Job Discussion Forums

[NickOfTime]

Hello all!

OK, so after working as a teaching assistant for the past year, my contract is about to come to an end, and I need to decide what I'm doing next with my life.

Although I had initially been looking for TA jobs at other schools, and I do intend to eventually progress further in a career in education, it occurred to me that I probably had just about enough money to do something that I had planned to do after uni, but just couldn't afford: teach English abroad.

Here's a bit of info about me:

- I have a degree (Film Studies, so not particularly respected, but it's a degree alright)
- I have a British passport
- As mentioned above, I have a year of experience working in secondary education, although I wouldn't be at all averse to working with adult learners
- I currently have no EFL qualifications or experience

It seems that the best thing to is a CELTA course. If I was to stay at home, then there are CELTA courses that are available, but none of them start until September. Although I think it would be very useful for me to have six weeks to prepare for what I understand to be a very intensive course, I get the impression that by the time I would finish such a course (late September/early October) that the job market for this year would have largely dried up.

The alternative would be to take either a CELTA or 'CELTA equivalent' course abroad. Some of these courses - especially the 'CELTA equivalent' ones - do appear to have dates in August, and even with accommodation and flights included would cost about the same (maybe slightly more) as doing it here at home. I also get the impression that it's a lot easier to find jobs if you're already in a particular country. The disadvantages here would be that I wouldn't have much time to prepare before the course, and that I might find myself tied to a particular country (especially if I didn't take an actual CELTA), when at the moment I'm fairly open as to where I work.

So there's my quandary. Thanks for reading it all! Do you guys have any advice? Is there anything I haven't considered? Have I just left things too late to do something this year?

Cheers for any help.

[rtm]

[nomad soul]

[Denim-Maniac]

Im in China.

The job market for university and high schools might be closed if you take the course later, but I wouldnt recommend those routes anyway. Jobs with no training for a newbie? Thats what that working environment normally is.

Training centres are different as you may have some kind of induction and training program, and may get some kind of mentoring or support as a new teacher. Training centres hire all year round, although they do of course have peak recruiting seasons.

CELTA etc is helpful, but probably not essential ... if you dont need it to get the job or visa, it will help you do the job though.

You dont mention how old you are? China often requires 2 years working experience on top of the degree ... rules are not hard and fast in China though, so if you are interested in China, contacting employers and applying for jobs is the only way to find out if you are qualified to work here. Many employers have ways and means to circumvent some visa requirements such as the two years working experience rule.

[likwid_777]

edit

[rtm]

[Denim-Maniac]

My experience with a large, reputable employer is that the two years experience needs to be post-degree. It doesn't have to be teaching, but it does have to be post-degree.

Law does not have the same meaning in China as it does in the west though. It is applied and interpreted according to need, rather than being hard and fast rules.

[NickOfTime]

[Sashadroogie]

Come to Russia! Experience true freedom, and a livable wage. Do your Celta in Moscow. Never look back!

[spiral78]

[NickOfTime]

[quote="spiral78"]

[coledavis]

Do note that the Trinity TESOL certificate is widely recognised as equivalent in status to CELTA.

[spiral78]

Yes, Trinity and SIT TESOL are both equal to a CELTA. They're not totally as recognizable by employers, but are absolutely acceptable in terms of the actual courses.

Some generics are as well - though prospective employers in today's competitive job market won't be likely to take the time to investigate whether a candidates' generic cert is equivalent.

That's why it's vital to emphasize the key components on one's cover letter and CV: 120 +/- hours on site, and including X hours of supervised teaching practice with real students.

[coledavis]

They may well be equal in quality, Spiral, but in terms of employer recognition, I think SIT lags behind. I do not think I have seen an eastern European employer specify it; perhaps it is better known in the western hemisphere.

[spiral78]