Teacher Discussion Forums

I am interested in teaching, but I don't have too much time to explore since I am a mid-career professional. I was interested in taking some time out to volunteer teach. Perhaps in Costa Rica or some other place. Does anybody know of any good programs that won't be charging you a fortune. If I am going to get charged I might as well complete a TEFL program.

I personally don't understand why someone would have to pay to volunteer. However I am someone who likes to "rough it." I see many advertisements for jobs all over the world, places where they are at wits end to find teachers. The problem they have is that they can't offer much in comparison to what a person from a first world country is comfortable with. Pay is often low, barely enough to feed yourself well and buy necessities (entertainment!). And then there are these offers to pay to volunteer.

If I were you I would take the money that I would give to these people, that basically just set up the job for you, and spend it on living in nice accommodations and treating myself! You can live very well if you have extra money in places like Costa Rica.

Again some people like have everything set up for them(and they pay for it too) and they just have to go. Me, I feel that it is better to go it on your own not only because you learn more, but because you can give yourself a better quality of life where ever you go.

If I were you, I would take that money you are willing to spend on a program and go a country that will let you work(in most all you need is a bachelors degree IN ANYTHING and no TOEFL cert!) and spend the money on a nice apartment, get settled in, have fun, investigate schools, start working, and get paid for your time! There are SO many schools out there that will work you TO THE BONE and pay you as little as $2.50 American for your time.

I have a Master's degree in teaching and teaching certificate to teach public school. One of the first schools I went to here in Mexico was going to pay me around 4.50 an hour to teach a two hour class, 5 days a week. The cab rides cut my earnings in half! And lunch, well so much for that day's pay. My point is that beware of schools and programs that will take advantage of you. My story is only a shinning tip of the iceberg, I assure you.

I think I am a little jealous of your position. I would love to have some extra money to go to a country and just work part time and not really care that they are paying me so little but that I was getting experience teaching. You have a lot of options, don't feel that you need to go through a "program."

---rant terminated by me----

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.
Have fun!