Job Discussion Forums

[Jetkuma]

Hi Everyone,
I am about to graduate from college this May and i want to gain some teaching experiences. Currently, i have no teaching experience. When i graduate, i will have a B.A in Economics and Chinese. I've been reading this forum and China's forum to find more information about teaching abroad.
My background:
I am a Vietnamese-American. I am fluent in English, Vietnamese, and i can get by with Chinese. However, i am not a native speaker though. I came to America when i was 10 and right now i am 24.
I am a US citizen.
I also do not have a TEFL certificate or CELTA.
I will have about 25,000 dollars in debt.

I studied abroad in China once. Not only that, i was a fundraiser for Vietnamese Student Associate (VSA) for a year. I raised some funds for VSA and it was about 4000 dollars. Not only that, i collaborated with other organizations and people to start the Miss Vietnam New Jersey Pageant for 2 years. As for the third year, i decided to just be partially involve so i only wrote, organized, and managed a skit for MVNJP. As of now, this is my last year at college so i want to relax and enjoy my college life before i leave. So i am not involve in anything.

My purpose: i want to improve my Chinese fluency so i decided to look for a FT position in China or Taiwan. So can someone tell me what baby steps i need to take? And any recommendation on what books to read to improve my teaching abilities and methodology? Should i apply from United States or should i go to the country and apply from there? What tips would you give for a newbie like me ? I always dream of empowering the youths to achieve their dreams and goals. Also is it okay to go as far as promoting currency rewards to students so they can be motivated and strive for the top? That's what i kind of envision myself to make my students motivated and keep on working hard to study.

Thank you in advance for those that are willing to help and contribute. Sorry for the long post.

[denise]

Currency rewards--meaning paying the students? It's OK to bring in little treats and prizes, but somehow giving them money just seems... wrong.

Also--it looks like you've made good use of your extra-curricular time in your college years. Those skills may help you, particularly your involvement in the skit (if you end up teaching kids you may well be called upon to get involved in shows, plays, and the like), but since nothing is directly teaching-related, you could, and should, strengthen your CV by getting a TEFL certificate. Not all schools/countries require them, but they do provide a lot of basic training.

And your loans--what will your monthly payments be? What sort of grace period will you have? Student loans can have a very negative and limiting influence on where you can go. Taiwan generally pays more than China, although the China folks here on the forum will have better information.

d

[Jetkuma]

[Hadit]

You should probably get a CELTA, Trinity, or SIT, as those are the three most recognized certifications, with the former being tops in this regard. Taiwan doesn't offer a CELTA.

You could do a year of university in China if you want, but you will probably want to go somewhere where you can pay off your debt quicker. Starting out, the best option is Korea or Japan. You might want to apply for Japan's JET program, being fresh out of college, you may have a good chance of being accepted. You will have to look into your race playing a factor if the various markets, some prefer "white people." Do some reading on the various countries' forums here, Taiwan's market seems rather saturated now. I would go to Korea if possible, for the money saving. How about Vietnam though, there is decent money there too? You could perhaps get some translation work, etc., as well.

[denise]

That schedule--9am to 6pm--is fairly standard. It isn't all passive class time, though, where you just sit and take notes--it includes your practice teaching sessions. And yes, it is hard to cram everything in. It will be an intensive month!

Deferring should be fairly easy. I had to defer while I was in Peru, and when I called and explained my financial situation they gave me an immediate three-month deferral over the phone, on the condition that within those three months I complete the paperwork (which was VERY easy) for the one-year deferral. $150 per month should be manageable, though, in Taiwan and possibly even in China.

There are two different camps regarding where to take the course. I think it's a better idea to take it in the country or region where you want to teach, because you can use that month to get settled in, start looking for housing, line up job interviews, and get a feel for what your future students will be like. Other people say that it's better to do it at home, where you face fewer distractions and have your normal support network of friends and family. (You will have a support network if you do it abroad, too--it is quite a good bonding experience, with everyone struggling to cope!)

d

[nickpellatt]

Oxford Seminars have a bad rep on the forum....quite a few negative posts about them. Its worth doing a search for said posts, and I think it might be worth avoiding them altogether. Their course is cheaper than others because it doesnt meet the industry standards I think.

Im in China, and I work with 3 non-native speakers...although I do think native speakers are more desirable to most employers...being in-country would probably give you a greater chance of being hired though. I can imagine many employers binning the CV otherwise.

I think you could also service your loans from China...although sometimes it would make life a lot harder...I work 15 lessons a week, and live comfortably....there is an option with my employer to take 25 lessons a week....the extra cash would be more than enough to pay your loans, but you would be working a lot harder...

[Jetkuma]

Hadit: About CELTA, Trinity, or SIT, my problem with any of them is that they are not offered around my area. I do know that they do offer TEFL/TESOL programs around my area though.
I am assuming you guys are saying that i should go to the country that i want to teach and take a class there. Can you guys provide me some pointers or directions to a decent school that i can apply to. I prefer to be in China or Taiwan to practice my Chinese . However, if it doesnt work out, i do not mind working in other countries to get my experiences up and then go back to China to teach. I do not want to rush things here because it will be hell to fix if i make some mistakes while i am over there alone.

About the CELTA, Trinity, or SIT, do you apply for the class in US and then fly there? Or do i go there and then look for either CELTA, Trinity, or SIT classes?

Also, is it okay to have a misdemeanor charge? i am not sure if that will show up on my background check or not. As i think this will affect my visa application. Oh and it was for underage gambling so that's my other worry.

As i think i am passionate about this career. Is there anyway that i can get your emails? As i would want to have a mentor to direct me and help me out on how to do things right. As i respect all of your words and experiences. Thank you very much guys.

[Hadit]

I don't think you actually need a cert. in China or Taiwan, people do them as a foundation to help their teaching, but it may help your resume.

I would probably do one in Thailand if I were you. The general list is here:

http://cambridgeesol-centres.org/centres/teaching/search.do;jsessionid=910E9B40D7FC83BC1DF4A627EAE3E7F8.node01?source=teacheraward&country=ALL&qualification=10&Input=Search

This is the Thailand one (you can do it in Bangkok or Chiang Mai):

http://www.ihbangkok.com/page/39-teacher_training_ih_bangkok_in_thailand.html

Vietnam has some too. Actually, China offers courses in Shanghai, Beijing and Wuhan, so check those out too.

You could go one year in China, but I think you will probably want to try to minimize your debt faster eventually. But who knows, it might work out for you there.

[runthegauntlet]

[Jetkuma]

I was wondering, i got caught underage gambling when i was 20. (the guy was being an *beep* when i was playing on a 1c slot machine to waste time...) Does this misdemeanor charge show up on my local police background check report? Also, may i ask if i can obtain a work permit and work in Vietnam with a misdemeanor charge?