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Cat77
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 38
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 Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:09 am Post subject: Just a few questions |
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I am a newbie on this forum and have a couple of questions. I am doing some research to try to find a country I would be interested in traveling to to teach ESL.
Just to give a little bit of background-I'm a high school English teacher right now (not ESL) and I also have my ESL certificate. I have traveled outside of the country (Austria and Ireland) but have never lived outside of the US. I've been teaching high school students for about a year and a half. I'm very interested in other cultures, love teaching, loved my experience learning about how to teach ESL abroad, and really interested in using it. I'm single and have a little bit of debt but not too much.
I'm interested in Latin America (Chile, Argentina..maybe Brazil) and also possibly Thailand. I was wondering if anyone has heard of Teachermexconnect.com. It's a placement program that helps you set up a job in South America/Mexico. Just wondering if anyone has feedback. Also, has anyone heard of Teachchile.com? I may be applying to their program, but wanted to see if anyone had any feedback about it. If so, thanks.
I was also wondering how much money a person should have saved before they take on an adventure such as teaching ESL abroad. (I suppose it depends on the country, but I just thought I'd ask)
Also, to be honest (although I'm excited!) I'm also a little overwhelmed by the job hunting process. If anyone has any advice for a newbie ESL teacher looking for her first overseas job--I'd love it!
Thanks so much,
Cat77 |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:37 pm Post subject: Re: Just a few questions |
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| Cat77 wrote: |
Also, to be honest (although I'm excited!) I'm also a little overwhelmed by the job hunting process. If anyone has any advice for a newbie ESL teacher looking for her first overseas job--I'd love it!
Thanks so much,
Cat77 |
I can't answer the other questions, as they don't apply to where I am (Japan). On this last one, though, here is my take.
1. Learn the teaching market of the country where you want to go. Learn what entry level jobs are available, what they are like, and what to avoid. Also, find out what the second level of work can be, and how to get it.
2. Have a good resume, even if you don't have teaching experience or background. And, customize your cover letter to every ad. These won't be as easy as you might think sometimes, especially the CL. Really think hard what you can say when a potential employer pops up in the newspaper. How will you sell yourself beyond saying, "Gee, I've always wanted to teach students and visit your country..."?
3. There are many web sites around that post ads around the world. Bookmark the ones that offer ads for places in the countries you want to go to. Find out how often they are updated; sometimes it's only every other week.
4. Learn the visa regulations for the country where you want to go. This is best done right here by asking in the country-specific forums (and reading the forum-specific FAQs). No sense in looking or applying for work if you can't meet the visa requirements.
5. If you think this will be a long-term endeavor and/or if you are very leery about your own teaching skills, consider a good certification program in TEFL or something similar. Many countries' markets are flooded with teachers, so you will need all the edge you can get.
6. Decide if you are willing/able to leave your country to job hunt, or if you have to do it from the safety and comfort of your homeland. That means finding out whether employers in countries that interest you even recruit abroad. Learn the recruiting schedules. If you plan to come to job hunt, know what sort of housing you might have to put up with, and how much money you need and what is the typical timeframe before you collect that first paycheck. Have enough money on hand not only to survive, but to get back home just in case.
7. Make a shopping list. Back when I was starting out, the Internet barely had any sites from employers, let alone a place like the ESL Cafe (wow, was the format here different then!). Now, it just seems like a huge rat's nest. Be organized. That shopping list should have a way to compare the various employers and/or countries so you look at apples and apples, not apples and oranges. I was pretty diligent back in the early days, collated and lurked and asked questions for 6 months. I ended up with a job that came to me for an interview, paid my flight and rent (in an apartment they furnished), and sponsored my visa. Pretty much left me alone in the classroom, too. All that was and still is rare, but I like to think one makes one's own luck.
8. Might as well consider documentation, too. Get a passport. Get out your university degree and either protect it or scan and certify it. Get copies of your transcripts, too. All of these will be needed for visa applications. Letters of recommendation (sealed, of course). A portfolio of any teaching experience.
9. Think about what you want to take overseas, too. Recipes, pictures, medicine, laptop, clothes (first 2 seasons only, then ship the rest), address book, etc.
10. Just to make this an even metric 10, think about what you might leave behind and how to handle it. Where will your belongings go? Will you store or sell your car? How are you going to handle pets? Start keeping your eye on airline fares and exchange rates, too. |
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