Job Discussion Forums

kingpong · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Orygone

Hi, I am going to start applying for positions teaching English abroad as soon as I finish this last nagging math course in June for my BA. At that point I will also have 6 month experience as an educational assistant in special education here in Oregon (FWIW).

I'm tenatively planning to earn a 120+ TEFl cert. after I've taught six months or so abroad. My question is about those short weekend TEFL courses, are they worthwhile for me at this point? I have a brother in Chicago and I've been planning to visit him anyway, would a 20-hour TEFL course like the those offered there make my resume any more attractive, or should I save the $300-400? Would it give me a much stronger position in applying?

My other question is, I'm sure, a very basic one (please go easy on me): I should be able to secure a job without flying out to that country for an interview, right?

Hope I'm not repeating a bunch of questions. I'm pretty new, even to the research here. Thanks for your help. Try not to make fun of me unless I really deserve it, in which case fire away.

Thank you.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

tedkarma · Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2006 1:36 am Post subject:

I'm not sure that I would agree with Is650. I think the two forms of experience would be a toss up to me. Maybe.

The one thing in favor is that people who have worked in special education do learn very specific skills at breaking down tasks into learn-able components - a needed skill in TEFL also. Depends on the amount of training this person got as a teaching assistant too.

I worked in special ed also - many many years ago - and the "observed teaching practice" we got FAR exceeded any 6-8-10 hour program observation we see in TEFL programs. We were working with very difficult people and were observed almost every day - and evaluated constantly.

If . . . the person's experience is in that area with that kind of training - okay I agree with Is650! This new teacher would be able to pick up the methods needed very quickly - most likely.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Why not do the full 120-hour training course first? A 20-hour one won't really help. With such a short course, seems like your experience will be the deciding factor, depending on whether or not schools see it as connected to EFL teaching (teaching a language is NOT like teaching a content subject, but special ed requires special training that might be more useful...).

Basically, there are jobs that require TEFL certification and there are jobs that do not. Those that do might not think too much of a 20-hour course.

And yes, you can line up jobs from home, or before you arrive in the country you want to teach in. Do you know yet where you want to go?

d

kingpong · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Orygone

Thanks for your help. I hate to sound like a partier or a bum, because these are not my intentions in pursuing this, but right now Thailand and Indonesia are on my short list because of the beaches (I just returned from school in Hawaii for 3.5 years). However, in perfect honesty, I'd be thrilled to go anywhere in Asia or Central and South America.
Which areas or countries seem most practical or likely in my situation? I also enjoy working with children.
Again, thank you.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:20 am Post subject:

When I read the "20 hour" TEFL course thing - I keep wondering when we will next read about a 10-hour course - or even a five-hour course - or how about a two-hour course? Or the old 20-minute course - which is how long it took me to fill out the MasterCard form . . .