Job Discussion Forums

[artaudiojota]

Hello Everyone

I hope to teach English abroad, and have a few options. I am an American citizen without a college degree, I would like to teach abroad but really just don't know where to start.

It seems first I have to decide whether to attend college, get a CELTA certification, or try to get hired without anything. Does anyone know if it is possible to start right out, and where I might try?

I was thinking of maybe volunteering first, which might be some experience on my resume.

By the way, I speak nearly fluent Italian, reasonable Arabic, and am working on Spanish, and have had extensive travel experience, would this help?

Thanks so much

Chris

[Glenski]

Most of Europe is out of bounds.

Most countries in the world require a degree for a work visa.

I'd say ask around the Spanish-speaking country forums to see where they might let you in. If at all.

[spiral78]

Just to clarify Glenski's brief point about Europe - it's that legal work visas are very nearly impossible for North Americans to get. Jobs are limited to European citizens - and there are plenty of qualified British teachers to fill the legal positions.

You might usefully try S. America forums, but, yes, you will need (at minimum) a certification. The basic one is 120 hours on site, including actual supervised teaching practice on real students (not peer trainees).

There are lots of good reasons to take your cert course in the country where you want to start teaching.

Training in-country offers you a great chance to get your feet wet in the country/culture while you still have a support system � they usually arrange for your housing during the course, airport pickup, and local orientation. Your practice teaching students will really be representative of those you�ll be working with when you start. You can be sure that your certification will be recognized by local employers, and a training centre can give you invaluable contacts and advice regarding reputable local employers.

[naturegirl321]

FOr Peru, you don't need a cert or a uni degree, you won't get the best jobs, but there are plenty of language schools that will pay you 5 dollars an hour. If you're looking for a cultural experience, that might be an option.

AS for languages, honestly, they're not that important for an employer, they're looking for people who will speak English in the classroom and know how to teach.

[artaudiojota]

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate the detail.

So long as I can sustain myself, a cultural experience is great, they have been the most defining factors of my life, but eventually I am looking for employment to be able to save money for the future, to make a career.

In your experience, would the teaching experience in Peru open the door to better positions, being then that I wouldn't be a novice?... or is it written or unwritten rule in stone that degree's or cert's are needed.

Again thanks so much.

[spiral78]

To make EFL a real career, you will ultimately need advanced qualifications. Most jobs that allow one to save money really require a DELTA + 4-year degree, or an MA. Plus experience.

Maybe try it out at the newbie level for a year or so, then you'll have a better idea if you really want to spend the time and energy (and money) needed to get the quals.

However, even at the most basic newbie level, you need certification. It's very important to show prospective employers that you take the job seriously enough to get at least basic training. Not to mention that it's only fair that paying students get a teacher with a few clues of how languages are learned and taught. In particular, since you have no degree, the certification is even more important.

You can't seriously expect any reputable employer to hire you without any formal qualifications whatsoever.

[naturegirl321]

Getting teaching experience anywhere would help

[jpvanderwerf2001]

If you're even considering going to college, I would definitely do so and get that degree. It will prove very valuable if you want to make a career out of this gig (or almost any job for that matter). If you're not picky, find the cheapest state school near you, work while you study, and get out with minimal loans and a shiny new degree; this can be done in three years, and sometimes less (with summer courses). Get a degree in education, ESL, or linguistics and then the EFL teaching world will be your oyster, as it were. Tack on an on-site certification and you can get in a good spot from which to build. After a few years, if you play your cards right, you can get those cherished EFL positions that will allow you to save some dough and make a good go of it.

Starting without a degree or certification is a total crapshoot. Most schools that are willing to hire someone with such a lack of experience should be viewed skeptically. Then again, you might get lucky; but you'd have to be very fortunate indeed. Even if you do find a decent place to work, you'll basically be stuck there until you get some years' experience under your belt and can justify another school giving you a more desireable position/location.

Short-term I understand it sounds great to get out there and start living and working abroad. However, getting yourself qualified at the beginning will save many potential headaches in the future. My two cents.