Job Discussion Forums

[theowulf]

I have a bachelor's degree in secondary education (focus in social studies) and one year of teaching experience (2004-2005). After taking a few years off to work as a journalist I'm looking at returning to teaching and leaving the U.S. I'd like to teach in Central or South America and am wondering if I need to take a CELTA/TEFOL course.

I still have a valid teaching certificate and will be renewing it before I leave the states, but the only EFL course in my area is Oxford TEFL, which is done over 3 weekends, only 60 hours, and generally written off by this forum in previous posts.

I know some practice and lesson tips would be helpful, but I do have classroom experience and don't want to have to drop several thousand dollars just to get started.

Is a teaching degree + experience + certificate enough?

[keepwalking]

There are two ways to look at this: do you need TEFL to get a job and do YOU need TEFL to help you adapt to the ESL classroom and thus do a good job for your future students.

In answering the first question I would say a teaching certificate should be enough to get you a job. As far as I am aware there are no in South America which require TEFL/ESL certification to get a work visa. Even if there were, most people work in LA under the table. In your job search it would be worth looking at bi-lingual high schools rather than language institutes. With your qualifications and experience, that sort of environment would be the most familiar to you and you could then adapt your teaching style to the ESL classroom.

Are there any ESL institutes near you or any volunteer programs for ESL tutors? If so, perhaps watching some classes or taking a class as a volunteer would help you answer the question as to whether you as a teacher would benefit from a little ESL experience to make you more aware of the differences between ESL and general education.

Good luck with your search.

[Anda]

I am in China and if you want to work at international schools which are the places that pay the most then you have what is required. At international schools you can be asked to teach all subjects but most would use you to teach what you are best at.

Also you can do an English teaching certificate cheaply in countries like China

[naturegirl321]

South and Central America is easier than say, Europe. The teaching license and experience will help. BUT, top school will ask for two years. If you're looking for places at international schools, being something other than an English teacher will get you more jobs. Play up your licesnse rather than you 60 hour Oxford Seminar cert. To be considered good courses, most employers agree that it should be 120 hours plus 6 hours of teaching

Try international job fairs, like CIS, Search Associate, Uni of Northern Iowa, AASSAA, ISS, TeachAnywhere.com,

Good luck

[poser wannabe]

Lots of jobs in Costa Rica that'll accept a degree instead of a tefl cert. You might also use your degree and look into teaching "normal" subjects at the private high schools. They sometimes pay alot better. But a tefl course wouldnt hurt and there's some good ones down here on the beach with contacts to esl schools.