Job Discussion Forums

[mushroomyakuza]

Hi guys

First of all, an apology for starting a new thread, however looking at the general rate of posts in this forum (infrequent at best), I felt this was the easiest and quickest way to get the information I needed.

I am a BA Hons graduate (2:1 in Creative Writing) with a CertTESOL qualification. I have recently come back from teaching in Japan for two years. I'm currently in the UK but I am planning to go to Australia, specifically Perth, around September. I'm 26.

I'm a genuinely interested, enthusiastic teacher but that of course doesn't count on for much when it's in black and white on paper.

Can anyone speak to the odds of finding a job as an ESL teacher in Perth? I admit that I currently have no knowledge of the standard of teaching in Australia, the qualifications they expect etc., and while I appreciate that I could spend time researching this, I do always find the best to start is by simply asking the question. I will do research, of course, but it would be great to hear from people who've done it themselves beforehand.

If the odds are good, is it simply a case of finding a job, applying and hoping for the best? I ask this in regards to visas. I'm under the impression (perhaps wrongly) that working visas and sponsorship is harder to come by in Oz. This has led me to look into a Working Holiday visa, which I would use as an introduction to getting in. I've known several people who have done this in Japan, but of course, Japan is not Australia. If I were to get a working holiday visa and then a teaching job, how likely am I to get sponsored for renewing / switching to a working visa after one year?

Currently my intention is to go on a working holiday visa regardless and work whatever job I can find until better opportunities come up, though of course going on a working visa would be preferable.

Any and all advice / information is much appreciated.

[Matt83]

I am in a very similar position and from Ive found out so far they seem to be targetting Spanish teachers more than esl. But you do have a degree(more than me) so that might help you a bit more.

[blacklab]

Teachers at ESL schools in Australia need to meet the standards set by NEAS, the accrediting body (assuming it's an accredited school, which is what you want). These are set out on their website:

http://www.neas.org.au/accreditation/standardC.php

Regarding visas, it's possible to get work on a working holiday visa, but you can only work in one place for 6 months max. Getting sponsored for a work visa in your situation would be very unlikely and difficult as even if you find a company that wanted to sponsor you, they need to prove to immigration that they couldn't find a local that could do the same job basically.

[mushroomyakuza]

Thanks for the posts guys. That's a little concerning about the visa issue, but I suppose there isn't much I can do about it right now. I think I'm just gonna have to go and figure it out one thing at a time. If anyone has any additional advice etc., please come it coming.

[artemisia]