Job Discussion Forums

[kvick28]

Hi everyone,

I'm a 23-year-old American looking for adventure. I've got a BA in Journalism and currently have a great full-time advertising/marketing job and live a comfortable (yet boring) life. However, I REALLY want to travel and see the world while I'm young and single, so I think teaching English abroad for a year or two would satisfy my craving for an amazing life experience.

I'm considering taking an online course (maybe through International TEFL Academy) to get my TEFL certification while maintaining my full-time job. The course requires 150 hours of course work and 20 hours of on-site tutoring at local schools.

I'd like to plan on heading to Spain towards the end of next year (maybe September 2011 or beginning of 2012). Between now and then, I can get my certification, continue doing research, and save up my money.

Does this all sound like a good plan? Am I naive for thinking that I'll breeze through the certification, line up some interviews, fly to Spain next year, land a decent gig, and find affordable housing?

I would even considering teaching in a different country if I could live with a host-family and teach kids at a public school, rather than teaching adults
at a private language school.

Also, I've been told that I'll be working on a tourist visa, and after 90 days I can just continue working and getting paid under the table. Is that true?!

Please help! I'd appreciate the advice.

Thanks,
Kristen

[mozzar]

There is a lot of work in Spain, especially in Madrid, but the big question is whether a company will employ someone illegally and if it is worth the risk for you. If you're caught you'll be deported and not be allowed back in the EU for quite a while (I think 5 years).

I've never heard of the TEFL course you've mentioned. Is the onsite tutoring with foreign learners? Or will you be tutoring peers?

Also, giving up a job in a comfortable marketing position to work in Spain (where you'll be paid roughly �1100 a month for 9 months of the year) isn't something I'd do. Trying to land a decent job is difficult even for those who are here legally - classes start late, hours are spread out, etc.

The main thing is the visa thing (even with a tourist visa it would be illegal for you to work for those three months).

[spanglish]

Bad idea. Very bad idea.

Do a search:

- Americans working in Spain
- Doing ESL for 'adventure'
- Doing an online course
- The wisdom of leaving a good job at home for a year or 2 of ESL
- Thinking you'll be able to live comfortably on a first job or even be able to find a first job within a reasonable amount of time (in Europe)

[Justin Trullinger]

Stop and think.


WHO is telling you that you can get work in Spain, then keep working after your tourist visa expires?

Is it the TEFL course provider, by any chance?

THat's what I thought.

Because here's the thing- if you can't go to Spain, there's a good chance the course provider won't get your money.

So what would you expect them to tell you?



A) What they aren't telling you is- there's really no guarantee it will work out that way. Why would a school hire an American under the table, when they can get a Brit legally? Remember, hiring you under the table is a CRIME. Why would they risk it? Many won't. Some might. Those that might are tax dodging, or employment law dodging. Either way, not the most reliable of employers.

B) Even if it does work out that way, under current laws, EU countries check duration of stay in the Schengen zone at points of departure. If you actually DO manage to find a job, get paid cash, have a nice life...sooner or later, you'll leave. At which point it is extremely likely that the nice border agent will yell at you, dress you down, and stamp 5 YEARS NO RETURN in your passport.

Whoever told you that it was easy or risk free to work under the table in Spain is either selling old information (from 10 or more years ago, when it was more like that) or is knowingly lying.

Look for someplace else. Spain is NOT a place newbies from the US will enjoy...


Best,
Justin

[kvick28]

Wow - thanks for all the feedback.

Mozzar

The onsite tutoring would be with ESL students, but I guess that point is irrelevant now that I know I will NOT be going through this company anymore.

I realize that giving up my secure job in the U.S. and teaching abroad would be a downgrade in my finances, but I would view it as an experience, not a way to get rich. There has to be a way to break even. Even if I'm making very little money teaching in another country, the cost of living is cheaper as well. Right?

My colleague taught English at a public school in Japan for two years and actually MADE money (the JET company paid for her airfare, housing, etc.). Although, she said that the Asian systems are way better, so maybe I should re-consider teaching in Europe. South America would actually be my second choice.

Spanglish:

Valid points. Any suggestions though?

- Which countries should I consider besides Spain? I'd love to teach in a Spanish-speaking country because I've studied the language for several years throughout high school and college.
- Is teaching ESL not going to give me a life adventure? How else am I going to see the world and get paid (besides being an airline hostess... which may not be a bad idea - ha!)
- So you think I should take the TEFL course in the country that I want to teach in? Versus online?

Justin:

You're absolutely correct - the TEFL company is telling me those things. I knew it sounded sketchy, which is why I'm doing the research.

Where is a good place for a newbie like me to start?

What other companies do you suggest to get certified through?

I know this is something I want to do - I just can't figure out how to get started.

[kvick28]

Also, I forgot to mention...

Just to give you all an idea of my personality, I'm a very driven, independent, charismatic young spirit and have always been very successful. I really thought that this experience would be perfect for me and I would excel at this challenge.

After reading all of these forums, I'm feeling so frustrated and discouraged! There HAVE to be people out there like me who have made this experience work and are loving their decision. What is the secret?!

[spiral78]

What is the secret?!

1. Choose a country where you can legally work. Working illegally is NOT worth the risk.

2. Get a real certification. The industry standard for many regions is a 30 day on-site course with supervised teaching practice with real students and feedback from experienced teacher trainers. CELTA is one brand name, but there are other courses that fit the bill.

3. Consider taking the cert course in the country where you want to teach. This can help you get your feet wet in country/culture while you still have a support system - most cert companies will arrange for your housing during the course, airport pickup, local orientation, and can give you invaluable leads to reputable local employers. Your practice teaching students will really be representative of those you'll be working with when you start. Your fellow trainees can form your first social network in the area.

4. Have realistic expectations regarding standard of living. Housing is very often to a different standard than you will be used to. Daily living can be much more challenging - some find this exhilarating and others exhausting.

5. Be sure you know what start-up costs you will incur and that you have enough financial cushion to always be able to get yourself out of a tight spot. A little bad luck can go a long, long way when you're far from home and support systems. (startup costs include travel to and from the country, a few month's worth of rent - paychecks dont' usually start right away and most landlords want money up front, and enough extra to support yourself in case of problems).

6. Do your research regarding country and finances and etc in advance. You'll need to pick a country as a first step, probably. Again, be sure to choose one where you can get a legal work permit.

[spanglish]

Spiral and Justin have said pretty much everything.

If you're interested in the Spanish speaking world you could come to the forum on Colombia, the only country where I have experience.

For a good experience and money, JET has always sounded nice.

[kvick28]

Thank you all for the input. After knowing all of this now, I've come to a few conclusions:

1. I'll definitely be taking an on-site certification course, versus online.
2. I'll go with my second choice of teaching in South America, rather than Spain (and working legally).

With that said, I guess I'll hop over to the South America forum. My next step is finding the best company to get certified through.

Last question: If I'm interested in teaching children, should I be looking for a TEFL certification versus a CELTA certification?

[spanglish]

TEFL doesn't mean anything, just one of the many acronyms for teaching English as a foreign or second language (okay, there are some slight differences, but let's not quibble for now). CELTA is one of the types of TEFL or ESL courses. Just get a good one and let where you want to teach and take it narrow down your options. Honestly I'd go for one of the big 3 just to know you'll be getting quality - CELTA, Trinity or SIT.

See you on the South America forum.

[Chancellor]

[donato]

I wouldn't rule out Mexico just yet either...

[tjc2120]

Hi kvick28,
I'm new to the ESL cafe and hoping to follow in your footsteps and pursue a teaching English opportunity in Spain but I've read your posts and the corresponding comments. Just curious, where are you now? Did you continue to pursue Spain or head to South America? (Perhaps I should have sent a PM but I don't have my min. of 5 posts in yet.)
Thanks!

[spiral78]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=891742&highlight=#891742

The latest thread in the story. You can just click on kvick28's profile and 'see all posts by' to get this info.

[kvick28]

tjc2120 - As you can see, spiral78 sent you to the latest discussion on this topic. But just to give you a quick update, I still have not followed through with getting certified and moving to teach somewhere. I'm continuing to work my 9-5 job in the U.S. while I save up more money. I'm hoping to start my new adventure within the next year though. I gave up all hope on Spain, but I still have my heart set on Argentina. Good luck with everything!