Job Discussion Forums

Waverly · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 31

I am a California Credentialed teacher and do not understand what Teofl, TESL and CELTA tests are about. I took all those linguistic and teaching methods classes in college. Could I still get a job overseas without more course work? Everything I have read on above tests, I already took in college. In addition, I have 5 years experience teaching ESL students.

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

This is your second post, right?

Once again, TESOL, TEFL, AND CELTA are not tests. They are entry level courses in language teaching.

No, you probably do not need to take any one of them.

However, before you consider going abroad, it might be useful to you to read more about doing so. There are country-specific forums on this discussion board that might very well be useful to you.

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

If by "Teofl" you meant TOEFL, then yes, that's a test, but it is for non-native English speakers to get into universities abroad (and even a Tokyo university apparently requires it for its Japanese students!).

You have a teaching degree, plus license, is that right? You are eligible for almost any kind of teaching job abroad. The only one that I can think of that is out of bounds could be university teaching, but that will depend on the country. Having a teaching license and some experience at home makes you eligible for a prime job -- international schools -- but you are also eligible for conversation schools, business schools (if they think you have enough business experience), etc.

CELTA is a certification program. Depending on the country, you may not even need it. TESOL means teaching English to speakers of other languages, and it is also the acronym for a major teaching organization. TEFL just means teaching English as a foreign language. It could be a title for a course, too, depending on circumstances, but in essence it is just a field of study/teaching, like TESOL or TESL.

What country(ies) interest you?

Waverly · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 31

Glenski,
I have a degree and credential, I guess you would call that a license. I have a paper from the State of California stating what I am authorized to teach. My credential also states that I am qualified to teach ESL, that is what I do all day long, teach English to foreign born students.

Thanks for the clarification on all the acornyms. I only want to teach kids between k-6, I might consider older kids depending on the workload and salary. It doesn't really matter what country I go too. My goal is to make some money, have accommodations, and have the ability to travel. I was thinking of Korea but after reading all the negative stuff, I am not so sure. Indonesia sounds interesting. I love Thailand but the pay is just too low, it is fine for living there but nothing if you plan to save for a plane ticket and spending money for another country. Is there a forum that addresses the pros and cons of different countries and working conditions?

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

The General Asia board on this forum is probably the closest to your needs, based on your posts. Then, once you've narrowed the field, look at the country specific boards.
Just a tip: have some specific, well researched questions to ask, otherwise you'll get ignored or flamed.
Japan, ROK and possibly Taiwan are the better money making options. If you're ruling out Thailand, I can't understand why you're entertaining the possibility of Indo. There are jobs in China that pay well enough to save a decent amount, and you do have reasonable credentials.

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

Waverly,
I think you really need to do some researching. From what I've seen on these forums, Americans have a difficult, if not impossible, time getting work in Europe, so that rules out a huge section.

Search inside yourself, too:

1. Are you willing to go somewhere that has a seriously lower standard of living as you enjoy now?

2. What sort of climate can you tolerate / not tolerate?

3. How are you on learning languages? Asian ones will be much harder, as (I imagine) any others with a totally different alphabet to English.

4. Any food allergies or aversions?

5. What sort of culture seems to appeal / not appeal to you (on the surface, anyway)? This is a huge one, and you might want to poke around the various country forums here just to see what the major complaints are. People find it easier to complain, but you might still see the positive sides to things, and just plain learn superficially what you could face there. Look at their FAQs, too.

Once you've made a dent in all that, explore the countries that are on your "A list", and see what sort of job opportunities they have in your ballpark (that is, your age range, salary range, and visa requirements).

Waverly · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 31

I have been all over the world and can adapt to almost any culture. My biggest problem is that I can't seem to learn languages at all regardless how much I try. I tend to smile and nod a lot or rely on phrase books. I am usually successful at finding at least one person who is bilingual in English and the native country I am in. I have no type of allergies at all.

I do prefer warm climates over cold ones. Europe might be interesting but the culture seems very similar to what we have here in the USA plus like you said, it doesn't even seem possible to get a job in Europe. Lately, I have been thinking of Kuwait or Oman. I know someone working in Kuwait now as an office person and loves it.

I also have a friend who is from UK that would like to tag along with me however she is not a teacher. I am not sure what kind of work she could find but she is willing to try to find something. I told her that I would find a job, she can come for a visit and see what she can find.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

http://www.tes.co.uk is good for jobs in international schools. I assume you have a teachable major other than ESL.

The Lemon · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 42

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

But the OP is a credentialed teacher. He didn't say that he would prefer to work in TEFL...

... and, honestly, some of the schools on that site (in the International section) look like they would probably hire someone with just a degree (even if it wasn't in Education and not accompanied by a TEFL certificate).

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

I looked at the site a few days ago and apart from a few really crappy TEFL jobs the rest were for real teachers.

The Lemon · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 42

thrifty · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1665 Location: chip van

BC is crappy.

Waverly · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 31

I looked at the TES link and there were many interesting job opportunities but I haven't heard back from any of them. I think getting an overseas job will be harder than I thought.