Job Discussion Forums

[andrew murphy]

I cannot comment upon the requirements of individual American states to teach English there but I can venture some suggestions and observations about teaching EFL in Europe.

Firstly most schools are looking for someone with an undergraduate degree - something vaguely to do with languages- so I don't think it's terribly important as to what you study within these parametres.

Secondly most will ask for a CELTA or equivalent. I'm not very impressed with the CELTA which is a four week full time course and baulked at the idea of coughing up $AUS2,000 for this! I have a one year Postgraduate Diploma of Education which qualifies me to teach secondary school students in Australia. This is far superior to the CELTA. Therefore it pays to sell yourself and your superior equivalent to the CELTA if you are in a similar situation.

Many teaching positions in Europe speak about British qualifications (as Britain is where many EFL teachers come from in the EU) and so would be looking for equivalence of qualifications in non-British applicants. They may look askance at American qualifications. Perhaps you could do an undergraduate degree in something vaguely linguistic and then a one year postgraduate teaching qualification if you have such a thing where you live.