Job Discussion Forums

Coco41 · Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Posts: 3

Hi all, just have a few quick questions and if I could get some help that would be fantastic

I'm a 19 year old (and planning on going with my friend who's 18 ) just out of high school and I want to go teach English overseas for a year. I don't really want to do this as a career, just as a job that lets me see a bit of the world.

With that in mind, would an Oxford Seminars course be adequate to suit my needs? I haven't heard any fantastic things about it, compared to the Cambridge CELTA, with the little feedback I could get online. However, as I mentioned, this is intended to be a job and not a career, so do I really need the CELTA, or some other, more intensive course? These courses cost more, but more importantly, most of the courses in my area (Winnipeg, Manitoba) start at dates which would enable me to finish them in March at the earliest. This is particularly inconvenient for me, which is why it would be really nice if the Oxford course was good enough.

If it makes a difference, I would be planning on going to a warmer, tropical country, such as Argentina, Indonesia, Peru, etc. Darn Winnipeg winters:P

So would the Oxford course be good enough to meet my needs? Do I need to bite the bullet and take the CELTA or some other similar course?

Also, Global Tesol is running a course in Winnipeg around the same time as Oxford is. Would Global Tesol be better for me?

Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated.

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

NOt to be negative, but without a degree, you've got limited options, degrees are often a requirement to get a visa. Though you might want to look into doing a gap year.

If Oxford has 120 hours and 6 teaching students, then yes it's be ok. BUt I don't think that it does.

Even though you're only planning on doing it for a year, you should be as qualified as you can get. Would you like someone teaching you a language that has only studied how to teach for 20 hours or so?

On the other hand, Latin America is pretty easy to break into. People teach on tourist visas and border hop. BUt you'llhave to put up with back pay, about 5 or 6 dollars an hour, long days, split shifts, and lots of travelling.

I saw you're interested in Peru, I've been here four years, taught at unis, institutes, and international schools, if you have questions, drop me a line. BUt don't think it's too warm here, you can see your breath in winter.

Rather than think of Global TESOL or Oxford, look for a course that fulfills your needs, helps with job placement and is at least 120 hours.

GOod luck

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

You may find that age could be a bit of a problem. People are paying money, but when those people look at you, they will see 'high school student'. I'm not saying that you can't do it, you definately can. But when potential employers see 'high school student' they may think 'easily taken advantage of'

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

The thing that both Global and Oxford lack is teaching practice on real students (not peer trainees) with feedback on how it went from experienced teachers. Most reputable employers consider this hands-on practice key to a training course and therefore won't give much credibiilty to either of the courses you mention.

I agree that your age will also be a problem for employers, whether or not that's justified.

Coco41 · Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Posts: 3

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