Job Discussion Forums

Spirit · Joined: 22 Feb 2012 Posts: 1

Hello everyone,

I'm seriously considering to teach English abroad. These days I'm using my savings from a previous job to pay for things plus doing some Arabic tutoring to English speakers (as I'm fluent in both languages), and may consider to start English tutoring to Arabic speakers to improve my income a bit. I would love to take CELTA, but there is no official certification of it in my home country (it's a small country), so I'm considering to do it in Egypt or Poland. But before I spend a significant amount of money I need to make sure if I am investing in the right thing at the right time. Some info:

1. I went to high school and university at English speaking countries (UK and US -- a total of 7 years living in both countries)
2. I have a BA in political science
3. I do not hold a passport from an English speaking country.
4. My experience in tutoring Arabic to speakers of English is less than 6 months, but I have other types of experience in different areas (not related directly to education).

It may sound a a bit cliche and one-liner, but I see myself as a citizen of the world: I really do not mind teaching anywhere but I just want to keep going forward in life. I did some research and it seems some places require a lot of teaching experience, others REALLY emphasize that they need a native speaker who is also of white ethnicity/skin color (I was a bit shocked to read about it, but this is the sad reality I have to deal with I guess).

Do I have a good chance at some parts of the world to have a good start?

I value any help or insights.

-Spirit

tttompatz · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 4:37 am Post subject:

Bottom line: It all depends on your country of passport. That will be the key factor in employment abroad.

Without knowing what your country of passport is it will be impossible to give accurate advice.

In general however you can rule out any decent paying positions in the majority of Asia; either visa not possible or poor paying positions since you are not considered a "native speaker" regardless of how good you think you may or may not be.

fluffyhamster · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 4:54 am Post subject:

Do a search for 'NNS' (non-native speaker) and check any that from their titles would seem the more useful among the 72 resulting threads. They may well help give you some pointers.

sainthood · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 7:09 am Post subject:

Option 3 - move to a NS English country, stay there the required time, become a citizen, get a new passport!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Andrew Jordan · Joined: 25 Sep 2011 Posts: 26

It is possible, although you are limited in your options. I knew a few teachers in South America who were from non-english (and non-South American) countries and found jobs.

coledavis · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 1838

I know quite a few experienced Russian teachers of English who teach in China.

fieldsofbarley · Joined: 12 Nov 2010 Posts: 47 Location: Mexico City

OP:

I'd say go for it. You don't need to have a certain passport if you're very good at what you do and keep upgrading your knowledge and skills. I was in a similar situation to yours a few years ago and I don't regret using my savings to pay for the CELTA. Of course I didn't stop at the CELTA, but I don't feel limited as to what countries I can teach in (I know my chances are 0 in Korea, Japan and Taiwan, but I'm not interested in going there anyway). If anything, my choices are too many!

Best of luck![/u]