Job Discussion Forums

[Johnny_5]

Hello fellow comrades!

I'm so happy to finally be a part of the Forum =)

Here's my story:

Age: 27

Education: B.A. Deaf Studies (Deaf Education/Interpretation)

Nationality: USA born and raised (on the play ground I spent most of my days)

Places I would consider teaching: Vietnam, China, Burma and Thailand

I had the opportunity to travel through Southeast Asia (Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam) a few months ago and I met a lot of teachers. While I was in Ho Chi Minh, I met a few students at a local park and helped them with their homework and English skills. I was hooked! I came back day after day to help whoever showed up. I had so much fun helping those who were eager to learn.
Now I'm on the track to do whatever it takes to get in a classroom to teach. I have a passion to teach and a love to travel. Here are a few things on my mind:

A. Obtaining a CELTA/TEFL/TESOL Certificate in or out of the country and finding work in Asia

or

B. Go back to school to get a MA in Linguistics (emphasis in TESOL), then find work.

This summer I plan on volunteering on a one-on-one basis to help non-native English speakers to read and write in my local area (Southern California). I understand I lack experience but I hope this kind of experience will help my cause.

I look forward to input, thank you!

[tttompatz]

Getting work / visa to work in Myanmar can be problematic but is do-able if you really want to.

As far as Vietnam, Thailand and China go, you have everything you need to get a job (American passport, degree).

IF you are going to go to the trouble and expense of a TEFL certification (not a requirement but never a bad idea) then please make sure that it is 120 hours (or more) with 6 hours of observed practicum with REAL students.

On-line certs don't do well and are often discounted or ignored (as worthless) by any employer who will ask for one.

Unless you are set on spending the money (before you really get past the honeymoon stage of teaching) I would wait on your MA. (many will require some practical experience before you enroll anyway).

Before you spend the money on the MA, who do you want to teach? If your goal is to become a university lecturer then yes, get one. If your goal is to become a teacher (k-12) then you would be better off getting a BEd to go with your BA (probably only 3 semesters) or look to a M.Ed.

When looking at jobs abroad, decent International Schools often have better remuneration packages than most universities do (but you also work more classes).

Look up a few recruiters and start applying for jobs.

There will be lots of job postings for China happening now (or real soon) for fall starts. With no experience you should still be able to find jobs in the 6000rmb-8000rmb range (plus housing and airfare reimbursed at the end of the contract) with potential savings of $3-500/mo).

Thailand does the majority of new hires in spring (Feb-Apr.) for mid May school starts. There is a bump in Sept/Oct for late Oct., mid-term starts (usually replacements for teachers who quit or were fired). Newbies NEVER make decent money in their first year here. Salaries in the range of 32-37k baht are where you will be starting and NO potential savings in your first year. The majority of jobs offer NO benefits (no housing, airfare or medical).

The vast majority of work in Vietnam is either at a language academy or through private referral (illegal but common). Benefits are negotiable and sometimes include airfare and/or housing.

In all 3 countries there are usually lots of language academies (not to be confused with real schools) who are ALWAYS hiring.

Lastly, IF you have student loans or other debts to pay off, GO TO KOREA (experience not required). It is NOT the nicest place to work but the potential savings of about $1000/mo certainly make it attractive to those recent grads to need to pay down/pay off their student loans. (go register on the Korean forums since we aren't supposed to discuss Korea in the international forums. http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/index.php

.

[Johnny_5]

Thanks tttompatz,

That is EXACTLY the information I'm looking for, and it's wonderful to learn of my options.

What do you mean by a Bed with my BA?

What would be the advantage of having a M. Ed vs. a MA of Linguistics with an emphasis in TESOL?

Are there advantages/disadvantages of taking a certificate course here vs. abroad?

Does someone with a MA in a related field with no experience have an advantage over someone with less education and more experience (in general)?

If you already have answered these questions in previous posts, I apologize.

Thank you kindly for your time & thorough answers.

[tttompatz]

[apalj]

[tttompatz]