Job Discussion Forums

[kevbris]

Hi

I am in my 8th year of teaching English as a second language. Worked in Australia teaching illegal immigrants functional English, Indonesia for 4 years and privately for years. I do not possess a tesol qualification at all, however I am a qualified vocational trainer with a Degree in Asian and International studies. I am also a qualified International second language proficiency assessor.

My question is.........................what can a tesol/trinity/celta/delta etc do for me???????????????????
Most employers throughout the Asia region are not even sure why they make this a pre-requisite. Are there reputable employers out their that see benefits in experience or does age/qualification/gender/good looks etc outweigh the experience component.

have fun

[sojourner]

Hi Kevbris,

You mentioned something about teaching in Asia - but where,exactly ?

In some countries,it appears that many language schools have never heard of CELTA/Trinity-type qualifications.But, as I remarked in an earlier message to a slightly different thread,in China more and more of the better type places (esp unis and colleges) are asking for people who possess TESOL qualifications.

As you mentioned that you have had several years experience, you were pondering whether it is really worthwhile pursuing TESOL qualifications.When I did my CELTA training a couple of years ago, there were a couple of trainees who had been working in China.They said that the course opened their eyes to many things about teaching.They thought that they had been "doing the right thing" in their teaching - but,as a result of CELTA,they came to realise that there are better ways to do certain things.

Actual teaching experience is,of course, important.Also,I have not found everything that was covered in my CELTA course to have been helpful in the actual world of teaching.But I'm sure that,even with your experience,you would pick up a few good ideas from such a course. Even if you don't,a CELTA/Trinity certificate could be an entree into certain jobs.Some employers are obsessed with certain qualifications - so, play the game !

You mentioned that you are a qualified 2nd language assessor - what sort of qualification were you required to obtain in order to do this sort of work ?

About 18 months ago,I enquired about doing some ESL teaching work with the TAFE Dept,in Queensland.Someone at Southbank TAFE College,Brisbane,advised me that my CELTA,B.Ed,BA,etc,were "insufficient' for teaching there ! I was told that I first had to do some TAFE course dealing with,I vaguely recall,work-place and on-the-job training,assessment,etc. So there ! Different organisations,different criteria over what is "suitable" and "necessary" for ESL teaching.

If your think that a CELTA course would be too "basic",then you could consider doing something related to ESP,especially in EAP.It appears that this is a growing area of ESL work,expecially considering the numbers of students clamouring to enter unis in English-speaking countries,as well as business people who want to improve their command of Business English.I have a posting on Dave's Teacher Training Forum on the subject of ESP.

Regards,

Peter

[sojourner]

Kevbris,

Further to my earlier reply,unfortunately there are many employers in Asia who are not interested so much in an applicant's qualifications OR experience - what is of crucial importance is a person's age,gender and accent ! This is especially the case with many Sth Korean hagwans. Yes,they usually do insist that applicants for teaching jobs possess Bachelors degrees,but this is only because of Immigration Dept requirements.

The ESL industry,throughout East and SE Asia is in a pretty woeful state.Not just because of slack,unprofessional employers,but also because of the many under - and completely unqualified - "teachers" who are now flooding into the market. Forget about applying for jobs in language schools;rather,concentrate on the uni/college sectors which,generally speaking,still do place some importance upon a person's experience and qualifications.Having suitable qualifications and proof of relevant experience are essential if you want to compete against the aforementioned "teachers";many of whom,from personal encounters, appear very confident and assertive regarding their self-perceptions as possessing the desired personal qualities for teaching - I'm sure that they would be able to convince many employers ! So,we are now in a very competive industry.Thus,it might be best to concentrate on the college/uni/govt school sectors,as the unqualified bods may be a bit reluctant to apply for jobs there.

Good luck.

Peter

[Roger]

I can only speak for the PR of C.

In some parts, especially the remoter ones, your quals don't matter at all. Also, in private outfits that mainly make money for money's sake, your round-eye features matter a lot more than your experience or anything else. Sad, but true.
BUt, if you do get a job in such a place you are likely to be jettisoned at a moment's notice if the market can't support you anymore.

Then, there are those schools - particularly public ones and school in the more prosperous SOuth - that actually require you to have:
- a Master's of whatever discipline;
- a TEFL cert;
- "experience";
- and RECOMMENDATIONS or at least references!

It does not mean that these schools employ you in a legal way, but at least, your meeting of these requirements will greatly facilitate your getting a legal job.

On the other hand, no matter how experienced you are, you are going to be born a second time as a teacher. They will mould you in their own image. You will have to submit to incompetent authorities that tell you what you must do.
Your personal and professional conscience goes overboard. I am now trying to stay true to myself, but it's enormously difficult. I am being told we want you because our kids like you, and so do parents; but our headmaster doesn't like your teaching (and he can't speak a single word in English).