Job Discussion Forums

davechile · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 87 Location: San Francisco, CA

Does anyone know how to get in with the British Council? I am planning to get my Celta and I have a BA in Business. Do I have to MA in TESOL to get in with the Brits?

Thanks
I will take my answer off air...hahaha

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Have you looked at their website? YOu have to jump through hoops to work with them. Also Strategy 2010 will make it even more difficult because lots of BC schools are closing. THe one in Peru closed last Sept.
YOu might have better chances working for one in a far-off location, than a popular one, like Paris, or St. Peterberg, if they have ones there.

davechile · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 87 Location: San Francisco, CA

Why are they closing schools? Are they losing their clout? Don't you get substantially better pay and benefits when working for them?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I think you can make about 30K USD more or less a year, plus heaps of benefits. I guess they want quality instead of quantity. YOu can read it all on their website.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:32 pm Post subject:

Pay and benefits vary according to the center, and to whether you are a local hire (easier to get hired) or an overseas hire. (More highly qualified, much harder to get in, and a heap more benefits.)

So, no, you don't need an MA to work there, though a DELTA and a heap of experience seems to be the minimum for overseas hires. If you're in the right place at the right time, you can get hired locally with less qualifications. And, erm, less benefits.

In response to your question:

davechile · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 87 Location: San Francisco, CA

Does it glow gold on your resume if you did a 1-2 yr contract with them?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:20 pm Post subject:

In some circumstances, yes. In others, no more than any other 1-2 year contract.

It glows brightly for getting work with other British Council centers.

Best,
Justin

MELEE · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject:

Where's Loz? I think she can give you some more information about the BC.

matttheboy · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Posts: 854 Location: Valparaiso, Chile

Keep in mind that this was almost 4 years ago, but when i was working in Quito some reps from the BC in Colombia came over practically begging for staff. No idea if it's the same these days but you never know. I think applying for jobs at some of the big schools in advance can be a bit of a nightmare. For example, I know that getting a job with International House is really hard if you're applying through their jobs available board but they're often looking for teachers already actually in country. These jobs aren't advertised usually.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I think that working for the BC is difficult. Have you seen all the requirements and papers that you have to fill out?

About IH. I htink you have to do an in-person interview. Which can be difficult if you live in a country without an IH.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 11:15 pm Post subject:

That's the official overseas hiring procedure. But they also hire locally, and if you're in the right place at the right time...

I knew a woman in a (not to be mentioned) European city who got hired to teach at the British council, after first being hired as a cleaner.

Best,
Justin