Job Discussion Forums

[Madame J]

I notice that the majority of you appear to be more experienced in the field of university level/adult teaching, whereas my interests lie entirely with working with children. I don't suppose anyone with any experience in this area would be able to advise me on the best countries in which to start out as a primary/elementary school teacher?

I am afraid I am a dirty non degree holder, though I do possess eight months or so of youth TEFL experience and am planning on taking my CELTA (with the children's add-on, natch) in whichever country I decide to seek work in. I hear that Europe (I am a UK citizen, so I believe visa restrictions would be minimal) and South America are relatively easy to obtain work in with merely a CELTA? And if you're just dying to say, "Go back to uni!" or words to that effect, then please don't waste your energy. All I am after is a so-called "low level" position teaching conversational English through play, just for a couple of years or so.

Cheers.

[spiral78]

I don't know if you'd be interested, but there are lots of positions for live-in native speakers in European households with children.

Alternatively, you might look for a list of preschools in major cities (I know Prague has a couple) that cater to the children of expats. They might accept qualifications that are lesser than actual schools.

[Justin Trullinger]

I've taught a lot of variety of students, but kids are my favourite, and have been the majority.

A lot of Latin America could give you what you're looking for- though in general, the pay isn't great.

Best,
justin

[dmb]

Have you thought of doing a nannying qualification. English speaking nannies are in big demand in Turkey.

[Justin Trullinger]

And while I know you don't want to be told to get a degree- I feel I should throw this in.

In a fair variety of latin american countries, you could wind up teaching in an elementary school. Especially with the littlest kiddies.

But it will be a lower tier school. Lower pay, lower academic quality.

A lot of teachers start in these schools. But without a degree, you'll stay in them. Some people think that eventually experience will help them move up, but working in formal school education, this is hardly ever the case. Because your experience won't be completely credible. The higher quality schools will see the experience, with no degree, and figure that a school that would hire a non-degree holder is probably pretty dodgy; so your experience won't carry much weight with them.

If you're thinking of a year or two abroad- this won't matter much. But if you're thinking of spending some time at this, you'll want your pay to increase, and the quality of institutions you work for to increase. If this is the case, you'll want to ... well, you know.

Best,
Justin

[Madame J]

Thanks everyone. Just thought I should clarify that I really don't mind the idea of a low level, conversational type position-in fact, I would much prefer it to teaching grammar to adults. I am indeed only looking at teaching as an enjoyable stop gap for a couple of years, not as a career option or a way of storing away masses of money. I am, however, looking into a potentially long term career in play therapy, so I do believe that any further experience in the world of teaching through play would prove invaluable in terms of enhancing my CV. Naivete? Well, possibly.

Justin, you make a good point about the idea of simply "working your way up" through the ranks. At one point I did consider a long term career in TEFL, and like many poor old misguided eejits assumed I'd simply be able to start at an entry level position and gradually work my way up. I have slowly realised that TEFL is in fact only viable as a short term career option without a degree, and have so decided to look into less academically focussed children's positions for the long term.

As for live-in/nannying type positions-I have previously considered both. However, it is most definitely classroom as opposed to one on one teaching that I am hoping to pursue.

Will most definitely look into Latin America, at any rate![/quote]

[Justin Trullinger]

And good luck!

It IS sometimes possible to work up through the ranks without a degree, in the world of EFL. Chancy and unpredictable though.

I was talking specifically about elementary schools, where accreditations make degree requirements a lot less flexible.

I have worked with great teachers whose training was unconventional- but all shared the frustration that they had a hard time moving into more stable, better paid positions. This also includes people with unrelated degrees; to be sure of moving up in teaching, you need teaching specific qualifications.

But for a couple of years, you could still have a great time and do some good, if you take it seriously.

Best,
justin