Job Discussion Forums

[Andri Mavrou]

Hi everyone,

I'm an English teacher, female, 28, with four years of experience, from Cyprus island.
I would like to explore my opportunities and live/teach abroad; I would love to see and experience as much of the world as possible! I'm fascinated with different cultures and would ravish the opportunity to pack up a bag and take on new challenges. I'm not married, no obligations whatsoever, I'm open-minded and driven as a person and as a teacher I seek for self-improvement every single day.

Even though I'm experienced and I've got a degree in English language and literature, I'm not "from the U.K, U.S, Australia, Ireland or South Africa", as most recruiters would ask. Plus, I do not have a teaching certificate. (Oh Lord!!!!!!!!!!! ) I'm not new to Dave's Cafe either, I've read a lot of the topics here and I've taken into account useful comments from veteran teachers.


Indeed, since September I've been applying to countless recruiting agencies and schools directly and in order to find a job outside Cyprus. I'd like to start off from Europe, maybe Italy, before going to Asia. I've applied to different countries in Europe and the U.A.E. I've had a number of offers from China, but they pay really, really low. I'd like to go there one day but maybe later, some more money would be welcome, because I have a student loan to pay off. I've also had an offer from Kuwait, good thing we have this forum and checked the school's reputation only to find out it was the worst it could be, so I turned that down.

Anyways, I'd love to get responses from non-native English teachers as well who've tried their luck abroad. Your feedback would be most welcome!!!!!

Right now I'm considering getting certified; after all it's only a one-month program... I'm thinking of saving up money, about 3000 euro, to get certified... I mean accommodation and the rest included.

Where should I start? Any countries you'd recommend for the program? I want the best and only the best possible training. I want to spend my money in good use.
Some options for me would be Czech Republic, Italy or the U.K. ?


Please don't think of me as a naive person who has her head in the clouds...my feet are on the ground as well
I've been working non-stop while going to school and then attending High School and University since I was fifteen. I'm hard-working and dedicated in teaching, I love English, literature and the Arts.

Well, that's all for now, let's see what happens.
Thanks to those who answer. xxx

[nomad soul]

Good for you for persevering; you seem quite motivated. I suggest you get a CELTA; not having a valid TEFL cert is a big mark against you. Others will add their comments and hopefully, you'll get some useful info in terms of your job hunt.

(Psst... I believe you mean you "relish" the opportunity to pack up a bag...)

[Sashadroogie]

Ditto what Nomad Soul said - get the Celta. It will make life easier.

Personally, I prefer the use of 'ravish'. Far more descriptive and creative than mundane old 'relish', which sounds like salad dressing, yuck!

Best of luck!

[Andri Mavrou]

hey guys

thanks for your replies...


so CELTA it is... which country would you recommend?

[Sashadroogie]

Come to Russia. Get your Celta here. Find a job thereafter. Just invest your rubles in a Cypriot bank!

[scepticalbee]

Hi Andri!
I have just created a topic about Celta...
It's the most respected English teaching certificate so far in most countries.
It really works as an ability-proof in teaching English to speakers of other languages.
I know that it wouldn't please some people in this forum, but Celta is actually the golden key to pass many EFL/ESL job interviews around the world.

[scepticalbee]

(sorry, problems in posting... had to split the message again...)
However, it depends on the home country, but Celta is also the most recognized teaching certificate that could help any non native EFL teacher to teach in their home country as well as abroad (exception made for the home countries which don't value Celta, thanks again Santi for the info , and for the countries you can't easily visit due to visa regulations, thanks again Nomad Soul for the info )

[coledavis]

The above did sound like a bit of an ad for CELTA. Although I also think CELTA is worthwhile, employers who demand CELTA will also accept the Trinity Certificate (TESOL) as well.

Re Western Europe: this is difficult as there is a lot of competition from the native speaker countries you mention (while I recognise that many Cypriots speak excellent English). Keep trying by all means, but the Russian suggestion is not a bad one and China is the place which consistently takes non-natives with good qualifications.

[sicklyman]

[scepticalbee]

I agree with you, Sicklyman. Celta is the basics for non natives. It's one of the keys that really does open some EFL teaching doors to them.

[Andri Mavrou]

[Andri Mavrou]

[Sashadroogie]

Russia - because you can earn fairly good money, and will teach good students, which necessitates good teaching. Great for teacher development, and an interesting country and culture.

Be wary of any advice about doing a Celta from posters who do not know much more than you, however.

Best of luck!

Sasha

[scepticalbee]

And again, a special attack against me... But they're not aggressive at all, no...
@ Andri: I've heard about the "International House" school. It seems to be a good place to get accurate info about the countries where non natives could find an EFL job abroad. Besides, you can take your Celta or any other TEFL certificate with them too. They're directly affiliated to Cambridge so they're not fakes, no worries about that. I got this info from another forum. It was given by REAL helpful people...

[Sashadroogie]

No. No attack, against you or anyone else. One must always be wary of the source of any advice. If guidance is proffered by someone who does not have any direct first-hand experience, then it is considerably devalued.