Job Discussion Forums

Tamara · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 108

I've been invited to give a short, informative presentation to students at Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC. The forum topic is teaching without a degree in education, and for my portion, I'm to discuss teaching ESL. The woman in charge of setting it all up told me she was especially interested in the research I've done to be certified to teach ESL abroad.

Well, that all sounds very auspicious. However, all I've done is look into the topic myself. I've been hanging around here in an effort to gain more information for my own plans of eventually teaching overseas.

So now I'm asking for help. I want to reference websites so the audience members can begin their own research efforts. I will include URL's to TESOL and Dave's, but I know there are probably other great resources some of you would recommend to those considering the field.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Tamara

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Tamara · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 108

Thank you for your help. Smile

An additional question: Is it true that most employers will look for a certificate with at least 120 hours, externally monitored? Anything else? What are the basic criteria for a non-brand certificate to be accepted? I'm really just trying to confirm my assumptions based on time spent lurking here. I'm quite sure there will be exceptions to any basic criterion cited anywhere.

Thanks in advance!

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

merlin · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:39 pm Post subject:

I feel you're trying to dig in an area many are reluctant to go.

Most websites that can be cited in an academic paper/presentation will not discuss the validity of the role unqualified teachers play in teaching English. Of course any respectale person would say "get qualified first"

The websites that do deal with advice for unqualified teachers and how to teach abroad without qualifications might well get you expelled if given in an academic environment.

you can start here:
http://esl24.com
visit dave's links, of course Wink

and if you want to get expelled there's always
http://englishteacherx.com (offensive content)

Tamara · Joined: 24 Jul 2004 Posts: 108

Merlin,

Thank you for your concern and the links provided.

The discussion is about teaching without a degree in education. However, what I want to discuss is how to become qualified to teach or find a teaching position with a bachelor's degree in something other than education. I don't think this means "unqualified."

Given the quality of education associated with Wake Forest University, I think the workshop participants will appreciate the information on the CELTA, Trinity Cert, and the SIT Cert. However, I'd like to point them to the underlying aspects of such programs that are duplicated in other lesser known certifications. My goal here is to expose them to a starting place if they find they are interested in teaching overseas. I think each person probably has to do her own research and decide which path is best for herself.

Thanks again!