Job Discussion Forums

migeulito

Hello all,
Forgive me if this topic came up some time ago (if it has, lemme know Wink

), but I haven't found it in the five most recent pages of the forum, so here goes...

I have a BA in Spanish (hnrs) from a US university, a fresh Pass B CELTA from Aspect, Christchurch and limited experience volunteering in ESL classrooms (50 hours total).

I get the impression that newbies would do best going to Korea or SE Asia to begin building experience, but I would like to start in Brisbane, Australia.

Do I have a hope of finding a school that will hire me? Would I be wasting my time in Brisbane? Should I swallow my aversion to big cities and head down to Sydney? Is it true that September is the best time to find work?

While specific answers to these questions will be very helpful, I would also appreciate any insight into gaining teaching experience in general.

Is there simply a period of initiation where the newbie slogs it out in the less popular(desirabe) schools? Not just in Oz, but in general.

I'm OK playing 'poor teacher' for a while if it means greater professional development, as I see that having more benefit in the long term.

Oh, before I forget, should I have my original degree with me to present to DOSs during/after interviews, or should a copy suffice?

Whatever thoughts you have on the subject will be most appreciated, so thanks very much in advance.

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

I think we need a bit more info. What's your citizenship, and how old are you? Can you legally work in Aus?

migeulito · Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 2:59 am Post subject:

I sit corrected!

24 (tomorrow, yay!)
US/NZ dual citizen. I'm told Kiwis work without troubles in Oz, so I just hope I don't get a dark look for the strong American accent. (what can I do? (shrug) Smile

)

migeulito · Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:03 am Post subject:

Sorry, one more thing.

I am aware of the exception made by NEAS about teachers with less than 800 classroom hours still having a chance so long as they got a Pass B (check) or a few other alternatives. Hopefully the school will have less than their 20% limit of these 'excepted' teachers!

Thanks very much.