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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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gawylou
Joined: 30 Sep 2010
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 Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 1:16 pm Post subject: with No specific destination, how should I start? TEFL? JET? |
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Hello,
I am a recent college graduate looking to get out of America! I am looking mostly at Thailand, Korea, Japan and China, as well as, Colombia, Argentina or other latin American countries that are looking for ESL teachers.
So, I have a couple of questions:
There is an 100 hour TEFL course in my hometown that costs about $1000. Should I enroll? or should I aim to get a CELTA instead? OR should I look for a cheaper TEFL course?
If I plan on applying to JET, should I save my money and not take this course? or is it better to be safe than sorry?
Is CIEE worth the low wages and fees? ($50 application fee, ~$2000 for the year)
Essentially, what I am asking is: if I plan on applying to these Asian countries, is a CELTA necessary? Should I just get the TEFL here? Should I aim to get the TEFL in the country I plan to teach in? Is it safe to assume Latin American countries are a good fall back in case I don't find work in these countries?
Thanks |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 3:56 pm Post subject: Re: with No specific destination, how should I start? TEFL? |
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| gawylou wrote: |
Hello,
I am a recent college graduate looking to get out of America! I am looking mostly at Thailand, Korea, Japan and China, as well as, Colombia, Argentina or other Latin American countries that are looking for ESL teachers.
So, I have a couple of questions:
1) There is an 100 hour TEFL course in my hometown that costs about $1000. Should I enroll? or should I aim to get a CELTA instead? OR should I look for a cheaper TEFL course?
2) If I plan on applying to JET, should I save my money and not take this course? or is it better to be safe than sorry?
3) Is CIEE worth the low wages and fees? ($50 application fee, ~$2000 for the year)
4) Essentially, what I am asking is: if I plan on applying to these Asian countries, is a CELTA necessary? Should I just get the TEFL here? Should I aim to get the TEFL in the country I plan to teach in? Is it safe to assume Latin American countries are a good fall back in case I don't find work in these countries?
Thanks |
Numbers were mine for convenience.
1) If you plan to work in a public school the course will pay for itself in the 1st year (bump up in pay scale).
If you ONLY plan to work in Korea then a cheap on-line TEFL (100 hours) will work fine.
If you plan to work outside of Korea the standard for a TEFL course is 120 hours with a minimum of 6 hours of observed practicum with real students.
2) The course will be a help if you plan on applying for the JET program (Japan). It will also be a help for the EPIK/GEPIK programs in Korea.
3) No, it is NOT worth it. You can easily find jobs as an English teacher that will pay between $1000-2000 per month (China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, etc) and they also often include housing (or a housing allowance) and many will include airfare. Do NOT pay for a recruiter - EVER.
4) Is a CELTA necessary = no. Is a TEFL/TESOL necessary = no. As long as you have the minimum of a Bachelors degree you can get a work visa in ALL countries in Asia or South America. There is no shortage of work to be had so pick your country and get your paperwork in order.
Usually you will require a criminal record check (with an apostille), a copy of your degree (with apostille), copy of your TEFL cert and a copy of the information page of your passport along with your resume and cover letter.
Send scans of the documents to your recruiter(s) and then the originals AFTER you get a job offer and contract in hand.
Depending on the country you are applying for and the time of year (just before term start or mid-term) you should get offers within 10-90 days.
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gawylou
Joined: 30 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 11:25 am Post subject: LCC teach |
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Thanks so much for your help!
I am considering taking a TESOL course with LCC (www.lccteach.com). It costs about $1000 and is 100 hours, including 10 hours of teaching practice.
This seems almost too good to be true. It looks as though it is 1/2 the price of comparable courses.
My questions are: does the fact that it is 100 hours rather than 120 hours make this course less appealing to employers? And is this going to get me a pay raise that would make the $1000 worth spending? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: LCC teach |
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| gawylou wrote: |
Thanks so much for your help!
I am considering taking a TESOL course with LCC (www.lccteach.com). It costs about $1000 and is 100 hours, including 10 hours of teaching practice.
This seems almost too good to be true. It looks as though it is 1/2 the price of comparable courses.
My questions are:
1) does the fact that it is 100 hours rather than 120 hours make this course less appealing to employers?
2) And is this going to get me a pay raise that would make the $1000 worth spending? |
Again, numbers are mine for clarity.
1) Inside Korea = no. Outside Korea = yes.
2) Inside Korea = yes. Outside Korea = Not this course but yes for the 120+ hour courses.
3) The cost is about 1/2 that of a CELTA, Trinity or SIT course but comparable to most other 120 hour courses offered around the planet.
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