anyone here certified for TEFL, or have a friend/family member that is?
any suggestions or recommendations on schools to check out for it?
I'm burning out hardcore on corporate life, and am thinking about a change in lifestyle, and teaching English as a foreign language internationally.
I'm in that state of mind where I'm just pondering things, but this seems appealing on a lot of levels. just curious what others can share about it.
I am RSA Cambridge Certificate qualified.
But since I couldn't be arsed to go abroad, I've never used it.
I have a friend who has however, and she has liked it, but gave up eventually because its a bit short term and unreliable, at least in smaller schools..
Here in england there is work in the summer, but little in the winter months.
I've a friend who spent a year in Japan teaching English. She said it was okay, but the pay wasn't great,... and it was more like just a job to pay for the bills while she took a year off of "the real world".
There's a bit of a market for certified TEFL/TESOL teachers in certain Asian countries, places like South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan. You'll have to consider the fact that the pay probably isn't commensurate to a similar job in Canada or in the US, and you really have to do your research when it comes to some of the agencies/schools. One of my friends worked in China for a year and she got stiffed big-time, and she couldn't really do anything about it since she didn't speak Mandarin or Cantonese.
As for schools that offer TEFL/TESOL courses... I suggest looking up legitimate colleges or universities in your area if they offer them. Most that have a linguistics and/or education department usually do (as I recall, there'd always be a couple of TEFL/TESOL students mixed in with the linguistics/cognitive science majors in my 3rd year Linguistics classes). There's always the online stuff but that always seemed a bit shady to me (no offense to anyone who's ever received an online degree from the University of Phoenix).
all great feedback and it's much appreciated!
I'm seriously burning out on corporate life. I am not looking at this as a career, but as a distraction for a year or two would be quite nice, possibly.
I am looking only at accredited schools, and I will be sure to verify with the orginizations they claim, to make sure I'm not throwing my time and money away. I already have a degree, so not worried about the credits, but it would be nice to know I have more credits out there if I ever need them.
I currently am teaching English in South Korea. (hard to tell from how atrocious my posts are here) Im on my second year here and I plan on staying for longer. I'd say you get the most out of your money in Korea. I've got many friends in both China and Japan... Japan's too expensive, and China's too cheap, and your pay basically reflects that.
The thing about Korea is that English is really pushed on the population. It's compulsory education from grade 3 elementary up until 3rd year of middle school (grade 10) and there are hundreds of private English schools too (i work in both, full time in a private school and part time in an elementary school)
A first year contract here will generally get you 2 million won a month or more ($2000 US a month).
feel pree to pm me if you have questions. or check out daveseslcafe.com
Quote from: detourne_me on July 18, 2007, 03:44:13 PM
The thing about Korea is that English is really pushed on the population. It's compulsory education from grade 3 elementary up until 3rd year of middle school (grade 10) and there are hundreds of private English schools too (i work in both, full time in a private school and part time in an elementary school)
Hey detourne_me, how is the general quality of English teaching in South Korea? I'm curious because I tutored a couple of South Korean kids a couple of years ago who were in a summer English-immersion program in Vancouver and I thought that they were a little behind (although it was obvious that they were very bright in other areas), considering that they'd already had 3 or 4 years of mandatory English instruction (then again, maybe that's the reason their parents sent them to "English camp").
thanks! I'll check out that link.
I would -love- to teach in Greece, but the EU is pretty tough about letting non EU people in that particular door (visa).
I was looking at Korea and Japan.. either would be interesting, but I would like to find a place that doesn't leave me coming out behind, financially, just to maintain a decent standard of living
Quote from: zuludelta on July 18, 2007, 04:38:35 PM
Quote from: detourne_me on July 18, 2007, 03:44:13 PM
The thing about Korea is that English is really pushed on the population. It's compulsory education from grade 3 elementary up until 3rd year of middle school (grade 10) and there are hundreds of private English schools too (i work in both, full time in a private school and part time in an elementary school)
Hey detourne_me, how is the general quality of English teaching in South Korea? I'm curious because I tutored a couple of South Korean kids a couple of years ago who were in a summer English-immersion program in Vancouver and I thought that they were a little behind (although it was obvious that they were very bright in other areas), considering that they'd already had 3 or 4 years of mandatory English instruction (then again, maybe that's the reason their parents sent them to "English camp").
well it depends what you mean by behind... which areas were they behind in, and in reference to which other countries?
I'm 90% positive that most South East Asian countries will have better English skills than Chinese, Japanese, or Korean kids.
I think that comes from the large tourism industry, the American influence in those countries (Phillipines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore) post-WWII, and of course the close proximity to New Zealand and Australia.
In Korea, nearly every sign, advertisement, or consumer product has at least some English on it, or the hybrid form Konglish. Most people you meet will know greetings, food products and food adjectives, and simple manners (please, thank you). While from what I've seen of Japan, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who can speak English.
and SOOO many kids go to after school private schools. but the thing is, they still don't talk English among each other, they never practice. The closest I hear to kids practicing outside of class is when a group of students see me walking around and say things like "Hi, how are you? fine thanks and you?" or "Oh, very handsome."
our school is conversation based. we try to teach good (north american) pronunciation and basic conversation skills, although we do teach several grammar and TOEIC courses.
Ahhh TOEIC, thats the other thing, I believe it is the business standard for English comprehension, and all it does is hammer in proper grammar, usually without context. Most high school students and adults forego conversation skills in order to get a good TOEIC score.
Anyway... Prelate, I don't know how much you make currently, but i'd be willing to discuss my financial situation over pm with you. just to see if this sort of thing feels right.
and oh yeah, totally stress free. i work 30 hour weeks, but do extra stuff on top of that of my own volition.
Quote from: detourne_me on July 18, 2007, 09:41:19 PM
well it depends what you mean by behind... which areas were they behind in, and in reference to which other countries?
I'm 90% positive that most South East Asian countries will have better English skills than Chinese, Japanese, or Korean kids.
I think that comes from the large tourism industry, the American influence in those countries (Phillipines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore) post-WWII, and of course the close proximity to New Zealand and Australia.
Yeah, I was speaking in comparison to the English education in the Philippines (where I grew up). There's actually a sizable Korean student population in my hometown in the northern Philippines, and most of them are there to study English. It's just curious to me that the paucity of good English education is such that for some, it becomes more reasonable to move to the Philippines just to study the English language full-time instead of looking towards local institutions.
I know I won't make the same as I do currently (exec level.. just HORRIBLY burned out on the whole "Insurance" culture), I just want to make sure that I don't have to dip into savings, if I do this. at least not to pay rent or buy food.. if I dip into savings to go on bank breaking shopping spree's.. that my issue, not my salary ;)
Quote from: detourne_me on July 18, 2007, 09:41:19 PMand oh yeah, totally stress free. i work 30 hour weeks, but do extra stuff on top of that of my own volition.
see.. that is what I'm looking at.
STRESS FREE.
life is too short to spend it hunched in front of a computer in an office doing a job you have no passion for. I'm not someone who can be happy just having a "job", I have to have an impact. while TEFL won't change the world, it WILL change the lives of those I teach, and in positive ways.
I really need to feel a sense of fulfillment at this point in life.
Quote from: zuludelta on July 19, 2007, 12:00:24 AM
Yeah, I was speaking in comparison to the English education in the Philippines (where I grew up). There's actually a sizable Korean student population in my hometown in the northern Philippines, and most of them are there to study English. It's just curious to me that the paucity of good English education is such that for some, it becomes more reasonable to move to the Philippines just to study the English language full-time instead of looking towards local institutions.
Yeah, that is totally true about the Philippines becoming a destination for learning English, my brother's co-worker's wife (they are Philippino) is still there teaching english, he's just waiting to set up his new place in saskatchewan to bring her over.
it's actually pretty weird. in the summer here, most hakwons (private english schools) host summer camps, but lately they've been losing attendance to parents sending their kids to the Philippines to study.
so seriously Prelate, if you want a good business opportunity... how about being a native English speaker that takes Korean, or Japanese kids on a study camp/travel vacation through the Philippines. I'm sure you could set it up as a 3 or 4 week camp and parents would easily invest $600-800 a pop, if not more. but then theres that whole responsibility and accountability thing im not too fond of! :D