Job Discussion Forums

DanNooney · Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 2

Hello Comrades in ESL/ESOL!

Does anyone know of ESOL certification programs in New Zealand?

I have only a short 3 month TESL Methodology Certificate and a BA in Anthropology (Try to get a job in that field!)

Yet I have been teaching ESOL for 24 years including the last 13 plus at a community college in the US. Frankly, I feel like I could teach the course, but it may be all about paper certification!

Also, have been in touch with an immigration attorney's office in Auckland.
Anybody have thoughts about that?

Bottom line for my partner and myself is that we need a country to "die" in. (He's Japanese and I am regretfully a US citizen!)
So it's New Zealand for us one way or another!

Thanks in advance!
Sincerely,
Dan

Kereru · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 32 Location: Christchurch NZ

There are a number of TESOL course about - mostly CELTA or Trinity - some are based in Polytechs & other are run by private providers. However to TEACH the course you'd need a minimum MA in linguistics or some sort of Grad Dip or DELTA.

Unitl March, ESL teachers were on the short list for approved migration but since the $NZ started to rise the numbers of Chinese students coming here has dropped dramatically. One of the largest private schools folded on Friday so I doubt that ESL is now a sure-fire way into NZ, sorry.

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

I agree with the above. The student market is rather depressed. But, hey Dan, there are plenty of places here in Auckland that offer the TESOL/CELTA. As far as employment here goes, it ain't what it used to be, but then again, what ever is, eh? But who knows? There are scads of English schools on Queen Street. They don't pay the best, but maybe it's a way into the industry. My landlady just got back from Europe and she scored a gig with a school that concentrates on the Japanese and Korean market rather than the Chinese, so there are still some schools that have students. The president of my school has banked his future with the Chinese market and that has dried up. As Kereru stated, a major school has gone boobs-up last week. I think mine is going to be going bankrupt soon as well. So...as the Neil Young refrain goes, "...in the field of opportunity it's plowin' time again."