Job Discussion Forums

[Skipp]

So I'm finally debt free , having finished my degree in 2008 with a painfully big overdraft and a job which didn't even cover the rent, I've sorted myself out and now I'm working on saving up to gain a CELTA and teach abroad.

I've wanted to live abroad for years. I went to a very multicultural university and became really interested in my friends' experiences, as well as being a bit envious on their grasp of several languages. A friend told me about teaching English abroad in 2008 and since then, I've wanted to, not only as a way to live in other countries and gain me a second (or third one day) language, but also to work in a field that interests me...

I just don't know which country to choose first. I have a 2:1 degree in Human Rights, I currently work in a government department (I hope that looks reputable) and I'm an energetic, friendly and approachable person.

I guess the drawbacks may be on my appearance. I have a nose piercing (I can change it to a stud) and my ears pierced three times and a couple of tattoos I can hide. I don't have a lot of money, yet... But can save about �3000 in a year on my current salary ($4877 USD) and I've never taught before.

I'd eventually like to learn Spanish, so was thinking Latin America, or Spain (being an EU citizen), but I'm also really interested in Buddhism, so would consider some of Asia, as well as most places in Europe...

So, whilst I'm sure I'm asking the same question many people have, where would you recommend for somebody who:

Is a woman (so no seedy places, lol)
Has no teaching experience (but has assisted recruitment sessions for young people and very basic language and drama classes in Nepal, 2006)
Is fascinated by different cultures
Has an EU passport
Is a vegetarian (though I can check veggieboards for info)
Can't afford to volunteer, or afford big start up costs
Is a lover of fitness and the great outdoors, so somewhere overly crowded probably wouldn't suit me



Ohhh and hello people! Hope you're having a lovely day.

[Guy Courchesne]

Pop over to the Latin America forums...helpful people there to offer suggestions for this region.

To start, just about any Latin American country suits your needs, and the CELTA will provide enough background to land a job just about anywhere. Start-up costs are unavoidable wherever you go, but should be manageable in most Latin American countries (though if you pick a beach or resortish city, costs will be fairly high).

Being a vegetarian is not difficult in Latin American, but you'll find it more difficult than in Europe.

[Glenski]

The piercings and tattoos should definitely be minimized, probably no matter where you go. Vegetarians will have no trouble in many Asian countries.

The questions I have are these.

When do you want to start teaching?
Can you afford airfare?

[naturegirl321]

Your appearance is fine, just cover things up. I worked at the Smithsonian with a nose and tongue piercing, as well as multiple earrings and taught in China with those, plus some of my students saw some of my tattoos. I ended up taking all the piercings out, and am trying to get one of my tattos removed.

About $5000 is a good cushion to go to, many TEFLing countries are relatively cheap, espeically coming from the UK, some are expensive though.

One thing has to be said about learning the language, teaching English isn't the best way to go about learning a language. I've taught with people who have spent decades in a given country and can barely give directions.

Mexico or Ecuador might be good for you in latin America. Spain as well, since you want to learn English.

As to being a vegetarian, it's probably possible just about anywhere: as long as you cook at home and are willing to pay a bit more for food.