Job Discussion Forums

[Gorm]

Hi everyone,

I want to enter a TESOL certificate program, but I don't know which program to choose. I have two options - University of Manitoba, TFLI.
I would like your professional opinions, comments, and advice.

Here are the websites: http://www.umanitoba.ca/coned/english/ctesl/
http://www.foreignlanguages.org/index2.shtm

I'm a 21-year-old American guy. I'm in my 3rd year of music studies (for a BMus in Violin Performance). Do you think it is best for me to get the BMus (2 more years), or only to get the certificate and take some risks? I know ideas will vary from person to person, but that is what I want - various ideas and advice from the pros with a significant amount of experience. I have had a great deal of advice from friends teaching abroad, but they all tell me to do what I want or "go for it".

My personal opinion is that I am better off having a degree. On the other hand, I have no other use for a BMus, since I don't want to be a teacher (though I can use it for orchestral auditions later), so I would be using the degree solely to further my ESL teacher qualifications.

Final note - one observation I have is that suppose I were to finish the program, obtain the degree, and the qualifications change for a particular country, job, etc. One of my friends was teaching in S. Korea and this happened to him. He had the TESOL but the law changed after he had been there for 2 years. He left and is studying for a degree in Education so he can go back to teach in S. Korea.

Thanks for your time and help,

Gorm

[AsiaTraveller]

Gorm,

You might want to check out the following topic about combining your skills in music with the teaching of English abroad:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=13978&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

[Gorm]

Hi,

Thank you for the link. Do you have info on such schools that hire ESL/Music instructors, and what type of music instruction it would be and what the qualifications would be for a particular job? Wouldn't one need to be fluent in the host language, and perhaps that is one reason why there is such a "demand" for such instruction? I know many westerners go to Japan and speak fluent Japanese, and that less learns Korean, less learns Mandarin, and even less learn SE Asian languages.

In any case, I know that western instruments are extremely popular in Asia - notably violin and piano, but especially violin. There are no official stats, but it's safe to say that the majority of accomplished young violinists in the US (and probably in the world) are of Asian descent - China, Korea, Japan, others (in that order). Most of my colleagues are Asian. However, I don't know about the situation in Thailand.

Also, I am currently studying Japanese and Korean, and I would like to know whether or not it is worth the time, effort, and money that I'm putting into it. I speak English, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Spanish all very fluently (and basic Russian), though this knowledge has yet to assist me in finding employment - regardless of location.

Someone in the other discussion said that Thailand was an excellent place for someone with qualifications in teaching music and ESL. I would really need to know the qualifications for such a job, as my degree program and degree are not in teaching music, but in teaching violin and purely that - BMus in Violin Performance. This degree would allow me to play in a major orchestra, though many students study for a Masters in VP, which allows them to be a violin prof. at a university. In any case, that is the only use/purpose for such a degree (in the West), and I really don't want to spend 7 years for that if it's not going to help me in what I want to do.

In terms of location - My first choices are Iceland and Norway. I'm a US-born Norwegian, most of my family resides in Norway, and I want to experience living there. Iceland - because it's very similar to Norwegian culture and there are many interesting things I find about it and its people (of which I know many). I know this to be unrealistic-thinking for several obvious reasons - virtually 100% bi-lingual populaces, heavy taxation, strict immigration, etc. etc. Regardless, I would like anyone's opinion on this who has taught in either or both countries.

Thanks again ,

G

[AsiaTraveller]

No, I know of no specific schools. It's up to you to market yourself!

But rest assured that your ability to play instruments will help you get English teaching jobs (as long as you have TEFL/CELTA certification), especially for teaching young children.

And you can also get music teaching jobs with a music degree and no language certification. There are Western-style music conservatories and private music schools all over Southeast and East Asia. Find them and try contacting them.