Job Discussion Forums

Alobar · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 28 Location: USA

I am entering the EFL teaching world soon for various and complicated reasons, none of which have anything to do with accumulating wealth.

I do not have a college degree.
I was a computer programmer for more than twenty years.
I will have a Trinity TESOL certificate from TEFL International
I'm a pretty bright guy, literate and articulate.

I've been advised that it's possible to teach in China in my circumstances. Is this correct? If so, how should I focus my search?

Any advice would be welcome.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

You apply to jobs advertised on various websites, including Dave's. Next step: You discuss offers that have come your way on this board, and you will see various opinions.
You can also publicise contracts, and we will comment on them, adding what's missing in your offer, or giving our opinion on whether it's a good one.
Some risk will always remain! In my opinion, you should ask for a job in the public education system - for stability and mid-term planning purposes. If you accept a job from a training school then you are in for a lot of unsettling developments and changes.

Paul G · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 125 Location: China & USA

Just so you know, you will not have a Trinity certificate from TEFL International, unless they have changed something in the last week. TEFL Int'l was once affiliated with Trinity but no longer is.

Nevertheless, TEFL Int'l is an excellent school and their training is top notch. When you complete their course you will receive a well recognized TEFL Certificate.

Alobar · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 28 Location: USA

Paul G: Thanks! Useful info. Apparently I've misunderstood the TEFL Int'l website.

Roger: Thanks for the information! What specifically do you mean by "mid-term"? I'm looking at a total TEFL duration of 1-3 years.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Come to think of it - I wasn't thinking in terms of terms, rather, I thought you needed to beware of the unstable job prospects at a language institute. Few people stay the entire one year contract period (you won't get more than a one-year contract, anyway!). We have just hired the third teacher on loan from a training centre in as many months, because after a while, each of the two we had before left for good!
One reason both mentioned was that their boss made their lives a hell with constant changes to their timetables, requiring them to stand in at five minutes' notice!

Alobar · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 28 Location: USA

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I thkink I now understand something that was bothering me for a while. I often read on these forums " I am doing a tefl." Puzzled, I just put it down to ignorance - on my part and/or that of the novice tefler.
Now it is clear - they were (or may have been) referring to a certificate from this tefl international. Am I right ?

Alobar · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 28 Location: USA

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

I am sure that far from all people who post that they have a TEFL certificate have got their paper from TEFL international. TEFL stands for teaching English as a foriegn language and is now used by many companies in the teacher training field that are not validated or moderated by UCCLES or Trinity as a name for their cert.