Job Discussion Forums

[margeauxth]

Hello,
I am currently still getting my degree in college, I am a Communication Studies major with a Spanish minor and a Linguistics minor, and I also will be getting my TESOL certificate when I graduate this upcoming June. I am extremely interested in traveling abroad to teach English after I graduate, specifically in Europe or in South America (I am under the impression that Asian countries are a better bet for beginners, but I have more of an interest in Eu/S Amer). However, I have NO IDEA where to begin. Thankfully I found this website and it has helped me a lot. I do not know what companies/organizations to trust, what qualifications I need, how to research, etc. I genuinely will appreciate any information you can give me... I know this is a really broad request but I guess I am curious where to BEGIN this whole thing... any ideas?

[lucia79]

Why don't you take some time and read older posts and this may help answer questions you have. Also, take a look at the website for webzine magazine Transitions Abroad, it has good articles about people who have gone and taught English abroad. It's for those who are interested in studying, teaching, working and living abroad. There are many practical and helpful articles.

[Glenski]

What is your nationality? That may preclude you from most of Europe...

[spiral78]

If you do not have a passport from an European Union member country (if your citizenship is US, Canadia, Australian, New Zealand) you will not be eligible for legal work permits in Western Europe in most cases. The exceptions are if you enter a university full-time study in a European country - students visas usually allow one to work a bit on the side. If you are Canadian, there are some situations in which you can get a working holiday visa for a few European countries.

I will guess that you are probably from the US, given the wording in your post. If this is the case, for Europe you are limited to the 'new' EU member countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and etc, where Americans can still get legal working permits. It is also possible for you to work in Russia and the other Eastern European regions. It is possible to get freelance working papers for Germany -read on the German forum below for the realities of that - there are some current threads. Write off Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Greece, and Switzerland (no, it's not in the EU,but is nevertheless impossible for newbie level US teachers). Without very significant specialist qualifications (related post-grad degrees in something highly specialised ++ local connections), essentially the only way to get a work permit as a US teacher here is to marry a local.

If you are not already familiar with Schengen zone laws, you'll want to google that. You have 90 days in the Euro zone before you have to leave for 90 days- that makes the quick marraige option pretty challenging as well - you have to meet and marry someone appropriate within 90 days to stay legal . (Yes, I'm kidding that anyone would try this, but it would technically work)

So far as qualifications for the parts of Europe where you can work, a CELTA or equivalent is the norm here. That is a 30-day on site certificate that includes supervised teaching practice with real students. In the European region, there are quite a few good suppliers of such courses and for this area, where jobs are not normally found from abroad (you have to be here to interview in person - no-one will be interested in you from a distance or pay to fly you over), it's best to consider taking a course in the country where you want to start teaching.

If your university TESL/TEFL cert included a practicuum, this would suit the CELTA/certification requirement - just be sure to highlight your practicuum on your CV so that employers are aware you have served one. Without a practicum, consider taking the certification course - you'll need it on this job market.

Europe is a highly competitive job market, and you will face up-front costs here. There are no recruiters - the most common way to find a job is to come over in late August/early September and carry your CV to schools in a city or two. Obviously you will be paying travel costs and your own expenses until your first paycheck - usually at the end of October.

Most contracts are September/October through June - summer work is much thinner on the ground here. Again, pick a country where you can get legal work permits - if you read on the General Europe board below, you'll find a current story about what happens if 'you' target a country where this is not the case.

[DayaM]

The best way to get a feel for teaching abroad is to talk to people who've done it before.

There are A LOT of programs and school out there, and like you said, knowing which schools to trust will help you narrow your search. You can actually read reviews from past teachers about their schools over at
http://www.goteachabroad.com/

There's a lot of articles and a teaching job board there, as well.

Transitions Abroad http://www.transitionsabroad.com/ is another great place for articles about every country and how to settle in.

[JezSand]

Hi! I'm in EXACTLY the same position!
I'm urgently trying to decide whether to take my TEFL in Prague or Thai.
Have heard good things about both places but I just don't want to make a mistake and regret my decision. Do I go for exotica or bohemia experience.
Any (urgent) help will be great.
Thanks! Jez

[nannipigg]

Hi All just wanted to say Hello to Everyone....while I am trying to find my way around. I was also wondering if I can get some information and comments about the best places in the World to Study? both for the actual place and the courses.....
I am a Freelance writer and I would like to write a few short articles on fab places to study and why....Hope no one minds the intrusion x

[Glenski]

[SahanRiddhi]