Job Discussion Forums

laurac · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 24

hi,

I am doing my TEFL course in a couple of months and am starting to look at jobs, countries, agencies etc......

Basically, i am confused about where to look, where to go, best ways to find the job ect.......

Let me state now that i dont hold a degree, only a 3 year diploma in performing arts (where i have gained the ability and experience in teaching dance which i would love to incorporate somwhow into TEFL).
I was a dancer for most of my life and am not anymore. So i know that there are some restrictions on where i can go.

First of all i begun last week looking into china, working conditions, contracts etc........ I think that if i was to go to China i would use a recruitment agency ( well checked out before signing anything i promise!!!!!) being a newbi with no experience some offer good things
The only thing that worries me is that i really am not sure if China and its culture are for me, i know noone can answer that for me.

The last couple of days i have been looking into thailand (somewhere I have always wanted to go and excites me ).
Now i am confused as i think it will be harder for me to work there without holding a degree. Also seems to work better if you just turn up there and go round schools looking for work. Not using recruiters and going dircet to schools, Or do i have a realistic chance of finding a job over the web??
I just dont know what to do for the best!!!
Has anyone ever been a newbi looking to go to Thailand (with no BA) and did it with success???? can you please talk to me!!!!

or maybe i should go in a completly different way and find a job first of all here in europe ( i am from the UK) to give me some experience then maybe i would find a beeter job in Thailand but i dont really want to do that.

any advice would be great.
Laughing

Thanks

ps, i did post on teh China job forum and got some advice which helped alot, i also posted on the Thiland forum but got no relies i dont think people use it as much as the China one. or maybe i just asked the wromg questions

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

I just posted a reply on the Thailand forum, but not in refernce to having a degree.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Try these threads in regard to not having a degree in Thailand:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=18003

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=15392

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=15113

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=14462

laurac · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 24

Sigmoid,

thanks will check them out.

being a newbi its all quite daunting!!!!!!!

cheers Laughing

funakoshi · Joined: 15 Aug 2004 Posts: 24

come to china, and don't use a recruiting agency. come here, and work for my school. Well not my school, but the school i'm at, in north east china. Its the best environment i've ever worked in period, and its been a great place to start my tefl career. If you want more info, please contact me, we desperately want more foreign teachers, to expand the school!!!

Oh yeah, and the name of the game here is honestly, and you won't hear that often in china let me tell you. everything i or the school tells you and has told me has been the truth.

Meleefracas · Joined: 26 Mar 2005 Posts: 63

funakoshi: could you PM me details of your school also? Tried to PM and email you, but I'm not sure it got through - computers are a foreign language to me.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

My advice is, to the contrary of other posters, you should refrain from going abroad and earn a living there.
If you are undecided this means you don't really know what you are looking for. You don't have the maturity or experience to make educated decisions. You should learn some of life's vital ropes back home and find out more about yourself and what you like or dislike.
I am not saying you will never fit in, but at this moment you definitely are not cut for such a life-- and outlook-modifiying experience!

laura1d · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 108 Location: Spain

Hello LauraC,

It is possible in Thailand. I do not have a degree - I was not a total newbie, having taught in China but .... I have a job (legal permit etc) at a government High School and have no problems.

If you are looking into Thailand and are nervous about just coming here and canvassing then look at the jobs on ajarn.com. This is where all the schools in my town advertise for teachers so I can vouch for it from that respect.

Good luck!

LauraD