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yellowsoul · Joined: 16 Jun 2013 Posts: 8 Location: London

Hello everyone!

So, this is me:

24, female
Spanish passport
Teaching degree (Specialization in Foreign Language Teaching) from a Spanish university
QTS by the GTCfE
Certified Teacher of Spanish as a Foreign Language.
Based in London (been here for two years)
Teaching experience as an Early Years Montessori Teacher (London)

I'm thinking about taking a CELTA course next September, since I have recently found out that I don't really enjoy working with children and I would like to teach adults/teenagers instead. My question is, if I complete the CELTA successfully, what countries would be more likely to hire someone with a profile like mine, i.e. non-native English speaker (although I have a very soft Spanish accent, since I started learning English at a very young age), with a Spanish passport.

I am not looking to find a job with a great salary to start my TEFL career - I am by no means a money-driven person. I would like to move to a place where I can enjoy my work as well as my free time - I mean making a living without having to work 50 hours a week.

I have been thinking about Mexico, but the fact that it is not the safest country does put me off a bit.

I would appreciate any help from people with more experience in this area.

Thanks!

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

yellowsoul · Joined: 16 Jun 2013 Posts: 8 Location: London

robbie_davies · Joined: 13 Jun 2013 Posts: 133

China.

Actually, a Chinese lady on my course wants to study for an MA in teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language in a few years because there is an increasing demand for teachers of Spanish in China, however, as long as you are white, young and nice looking - you will work in China as an English teacher.

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

Your Spanish passport is going to be more of a barrier than a slight Spanish accent.

But in any case, language school work in most countries involves teaching kids, especially as a non native speaker. You might find a school that specialises in business English, especially if you have some relevant experience, otherwise, an adult only schedule is unlikely in most countries. There is a good chance you will find yourself teaching English to kids for a fraction of the wage you would earn teaching kids in a proper international school.

If you are looking to avoid kids entirely, then you need to be thinking about a Masters degree and a move into university teaching.

yellowsoul · Joined: 16 Jun 2013 Posts: 8 Location: London

yellowsoul · Joined: 16 Jun 2013 Posts: 8 Location: London

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

For the visa. An anglophone passport and a degree are prerequisites for a visa in a lot of countries.

I don't think having a Spanish passport will be much of a help in Latin America, although it may be less of a hindrance, but of course you largely rule out marketing yourself as an English and Spanish teacher if you focus on LatAm.

tttompatz · Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:26 am Post subject:

Visa issues:

You can rule out a large part of Asia for legal work with the proper visas and permits.

China is an option but you won't have a "Z" visa as an English teacher (wrong degree and wrong passport).
You CAN get a "Z" visa as a Spanish teacher.

Rule out Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia (wrong degree or wrong passport).

Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam are current options but you will need an English proficiency test (TOEIC, IELTS, etc) as a visa requirement in addition to your degree.

Central and South America are options but visa issues are again a factor (most of the time you won't get a proper visa and will be working on a tourist visa - illegal but common enough).

Europe is certainly an option (no visa issues) but you do have to contend with other employment issues.

Greater North America is not an option (visa issues).

As to the work...

OUTSIDE of Europe the BULK of EFL/ESL teaching is with children.
A very large part of EFL in Asia (75%+) is at the primary education level (K-6).

If you want to work with adults.... stay in Europe or get qualified for lecturing in the tertiary sector (related MA/M.Ed/PhD/Ed.D.

.

yellowsoul · Joined: 16 Jun 2013 Posts: 8 Location: London

What do you mean by wrong degree? What kind of degree are they looking for?

kpjf · Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 385

yellowsoul · Joined: 16 Jun 2013 Posts: 8 Location: London

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

yellowsoul · Joined: 16 Jun 2013 Posts: 8 Location: London

Yes, I think we are missing the point here. I am not asking whether I should take CELTA or not. What I am asking is what countries will be more likely to employ a person with a background like mine as an ESL teacher. (By the way, I do have a Teaching Degree related to English teaching in Primary Education, but I do not have experience teaching ESL - Please read my first post)

robbie_davies · Joined: 13 Jun 2013 Posts: 133