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jndcruz
Joined: 26 Nov 2009
Posts: 4
Location: Singapore
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 Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:27 am Post subject: Singaporean Newbie would like to pick your brain.......; ) |
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Hi All,
Been reading through the post and there is definitely some very helpful information. So thank you for all those who have taken the time to answer. However i do have some specific questions that I hope someone would be so kinda as to help me out. And if there is a post that has already talked about this topic please direct me to it.
A bit about me, I'm 24 year old Singaporean who completed her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Addiction studies. I am currently working as an admin executive at a psychology clinic which also has a child care centre for children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. This has spark my interest in teaching and children with special needs. My ultimate goal would be a special needs teacher and curriculum designer.
I don't want to dive right into special needs yet, I think i should get some general experience in teaching children first. Also I would like some interrnational experience as Singapore is a relatively small country and I would like to learn a bit more about the world and how they deal with education.
I am thinking of getting a masters in Education but i feel it would be better for me to get some work experience first. And also i think it is hopefully get some travel and be immersed in different cultures.
So with that in mind, here are my questions.
1) I would actually like to work as an international teacher and in the international school arena. So is it still good for me to the TESOL cert or should i be looking at something else? And what is that something else? What other things should i consider if I want mainly in international schools?
2) If i still need to do a TESOL. How do i pick an institution? What are the things I should be looking out for. I would prefer not to do an online. I need a more hands on approach. And then is it better if i do a diploma in TESOL or just an Adv Cert? Does anyone know if there is a difference? I have found some institutions in Singapore that provide TESOL certification but there are so many different subsets, that don�t know which is best.
3) Is it automatic that getting a TESOL, i get my teachers license?
4) Lastly, being a Singaporean, does it any way affect my chances of getting a job overseas, by any chance? I mean I speak excellent english and have studied in Australia. I am very good adapting to different cultures and love learning something that is new and different.
Your expertise and advice would be very much appreciated. And thank you for taking the time to read this and help me.
Look forward to reading the responses. 
Hope you have a good day. |
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Chris_Crossley
Joined: 26 Jun 2004
Posts: 1797
Location: Still in the centre of Furnace City, PRC, after eight years!!!
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:42 am Post subject: Re: Singaporean Newbie would like to pick your brain.......; |
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| jndcruz wrote: |
| 1) I would actually like to work as an international teacher and in the international school arena. So is it still good for me to the TESOL cert or should i be looking at something else? |
It would not do you any harm to get a TESOL certificate, but, if you wanted to teach at international schools, you would be far better off gaining a teaching credential that would at least allow you to teach at government schools in your neck of the woods. I have both myself.
| jndcruz wrote: |
| And what is that something else? What other things should i consider if I want mainly in international schools? |
As you say, you should gain experience first. It is very unlikely that any international school would want to consider anybody who does not have at least a few years of full-time teaching experience under their belt first.
| jndcruz wrote: |
| 2) If i still need to do a TESOL. How do i pick an institution? What are the things I should be looking out for. I would prefer not to do an online. I need a more hands on approach. |
You can do either one of two British but universally-recognised TESOL qualifications: the Cambridge CELTA or the Trinity College Certificate in TESOL (which I have).
| jndcruz wrote: |
| And then is it better if i do a diploma in TESOL or just an Adv Cert? Does anyone know if there is a difference? |
I would think that an "advanced" certificate like the DELTA or the Trinity Diploma would constitute "advanced" qualifications in TESOL, yet these are usually aimed at those people who have at least 2 years' full-time experience in teaching ESOL to foreign students.
| jndcruz wrote: |
| 3) Is it automatic that getting a TESOL, i get my teachers license? |
No. You must undertake a university programme that will allow you to become a teacher in state schools in your country, which means gaining certification from the government. I, for example, trained for two years at a university and am qualified to teach in the state secondary/high school sector in England and Wales and have been so qualified for the past 14 years now.
| jndcruz wrote: |
| 4) Lastly, being a Singaporean, does it any way affect my chances of getting a job overseas, by any chance? I mean I speak excellent english and have studied in Australia. I am very good adapting to different cultures and love learning something that is new and different. |
It depends upon where you want to teach. Most employers outside the core English-speaking countries wish to employ people who uniquely come from such a country, such as the U.K., the U.S., Australia and New Zealand, but it would be still worth your while having a go at applying to anywhere you are interested in.
You mention study in Australia, but it would be useful to know exactly what you studied and at what level. Was it for the university degree that you mention? If so, that would certainly do, although I do know that English is still one of the four official languages of government and education in Singapore. Nevertheless, having native- or near-native fluency is a must when applying for TESOL jobs.
Hope this helps and good luck in your search. |
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anyway
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Posts: 109
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 7:21 am Post subject: |
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Your options for teaching ESL/EFL will be limited by your nationality, no matter what your quals. How much your passport will hurt you is anyone's guess, but some countries will only allow certain nationalities by law. For example, I know of a German woman, many years experience and well qualified (special ed/gifted/etc) teacher of elementary education, who searched for an international gig (ESL/EFL or international school) for a year before she finally got hired at an international school in Chile. She was at her wit's end due to the discrimination against non-native speakers and rightfully so.
Although I don't know the international school scene well, it's clear that most only hire people with certifications, which leaves you out. Many ESL/EFL teachers are hired on the basis of their passport, which probably leaves you out again.
In my opinion, you are wise to go abroad first and check it out. However, it might be best for you to go ahead and get a masters which would certify as a special ed teacher or school counselor (primary or secondary). Get some practical experience through that program's practicum. Then you could shop for international school jobs and whatever ESL/EFL jobs that might hire Singaporeans. If nothing turns up, then you can always teach at home.
I just took a peek at a list international school jobs at tieonline and there were roughly 20 openings around the world for each position - 'special ed/resource' and 'counselor/psychologist'. I didn't look to see if these positions required native speakers, but generally speaking I would imagine that 'teachers' (in the classroom) are given less leeway than 'support staff' (resource/counselors/admin) with regard to nationality/accent. Just my opinion though... |
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jndcruz
Joined: 26 Nov 2009
Posts: 4
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:02 am Post subject: thank you |
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Whoa thanks chris and anyway for your detailed responses. Really appreciate it.
Guess will definitely have to get on with trying to beef my CV up and hopefully I will get into the scene in a few years time.
If you don't mind me asking, because i'm curious, Chris and anyway, would be good to know a bit more about your background and how you got started. What and where are you guys teaching now? Also what is your nationality and how hard was it for you to get your first job?
Once again, thanks so much for your replies. Has been very helpful. |
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Chris_Crossley
Joined: 26 Jun 2004
Posts: 1797
Location: Still in the centre of Furnace City, PRC, after eight years!!!
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:18 am Post subject: Re: thank you |
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| jndcruz wrote: |
| Whoa thanks chris and anyway for your detailed responses. Really appreciate it. |
It's my pleasure! 
| jndcruz wrote: |
| What and where are you guys teaching now? |
I have been teaching at a private education training centre in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, for just over 4 1/2 years now. It specifically prepares Chinese students for study in England and Australia through its pre-bachelor's and pre-master's programmes.
It also offers those who have completed five years of Chinese high school education the opportunity to take a two-year programme leading to the British pre-university qualifications known as Advanced (or "A"-) levels. People teaching on that programme must be qualified high school teachers and have experience teaching "A"-level programmes before they could possibly be considered for positions here.
Although I am a qualified high school teacher myself, I have been involved exclusively with teaching English for Academic Purposes (EAP) on the pre-master's programme since starting at the centre in Feb. '05. In terms of qualifications, my highest are an MBA and two master's degrees in education; I gained the latter two whilst working here.
| jndcruz wrote: |
| Also what is your nationality and how hard was it for you to get your first job? |
I've been a UK citizen since birth and it wasn't hard to get my first job in China since it was at a private chain language school of the kind usually dubbed a "language mill". Even non-native speakers of English were hired at that place. Having said that, though, my current job at the aforementioned centre is my third full-time position since I first came to Wuhan eight years ago.
| jndcruz wrote: |
| Once again, thanks so much for your replies. Has been very helpful. |
Again, it's my pleasure. |
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anyway
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Posts: 109
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 10:31 am Post subject: |
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I should have added that the German I mentioned got her job after an interview on Skype. She was totally fluent and obviously whatever accent didn't get cause problems. There's just a stupid perception that only white westerners can speak English (and therefore teach) although now the tide is turning when students/parents/admins realize how much money they can save by hiring Filipinos.
So it's doable, but I think ESL/EFL is definitely the worse of the two scenarios, poor career path due to lack of options and discrimination against non-native speakers.
I'm a yank with a masters and 12 years experience. A friend hooked me up with my first teaching job in Germany about 15 years ago. After about 6 years (of teaching and a job as composition scorer which rekindled my love of language), I decided to get my graduate degree in TESOL. But now I wish I had gotten certified instead ... doh! |
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jndcruz
Joined: 26 Nov 2009
Posts: 4
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 5:30 am Post subject: alritey.... |
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well thank you for that. will definitely get on the drawing on board and see how best to plan the upcoming year so hopefully i'll be teaching somewhere in 2-3 yrs time.
Thank you.
Wish you guys all the best.
Hope you have a great xmas and even better new year. ; ) |
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jndcruz
Joined: 26 Nov 2009
Posts: 4
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 1:36 am Post subject: quick question |
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A really quick questions,
what do you make of this website http://joyjobs.com
its popped in a number of searches ive done and was wondering if it is all it makes out to be?
Thanks. |
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