Job Discussion Forums

krista08 · Joined: 07 Dec 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Surrey, BC Canada

Hello everyone,
I have been flirting with the idea of teaching English abroad for a year or two after I graduate in August. I am from Vancouver Canada and will graduate at the age of 23 with a BA in International Studies and a minor in Criminology. I have been looking into taking the CELTA course here in Vancouver next fall but am wondering if it is entirely worth it if I plan on teaching English just for a couple years. I am most interested in teaching English in Asia or Latin America...(also interested in the Middle East, but it seems that without a Masters or any teaching experience it is not a possibility for me.) I am not expecting to walk away with money in my pocket, but it is important to me that I live somewhere decent, am able to support myself-- go out and have fun etc, and have some money left over to travel.

So...basically.. just wondering if anyone has some recommendation for me as to where I should start. Should I invest in the CELTA course? What would make me stick out as a desirable applicant?

Any advice would be great

Thanks a lot,

Krista

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

krista08 · Joined: 07 Dec 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Surrey, BC Canada

Hi Glenski,

You make some good points. I think I will stick with the CELTA course just to leave the doors open for me, and so that I am prepared (hopefully Smile

) before I start teaching in a classroom.

Yeah sorry for not being that specific. I am pretty much open to anywhere within both South America and Asia. However, I think my top choices for Asia would be either China or Japan.

Thanks for your reply!

Krista

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Krista,
Please visit the Japan and China forums for more hits on your threads and answers to specific questions.

duder_1 · Joined: 15 Jan 2010 Posts: 9

For what it's worth, I taught for about 2 years in South America without any prior experience and then went back and took the CELTA. I think that this order of things was good for me. I had to stumble for a while in the beginning (which is normal), but eventually got pretty competent and this learning process wasn't crammed into an intensive 30-day schedule. When I finally did the CELTA, I wasn't starting from scratch, and felt like I was in a better position to absorb things than I would have been if I had done it with no experience.

Having said that, if you can afford the CELTA right now (it is an investment), by all means go for it. It's a great course that will help you as a teacher and also help you to find employment just about anywhere.