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EFLeducator
Joined: 16 Dec 2011
Posts: 595
Location: NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS
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 Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: Some questions from a Noob. |
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| apronedsamurai wrote: |
| 1) There are many different service providers of the TEFL qualification. What key criteria (price excluded) should I consider/rely upon to determine whether the provider is genuine, and the qualification actually valid? |
CELTA is King in the TEFLing world. Not sure how important it is globally but in some countries it would help. The thing with the CELTA is that you get actual teaching time and you're observed at the same time. The only problem is it costs a lot. You could do an online certificate and with your degree have no problem getting a job in China or South Korea. A friend of mine had zero TEFLing experience and only had a bachelor degree but had no problems landing teaching gigs in both South Korea and China.
| apronedsamurai wrote: |
| 2) I am aiming to do the 150 Hour TEFL course. How desirable is this classed by employers, and how well does it prepare the student teacher for the demands of physical teaching? |
A certificate couldn't hurt. There's plenty online that you could take that are much cheaper than the POWERFUL CELTA. I got my certificate with www.teflonline.com. But I had three years experience teaching ESL at a community college in Texas before doing the certificate. Still, it couldn't hurt your chances. Like I said before, my friend only had a bachelor degree and zero TEFLing teaching experience yet had no problems getting gigs in South Korea and China.
| apronedsamurai wrote: |
| 3) I am fortunate enough to possess no debts whatsoever. However, I am aiming to teach abroad as an opportunity to raise capital. |
If you want to raise capital, head to South Korea, Japan, or possibly China. The Middle East would be good but I hear they may require a Masters degree. Not 100% sure on that so hopefully one of the professional TEFLer's from that area will chim in.
Good luck on your journey amigo!
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bulgogiboy
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 803
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| Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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| apronedsamurai wrote: |
From the research I have conducted thus far, the drug test situation seems to be as follows.
Japan, China and Vietnam do not have a drug test requirement as a prequisite for eligibility for a VISA to work. Is this correct/
I am not implying that I have been, will be or currently exposed to, the ingestion of illegal narcotics. For the record, my medication is prescribed by my GP, and used sparingly. I despise illegal drugs; simply because of the way they make me feel. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN ILLEGAL DRUGS.
However, I do not wish to lie blatantly, nor do I wish to cut out from teaching on a fairly arbitrary issue, hence why I am spearing the arse out of this particular issue.
If truth be told, Korea holds little interest to me, so its no great loss imo.
To clarify my earlier position, I do not see the TEFL as a get rich scheme/scam. I don't mind having a lower salary. However, my only concern is that I don't wish to have to worry each and every day that I am flat out broke and may have to commit some illegal act to support me!
The way I see TEFL:
The 1st-2nd year, is like ploughing a field. First you remove the weeds, the dead wood, the branches and rocks. Then you till the land, ploughing the field etc.
Once the groundwork has been prepared, and the probation period has finished, this means that the seeds can be planted. In short, I am looking upon the TEFL as a back--up plan, a means of having bed, board and some money in my pocket for a year or so, until the Western economy picks up.
Does that make me shallow and indecisive? I apologise if it does. |
Does this sentence make as much sense as your one:
I despise excess whisky; simply because it makes me feel hungover the next day. I HAVE NEVER HAD WHISKY BEFORE.  |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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| Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Makes perfect sense to me...Hic! |
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artemisia
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 875
Location: the world
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| Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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I have a LLB Honours degree; and don't especially wish to practise law. At present, I am at a crossroads as to what to do with my life. In essence, I am undecided between social work, or teaching.
I thought that teaching abroad would serve as life experience for both of the aforementioned careers, and more in particular with teaching, would be of particular benefit. |
I think it may be worth highlighting these points once again.
If you are planning on working abroad, outside of Europe, and if you then want to return to the UK to study, I'd recommend thoroughly checking out all the ins and outs of that BEFORE you go. Are aware that if you're out of the UK (EU) for a certain length of time (don't know how long) that you will not qualify as a "Home" student anymore? That means you'll be paying international student rates to study back home unless you're willing to be resident in the UK (or EU generally) for a following three years.
These were the rules when I lived in Europe and as far as I know they haven't changed. There is some provision for a "temporary" absence abroad for study (and perhaps employment) but you'd need to establish what exactly that means by checking the current regulations on how you can prove it's "temporary" and how long you can be absent for. Whether this matters or not to you all depends on your long-term study plans.
Last edited by artemisia on Mon May 14, 2012 3:30 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Dedicated
Joined: 18 May 2007
Posts: 972
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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apronedsamurai,
You mentioned earlier that you have osteoarthritis in your ankle. Does this limit your mobility in any way? Are you able to stand all day teaching?
I can remember in Hong Kong I was expected to climb up six floors (no lift) then at the end of the class, to walk down and then up another six floors to another block in the 10 minute break. These are the practical issues to consider.
Somebody posted on the Turkey forum about having a slight disability with her foot, but when she arrived at the school, she was fired as they "felt uncomfortable" about seeing her disability. Shocking, but it does happen. (I think the posting was for a pre-school, but I'm not sure)
I would consider these aspects as more important than taking painkillers.
Good luck! |
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bulgogiboy
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 803
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| Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 3:03 am Post subject: |
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| Dedicated wrote: |
apronedsamurai,
You mentioned earlier that you have osteoarthritis in your ankle. Does this limit your mobility in any way? Are you able to stand all day teaching?
I can remember in Hong Kong I was expected to climb up six floors (no lift) then at the end of the class, to walk down and then up another six floors to another block in the 10 minute break. These are the practical issues to consider.
Somebody posted on the Turkey forum about having a slight disability with her foot, but when she arrived at the school, she was fired as they "felt uncomfortable" about seeing her disability. Shocking, but it does happen. (I think the posting was for a pre-school, but I'm not sure)
I would consider these aspects as more important than taking painkillers.
Good luck! |
She should have walked around carrying a life-sized portrait of Ataturk. That would have won them over. God bless that brilliant, brilliant, man. |
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