Job Discussion Forums

[norbdemn]

I been contemplating this for awhile now. Cumulatively, I have over 4 years
teaching experience in Asia. I possess a BA and a TEFL cert. I am aware of
the MA in TESOL but am thinking of getting a single or multiple subject
teaching credential instead.

I am also aware one could get the better jobs overseas with a credential.

My question is; Is it really worth getting a credential and generally how does
the market look for International schools, how competitive is it currently?

I would prefer responses from teachers who possess a teaching credential
and are currently teaching abroad.

I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA.

Thanks

[william wallace]

Get a B.Ed /PGCE

[chinagirl]

You can do a combined master's in TESOL and a teaching K-12 credential together in many places in the US.

[Glenski]

If you want a job with international schools, you will need the teaching license and a couple of years of experience in your home country.

So, it depends on what you want.

[naturegirl321]

Look here first
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=64123

And decide wher eyou want to go. HOnestly, if you want money and job choices, go for Maths or Science, but you have to enjoy those subjects if you want to teach them.

GENERALLY for international schools, you need a license AND two years experience. Bilingual schools are different. Be aware that international schools are great as far as pay and benefits go. But they also come with lots of stress, at least in Peru. I just quit mine due to a medical issue, brought on by stress.

As far as competitive, it depends where you want to go. Places like Italy are copmetitive, maybe other places, like Latvia are less so.

[natsume]

Norb, I was just about to post an identical topic. (And I am also from San Francsisco!) I currently am a JET ALT in Japan, and have been having exactly this debate with myself for about the last 6 months. I plan to stay here two more years, and then I plan on going directly to grad school after. I am finding that I love international living, and want to continue working abroad. My dilemma is, MATESL or international schools.

The main debate for me is the discrepency in students. It seems, and I am not sure how ultimately true this is, that one will probably have the opportunity to work with far more interesting students going the TEFL route. And again and again, there are reports of how awful it is to work for the spoiled children of the international elite. But I also doubt that this is 100% of the story. I have read on other forums that people have had quite good experiences with students in some international schools, particularly Thailand and even here in Japan. A close friend taught in Bogata for two years, and he said that yes there were some spoiled brats, but he also had some great students. I have bad students now, but some are fantastic. Doesn't that come with the job? Not all TEFL classes are a dream, I am sure.

The other recurring theme; going the certification/international schools route seems to offer wider opportunities, better packages, and a more solid fall back if I ever need to return to the states.

I am still a little on the fence, although I am going to take some prerequisites this fall that I will need if I choose to go to a UC in two years and pursue an MA/Credential program. I think getting into the coursework will help me solidify making that choice, or help me change my mind.

OP, I know this does not answer your questions, but we are in the same boat. I am intensely curious for more input from anyone, good, bad, and/or ugly.

[Marcoregano]

IMO, if you want good salary and a solid career, the international schools route wins hands down - go get your QTS. But if you seek the path less travelled, more ups and downs, more of a rollercoaster ride...think again!

[Chancellor]

[natsume]