Job Discussion Forums

[Globetrek]

Brand new to ESL Cafe. I checked the archives but haven't seen a situation similar to mine and I'm hoping for some good advice...I posted this in a couple of different forums here.

I'm considering a 4-week intensive program, Trinity or CELTA. I'm applying to graduate programs in Europe and, assuming my applications pan out, I'd be on a student visa allowing me to work part-time. I'm considering TEFL because I think it'd be a reasonably well-paid option for part-time work, in addition to providing teaching experience my education/career goals could potentially warrant.

Background: BA in sociology, minor in Spanish. I also studied French for 9 years, so I'm very familiar with being a language student. I have an MA in Liberal and International Studies (evolved from social work to cultural studies/history...still respected at European uni's, hence my applications there). I have no teaching experience.

For my purposes, is my plan realistic and is the Trinity/CELTA program a sound investment? I'm aware the EU can be difficult for non-members seeking work, but would I still be at a disadvantage looking for TEFL work as an American even with the part-time allowances of a student visa? Is there even such a thing as part-time TEFL work in Europe? Would the certification allow me to teach ESL in the US (this isn't clear to me even after all I've read)? Is there anything I'm not considering?

Thanks in advance!

[spiral78]

As an American with a visa allowing you to work in the EU, you would certainly be a reasonably attractive candidate for whatever TEFL work is around.
Yes, I think a CELTA or equivalent would be a good investment - most newbies on the European job market have this level of qualifications, and anything less would put you at a disadvantage.
Yes, there is usually some part time work around in most regions.

Teaching at the newbie level is generally not well-paid - a full time teaching job supports a subsistence lifestyle in most cases, so don't expect to be making much working part time, of course.

Obviously lots will depend where you end up, but the above should be a reasonable general scenario for the region.

[denise]

It sounds like you're in a far better position than Americans who hope to work full-time and make a decent living in Europe. But, as spiral78 said, don't expect decent wages--really, you might just end up with some extra spending money.

For halfway decent jobs in the US, you need an MA, generally in a related field. CELTA certificates (and the like--non-name brand equivalents) aren't worth very much.

d

[naturegirl321]

I hitnk it's realistic. YOu'll have to figure out if you wnat to teach in language schools or privately. A TEFL programme will help you out .If you can't afford it, check out your local library there should be plenty of bookks there to help you get started.

What countries are you planning on studying at in Europe?

[Chancellor]

You could just skip the entry-level TEFL certificate like CELTA (which wouldn't really get you much of a job in the States) and get a graduate certificate in TESL or a master's in TESL or applied linguistics if you're interested in ESL as a career. Are you interested in teaching adults or children?

[spiral78]

In this case, the OP wants to teach in Western Europe, where a student visa is about the only legal way in.

Going for post grad quals in TELF/TESL in a non-native English speaking country wouldn't be a practical way to get the student visa he/she wants.

[Dedicated]

Hi Globetrek,

I work at a UK university, dealing with overseas students on a daily basis, and I'm aware that the UK immigration requirements for students have changed to a Tier 4 system.You have to score 40 points.

That means, to get a student visa, you must be accepted onto a course which is in excess of 6 months. The course must be sponsored by a licensed sponsor on the Tier 4 register. These courses are either a full-time degree course or a weekday course with 15 hours of daytime study.
With this student visa (which is valid for 1 year) you can work up to 20 hours per week.

If the course is less than 6 months (as is the case with CELTA/DELTA) then you can apply for a travel visa or tourist visa, but then you cannot work. You will be asked to produce evidence at the airport that you have financial reserves of at least �1,600 up front, (could be more now!) and questioned about how you intend to support yourself.

I don't have all the links at hand, but if you google "UK visa requirements for US students" (or similar wording) or Tier 4 regulations , you should get all the details.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

[overnight1]

You sound like you have things together and have thought out your plans. From my experience in the past, as long as you have ability to speak the language you will not have many problems.

Any time your thinking about relocating to a new country regardless of the job the most important factors comes down to "can I communicate with the people". Especially if you need assistance in applying or understanding how the schools or government operate now that you have relocated.

Just my 2 cents though...

Teach English Online

[Globetrek]

Thank you all for your input. It was well-received and greatly appreciated. I'm applying to PhD and research master's programs in Holland, Denmark and Estonia as well as programs here in the US (sorry, Dedicated, the UK is out of my price range!). My student visa would be based on acceptance to one of these programs, none of which is ESL-related. The shortest degree program is 18 months, the longest is 3-5 years.

I'm looking at doing one of the 4-week certification programs so I have an employment option while abroad. If I don't go abroad, I would teach ESL classes part-time here in the US, assuming the Trinity/Oxford certificate is an acceptable credential here is the US (is it?). Also, I really need teaching experience, as I will likely have to teach classes as part of my post-graduate studies. I should stress that my field is not ESL. My ultimate goal is to work in cultural history/museum education. This is strictly a practical venture for me and I need to know if the certificate is a good investment for my purpose. I gave the service industry a try and I would rather teach classes than wait tables...I think.

I think my uncertainty is based on the indications that Americans have difficulty finding ESL work in Western Europe. I wasn't clear if it's just the visa issue, or that British English (yes, I believe there is such a thing ) is simply preferred.

Chancellor: do you have more information on a graduate certificate in ESL (location, length of program, etc)? I hadn't heard of this option.

Overnight1: Agreed. But I honestly think I can manage. I'm a longtime student of culture, and my comfort zone gets bigger every day.

Again, thanks to you all. You've been great!

[Chancellor]

[spiral78]

I think my uncertainty is based on the indications that Americans have difficulty finding ESL work in Western Europe. I wasn't clear if it's just the visa issue, or that British English (yes, I believe there is such a thing ) is simply preferred.


While it's primarily the visa issue for Western Europe in general, two of the countries you mention (Netherlands and Denmark) have very small opps for newbie-level EFL teachers. The kicker here (I'm in the Netherlands) is that the levels of English among the general populations is quite high - the English language needs are considered generally tailored and fairly high level. An EFL teacher with basic quals will have quite limited prospects here.

I'm based at a university in the Netherlands, and know a bit about the job market. Without significant experience on top of a newbie certification, you're not likely to land much work. It will be similar in Denmark - again, just because the general English skills of the population are really strong.

Estonia will be a somewhat different story, I think.

Just to clarify - it's not due to a preference for 'British' English in these markets.

[fladude]

I don't know much about Europe, as for the USA though.... a CELTA is pretty useless. To work in the USA you need a teaching certificate. A Masters Degree + the cert might be handy, but in general a Masters Degree without a teaching certificate is pretty useless (which you probably already realize since you already have an MA). Get certified to teach and it will open up a lot more doors than anything else that you can do.

Most people who work in US schools don't even know what a CELTA is and would just look at you like you were some kind of moat monster if you pulled out a CELTA certificate. If you want to teach in the USA then you need to follow the rules of the teaching community, which requires you to have a teaching certificate issued by one of the 50 US states. Getting a certificate usually isn't all that hard, although it requires a lot of tests and a lot of paperwork.

[Chancellor]

[fladude]