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AndyPhotog
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Posts: 2
Location: California, USA
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 Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2005 9:15 pm Post subject: Just starting to explore, have many questions! |
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asdf
Hi I am very new to this but the prospect of teaching English in another country (my first choice is Thailand) is very exciting. I have a BA degree but my background is in photography, not teaching...however I have strong grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. skills. Is this enough to get a job? Is there anyone else out there currently teaching ESL in Thailand? Also, any other websites that would be helpful...I would like to network with others who already have experience teaching overseas. Thanks for any info you can provide.
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Andy Schrock
schrockphoto@earthlink.net |
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stevelouw
Joined: 20 Apr 2005
Posts: 2
Location: Thailand
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 7:08 am Post subject: Working in Thailand |
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Hi Andy,
I'm working in Thailand. The bureaucracy is hectic, but for teaching positions all they require is a degree (of any sort) and a TEFL certificate. There are good TEFL providers in Thailand who will help with securing a position once you have your certificate.
Thailand is a great place. I'm sure you will love it. |
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brianrainville
Joined: 21 Apr 2005
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 3:56 pm Post subject: TEFL classes in the United States |
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What is a good way to get the TEFL certfication before you leave the states, if this is even possible? I have a bachelor's degree in psychology, and a master's in counseling, but I want to try to teach English in Europe.
Thanks for any help, Brian |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 05 Jun 2004
Posts: 253
Location: Mexico
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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There are various course providers all over the states...usually in larger cities like San Fran, chicao, New Youk, LA. Browse through this website a little and you'll find several.
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 Life is a verb, not a noun - Now Bloggin' and Working Hard |
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AsianBizGuru
Joined: 26 Apr 2005
Posts: 2
Location: Thailand
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 12:14 pm Post subject: Re: Just starting to explore, have many questions! |
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[quote="AndyPhotog"]asdf
Hi I am very new to this but the prospect of teaching English in another country (my first choice is Thailand) is very exciting. I have a BA degree but my background is in photography, not teaching...however I have strong grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. skills. Is this enough to get a job? Is there anyone else out there currently teaching ESL in Thailand?
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I would have to say I disagree with some comments here about certs needed. If you have a good background and education, no need for ANY Teaching Certificates, or if you were a professor.
When I came to Thailand, and before I opened my own training firm, almost EVERY top school here offered me a job, and the salary was about the 55,000 baht range. I have no teaching certificates like the courses you pay for, etc., but many years as a seminar leader, lecturer, university professor and international biz consultant.
It might not be true for everyone, but I found I needed nothing more than a 4 year degree.
Technically, the MOE in Thailand (whom I work for as a consultant) requires only a 4 year degree and a teaching license which a school can provide for you, but in practice, the MOE rarely, if ever audits the school, and never check most teachers crednetials. And, if you are really desperate, you can always buy one in Sukhumvit like a slew of individuals I have met here. Not me though. No need for that "training" and certification.
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Greg
ABL / THAILAND |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 05 Jun 2004
Posts: 253
Location: Mexico
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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Many countries in the world afford the opportunity to teach 'under the table'. One should know the risks though, which include fines, deportation, or imprisonment. I'm not sure what the MOE or the Thai government would say about purchasing forged documents, as you seem to suggest above.
It might be best to check first with the Thai goverment as to what is considered valid credentials in order to work and teach in Thailand, then check to see if an employer needs the same. Perhaps a good school would offer to assist you legally rather than send you on a search for a good counterfeiter.
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Life is a verb, not a noun - Now Bloggin' and Working Hard |
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AsianBizGuru
Joined: 26 Apr 2005
Posts: 2
Location: Thailand
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 5:16 am Post subject: |
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| Guy Courchesne wrote: | Many countries in the world afford the opportunity to teach 'under the table'. One should know the risks though, which include fines, deportation, or imprisonment. I'm not sure what the MOE or the Thai government would say about purchasing forged documents, as you seem to suggest above.
It might be best to check first with the Thai goverment as to what is considered valid credentials in order to work and teach in Thailand, then check to see if an employer needs the same. Perhaps a good school would offer to assist you legally rather than send you on a search for a good counterfeiter. |
Hi Guy ..
Thanks for the private email. Oh, sorry, if I came across approving of forged docs, it was an error. I hate it. I worked damn hard to get my degrees at Yale and other engineering degrees, only with the Law and MBA's, I hate it that here in Thailand, almost anyone can go any purchase for 500 USD what it took me years of working and running companies to get. But, the MOE in Thailand requires NO TEFL "crap". Sorry, but I do not believe that it is really necessary to be a good teacher.
As near as I know, as I do work for the MOE, there are very few reputable schools offering or suggesting forged documents. It is just that ONLY a 4 year degree is needed for teaching here. As is the case in Japan and Korea, also - having worked for their ministries also. And, having redesigned their National Bilingual Curriculum in 2002.
Please do not misunderstand my comments. I by NO means, advocate purchasing forged documents. If I find or discover one of these locations, I notify Immigration (where the Chief Police Military General is a good friend of mine) and the MOE or MUA.
Sorry for my possibly misleading post.
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Greg
ABL / THAILAND |
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amway1588
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:37 pm Post subject: Burundi |
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I am interested in working in Burundi but the web site states the
jobs are hard to find on the web. I do not have a degree; I work as Sales
Manager. My husband is from Burundi and I have a passion for the country. I still have some family there and have visited also. I am learning some Kirundi. I am a quick learner and patient teacher. I would be perfect for the position if I only knew where to apply.
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I am interested in working in Burundi. |
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Keith
Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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In reply to the question about whether a TEFL certificate is necessary or not...
Remember to think beyond the first job - you may want to experience working in several different countries in the course of your TEFL career. Other qualifications and experience aside, and regardless of whether it will make you a better teacher, the simple fact is that your employment options will be much greater if you have a TEFL qualification under your belt.
Keith
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Keith Taylor
eslbase.com - TEFL jobs and TEFL courses worldwide |
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Speedy Gon Gomez
Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:15 am Post subject: |
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On the other side of the coin if you don't plan on making a career out of it who says you need a certification? Don't dump money into if you just want a job for a year or two.There plenty of them out there that you can get without a cert...save the money, get a job, see a country, then do something else. One thing is for sure...a certification ain't gonna help you get a job in any other field...that's for sure.
Speedy G. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 05 Jun 2004
Posts: 253
Location: Mexico
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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I'm biased as I work for a TEFL course provider, but I can add that employers are savvy enough to ask for a least something by way of qualification to land a job. Gone are the days when backpacking through could secure work on someone's word that they are a native speaker.
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Life is a verb, not a noun - Now Bloggin' and Working Hard |
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