|
Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
AD123
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 4
|
 Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 4:09 am Post subject: Teaching Overseas |
 |
|
Over the past couple years, I've read about teaching overseas, and it sounded like it might be something that would interest me. Abu Dhabi seemed to be of particular interest; I often hear of a teaching positions there. I would be just as open to some other countries as well. I was wondering what I should do to get started, and what my chances would be of obtaining such a position.
I would think I would need teaching experience. I have a bachelor's degree, and I could get a state teaching certificate after a six-month program and internship. Would there be a particular area where I would need to specialize? There are content areas such as math, language arts, reading, social studies, history, etc. How many years' experience would I need?
My final question would have to do with my chances of finding such a position that many years from now. How competitive is it? Is there anything I would need to do to stand out?
Any advice would be helpful as I consider whether to enter this field.
Thanks! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 8:56 am Post subject: Re: Teaching Overseas |
|
|
| AD123 wrote: |
| Over the past couple years, I've read about teaching overseas, and it sounded like it might be something that would interest me. Abu Dhabi seemed to be of particular interest; I often hear of a teaching positions there. I would be just as open to some other countries as well. I was wondering what I should do to get started, and what my chances would be of obtaining such a position. |
First of all, tell us what other countries interest you. Otherwise, we're shooting in the dark about what qualifications you need.
Second, what sort of teaching are you going to pursue, and for how long? High school? Conversation school? University? Business English?
| Quote: |
| I would think I would need teaching experience. |
Not always, which is why I wrote the above.
| Quote: |
| I have a bachelor's degree, and I could get a state teaching certificate after a six-month program and internship. Would there be a particular area where I would need to specialize? |
If you want a job in an international school, the state license and 2 years of teaching there is a typical requirement. If you just want your foot in the door teaching in most places, the degree alone is often enough. Help us out to fill in the blanks that are country-specific.
| Quote: |
| My final question would have to do with my chances of finding such a position that many years from now. How competitive is it? Is there anything I would need to do to stand out? |
The market in Japan is terribly competitive and flooded right now. Hard to say what will happen in 3-5 years. Anything is possible. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sadebugo
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 524
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:36 am Post subject: Re: Teaching Overseas |
|
|
| AD123 wrote: |
Over the past couple years, I've read about teaching overseas, and it sounded like it might be something that would interest me. Abu Dhabi seemed to be of particular interest; I often hear of a teaching positions there. I would be just as open to some other countries as well. I was wondering what I should do to get started, and what my chances would be of obtaining such a position.
I would think I would need teaching experience. I have a bachelor's degree, and I could get a state teaching certificate after a six-month program and internship. Would there be a particular area where I would need to specialize? There are content areas such as math, language arts, reading, social studies, history, etc. How many years' experience would I need?
My final question would have to do with my chances of finding such a position that many years from now. How competitive is it? Is there anything I would need to do to stand out?
Any advice would be helpful as I consider whether to enter this field.
Thanks! |
If you just want to get overseas as quickly as possible, many teachers start their careers in Korea. That's what I did in the beginning. I spent three years there, transitioned over to the Middle East, acquired my MATEFL in the process and am now teaching ESL/EFL for the American government. To get to Abu Dhabi, you're probably going to need a few years of experience regardless of your educational background.
Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AD123
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 6:15 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching Overseas |
|
|
| Glenski wrote: |
| First of all, tell us what other countries interest you. Otherwise, we're shooting in the dark about what qualifications you need. |
I think the top one on my list, Malta, would be unrealistic. Outside the Philippines, I'm not sure I'd be too interested in east Asia. I'm not really very certain at this point other than to rule out China. I'd want to know first where there is and is not demand for American teachers.
| Glenski wrote: |
| Second, what sort of teaching are you going to pursue, and for how long? High school? Conversation school? University? Business English? |
I was thinking of middle to high school. However, if there are opportunities outside the compulsory education system, I would be very interested as well. I would think any university teaching would require a master's degree or higher. I would like to try half a year to a year first to see if I wanted to do any more. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AD123
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 6:20 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching Overseas |
|
|
| Sadebugo wrote: |
If you just want to get overseas as quickly as possible, many teachers start their careers in Korea. That's what I did in the beginning. I spent three years there, transitioned over to the Middle East, acquired my MATEFL in the process and am now teaching ESL/EFL for the American government. To get to Abu Dhabi, you're probably going to need a few years of experience regardless of your educational background. |
Thanks! That's certainly worth considering. Korea would not be a top choice, but I'd certainly be open to starting out there if it would help me get somewhere else. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:32 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching Overseas |
|
|
| AD123 wrote: |
| I'd want to know first where there is and is not demand for American teachers. |
Practically everywhere.
| Quote: |
| I was thinking of middle to high school. However, if there are opportunities outside the compulsory education system, I would be very interested as well. I would think any university teaching would require a master's degree or higher. I would like to try half a year to a year first to see if I wanted to do any more. |
Don't plan on less than a year. Most contracts are for 12 months.
Middle to high school usually means being an ALT. In Japan that can be accomplished by getting hired on the JET Programme (you missed the deadline for the 2010-11 year) or a (lousy) dispatch agency. Direct hires are very rare.
Other types of jobs.
conversation school (called eikaiwa in Japan; you're as qualified as most newbies)
business English agency (unsure if any would think you're qualified, as many want people with experience in other businesses first so they can understand what the customers want and are talking about)
university or junior college (minimum requirements are master's degree, publications, some experience in Japan, and some J language)
international schools |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sadebugo
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 524
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:46 am Post subject: Re: Teaching Overseas |
|
|
| AD123 wrote: |
| Sadebugo wrote: |
If you just want to get overseas as quickly as possible, many teachers start their careers in Korea. That's what I did in the beginning. I spent three years there, transitioned over to the Middle East, acquired my MATEFL in the process and am now teaching ESL/EFL for the American government. To get to Abu Dhabi, you're probably going to need a few years of experience regardless of your educational background. |
Thanks! That's certainly worth considering. Korea would not be a top choice, but I'd certainly be open to starting out there if it would help me get somewhere else. |
Also, keep in mind that Korea is one of the more difficult places to teach with many employers being dishonest and the country being unwelcoming to foreigners in general. However, if you can endure it, it will give you the experience you need for a transition to somewhere else.
Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AD123
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 4
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 7:56 pm Post subject: Re: Teaching Overseas |
|
|
| Glenski wrote: |
| Practically everywhere. |
In that case, I would say Malta, Abu Dhabi, the Dutch Antilles, or Manila. Any specific advice for those locations?
Would teaching experience alone do it, or would I need something else? I'm not sure what the competition is like over there right now. Are there any certifications or experiences that would give me a competitive advantage?
As for Korea, I frequently see quite a few teaching positions there advertised at the university I graduated from. Based on what little I know, I really would rather not teach there unless necessary. I'll certainly look into it some more though. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
