Job Discussion Forums

[liv]

Hello all!
I've decided to make my dream come true and go and teach abroad. I'm a UK citizen with a degree in communications, experience as a journalist but no teaching experience. I want to do my CELTA or TESOL and move abroad to teach but is my head in the clouds? What I'm asking is, without any prior teaching experience, am I going to struggle to get work?

Ideally I would like to move to Italy for my first few years and then move on to Asia providing I'm a decent teacher and I can get work...but, looking at the job adverts on this site and others, all adverts are looking for teachers with experience...

If any of you could answer a couple of questions I'd be eternally grateful

Should I look at doing a teaching assistant job in the uk in order to increase my chances?

Can entry level teachers survive on the income they make (I know my research has shown pay varies according to the country but I mean generally) without having to find a supplementary income?

It's cheaper for me to do a CELTA in London than abroad but would getting certified in your chosen country improve your chances of getting work?

Sorry for being a bit clueless but I"m worried about spending the money on a CELTA and then realising I'll need a few years in a teaching capacity here before I can be considered.

Also, one last question, I looked at the 'jobs wanted' board and there seems to be literally thousands of people looking for work, is this a difficult time? Is it likely to actually get work after becoming certified or is it as much of a lottery as any other profession?

Thanks in advance, any advice welcome, been trying to research it but feel a little lost!

[spiral78]

Yes, it's a difficult time.
And your timing is critical - most contracts are Sept/Oct thru June. Little to no work going in July and August, and that usually goes to teachers already here on the ground.

There are lots of very good reasons to take a course in the country where you want to start working, if at all possible.

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.

[liv]

Thanks for the tip - I think I will try and get certification in Italy.
As for timing, I am temping furiously to earn enough cash asap to do my CELTA and pay for flights and accommodation I reckon I can hopefully have raised it by May and so am looking at trying to get in to a CELTA course then. As you mentioned, Italy has a similar school year to the UK (starting Sept) but if I've completed my CELTA by the end of May is that too late to apply for teaching jobs starting in Sept? Will they all be filled by that point?
Thanks for your response

[spiral78]

No - they wont' all be gone - in fact, you may not be taken very seriously until the very end of August or early September.

Just remember that you'll be likely to earn enough to just get by - it's not a good time for newbies who need to pay off any debt back home, or who want to save up.

If you're coming for the day-to-day experience, you've got as good a chance as anyone - should be ok.

[superturbo]

Good luck! I'm also looking to start teaching and like you would probably get my CELTA done abroad during May/June. Nice to know I'm not the only one and wish you the best!

[Glenski]

"Asia" is a big place with diverse teaching environments. Where exactly did you have in mind?

And, yes, this is not a good time for certain countries (like Japan), but you are minimally qualified like most newbies.

[liv]

Thanks for all your responses, that's really helpful.

I'm still struggling to figure out whether I can find the extra �800 to do my TESOL in Italy but definitely going to try. Crazy that it's only �800 in London and double that in Italy (before flights) but I guess that's the strength of the euro and I do believe I'd get a lot more out of training in-country, if not just for a taste of what is in store!

Glenski- I've travelled extensively in Asia and for me the places I'd be most interested in returning to would be Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand or The Phillipines - so probably not the highest paying countries!
I did see a too good to be true offer of a TESOL in Thailand but too paranoid it would be printed off somewhere in the Khao San Road and not actually meaningful in any other country!

Does anyone think it's worthwhile trying to get experience as a Teaching Assistant before I go? I can imagine that any classroom experience would help but at this point when I'm trying to save as much as possible, I'd rather forget it and gain experience elsewhere abroad ie summer camps.

Thanks guys, this really is a fantastic forum

PS - Good luck Superturbo hope all goes well!

[zorro (4)]

Liv,

If I were you, I wouldn't bother going to Italy to do the CELTA if it's going to cost twice as much, unless the training provider offers you employment on satisfactory completion of the course.

[BenE]

If you like the sound of Vietnam come here and do the CELTA.

There is still quite a bit of demand for CELTA grads from the West and they really like people from the UK. (I'm from near Manchester so have them all going crazy because of Manchester United )

If you want more info send me a PM