Job Discussion Forums

jdubb · Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 6 Location: South Carolina

Hello all, I will be beginning my senior year of college in a couple of months and graduating next May. I would like to teach English abroad immediately after I graduate.

The locations I am most interested in are East Asia, and South America. After the research I have done so far, I have deduced that there is more money to be made in East Asia, and it seems as though the school systems are better structured there than in South America. I have been getting the majority of my information from here, and from a book by Susan Griffith titled Teaching English Abroad I plan on applying to the JET program, and I have recently discovered the Reach to Teach program (is this reputable?). Preferably, I would like to TEFL through a well known program because I am not fluent in any Asian language. Also, I am very weary of traveling to a country, enrolling in a CELTA or TESOL certification program and hoping for a job upon receiving my certificate. Being that if I was not able to find a job in a reasonable amount of time I could become stranded, and/or just waste thousands of dollars.

Can anyone offer me any advice on where else I can look for teaching programs? Any advice on getting involved in TEFL for a first timer? How selective are these programs? Would one particular country be better than another as far as ease of adaptability for someone with no experience in TEFL?

thanks,
Justin

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

DOn't forget that in ASia you're far more likely to get flights and housing.

YOu don't need to go through a recruiter, it's best to find your own jobs. Sure you can do a CELTA; SIT, or Trinity course, but look for jobs here at eslcafe.com, tefl.com or eslbase.com

There are TONS of jobs, especially where you're looking. If you want to work legally, you might have better luck in ASia. YOu should have no probs getting a job after you finish your TEFL cert, if you have a degree and are a native speaker.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

A job with JET is probably the best starting job in Japan, but there is no guarantee you'll get it, and the application process is lengthy. Plus, the market in Japan is flooded. If you absolutely must pursue this, I'd suggest trying to get an interview with one of the bigger eikaiwa (conversation schools) here in your home country.
ECC
AEON
GEOS
Berlitz
G-COM (formerly NOVA)

Read up on them before applying, though.

Chancellor · Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject: Re: Interested in teaching abroad

jdubb · Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 6 Location: South Carolina

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Chancellor, it is not so much that I am worried about taking a TEFL certification course overseas, as I am receiving the certification and not being able to find a job. In that case I would be in a foreign country where I don't really know anyone, have little money, and either little to no understanding of the countries' language. That is what scares me. I would take a TEFL certification course here in the states, however there isn't a school within 300 miles of where I live. Either way I would be paying for my room and boarding costs, so I guess it would be better in my case to take the certification course in the country I wish to teach.

What advice can you all give me regarding contracts with schools once I have an actual job offer? I do not know how to read any Asian language and would thus not want to sign anything given to me in said languages.

Are there any programs resembling JET but for South (or Latin) America?

A friend of mine is interested in participating in TEFL with me. I heard that because we are both white American males that our worth as teachers would be increased since we are a pair, and it may be easier for us to find work.

Also, how much easier is it to be accepted and work through reach 2 teach than the JET program?

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Contract will never been just in the country's langauge. They'll either be in English or English and another language.

No JET programmes taht I know of for Latin America. Latin America's probably not that organised.

About Jet vs. Reach to teach, I'm guessing JET is longer and harder.

Chancellor · Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject:

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Chancellor, it is not so much that I am worried about taking a TEFL certification course overseas, as I am receiving the certification and not being able to find a job. In that case I would be in a foreign country where I don't really know anyone, have little money, and either little to no understanding of the countries' language. That is what scares me. I would take a TEFL certification course here in the states, however there isn't a school within 300 miles of where I live. Either way I would be paying for my room and boarding costs, so I guess it would be better in my case to take the certification course in the country I wish to teach.

Training centres normally offer more help than you are imagining. � 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 and should give you invaluable contacts and advice regarding reputable local employers.

They are unlikely to abandon you to the streets, without any uderstanding of the local language and no clues about who to contact and what to do.

Chancellor, have you left your home country yet? Very Happy

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

jdubb · Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 6 Location: South Carolina

I have only traveled throughout North America, a few trips to Mexico, Canada, all over the United States. I picked the places I did because I WANT to have culture shock, I want an adventure, I want to be enveloped in a culture completely alien from my own and/or anything I have encountered. I pride myself in my ability to speak to anyone, any where, any time. I currently employed at the university where I am studying. At my job I interact with exchange students on a regular basis. Even though I don't necessarily speak the students' languages, I still manage to communicate with them effectively. Also, last summer I was a door to door marketer for a small privately owned company. I spoke to homeowners of a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Some neighborhoods contained houses with an average cost of $70k, others 2 or 3 million. I guess having this kind of employment experience makes me feel that I would be able to handle the challenge of TEFL.

The career center at the business school at my university told me that some schools have classes which are segregated by sex, as well as the dormitories and that male teachers are in a higher demand because of this. I was told that male teachers are needed as a type of chaperon/resident administrator for these dormitories. Is there no truth to this? If this is not true, I am somewhat disappointed in my school seeing as how we have the #1 graduate international business program in the U.S.. My companion is just a friend, we are not married nor homosexual.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Northern Sol · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 24

Chancellor · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject:

Chancellor · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:25 pm Post subject:

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Chancellor, sorry to doubt you . But it's the 'lived in' bit that counts - I've visited 32 countries to date, but that's not at all the same as 'lived in,' in terms of understanding what it's like to relocate to a new country, especially one where the language is very different.

Your Japan experience definitely counts, obviously Smile

Not that it's important, but I've lived in (more than 1 year) 5 countries. Visited Croatia for 5 months, Russia for 4. All others on my list, 2 weeks or less. Not enough to count, other than as a total tourist:)