Teaching English as a Foreign Language

[Benny Seagull]

has anyone on here done a tefl course or know of someone who has done something similar? i'd really like to teach english abroad in the next year or so but searching for something on the internet isn't particularly useful as there's just so many different types of courses which can range from £250 to the best part of a grand. i don't know where i'd want to go but any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Which country do you want to teach English in? How serious are you about teaching English? There are plenty of countries(in Asia, at least) where you don't need a tefl qualification to teach English.

 

[Benny Seagull]

well asia has always appealled to me but for the moment i was thinking of testing this idea out in europe but i've always though that you need some sort of qualification. is this not the case then in some places? why is it different is asia?

 

[Mellotron]

I'd like to do this in Japan. Akihabara. Job please thank you.

 

[Nibble]

My Twin, yes there is another, learnt at English First (EF) in Hove. He taught in classes in China for a few years and now has moved over into administration for the school and teaches businessmen English a few times a week. You pay for your flight, if you move after 6 months you lose the money, if you stay for a year you get all refunded. He loves it. Met a Chinese lady, is married and lives like a king. wages not amazing but it is very, very cheap to live there. rent, food clothes etc. Don't think he is ever coming back. Been there 5 years now.

Before his course he bought Chinese books that they use to teach primary children in China. Got them at Borders and said it really helped him knowing the basics of Chinese.

Nihow!

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Make sure you get a qualification that is recognised in the country you want to teach in.

A friend of mine (who was a very experienced and well qualified Teacher of English as a Second/Foreign Language in the UK) needed a whole new set of recognised qualifications when she moved with her husband to Australia.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

I'd imagine you probably do need a qualification of some sort in Europe.

With Asia, I'm not entirely sure. I think it's because they're generally pretty poor at English and are desperate for access to native speakers. There are plenty of big chain schools where all you need is a university degree(and that's only for visa purposes). Actually, there are plenty of small schools that will employ you without a tefl qualification. Infact, in Japan(definintely) and South Korea(I think) you don't even need a degree. If you're under 30 you can apply for a working holiday visa. There are language schools who will employ you so long as you have a valid visa and are a native English speaker regardless of qualifications/degrees.

Having said that, I'd imagine that having a tefl qualification can only enhance your chance of finding employment.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

I'd like to do this in Japan. Akihabara. Job please thank you.

I live less than ten minutes(by bike) from Akiba. You don't really want to work there. It's crap.

 

[Nibble]

You don't need a degree, my brother definately hasn't got one but his EF qualification saw him right.

 

[Mellotron]

OK. Tell me where in Japan I work and I do it. Thank you yes chief thanks much.

No actually remembering what I read in a novel based in the area, I don't want to work there.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

When I taught English to foreign students in Brighton (years ago), the only requirement that I had to meet was a willingness to turn up to work.

And I'm not talking EF or SIS summer schools. This was at an establishment that purported to be a high quality language school, with students who signed up for courses lasting MONTHS.

Hopefully the crooks who ran the organisation have now been forced out of business.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

OK. Tell me where in Japan I work and I do it. Thank you yes chief thanks much.

No actually remembering what I read in a novel based in the area, I don't want to work there.

Depends what you like. But unless you're a fat, sweating, smelly computer geek with bad teeth, foul breath and a penchant for schoolgirls dressed as maids/cats/cartoon characters Akiba isn't the place for you! Of course, if you are the aforementioned, fill your boots!