Job Discussion Forums

[pkpled]

I'm actually a certified teacher in Texas. For the last 6 years, I've taught World Geography, World History, US History and an Advanced Placement Human Geography course (students can get college credit.) I've also done some coaching. I actually love what I'm doing, but I have a really strong desire to live abroad and teaching English sounds exciting.

Given that I'm a certified and experienced teacher, would I still need to get a certification for teaching ESL? Would schools in Asia want hire a certified teacher like me even though I don't have a specific TEFL certification? Basically, am I higher or lower on the totem pole? Or would I still need to go through one of the ESL certifications?

I'm all set to teach another year here in Ft Worth, but I may look for a new challenge starting in June 2010. Ideally, I'd love to teach a summer abroad to test the waters, but teaching such a short time period seems out of the question for most jobs.

Thoughts/advice?

Thanks in advance.

[denise]

Are you really intent on teaching English? With your qualifications, you could look into international schools and keep teaching your subjects. I think that EFL would be a step backwards for you, because you might still end up in entry-level jobs. International schools generally have better salaries and benefits.

And yes, if you go the EFL route, I'd recommend getting a certificate. Even though (based on your teaching background) you may be able to find a job without a certificate, teaching a language is different from teaching a subject.

d

[pkpled]

Denise-

Actually I'd love to still teach Geography or even history but I didn't know if there was a market for english speakers to teach those subjects in Asia.

But teaching English would be a fun new challenge.

Thanks for the reply and I'll investigate the international schools as well.

On another note, teaching history in another country might be a challenge because of my American perspectives. When I was in Vietnam last month, I learned that Uncle Ho and his forces won EVERY military engagement during the Vietnam War (sarcasm.) Of course over here, we teach that Americans failed miserably in its overall aim but certainly "won" a lot of specific military engagements.

[Glenski]

I agree with denise.

You are low on the totem pole in terms of TEFL jobs, but high for international school jobs.

Don't entirely discount TEFL work; it may be your foot in the door for other stuff.

[Chancellor]

[naturegirl321]

www.ibo.org and www.tes.co.uk are good places to start

[justcolleen]

[pkpled]

Thanks everyone for the helpful links, information and ideas. I have a lot to sort through but also have time on my side.

Thanks again!

[catherineluff]

Hey,

I reckon you'd do well to get a TEFL qualification under your belt before you go just so you've got a better idea of what to expect and the mechanics of English (I was amazed how much I didn't know about my native language when I did a TEFL course!) I did i-to-i's 120 hour TEFL course which mixes classroom and online learning and found it incredibly useful for when I actually headed abroad to teach. Their address is http://www.onlinetefl.com

Good luck!

[nickpellatt]

NB - Do note that the above posters only contribution in all three of her posts is to mention the above online TEFL course.

Please be aware that online TEFL courses are not generally recognised by employers anywhere ... and those that do recognise them would probably just as soon take you without a certificate too. Online certs dont meet the industry standards for TEFL qualifications, and many of their claims are spurious and misleading.