Job Discussion Forums

[Captain Caveman]

Hi

I�m new here... I am contemplating getting a TEFL certificate and I wondered what I could realistically do with it.

I�m 34, have 10 years experience as a practising lawyer and have recently moved into freelance translation. In the winter I also teach skiing. I am looking for a way to spend time in a francophone country between ski seasons (ie May to November) while still doing my translation work. This means no more than 20 � 25 hours a week and round-the-clock access to the internet.

So my question is: can I realistically do something along these lines with a TEFL certificate and no language teaching experience? I don�t care too much about the rate of pay provided that my accommodation is covered.

I am posting this in the France, Africa and Caribbean forums - ideally I�d like to teach in the French Caribbean but I realize I�m already asking a lot...

I have a UK passport, BTW.

I�d appreciate any advice,

Thanks,

CC

[BootOfTheBeast]

Hi CC,

Since none of the older hands are piping up, I'll offer my inexperienced tuppence...

A TEFL cert is a good idea, both for learning a teaching methodology and to help your job prospects, if you plan to teach. I'll save anyone else the trouble of telling you to get an in-person 120+ hours one with a real student practicum, rather than an online distance one. There are loads of threads on Dave's about this, pages of arguments etc.

France is apparently hard going at the moment, very competitive even for those with certs and experience, plus cost of living vs rate of pay (even bearing in mind your statement about not minding too much) may be prohibitive for your situation.

Did you mean 20 teaching or translating hours a week? When you factor in lesson preparation and any commuting, 20+ teaching hours could well be full-time. People have varying opinions on this (1hr prep for 1hr teaching as a newbie might be viewed as conservative). If you want to do translation as well, you wouldn't have much time for a life.

Depending on where you settle, you might be able to find a part-time gig with less hours which would cover your housing, leaving your other work to take care of living expenses.

Not sure about seasonal work (summer schools are the usual route, do any of your ski schools teach their employees in the off-season?) or internet access in rural France, the Caribbean or Africa. Hopefully someone with local knowledge (I'm nowhere near any of your proposed destinations) will elucidate. I'm sure there are others out there who supplement their teaching income with internet enterprises.

Try posting on the Newbie and General fora as well, loads of knowledgeable types on there.

Come on folks, I know he's a lawyer but he IS trying to give it up...help him out!

Boot

[Captain Caveman]

Hi, thanks for the reply. I'll try the other forums you suggest.

[TT-Kira]

Tried PM'ing you but I haven't written enough posts

E-mail me at: worldvoyageur (at) gmail.com

Might know of something ...