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lady z
Joined: 28 Sep 2005
Posts: 39
Location: India
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 Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:08 am Post subject: hit me with your best shot |
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okay, really the topic is newbie advice, but that sounded
redundant as a subject header....
I've been lurking on this forum for months, saving money, and making plans to try TEFL. I am trying to decide which country to do a tefl certificate in and where try to find a job-- between India, Vietnam, and Korea. The country I would most love to work in is India due to my love of that country, her languages and cultures, and having family and friends there, (I haven't yet been to Vietnam or Korea). I know that there is little chance of working in India teaching english. However, I will be there this fall for several months to have a crack at it, and the very least get some volunteer teaching experience.
Would it be a good idea to get my TEFL certificate while I am in India
because I could have it done sooner and have a better, albeit small, chance of finding employment in India than without a certificate? Or would it be better to wait and do it the certificate in Vietnam or Korea where I would more likely be working? Any recommendations regarding Vietnam vs. Korea? Obviously more money in Korea but there I have zero connections, whereas, I have friends working in Vietnam. Though I do have a student loan payment of $187 per month....
I am a 32 year old american female with a BA in Anthropology
and an MA in Counseling. I have two years experience working with developmentally disabled adults, one year experience as a teacher assistant in a highschool program for students with autism, two years experience in (social) research, and for the past 10 months have been a volunteer english tutor for refugees.
I currently work as a counselor for children and families involved
in the child welfare system and I also teach parenting classes and
do psychoeducational/ groups for children on the topic of sexual abuse.
Would any of this count as relevant education and experience?
Your feedback is appreciated, and thanks for bearing with my
lengthy post.
Zenia aka Lady Z |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:19 am Post subject: |
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| Why are you not considering getting the TEFL certification in your home country? It would seem to me to be easier, and if you need it at all, getting it before you go to the foreign land to look for work would seem more reasonable. |
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Kaspar Hauser
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 83
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| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:00 am Post subject: |
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Here�s my best shot: It sounds like you�re itching to go overseas ASAP, but why not wait and get an MA in Linguistics before you go. It�ll take you a lot farther if you want to make a career in ESL (which I would strongly advise against) than one of these two-week �certificates�. I know I�m going to be attacked for saying this, but I don�t care: TEFL certificates are worthless for any sort of proper job with a decent salary and no one claiming to be a teacher after two whole weeks of training, however intensive, is taken seriously in this profession. You already have a strong academic background, so you ought to be able to understand that. Could I get very far in your current field with a two-week certificate?
Why not get a linguistics MA in Portland and meanwhile, to get more experience and something to put on your resume, continue with your volunteer work?
As for India, are there jobs there? One hears virtually nothing of ESL opportunities in India. So many people in India speak English already. Is this just a hypothetical hope, or have you really determined that there are ESL jobs there? Do some research into India before you hop on a plane and perhaps have a plan B ready. That�s my advice. |
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TheLongWayHome
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 1016
Location: San Luis Piojosi
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| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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I would get some kind of certificate before you go anywhere. There's nothing worse than arriving, finding the perfect job and not having the certificate you need to get it. In some countries the cert is two-fold--it'll help you get the visa. Check out the requirements for the places you intend to go and whether you need to get it apostilled before you leave.
I agree with Mr Hauser, get an MA in something related if you're planning to stay in it long-term... I wish I had. |
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lady z
Joined: 28 Sep 2005
Posts: 39
Location: India
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| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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Those are your best shots? I don't think so. Try again!
Let me help by giving you more amunition:
Such as,
I am departing in 6 weeks from now.
Yes, I realize that a two week, (or in this case 4 week) certificate will not qualify me as a teacher but that is where I am going to start. There is no TEFL certificate offered in Portland, that I know of, and even if there was I am working full time up until the time I leave. But from this suggestion I am drawing the conclusion that it is best to get the tefl certificate as soon as possible--so probably do it while I am in India rather than waiting until Korea or Vietnam.
Getting an MA in linguistics is something I will definitely consider if I decide to stay in the teaching field after having tried it.
I have done my research on EFL teaching in India which is why I have little hope of it. Korea or Vietnam are my likely plan B. I am planning ot go to either Korea or Vietnam to work but I will be in India before that for
for many reasons that i won't get into here.
Okay, let me try this again.....
Any sugguestions of one of those those countries over the other from those of you who have had experience working in them? (Vietnam & Korea).
Are there any other things I should list on a resume for education and experience other than BA and a Celta? Should i bother to list that I have a masters in another field (I have read arguments for and against that) and should I bother to list volunteer experience?
thanks,
fire away!
Z |
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Kaspar Hauser
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 83
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| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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| lady z wrote: |
| Are there any other things I should list on a resume for education and experience other than BA and a Celta? Should i bother to list that I have a masters in another field (I have read arguments for and against that) and should I bother to list volunteer experiene? |
I can't imagine why you wouldn't list your master's. It may be in an unrelated field, but the fact that you have a master's in anything says a lot about you. The jobs you're going to be applying for aren't the type that you find in the Chronicle of Higher Education anyway. No one is going to object that your training is in the wrong field. The fact that you have a pulse, are presumably semi-literate since you have a master�s degree in something and are willing to work for a bowl of rice a day is all the qualification you need.
And why on earth wouldn't you list your volunteer experience? That's the only experience you have! Otherwise you'll present yourself as someone who has no training or experience in ESL whatsoever. I really can't see why you're even asking this. For one thing, no one needs to know it was volunteer work--they're not going to call--but what if they did? Is there anything wrong with volunteer work? That�s how I got started in ESL. The fact that you were so interested in ESL and so determined to get some experience that you were willing to work for no money is a big plus, not a minus. Be sure you get a good letter of recommendation before you go. Considering you were working for nothing, it's the least they can do.
Last edited by Kaspar Hauser on Sun Jul 16, 2006 1:19 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Henry_Cowell
Joined: 27 May 2005
Posts: 3352
Location: Berkeley
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Ariadne
Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 960
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| Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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Have you explored the idea of working in a call center in India? There are several companies that recruit native speakers. The jobs aren't for teaching English really, but for helping with pronunciation, slang, and idioms. Airlines, credit card companies, insurance companies, and others have outsourced to India. A few downsides.. 40 hour work weeks and night work. Check out the India forum for more info.
. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:28 am Post subject: |
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| Those are your best shots? I don't think so. Try again! |
Excuse me???? You give a discussion forum less than a day to provide useful information, and then you shoot the messengers that do? Bad form, lady z.
You also don't even provide enough background information (your current work situation and how much time there is before you go). Geez, "lady", YOU aren't giving US your "best shot". Shame on you.
| Quote: |
| There is no TEFL certificate offered in Portland, that I know of, and even if there was I am working full time up until the time I leave. |
I got my certificate while working full-time in Seattle. Took much longer than a few weeks, but it was possible.
| Quote: |
| Are there any other things I should list on a resume for education and experience other than BA and a Celta? Should i bother to list that I have a masters in another field (I have read arguments for and against that) and should I bother to list volunteer experience? |
List ANYthing that you think might be related to teaching, even if it is unpaid work. List your degree(s) because it(they) will be examined just to see what sort of education you have. Many countries provide work visas for teachers even if their degrees were not teaching-related, and who knows if your potential employer has an interest in your background? That is, he may have specialized courses that your degree would allow you to capitalize on.
Pardon me for saying this, but you don't sound very organized about this whole thing. Leaving in 6 weeks but you don't sound like you have much background information on much of anything. I think you are going to have a very disappointing experience.
Have you tried posting in the Korea forum (requires special permission to join) or the Vietnam forum or the General Asia forum? |
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Kaspar Hauser
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 83
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| Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 1:13 am Post subject: |
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| Those are your best shots? I don't think so. Try again! |
Excuse me???? You give a discussion forum less than a day to provide useful information, and then you shoot the messengers that do? Bad form, lady z.
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I rarely miss a chance to jump on people Glenski, but I think she was kidding here, so I let it pass.
| Quote: |
| Pardon me for saying this, but you don't sound very organized about this whole thing. |
Yes, it does seem that way. |
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lady z
Joined: 28 Sep 2005
Posts: 39
Location: India
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| Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 1:27 am Post subject: |
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Thank you all for your feedback--especially the parts that were helpful. Some of you are grumpy in your tone, which is amusing, However, I do respect that you are presumably older and definitely more experienced than I am.
Below I attempted to respond to Glenski, but I am also not so experienced with chat forums and the quote function so my responses got mixed up with the original quotes.
| Glenski wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Those are your best shots? I don't think so. Try again! |
Excuse me???? You give a discussion forum less than a day to provide useful information, and then you shoot the messengers that do? Bad form, lady z.
I was being playful but perhaps you took me seriously.
You also don't even provide enough background information (your current work situation and how much time there is before you go). Geez, "lady", YOU aren't giving US your "best shot". Shame on you.
Shame? Such fighting words. My current work situation is that I am working fulltime until I leave in 6 weeks---which I wrote included in my second reply. I am unsure of what other backgroud information would be helpful.
I got my certificate while working full-time in Seattle. Took much longer than a few weeks, but it was possible.
That's commendable.
| Quote: |
| Are there any other things I should list on a resume for education and experience other than BA and a Celta? Should i bother to list that I have a masters in another field (I have read arguments for and against that) and should I bother to list volunteer experience? |
List ANYthing that you think might be related to teaching, even if it is unpaid work. List your degree(s) because it(they) will be examined just to see what sort of education you have. Many countries provide work visas for teachers even if their degrees were not teaching-related, and who knows if your potential employer has an interest in your background? That is, he may have specialized courses that your degree would allow you to capitalize on.
Thank you, that is helpful feedback.
Pardon me for saying this, but you don't sound very organized about this whole thing. Leaving in 6 weeks but you don't sound like you have much background information on much of anything. I think you are going to have a very disappointing experience.
okay, I pardon you for saying that.
Have you tried posting in the Korea forum (requires special permission to join) or the Vietnam forum or the General Asia forum? |
Not yet, but I think that is a good idea. Also, I got a helpful suggestion to post on the India forum so I will do that also.
Cheers,
Zenia |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 5:58 am Post subject: |
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| Shame? Such fighting words. My current work situation is that I am working fulltime until I leave in 6 weeks---which I wrote included in my second reply. |
Yes, AFTER 3 people had already responded based on NOT knowing that.
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| I was being playful but perhaps you took me seriously. |
Yes, I did. It's not always easy to distinguish humor and sarcasm from seriousness.
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| Some of you are grumpy in your tone, which is amusing, However, I do respect that you are presumably older and definitely more experienced than I am. |
You have a strange way of showing it with remarks that can be construed as flippant, even in your most recent posts. If tones like mine sound grumpy, it is NOT because I'm older (I probably am) and more experienced (I certainly am). It is because you don't provide enough info in the first place to warrant a thorough response. But, don't get too upset over what people say on a discussion forum. What you will eventually face in person will be much worse from many of your fellow teachers.
Best of luck. |
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karinb
Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 33
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| Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:24 am Post subject: |
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sorry to hyjack your thread lady z....
Glenski- I noticed above that you mentioned taking your tesol cert in Seattle, may I ask which program/school you went through?
Thanks! |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:02 am Post subject: |
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karinb,
It was not a TESOL, but a TESL certificate.
I got it through the Washington Academy of Languages, and the classes were done in conjunction with Seattle Pacific University on their campus. It contained a total of 8 courses. Depending on when you register, you could take the classes either twice a week at night (2 hours a night), or in an intensive daytime program. |
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