Job Discussion Forums

[i_tica]

Saludos, todos,

I have a few questions that I would like to ask you fine bunch of people... I am very sorry if my questions are a bit redundant and, if that is the case, feel free to point me to the right forum that has already answered some of the things I'm curious about.

The first question is TEFL/TESOL. I think this might be a good thing to have, but I find the concept a little confusing and I'm getting tired of doing internet searches. I know that there are some online courses, some courses that are 6 days and some that seem like they award some type of degree. I would be interested in taking a course but don't have a ton of money to spend and don't want to get something that I really don't need. A certification that would allow me to teach ESL in Canada too (where I am from) would be useful.

I know that a certification is not required if one is planning to find jobs while in the country of choice (I am thinking right now Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, or even Spain... preferably Costa Rica). The issue I have is my reluctance to pack up my things and go to a country for an indefinite period of time when I don't have things lined up beforehand. Maybe that makes me less adventurous than I previously envisioned myself, or maybe I just know that my parents would never go for it. So my question is, is it possible to land a teaching job abroad without TEFL certification before going to the country?

Finally homestays. When you just show up in a country without a job, where do you stay for the first while when you are searching for jobs? A hostel? How do you arrange for a homestay before arriving in the country?

Answers to these questions and any more info that you think is important for a newbie would be very much appreciated!

Chau!

- T.

[naturegirl321]

To teach ESL in a Canadian public school, you would have to follow the rules there and get a teaching license. Otherwise, make sure your course is 100 hours and have 6 real teaching hours.

You can easily get a job upon arrivial, try emailing beforehand. BAs and beig a native speaker are more important that a TEFL cert.

Stay at a hostal, then find a place while in country.

Check your PMs.

[i_tica]

Thanks very much!!