Job Discussion Forums

[TEFLnoob]

Hey,
I've been lurking around these forums for a bit and finally decided to register. I just graduated in May with a degree in economics from a decent school (William and Mary) and with a decent GPA (3.3). I'm really interested in learning another language. I'm not TEFL certified or anything, but I speak reasonable German, and I believe that I have a pretty strong awareness of English grammar ad syntax patterns. I'd love to teach in Russia or Eastern Europe for a year or two. Am I qualified, and where should I start if I am?

I was given an offer from AEC (in Ukraine), but I've heard it's unprofessional, and I'm not sure that the approximately $1700 they give you per eight week cycle is enough to live on given that they don't provide air fare or housing. I was set with a contract to work for CDL in Korea but a misdemeanor underage possession of alcohol charge from four years ago (damn you Virginia) derailed that - to work in Korea a teacher apparently needs an immaculate record. I'm also getting responses from China, though it's difficult to tell which companies are legitimate - and I'm also worried about landing somewhere where I won't be able to pick up standard Mandarin.

Where do you guys think a good place to start is? I'm ultimately looking to teach for just a year or two and pick up a new language before heading back to grad school. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

[spiral78]

If you're aiming for Central/Eastern Europe, you will want to consider getting a basic certification. This is because you should have a clue what you're doing in terms of teaching a language (the moral reason) AND because the vast majority of newbie teachers on this market have such a certification (the practical reason).

The standard cert for this region is 100+ hours on site, including teaching practice with actual students (not peer trainees) with feedback from experienced teacher trainers. CELTA is the name brand, but there are some generic courses that meet the standard.

On line certification is simply less than what most job candidates in this market have, so going the online route puts you again at a disadvantage on the market.

Most jobs in this region are NOT found from abroad. Reputable schools will generally not give you a second thought until you are standing before them, CV in hand, looking professional and reliable. CAVEAT: Russia and other countries in the region outside the Schengen zone (google for a list of countries) and the EU may be exceptions, as visas must be applied for on your behalf in advance.

Simply put, start-up costs for this part of the world are relatively considerable, and will be your responsibility. The cost of certification, travel to and from the country you choose, and living expenses until your first paycheck comes through will all fall to you, in most cases.

It's not likely that anyone will be concerned with your GPA You can consider leaving that off your CV, I think.

[TEFLnoob]

Hi,
Thanks for the response. Your moral reason is fair - I was thinking, I suppose, that it might be common for firms to hire entry-level teachers and train their own employees, although apparently that's not the case in Eastern Europe.

All signs are pointing to China, methinks. The start-up costs are going to keep me out of Eastern Europe.

P.S. - Sorry mods for the double post.

[spiral78]

Yes - in this region 'entry-level' means with BA+certification.

[coledavis]

To be brief. Old old story, played out all over these boards. Can I teach with a degree and no TEFL qualification? Yes, but you don't go anywhere professional and you don't teach very well. What should I do? You don't need higher degrees, but a four or five week Trinity certificate or CELTA on top of your degree will give you a decent entry qualification where you have some chance of satisfying your students and yourself.

Which reminds me: teaching English isn't really a very good way of acquiring another language. Remember: you're spending a large part of every day speaking English.

[Justin Trullinger]

[chnike112]

[TEFLnoob]

[coledavis]

Of course, you are better studying in the land of the language than in your home country. I wouldn't be so cracked as to suggest otherwise. What I am suggesting is that as a teacher, assuming you're taking your job seriously, you will be devoting considerable chunks of your day to speaking English. So it will require some more effort on your part to learn and develop your skills outside of your teaching day. (Yes, you could use their language a bit in class - and I do when building up lower level students, as my Russian just about allows me to - but I don't think it's good for your students if you overdo this. In fact, I personally think it's rather unethical to use their language much when teaching higher level students such as intermediates, who should be building on the English that they already know.)

[nickpellatt]

OP - Im going to ignore your other thread with the same title ...hopefully it will slip down the page and we can write just in this one.

Whislt the above response from Cole seems a sensible one...I wouldnt take it at face value when it comes to China, which you have mentioned as a destination.

Learning Mandarin in China is very hard ... and some study in your home country first will mean you can cut through the nonsense and actually start making progress here...relying purely on lessons with local teachers, actually in China...is likely to produce little in terms of results IMO. Thats based on my own experiences in China.

Even though I once had group classes with a Chinese teacher who had a qualification to teach Chinese to non-Chinese speakers ... the methodology employed was very Chinese...so totally alien to the way we normally study languages.

Added to this is the fact lots of local people may be more comfortable speaking regional dialects, many others speak poor Mandarin...and its very common that Chinese people completely ignore you when you speak Chinese, and normally say they dont understand ... even when you use simple sentences that seem pretty much correct to you.

To illustrate this...I had a Chinese student friend who was also studying Russian. After one term of lessons, twice a week....I asked her to teach my some Russian, or speak some simple sentences to me. She couldnt. She couldnt speak any Russian...and she is a bright student, and confident too so it wasnt a face issue.

They dont seem to concentrate on communicative competence....so dont expect that relying purely on Chinese teachers when in-country will be enough to make progress.

[naturegirl321]