Job Discussion Forums

[Tamara]

I'm curious about employers' preferences as relates to the certificate and a masters degree. I'm interested in teaching English in any Spanish speaking country, particularly in Central America. I have a degree in Secondary English Education, 3 years experience teaching in public high schools, as well as 3 years experience teaching ESL (part time, of course) at the local community college. I speak Spanish, which is why I'm not really interested other areas. (However, I have a husband and a two year old daughter who would travel with me, so if anyone has information about family-friendly assignments, I'd be grateful.)

I've found a TEFL certificate program (International Teacher Training Organization) in Mexico that sounds good and they have lifetime job placement services. It's not the CELTA, but the courses and the practical teaching hours are competitive to it. On the other hand, I'd rather find a masters program if it would better prepare me (and my resume) for future international teaching positions. Would that be the better way to get started, especially if I'm not necessarily wanting to leave right away?

If I do go for a masters, what is the best type of program to look for. I have information on a Masters of Liberal Studies with a concentration in ESOL. Does that sound appropriate, or is it more for teaching in the US?

Thanks in advance. If you require more information to be able to respond, please let me know.

Tamara

[Varvian]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm just throwing this out there to consider.

In high school I had a journalism teacher who taught at an American international school in Chile for two years. (From around 1999 - 2001) When she was hired, she only had a bachelor's and several years of teaching experience. She was hired because she attended a job fair only for American international schools.

I don't know how well the American international schools pay, or how much you have your heart set on teaching people how to speak English, but it'd be stable job in a country you'd want to live in. And once you're in the country it's easier to find other jobs.

[Van22]

I would think that if you want to teach in Central or South America, your public school training and experience would be enough, though doing a TEFL or TESL or CELTA would probably help prepare you. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to do a masters, especially if you want to go home and teach ESL afterward. From what I understand though, if you have your Bachelor of Education you can often get work in the public (and private) school systems in Latin America. This isn't first-hand, only what I've gathered through some research, so look into it further. I certainly met some people working in Peru with no qualifications, though the pay was low. I've heard Costa Rica is a good location to look for ESL work in Central America.

[ls650]

I think with your level of experience and training, you'll have little difficulty finding work. A month-long TEFL certificate may be helpful, but I think investing the time and money for an MA would be too much at this point.

I'd recommend you first get a TEFL, then try teaching in Latin America for a year before worrying about earning an MA.

[Tamara]

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[naturegirl321]

You could probably get a job with many international schools and they pay pretty well.