Job Discussion Forums

[jeffchik]

I just recentally registered, but have been a vistor to the site for over a year since my time in the Air Force in the Republic of Korea. What an experience! I will be separating from the Air Force in a year to pursue my degree in International Studies or Speech Communication. The reason I entered the military is to get college money as my parents would not help pay for college.

I want to spend the next 20 years of my life traveling overseas to different countries to experience different cultures, foods, religions, and philosphies. With that said, I have a few questions:

1) What would be my best bachelor's degree option?

2) What would be my best master's degree option?

3) Should I become TEFL certified? Where is the best place to obtain such a certification? What accrediation should I look for? Can I do it online?

4) If I became TEFL certified, could I use my current associate's degree in conjunction with the certificate to teach?

Any feedback would be appreciated!

[Glenski]

1) If you are interested in teaching, not sightseeing, get a degree in eduation or linguistics.

2) See above.

3) Should I become TEFL certified? Since you plan to do this long-term, yes.

Where is the best place to obtain such a certification?
What accrediation should I look for? Can I do it online?
Are you willing to study at a school/agency/university to do this? Online courses are pretty lame. How can you get practical experience in a classroom with an online course. That said, where are you going to be living in the next 6-12 months? That's where you should consider getting certified.

4) Doubtful. It might depend on the country you choose.

[jeffchik]

Thank you for your feedback! I had a chance to do some private teaching of two sisters during my stay in the Republic of Korea. I had an absolute blast teaching them! I knew that I could see myself teaching these kids for a good portion of my life. It gave me such a rush (or high) after each lesson. I do want to travel; but I know that I can work a year contract, travel, and then return to sign a new contract if I am valuable enough to the previous employer.

[Justin Trullinger]

Did you enjoy Asia? If so, and you're thinking about a stint there, get a BA. It's not easy to get the right visa in most Asian countries unless you have one, and it's not getting easier.

South America is somewhat more accessible without a degree. But the money side of South America, well, let's just say it's NOT what brings people here.

I would get TEFL certified, through a reputable on-site program in either case. In some cases it's not necessary, but I think you sound keen enough to want to enjoy what you're doing. If you have a little more training at the start, you're likely to have less first year stresses.

Welcome aboard,
Justin

[jeffchik]

I do love Asia. I will have $40,000 USD free college money when I get out of the United States Air Force. I plan to use it to finish my bachelor's degree and then to pay for most, if not all, of my master's degree. If I would get a bachelor's degree with a major in internation studies and a minor in a languge, would that be of any use?

[tedkarma]

Were I about 30 years younger - I think I would take a hard serious look at a first class (don't bother with anything but the best) hotel management school. One of the best in the country (USA), for obvious reasons, is the University of Las Vegas. Some, again obviously, are in Switzerland.

Hotel managers of major five star resorts can make some serious money - live quite well - meet some of the world's most extraordinary people and can locate themselves almost anywhere they want.

I don't recall the name of the book, but the guy who used to manage the Oriental in Bangkok wrote a good story about all the famous people he met over the years - fascinating.

Generally, people in the hospitality industry do work very very hard (one reason they like managers to live on site) - but the career, financial, and social opportunities, I believe, far far exceed those of the EFL world.

Just my opinion. I taught business and EFL at a hospitality management school for a while and some of my coworkers had had quite interesting lives - and this was just a second rate school.

You'll see the difference when you go and interview for a teaching job at a major hotel. You show on your motorbike - and the GM shows up in a Mercedes.

Nothing against being poor mind you - just sharing . . .

All that said, I've been in EFL since '92 and love the profession. Just think you sould be aware of some other options for seeing the world.