Job Discussion Forums

Kent Golding · Joined: 14 Oct 2010 Posts: 15

Hi.
After months of study and hard work, I recently received a TESOL certificate. My company sponsored me and many of my co-workers in taking this class. My job is tutoring South Korean students in English, via Skype and the internet.
Anyway, I was hoping some of the fine people on this site might have some ideas or suggestions about what kinds of classroom jobs I am now qualified to get, with this certificate in hand - i.e. academies or night schools for recent immigrant ESL students, etc. I want to work in the USA, because I am at a point in my life where working abroad seems out of reach, at least for now.
One might think I would have a solid idea about this, since I took the class, but I really don't. My company paid our way to take this class, but that's mostly because they, eventually, will want all employees to have the certificate. Despite this seeming generosity on the part of my employer, I am eager to find new employment opportunities.
Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

chaiplz · Joined: 20 Mar 2011 Posts: 108 Location: Boston, MA

where in the US are you? Every so often I check Craigslist for ESL opportunities locally (Boston) and find them (usually for summer camps at local universities). Many of them require a certificate and at least some experience (which you have). For the most part, I've seen a lot of temporary jobs though, not really full time or permanent ones.

smithrn1983 · Joined: 23 Jul 2010 Posts: 320 Location: Moscow

There are a number of English language academies in the states, which you are qualified to work for, but they're mostly in cities like Boston, New York, San Francisco, etc. They cater to students who come to the states for anywhere from one week to one year in order to learn English. They don't advertise positions very often, so you usually just have to show up and knock on their door. You're more likely to get hired at the beginning of the summer, because this is when their peak enrollment is.

Kent Golding · Joined: 14 Oct 2010 Posts: 15

Hi. Thanks to both of you.
Unfortunately, I am located in Wyoming, which is about as far from the coastal areas as one can get in the USA. Right now, I don't have the resources to pack up and move to Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, etc.
But, I have close friends in Seattle and near Boston, which makes those areas more attractive to me. I'm thinking a move (at least a temporary move) to one of those coastal cities could be in the cards within the next couple years.