Job Discussion Forums

[Akroytor]

Hello, I just got here, and need a hand sorting out all this TEFL wackiness.

I'm 22, a college student, and have just been royally screwed by NY's CUNY system - I now won't have a degree for 2 and half years more. I've been in college for too long now, and am really sick of waiting for a degree which will, from any practical job-seeking point of view, be useless (double major - art and philosphy).

I'm thinking of just dropping my degree and going into TEFL, as I have teaching experience, and love traveling. How crippling is it to just have a TEFL cert and no degree? Are there ways to get around this, as I have the equivilant experience of a BA. I intend to teach in Czech republic, Russia, or Thailand - do these places require a BA, if not, will they, perhaps, in the future? How about Korea?

As for the TEFL cert itself, what's the difference between TEFL international, and TrinityTEFL, in terms of academics, and job placement, considering my lack of a degree?

Thanks for your help

[hellsbells]

Hello,

I taught in Prague for about 8 months recently and to be honest it seemed to be a very casual place to get a job (as opposed to Korea where I'm looking at teaching next).

Although I've got a degree and I did my Trinity TESOL out there, I don't know how much that contributed to me getting a job. There are hundreds of language schools ranging from very professional ones, to places where your boss doesn't seem to have an office and you teach your lessons in Mcdonalds. I certainly knew people who taught without a degree, and some who taught without a TESOL. Your personality seems to be more important than the pieces of paper you have.

The main thing seems to be being there in person and willing to teach. Getting a job in Prague is much easier if you're there. Some places do put a lot of importance on a trial lesson they ask you to teach, other schools will reply to your application email or phone call with a "interview" that consists of "great, what time on what days are your available?" and that'll be it. I do know that none of the schools I taught for asked to see any kind of proof of my qualifications.

Having said that - I personally had never taught before I went and if I hadn't done my TESOL I wouldn't have known what to do in front of a class. But if you've got teaching experience, obviously this doesn't apply. I chose the Trinity TESOL (at Oxford Tefl in Prague - great, great school by the way) - because it's world recognised and is very comprehensive.

One thing I will say, because the CR is in the EU, you may find Europeans have it easier getting jobs just because then your boss won't have to do the extra paperwork. But again, there are many jobs in Prague and thousands of Americans (it seems). And a lot of language schools, even though they are perfectly respectable and employ EU teachers, will still pay all their staff cash in hand, so it makes no odds if you're American.

Now - I'm looking at Korea (where the money is much better), and they do absolutely require a BA, no exceptions, and a TESOL doesn't seem to carry much weight. You might not get paid much in the Czech Republic, but you will have a ball! Korea seems a lot more "professional" and "serious" - I could be wrong!

Hope this answers a few of your questions, hopefully someone else can help out with Russia and Thailand.

Best of luck,

Helen

[Glenski]

Get the degree. Any degree if you can. An American with no degree has very few options for working overseas. Work visas usually require the degree. Where would you think of working, anyway? I can tell you right now that Japan won't hire you unless you get the degree. I think Korea is the same.

[ls650]

[Akroytor]

Helen, thanks very much for the info. I'd like to teach in Prague because I'd like to learn the language, and I am already fluent in Russian, which is very similiar (some of the words are exactly the same). Prague sounds very attractive, and I do want to spend time there, but it seems that a BA is necessary for any real career in TEFL. Here in the states I've had positions which require college degrees, but have managed to get the position because of my experience, as well as a positive interview. Hopefully CR's casual attitude won't change in the near future.

ls650, I've had a series of incompetent and nonexistent advisors, which resulted in my having next to none of my required course credits. So, I have to spend the next couple of years taking the same classes I did in high school.

-Anatoliy