Job Discussion Forums

kkeithley · Joined: 24 Jul 2009 Posts: 1

Hello Everyone,

I just learned about this career by way of a posting on Career Builder from Aclipse. I was very excited and was ready to go by August to Korea, until the woman I spoke to told me they could not work with me because of my age! I'm 49, have a BSM from Pepperdine, and English is my only language. So I've been researching other ways to go.

I then spoke to Katherine at Oxford who told me they could work with me, but I need to get the certificate first. I'm targeting Korea for a number of reasons. Paid air, low cost of living, saving, while paying down debt here.

So, to get started and note waste time, which is the best way to go to obtain the certificate? Paying $1,095 to Oxford is a bit difficult right now, though I could do it in a month or so. It seems I'll need at least 100 hours of instruction, which is fine, I'm just trying to find the most cost effective way, plus work with an organization that will help place me.

If anyone could offer some suggestions, I would be most grateful. I'm ready to pack my bags for this new adventure!

KKeithley
North Hills, CA

spanglish · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 742 Location: working on that

Oxford Seminars isn't generally well regarded by regular posters on this site (and from my my research I agree). The training is considered subpar and the degree isn't well recognized for getting a job.

My guess is that anything Oxford Seminars can do for you after you take their course (and pay them lots of money) is something you could do on your own or with the advice of an experienced Korea poster. I suggest you post on the Korea board and they will give you the advice you need.

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

Not true, usually people over 55, 60 have probs. You can do it. Avoid recruiters, which Aclipse is. They might have told you that because they thought you expected higher pay.

There are literally TONS of jobs out there. I had three offers yesterday from Korea, Taiwan, and turkey. Downside, they want me to go NOW, and they, two of them, wanted me to go on a tourist visa.

Another thing, pay not be the best, but it is still an experience.

Korea, one thing, there's a separate Korea board, so you should ask questions there. there's TONS of info there, and Korean questions are basically off limits here.

Oxford, I'd nix it' You need a course with 120 hours and 6 teaching students.
HOnestly, you COULD read up on TEFL at your library, talk to teachers, observe them, volunteer for the first year. Then if you like it, save enough money and THEN do a course.