capitals and major cities. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to find listings of schoos in smaller towns?

Any other advice or warnings for an absolute beginner?

Thanks

[scot47]

You give no indication of where you want to go. You must have some idea !!!! China, South America, Kazakhstan ?

[roadrunner]

Why not try the Yellow Pages for the areas you are interested in working?

Also, try and get hold of a very useful book, a real mine of information, entitled Teaching English Abroad.[/i]

[7seas]

I'm open to different locations because I plan to do this for a long time and hope to see a lot of the world. I'm thinking maybe I should try Eastern Europe first before all these countries join the EU and that option is out.

[Glenski]

Rookie,
It helps to know you don't have a degree. It also helps to know what your age and nationality are. Visas are often dependent on all of that information.

For what it's worth, here's another book that may be of interest.

A Japanese Visa Handbook by Motoko Kuroda, ICG Muse, Inc.

[7seas]

I'm a 29 year old Canadian woman.

[Glenski]

Thank you, 7seas.

Canadians without bachelor degrees can apply for the working holiday visa, then they can come to Japan without having a job in hand. This doesn't guarantee a job, of course, but being in Japan is a great advantage because you can show up for more interviews and you can see the employer and housing instead of trusting an overseas interview.

If you are still interested in Japan, let me know by email for more info.

[chi-chi]

Taiwan is also an option for you.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hello 7-Seas:

In your follow-up post, you mentioned your hopes of finding EFL employment in eastern Europe ... before the EU expansion is in full swing. Be advised, that expansion has already begun; I recently saw an advert here on Dave's for a school in Slovakia that wanted only EU passport holders to apply. Ouch!

On top of that, it's been my experience that most European language schools (East and West) look VERY favorably on a 4-year degree. Without that degree, you're entering a brave new marketplace in which degree-less EFL teachers often accept less-than-ideal positions; work horrible hours and earn peanuts. Some work illegally (which I would not recommend) and some are forced to take LOTS of privates just to make ends meet.

7-Seas: What I'm saying is this: The TESOL certificate alone will not make you competitive in the European EFL market. As much as you may have your heart set on Europe, I'd have to say that you'd be better off taking Glenski's advice on the working-holiday visa for Japan. China is another good alternative. In both of these countries, you can be competitive, earn a decent living and have a lot of fun too. I spent 2 years in Japan and would HIGHLY recommend it.

For a 29 year old woman, Japan has the added advantage of being the safest country in the world to live in. That's only my opinion, but I've been around the block a time or 2. Trust me; Japan has your name on it!

Best wishes,
kEnt

[rogan]

As a Canadian you can virtually forget the whole of Western Europe.

As of Jan 1st 2004 another 15 countries from Central and Eastern Europe will join the EU - so that will very soon be out.

Your major problem is the fact that you have no Degree.
Sadly opportunities are restricted - most employers will select those people who are more highly qualified.

Therefore I suggest you concentrate on those countries which have easy visa situations for Canadians as well as limited qualification requirements for working and a high demand for native speaker 'teachers'