Job Discussion Forums

[yodetta]

greetings,

I'm currently a graduate student, completing my M.A. in social science, and have enrolled in a TEFL certificate program at my university...I'm exploring opportunities to teach outside the US and am seeking advice on how to evaluate training centers and agencies that post "guaranteed jobs" on the web. What to look out for? How to best protect myself?

Specifically, I'm looking at ITC, which purports "immediate placement" in Eastern Europe....and have also been reading posts about CELTA with great interest. I'm assuming that one of those training programs are desired in addition to my university TEFL certificate. Is this correct even if my plans are to teach for only 1-2 years?

I haven't chosen a most preferred destination yet -- am researching locations in both Eastern Europe and Asia -- maybe some of the info I seek is location-specific.? A training center or agency that facilitates job placement in either/both regions would be ideal, though my initial impression is that different schools/agencies predominate in different regions.....sorry, this is long. But I'll really appreciate thoughtful replies!

[denise]

Why would you need both a university TEFL certificate AND an a CELTA? A CELTA is TEFL certificate.

As far as job placement and guarantees--I went through ITC in Prague, and during week three of the four-week program, they invited several local schools to a recruitment fair. Many of us had interviews before and immediate after the course had finished. They also helped people who wanted to teach elsewhere in the CR or in another country, but I'm not sure exactly how much they could do. Their job guarantee basically meant that you could teach at their school. (I think...)

I was very satisfied with ITC and can happily recommend it.

d

[yodetta]

thanks for your reply, Denise. Where did you teach through ITC and for how long? Did you accept another assignment from them after your intitial placement?

I heard directly from ITC that a TEFL certificate from my university would help make me a more competitive applicant...that their training is commensurate, though not identical. And from reading posts to this cafe, I got the impression that the CELTA was superior to basically any other training, that employers favored that to other sources of certification...?

Yodetta

[denise]

People are divided on the CELTA issue. Some say it's the best; some say it's just a name-brand. I'm in the latter camp. Any certificate course that is over 100 hours (including several hours of practice-teaching during which you are observed by trainers and fellow trainees) and covers basic methodology and grammar should prepare you for the classroom. (Sorry, pro-CELTAers. I feel this way because I am a non-CELTA 'success story'-- I have a lesser-known certificate, but I feel fully competent and have never had problems getting jobs.)

I stayed in Prague for two years after I finished the ITC program. I was hired by one of the schools that came to the recruiting fair (actually, I got a few offers). My interview was during the last week of the course, before I had actually received my certificate. I was working full-time within a week or two.

d

[yodetta]

okay, cool. i have teaching experience and am a very confident communicator...so i hear you. It sounds like I really needn't waste the money on duplicate courses then.

I really apreciate your insights. thanks!
and btw, do you prefer Japan to Prague?

Y

[anthyp]

Hey, I did the ITC course in Barcelona.

This was in October 2003. I spent about a month and a half in Prague though because of their job gaurantee, which is kind of bogus. What they do is hold a job fair, give you lists of schools, and, if you absolutely can't find anything after a month, possibly make a few calls for you.

You have to understand, it's not a job placement service, so they are not going to find you jobs. They told us straight up that the "guarantee" was only in relation to there being so many jobs throughout Eastern Europe that we were bound to find something sooner or later.

I really don't think you need to go through a TEFL course of any kind, either. You are probably already over - qualified for a lot of entrance positions. What kind of teaching are you interested in doing, anyway - kids, high school, universities, international schools?

Prague is a cool city, though I only spent a little while there. The job situation is not so good - rather crowded, isn't it? And the city is absolutely over - run by tourist!

China is (occasionally) a wonderful place to teach, but you might want to look at Japan. Better jobs and pay!

(Oh, and I still don't know what to think about that avatar of yours!)

[denise]

[yodetta]

Thanks for your replies.

Anthyp, so are you teaching in China now, or somewhere else? It sounds like the training ITC provides is good, although there are mixed reviews on their job placement support...yes?

[i'm new to finding artistic avatar's on the web...feel free to direct me to sites with interesting images. I chose this from the Rocky Horror site, because it's where my signature comes from.]

So, Denise, you like the "scene" better in Prague but the working conditions and money are better in Japan, yes? Did you find the Japan job on your own, or did ITC help you get that?

[I'm getting off topic of the original post, so just advise if this bends list protocol too much.]
Y

[denise]

Yodetta--

Your avatar is way cool!

After I left Prague, I went back to the States and got an MA. I found my current job through my MA program--ITC had nothing to do with it. They do say, though (or they did back in 1999), that they have lifetime placement assistance, so as long as you're one of their alumni, maybe you can keep going back to them for jobs. Someone would have to verify that, though. I'm just guessing.

Now that I am away from Prague and not dealing with daily life, I am probably romanticizing it a bit and only remembering the positives, but I really loved it. With Japan, I am still dealing with daily life and annoyances, so it's hard sometimes to focus on what I like.

d

[yodetta]

d,

so, the job situation in Prague may have changed quite a bit since you'd been there in '99...what did you like MOST about living/working in Prague?

And can you say a little more about your educational background before you went? What was your B.A. in? And what did you earn your M.A. in?

Are you teaching English in Japan, or something else? Do you think you'll stay there?

...just prodding for a few more bits, hope you don't mind

Y

[denise]

Before I went to Prague, I had a BA in Peace and Conflict Studies and no teaching experience. I got my TEFL certificate there and stayed for two years, then headed back to the States for an MA in TESOL. Yeah, I'm teaching English here now. At some point I'd like to head back to the States and possibly get a teaching credential in California.

Hmmm... Prague... First of all, it is absolutely gorgeous, with both man-made and natural beauty (more natural beauty out in the countryside, of course--forests, mountains, etc.). Prague was left untouched in WWII, so you will see all different architectural eras represented side-by-side. There is plenty to do, no matter what your interests--clubs, bars, restaurants, shopping (although I heard from some British friends that Prague was totally uncool compared to London... I know nothing of shopping and fashion, so I wouldn't know!), theather, opera, etc. Both high-brow and low-brow culture. There are lots of easy day trips where you can go hiking, see castles, etc. And it's all really affordable on a teacher's salary. I went out probably three or four times a week, took several weekend trips, and always had money left over. (Not enough to save, but plenty for local enjoyment.)

Oh, and the students. All of them--even the young slackers--were intelligent, insightful, literate, internationally aware, etc. And very cynical--ask them what their likes and dislikes are, and they'll say, "I dislike stupid people." I often compare them to my students here, who almost without exception hate reading (except for comic books and sports magazines), and, if they have opinions about anything larger than themselves/family/hometown, rarely express them. Try discussing books with Czech students, and you may actually get an intelligent discussion. Here, you'll get blank stares...

The downside... A lot of surliness, apparently left over from Communism.