Job Discussion Forums

[carao]

Hi all!!

My husband and I have discussed teaching English overseas on and off, but now that he will be graduating in May 2012 I�ve started doing some actual research, but still need some advice. We live in the United States and are considering Indonesia or other places in Southeast Asia. Here is some background info on us:

My husband will have a BA in Education with certificates to teach technology education AND English. From what I�ve read, this should be enough for him to get a job, but I know he would be willing to get a certification if necessary. He really has a passion for teaching and I know he will do whatever possible to improve his knowledge.

I have a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics and have been doing nutrition education for the past 7 years. I know this is not enough to be in a classroom though. I�ve been looking around for certifications and know that CELTA , Trinity, and SIT are the best, but unfortunately none of these are offered in my area. I also work full-time and it is not an option for me to stop working right now in order to complete any of these. I live in Pittsburgh, PA and saw an upcoming course through Oxford Seminars, but have been reading some reviews saying it is a waste of money. Here is the link: http://www.oxfordseminars.com/graduate-career-assistance/steps-to-teaching-abroad.php#3 .
Does anyone have any knowledge on this program? I�m just wondering if it would give me the basic certification to qualify for a job until I can do a more advanced training (which I plan to). If not, then forget it.
I guess I can always wait to do my training until my husband graduates and finds a job. I want to do things the right way though so I am an actual qualified teacher and not going in blind. Any advice will be much appreciated! Thanks!

[spiral78]

Oxford's course focuses more on 'how to find a job and live abroad' than on the teaching approaches and methods used in EFL. I wouldn't bother with it - wait until you can do a proper on-site course (CELTA or equivalent).

I, too, worked in other realms of education before moving over to EFL, and I can vouch that classroom approaches and methods are quite unique to language learning. Earlier teaching experience won't translate much.

You could consider getting the cert in the country where you plan to start working. That can be a very useful approach - the training centre usually helps with logistics like local orientation, your practice teaching students will be really representative of those you'll be working with when you start, and a good centre can give you invaluable info about reputable local employers.

[Guy Courchesne]

Following on Spiral's sage advice, you might also try checking with some employing schools/language institutes in the countries you like, asking what they deem to be proper qualifications and experience.

[carao]

Thank you for your responses. I will stay away from the Oxford Seminars. I've started doing some research on different schools and most say BA/BS plus a TESOL cert. I guess I could contact them directly for more specific clarification.

Another option for us would be for him to get a teaching job here in the states for 1-2 years, while I work on my cert, and then try to move. I'll be honest though, having to wait a year for him to graduate is already giving me ants in my pants. I wish I would have realized 5 years ago that this is what I wanted to do!