Job Discussion Forums

[paratactical]

I've been reading through the boards for a few days and doing some research for the last few months and it seems like teaching English abroad might be something that would be very rewarding for me. I'd like to really experience living and working in other parts of the world for a few years. I've just graduated from a four year college with a degree in Literature and Publishing. For the last six years, I've taught classes at summer camps for children (9-14) with varying topics (writing for newspapers, poetry, short story reading and writing), usually three classes at a time for three three week sessions over the summer with a week long break between sessions.

After looking into EFL, I think this could really be a good experience for me to have and enjoy before I start to really consider grad school. I know I want more education, but I want to live and get more real life experience and see more of the world before I take out any more loans.

I feel as if I would be good at this profession (I saw the dissent somewhere when someone called TEFL a profession, but I think it certainly is one, though it may not be a "career") and that I would enjoy it.

What I'm curious about is the certification programs. The snobbish side of me says that a four-week course wouldn't teach me much that I couldn't teach myself and that the benefits people cite (lesson plans, preparation to teach) are things that I got at the summer camps. The other side is that I would be incredibly loathe to be a bad teacher. I have always prided myself on the work I did with the children at the summer camp and I would want to be able to pride myself on the work I would do overseas.

Should I take a course? I'm dedicated to my own self-education and I wanted to see if there was any way (books, etc) that could give me an idea of what courses cover and allow me to make a more informed decision about my ability to teach myself the strategies for teaching English abroad.

Any advice that you have would be most beneficial, especially regarding professional courses regarding teaching abroad, or if anyone has recommendations for specific types of jobs or locales where you think I would fit in.

I would really like to live and work in another country and this seems like a great way to do so.

Thanks for your time and thanks in advance for any responses.

[peterpan13]

Most employers will want to see something in your CV in regard to ESL teaching qualifications.So yes, you should take a course.Which one?
Do your research and check the job ads that interest you, they will list the necessary qualifications and requirements for the job.
You obviously did have some good experiences at the summer camp but that's not going to prepare you for the international world of TEFL. You're only picked up on a few basics!
You will learn something new and different from every teaching job that you do - each job is an entirely new situation and you can never be totally and completely prepared however best your intentions.When you teach in an international situation, you have to learn more than your basic teaching methodologies - you have to get to know your students and their needs and more importantly about their culture if you wish to succeed.Above all, you have to be well organised and extremely flexible in your approach and maintain your sense of humour often in trying circumstances.
Twenty plus years of classroom experience plus a Masters Degree in TESL wasn't enough to prepare me for my first international teaching experience.
best of luck

[tedkarma]

Teaching EFL is not rocket science - but some good basic methodology and learning theory under your belt is not a bad idea. Most of your students will be paying a lot of money to sit in your classroom. Isn't it fair to offer them a quality product?

While a TEFL Cert will not always get you more money - it does open more doors and provide you with more choices. You'll also have a much better idea about what to do if asked to do a "demo lesson".

For some people TEFL is just a one year lark - okay. But, for me, I agree with you that it is a career. It has been for me since 1992 and will be until I retire. And, as a career, it has provided well for me. I have thrived financially as well as personally - all while having the oppotunity to work in four countries and visit at least sixteen more - usually on extended vacations. Not bad, I would say.

How to Choose a TEFL School can help you with some of the issues to look at before you book and pay for a course:

http://phuketdelight.com/TEFL.htm

Enjoy!

[Henry_Cowell]

[Gordon]

I agree with Ted and others. TEFL certainly can be a career if you want to make it so. Unfortunately there are many countries which makes it more difficult than others. You need to decide what part of the world you'd like to live and to what extent money is a factor in where you choose to live.

Take a look at the site at the bootom of my post, it should benefit as you are the type of person it was designed for.

I have been able to support a wife and 2 children (#3 is on the way) on my salary alone and we travel 3 months of the year abroad. My 4 year old is bilingual now and has travelled to about 8 countries already. Many benefits to this job.

[Bayden]

[denise]

You have experience that would be beneficial in a few specific teaching contexts. Sounds like you could handle reading and writing classes with advanced-levels students. What you should keep in mind, though, is that teaching something to a group of students in their native language is vastly different from teaching the same thing in a second or foreign language. Even teachers of normal content subjects like math, history, etc. might have to get special training to teach, for example, low-level grammar or speaking classes. I'd recommend a training course (100+ hours with several practice teaching sessions) just to give you some more well-rounded experiences. There were actually some teachers on my TEFL course, and they said that they had to re-learn a lot of things.

If you want to be properly trained (and a TEFL course is the minimum!), then there really isn't room for ego/ "I can do this on my own." Of course you can read up on teaching methodology on your own, but keep in mind that you're straying from the norm by not getting the expected first qualification. Besides, many schools in many countries require a TEFL certificate.

It does sound like you are very thorough and serious in your research. The TEFL field needs more people like that--people who take the profession and career seriously! And yes, it can be a career!

Good luck,
d

[saint57]

Hi itchyitchy,

I'm a recent university grad from Canada. I really want to teach abroad. I've heard Korea is the best place for making money? Is 1,600,000 a good salary to start at? Can you really hook me up with a school that provides airfare and a FREE studio apartment? I'm really getting excited, but I need to start soon. Can you get back to me as quickly as possible about this tremendous opportunity?

[ohdiesel]

Itchy,

That salary is not great. Usually people starting out get 1.8 to 2.0 (usually the first).

I would advise you to make detailed research attempts to not go into this blind. It can turn into a nightmare if you do not do your homework.

OD

[saint57]

ohdiesel, I was just trying to have some fun with a recruiter who was spamming the newbie site. I taught in Korea for 13 months. I know the game.