Job Discussion Forums

randyuussell13 · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Pensacola, Fl

I am planning on attending TEFL International in Manuel Antonio in March. Is there anybody out there who has been to that school recently? Also, anybody going to be there at the same time as me?

Ecrivain · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 37 Location: Ohio (for now)

Good timing! Since the CELTA course at Instituto Britanico was just cancelled, I'm thinking of taking the March TEFL Int'l course as well. I've heard some mixed things about it, but it seems to be the only option unless I want to wait for the SIT course at the end of May.

momoflowjo · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 8

Is it really important to have a TEFL or SIT certification to teach ENG in Costa Rica? I know the classes are benefitial but I am just asking out of my own curiosity. I have my B.A. and previous ESL experience.

momoflowjo · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 8

Guess I should have posted the previous comment on the "Uncertified" post.

Ecrivain · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 37 Location: Ohio (for now)

John Hall · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:08 am Post subject:

ZiaSan · Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Rohrmoser

Well, here's my situation :
1) I'm not a native English speaker...my first language is French but since I'm from Canada, I speak English. I always did much greater than everyone in English and I think I'm fully bilingual (and my accent is almost non-existant)

2) I have the equivalent of a college degree in recreational therapy so I don't have a BA but I speak in front of people for a living and help them learn things.....kinda like teaching ^_^
But will it count for "teaching experiences"...I'm not sure!

3) I will do an online TESL course because I'm not rich enough to pay the big certification! Plus, I read that schools are looking at your cert. but not really at how much you paid for it or how you did it.

Is that true?
Do you, TESL teachers of Costa Rica, with my situation, think I have a chance at getting a job as an English (or maybe French) teacher in CR? Should I give it a shot?
Thanks ^_^
If I did grammar mistakes in my previous sentences, please, feel free to correct me! It's the only way I will learn :p

John Hall · Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 2:19 am Post subject:

You say that you don't have an accent, and as long as that is true, you shouldn't have any trouble getting employment as an English teacher. It all depends, though, on what kind of place you want to teach at. Some places will take anybody; others are picky.

There are not as many French teaching jobs around, but there are some, and sometimes they pay much better. I would drop by some of the International Call Centers here in Costa Rica. They sometimes need to hire French teachers/speakers.

randyuussell13 · Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 10 Location: Pensacola, Fl

Hey guys, we seemed to have strayed a little. Back to my original question about TEFL International; Is there anybody out there who has been to that school recently? Also, anybody going to be there at the same time as me (Mid April to Mid May)?

ZiaSan · Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Rohrmoser

Sorry

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

I'm here for you, mate. What do you need to know? I did the course in January. There's a guy staying in my hostel in San Jose (I'm here setting up for work and a place to stay) right now, he's going to Quepos tomorrow and starting the course on Monday the 12th.

Basically, the first two weeks of the course isn't all that and a hat (shoot me, please), but the teaching practice is excellent.

You will have problems getting a job here if you're not a native speaker, though. I don't know about your accent, but if you can get away with it, never let on that you're technically not a native speaker. There's an immense focus on American English here, and people with a North American accent gets jobs easily. You can get a job without being a native speaker (I am proof of that), but it takes a bit more effort.

I really like Costa Rica (not the Americanized parts), and I'm really looking forward to start teaching, something I've never done before, so don't let any of this discourage you. If you've questions, you can PM me or, preferably, just post them here so anyone can see.

You can also find a bit of information about my stay in Quepos/Manuel Antonio at the Costa Rica Classroom blog, where you will find heaps of info about Costa Rica in general, and more personal stories written by yours truly here.