Job Discussion Forums

[nickpellatt]

Hello, a little about me...

Im 37 years old and looking to follow a career as an EFL teacher...I have taken a rather belated gap year, and spent a little time in schools in Kenya, and just finished 3 months as a volunteer teacher in Hainan, China, which I loved!!

I have been offered a one year contract at a Foreign Languages College in Hainan, subject to getting a TESOL qualification (seemingly any one will do!) so am likely to take an i-i Online course for this.

Although I understand from many posts here, the oral teacher, with no curriculum per se, who has to plan his own lessons in a langage college may seem to be the lower end of EFL work, I actually really enjoy it, and hey, I seem to be quite good at it too!

But after the one year contract, what are my real options? If I could write my own career plan, I would like to complete the year in China to get experience, and then teach in Europe, simply as its easier to hop on an Easyjet home for holidays and family visits etc.

I recognise that an online qualification isnt too good, so I plan on doing a 4 week TESOL after I return from China...I can do this at a local school (St Giles Eastbourne) but unfortunately there are no course places before I leave at the start of March 2007.

However, the issue is my lack of degree, without going into a sob story, it wasnt possible for me to go to Uni 20 years ago, and I feel I will be severely hampered by the lack of this qualification.

I have applied to start an OU course, which kicks off in Feb 2007, but it seems that one assesment is timed so I will need to sit it in the UK, this may not even be possible due to my overseas placement....and even if I can get back to the UK for it, it will still take 5 years to complete!

I think I am able to teach, partly because of my work experiences, mainly in sales, in which I learnt "life is theatre", so I am incredibly confident in standing in front of people, speaking, and am also aware of the need to be able to listen...and so far, my students have seemed to a)love me and my lessons and b)make progress.

Now I know people may rubbish the above as my credentials or qualities to be good at EFL, but on my, albeit limited, experience, confidence and a willingness to get stuck in and make an effort, seemed to be better qualities than many others had...I can only measure myself against the other volunteers, but many were graduates, one of whom had just completed post grad for QTS, and two were actually teachers already (altho one was a PE teacher).

So realistically, what can I hope for? Where can I go with this?

I dont need the highest paid position....Im not looking to work abroad and save lots of money...I just want the opportunity to be able to do something I enjoy and believe in, and do it well, and to be able to travel and enjoy the experience whilst I do it!

If anyone can give me any advice, suggestions or tips, they will all be gratefully appreciated! Especially regarding a suitable online course, and one that may carry some recognition.

Nick

[spiral78]

Bravo for your enthusiasm and realistic outlook on your possibilities!

The important element that is lacking in online courses is supervised teaching practice with feedback from experienced, qualified teachers.

If you've got to take something via distance for your current work in China, try to find a course that at least offers a good introduction to current approaches and methods in the field.

To teach in Europe you will need the on-site course, and, you're right, you'll be just qualified for entry-level positions. However, I would think that as you are a bit more mature and have previous experience, your lack of a paper degree shouldn't be a huge barrier to entry-level employment.

You might consider taking that on-site course in the country where you want to teach - the certification will be familiar to local employers and the students you work with in practice teaching will be representative of the ones you'll actually be working with when you start. European and Chinese students are very different animals!!!

Also, you should note that in Europe, language schools largely cater to businesspeople. You're rarely going to encounter an actual classroom - most teachers spend a sizeable chunk of each day traveling to the offices of their students. Most work is small groups and individuals. The regular school systems in European countries generally employ local teachers, even though they aren't native speakers, and university positions require MAs. There are usually some positions for early childhood ed., but also usually require higher level qualifications.

What I think you could realistically expect in Europe would be at least one year in an entry-level position, while you make contacts, learn the local language, and hopefully impress everyone with your professionalism and etc. Later on, assuming that you continue to upgrade your qualifications, it's possible to find better positions. Remember that in Europe, unlike most of Asia, a university degree isn't a legal requirement for employment - but you would definitely need to pursue one if you expect to move very far up the ladder.

Europe in general is a desirable location for teachers and the supply of them is stable. This keeps salaries and benefits low in general. If you're content to live modestly and don't mind working split shifts and traveling around a city, you should be quite all right.

[nickpellatt]

thanks for the informative answer....gives me a lot to work on and think about.

At this stage I will be looking at just the most simple online course...Im quite lucky as I know the place where I will be working and have taken lessons there already as a favour, and for the experience.

As my regular classes were at another school, Im lucky enough to have around 10 lessons plans which I know I can transfer to the college, and now Im a little wiser...I can prepare some materials here before I leave.

Does anyone have any views on the i-i course...Ill be honest, the site looks inviting (which is a ridiculous way to choose I know) and I havent found too many adverse comments through using the "search" on here.

[nickpellatt]

I did a random search recently, and it brought up this old thread that I must have posted around the time of signing up to Dave's late 2006. I thought I would revive it and just add an update of what has happened to me since I posted the tentative enquiry about how realistic pursuing EFL was.

I do think it can seem quite a difficult path to follow for some newbies and prospective EFLers...so it might be of interest from that perspective.

I mentioned the i-i course in the original thread....well, I took it, I took two in fact...a basic 40 hour course, and an even more basic business english 'specialist' course. These got me two throwaway certs that have been enough to secure some work for me. (more about that later)

I went back to China and took the job that was mentioned back in 2006. I ended up staying for 3 terms before coming home in June 2008. I did have some hard times there....everyone does in China I reckon....but the good times far outweighed the bad.

The great thing about China was the long holiday....Summer 2007 I came home and worked for EF at a summer school, and this summer I spent another two months in another summer school...not EF this time. The online cert I mentioned earlier? This was enough to secure me work in both jobs at a slightly higher rate than an 'unqualified' teacher.

I also mentioned in the original post that I might pursue a BA with the Open University. Since that first post I have actually completed two OU courses....and have accrued 120 points toward the 300 I need for my degree. This year I have enrolled in 2 courses which will add another 120 points to take me to 240 total....these two courses end early next summer.

I did take my intensive one month TEFL course. That was a Trinity course with St Giles in my hometown in the UK...and that ended friday last week. Great course, and I really enjoyed doing it.

2008/2009 will be spent back in the UK. The OU study is a priority for me as having a BA will make it a lot easier for me. So the teaching for the immediate future will be restricted to some volunteer work with a local charity called 'English in the Community'. This will just be a morning or so a week teaching English to small groups of immigrants and refugees.

Hope this serves as a little inspiration to anyone new considering EFL. I really dont want to do anything else now....and I have loved all the jobs I have had and the training I have done. Its actually very motivational for me to post this to show my 'progress' since first joining Dave's.

I'll be back working for a local summer school around May next year...and then back out to China August time.....reading this old post will remind me how far I have come...and i dont want to forget that as the cold UK winter starts to creep in!

[Anda]

What I am subjecting is something like this below. You say you have a lot of sales experience and provided you have a few friends in management positions that can write you references stating your experience then you can fast forward at university provided your writing skills are good.

One thing to consider is that most Asian countries want a four year university degree. In Australia this means a graduate diploma. In the US a bachelors� degree.



I sent you a PM and a Email but here is a bit extra:


Certificate III in Business (Sales) at Swinburne University of ...
Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia ... This course aims to prepare students for employment opportunities in sales and marketing and ...

http://courses.swinburne.edu.au/Courses/ViewCourse.aspx?id=22684


"Recognition of Prior Learning:


Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training.

To learn more about RPL and complete a self assessment, visit our RPL website. "

[nickpellatt]

Thanks Anda, got the email and replied.

I will look, but the Open University is the way ahead for me I think, I will probably continue on with them and do my Masters too...although that really is some time away!

I think the OU is possibly the biggest, and after Cambridge/Oxford, the most recognised name amongst our Universities....I even remember a class reading text about it.