Job Discussion Forums

[Minglis]

Hi, i'm new to the forums, but i've read around a bit, trying to soak in whatever I can to make this post as efficient as possible without asking blatantly obvious questions that have been answered over and over again. I have a few questions, and I know there are a lot of similar posts out there, but i'm looking for a little more specifically tailored advice if at all possible. Thanks in advance.

The basics:

-Male
-24
-Caucasian (nearly positive it doesn't matter, but for the record)
-Canadian (Edmonton, Alberta)
-Diploma (Radio & Television - TV major)
-Degree (Bachelor of Communications - Professional Communications major)
-NO experience teaching
-NO TESOL/TEFL or other acronym course yet


1) I guess my first question is: Where should I take my certification course? I've looked into a few companies, and eliminated any that don't offer 100+ hours of instruction, but that still leaves quite a few. As i'm in Edmonton, we're pretty strapped for our in-class options, but Oxford Seminars comes up often in y research, and a family friend has had success (Korea) through them.

1a) I see A LOT of mentions of Trinity, and forgive my ignorance, but I believe they only offer one course in North America and it is in Toronto? Are they really worth the expenses that come with travelling across the country?

2) Next, as I mention below, I really want to go to Europe to do this. I see an awful lot of people tat straight up say "forget it if you aren't an EU citizen" but as a Canadian, I believe we have better chances because of "working vacation" visas and visa agreements with some European countries. Does anybody have any experience with this process that can shed some light?

2a) I've seen some companies that claim to offer a certification course in your target country, then help with placement afterwards. Are these legitimate? and Is this something worth doing, or does the certification you earn limit you to that individual country?

I have more questions once I get the process rolling, but i'd like to see where this thread goes before I start running too long on post 1. Now with that being said, i've made kind of a list of Goals/Target Countries to reiterate or make it easy to see it all in once place:

-Targeting Spring 2017 (Late March-Early May departure)
-Undecided on term. At least 1 year hopefully, but not likely a career
-Would like to see Europe (Czech Rep., Italy, France, Spain, Germany, then any others)
-Considering Korea/Japan
-Not against SE Asia
-Not really in it for money (but don't want to really struggle and be broke the whole time either)
-Would be nice to come home with some cash, but not expecting a swollen bank account
-Not really concerned with flights/reimbursement

Thanks all.

[suphanburi]

As a Canadian western Europe is pretty much off the radar in terms of being a TEFL teacher due to visa issues. Since you are not a real teacher the option of being a mainstream teacher is also off of the table.

Eastern Europe is still an option.

Asia is wide open to you. For Korea you need a TESOL course of at least 100 hours with a MINIMUM of 20 hours F-F to work in public schools.
A TESOL/TEFL cert is NOT needed to work in language centers.

For China, Japan or any of the other east Asian countries any old 120 hour generic TESOL course will suffice. For those countries it is best to do your TESOL at home. For China you need to have it as part of the visa application process.

For SE Asia you simply need to buy a plane ticket and get there for the start of school. The school year usually starts in the spring (March to June for most countries in the region).

Work is easy enough to find and the visa issue is a simple matter of a run to the next country to the embassy to get a visa. While a TESOL course is nice to have when you get thrown into a classroom is it not a visa or job requirement.

As to your other "qualifications"...
Caucasian - yes, it does matter. Bigotry and bias are alive and well (and legal) in Asia.
24 - young and pliable - works in your favor.
male - 1 strike against you but not a deal breaker.
Canadian - correct flavor of passport (one of: UK, Ire, USA, Can, Aus & NZ - also known as "native speakers).
degree - check. May need to have a certified copy or two made as well as bringing your original.
experience and/or TEFL cert = variable and usually not needed.

Don't forget to get a police check done. You might want to have 2 copies. This is usually a visa requirement for a work visa, work permits or work authorization. SOME countries (Korea, Taiwan) will require it to be legalized (confirmed by their embassy/consulate in Canada) before you apply for a work visa.

.

[currentaffairs]

Best two certs are Trinity CertTESOL and CELTA. SIT TESOL is also well regarded in US but not as well known as the previous two in Europe and Asia.

If you want to go for a cheaper TEFL cert make sure it is a 120-hour course with 20 hours or so in the classroom.

[spiral78]

[Minglis]

These were all really helpful posts so far, thanks. For the record, my target date is extremely fluid, I'm just bored with what i'm doing and after a lot of thought, i'm eager to get going!

[Minglis]

[santi84]