Job Discussion Forums

kunlao21 · Joined: 16 Nov 2007 Posts: 9

Removed for later update.

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 1:32 am Post subject:

I wouldn't push the "ten years of experience" too much so you don't discredit the excellent experience you do have. Separate the paid from the unpaid experience on your resume and you'll be fine. ANY kind of people contact jobs in your resume will reflect your ability to get along, communicate and work well with other people. No need to leave coaching out - I would consider it a plus. BTW, you'll find you'll rarely get into deep philosophical discussion on instructional method or theory in the interview stage of seeking a job.

The professional requirements for EFL teachers in Laos are not stringent and you might well be fine with your two-year degree and a certificate. You might ask on that specific board or on the Thailand board where there are probably people who have taught in Laos before or know the scene there.

Unfortunately, a good TEFL program will pretty much require you to be on the scene. Thailand might be a good stop off for you on the way to Laos? There are a great variety of programs here and many are quite inexpensive. And - it might be useful to get your training with students who are at least somewhat similar to the people you will eventually teach.

While people often speak of short-term jobs, most employers are really looking for good long-term teachers. Most are quite tired of people just passing through.

Many of us, including me, have spent many years working in TEFL as a career - it is quite doable. At some point though - you will want/need to get a degree to land the better jobs that will better support your long terms financial needs.

Go get 'em!

SocratesSon2 · Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 134

Teaching is teaching. If your a good teacher all you need is to have mastered the field you wish to teach in. Never over complicate a simple matter.

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

One thing you find, is the longer you-re in a country, the more contacts you-ll have which means the better jobs you-ll get.

As for a TEFL course, you could first read up on it at the library, then teach for a year and do a TEFL course. Or if you go back to the same school, see if they-ll help pay for it. Usually universities and schools do that. Language schools probably won-t.

kunlao21 · Joined: 16 Nov 2007 Posts: 9

Wow, thank you all for the information. All of you have brought up some very good points, based on your experiences, that I never would have though of.

Stopping through Thailand may not be such a struggle. And furthermore, it's a good point that I should get to know the "type" of audience to which I would be exposed. Since Thailand and Laos are like "brothers" in terms of linguistic basics and culture, I just may go off to Chiang Mai or Bangk first. (BTW, "Chiang Mai Thai & Sushi Bar" is the name of the restaurant I own!)

After all, my max vacation is around 6 weeks. I'm thinking maybe the 4 week training, then the remaining 2 in Laos running around knocking on doors. Many on the forum have mentioned that showing up in person to the schools is def a plus to recruiters.

I'll prob include the schools that I've already emailed/messaged, whether they claimed to have no more positions or not. I'll just mention that I had "communicated" with the director recently and had hoped to meet them in person.

Who knows, maybe a face to face, be it an interview or not, will at least keep me fresh in their minds.

Thanks again for the insight! Keep em comin of you've got em.

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:30 pm Post subject:

You'll find cold-calling potential employers in this part of the world to be much easier than in the West. It is perceived quite differently and you will tend to be warmly welcomed, perhaps even offered a tea or coffee while waiting.

Asian cultures, to me anyway, are much more welcoming to the stranger that comes in the door. And they are much more "personal contact" oriented. If they have met you and know you a little and see that you are reasonable and well groomed and polite - it will go a VERY long way towards finding a good job.

I've done a couple trips of "informational interviews" in this part of the world and often found the person I was visiting had no jobs, but knew someone who did and picked up the phone right there to arrange a visit for me. Your visit will also get you on the top of their list when they DO have an opening.

Take your time and find the right job - it will improve your future prospects.