Comments on: 5 Steps to Get You Hired as an English Teacher Abroad http://studenomics.com/outside-the-box-thinking/5-steps-to-get-you-hired-as-an-english-teacher-abroad/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:03:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Girl-One http://studenomics.com/outside-the-box-thinking/5-steps-to-get-you-hired-as-an-english-teacher-abroad/#comment-82191 Girl-One Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:08:20 +0000 http://studenomics.com/?p=3293#comment-82191 @Emily If you really want to make a career out of teaching English internationally, you can major in whatever you want! You have enough foreign language skills to get around Europe pretty well, and as long as you already speak English and know grammar well, you will know enough to teach. I went to an expensive private school and got a bachelor's in film production, had no job offers in the US for over a year and now have an offer to teach English as a foreign lanuage in Spain! My advice, from personal experience is: 1. go to the college where you will end up with the least debt 2. go to school where you want to work 3. take the TEFL certificate course (even online) because foreign language school really like it if you have that and the online one is cheap- around $300 This is a really interesting exchange of ideas! I actually am looking for advice myself- As I mentioned I have an offer to teach English in Spain in October, which would be so much fun (and I've lived in Europe before,so I know) but very low paying, and I also got a job offer in Project Management in the US, which is a really good job in a well paying field, but I'm so bored! (Example, there is nothing for me to do right now, so I'm writing this at work.) When it rains it pours! I had no offers, and now I have two very different offers. Both have positives and negatives. What should I do? @Emily
If you really want to make a career out of teaching English internationally, you can major in whatever you want! You have enough foreign language skills to get around Europe pretty well, and as long as you already speak English and know grammar well, you will know enough to teach. I went to an expensive private school and got a bachelor’s in film production, had no job offers in the US for over a year and now have an offer to teach English as a foreign lanuage in Spain! My advice, from personal experience is:
1. go to the college where you will end up with the least debt
2. go to school where you want to work
3. take the TEFL certificate course (even online) because foreign language school really like it if you have that and the online one is cheap- around $300

This is a really interesting exchange of ideas! I actually am looking for advice myself- As I mentioned I have an offer to teach English in Spain in October, which would be so much fun (and I’ve lived in Europe before,so I know) but very low paying, and I also got a job offer in Project Management in the US, which is a really good job in a well paying field, but I’m so bored! (Example, there is nothing for me to do right now, so I’m writing this at work.) When it rains it pours! I had no offers, and now I have two very different offers. Both have positives and negatives. What should I do?

]]> By: Emily http://studenomics.com/outside-the-box-thinking/5-steps-to-get-you-hired-as-an-english-teacher-abroad/#comment-77257 Emily Thu, 09 Jun 2011 02:01:24 +0000 http://studenomics.com/?p=3293#comment-77257 I'm soon to be a Senior in highschool, and I'm pretty certain that I'd like to make a career out of teaching English internationally. What I can't figure out is if I'm on the right track. I've found plenty of information about TEFL and TESL etc. courses, but they're generally a 2-month course or something of that sort. No one I've spoken to seems to know what to tell me; one guidance counselor said double major in English and the language of my choice, then go for a masters in education; another said major in education with an emphasis on language; I've lost track of other recommendations, but each was different and no one seemed really confident about what they said. I suppose what I'm getting at is, what major should I be looking at?? I'm currently set on a path to a senior year stacked with French3, Spanish4, Latin4, AP English, AP psych (I figured this would be applicable in any form of education), and a couple of music courses (I'd like to minor in music), as well as studying Arabic independently (standard as well as the Moroccan dialect). Is it foolish to neglect math (only advanced math classes with notoriously heavy workloads were offered to me, as I have already completed Precalc, which is generally a senior class) and science? How important is it to attend a top-name school (if I were by some miracle accepted to an Ivy League or something of similar standing, would it be worth the price, or would I be better off finishing with minimal debt at a less selective college?). Thank you soo much to anyone who can offer any advice, several google searches and numerous library trips have landed me on this site and I truly appreciate anything at all that can be offered. I’m soon to be a Senior in highschool, and I’m pretty certain that I’d like to make a career out of teaching English internationally. What I can’t figure out is if I’m on the right track. I’ve found plenty of information about TEFL and TESL etc. courses, but they’re generally a 2-month course or something of that sort. No one I’ve spoken to seems to know what to tell me; one guidance counselor said double major in English and the language of my choice, then go for a masters in education; another said major in education with an emphasis on language; I’ve lost track of other recommendations, but each was different and no one seemed really confident about what they said.

I suppose what I’m getting at is, what major should I be looking at?? I’m currently set on a path to a senior year stacked with French3, Spanish4, Latin4, AP English, AP psych (I figured this would be applicable in any form of education), and a couple of music courses (I’d like to minor in music), as well as studying Arabic independently (standard as well as the Moroccan dialect). Is it foolish to neglect math (only advanced math classes with notoriously heavy workloads were offered to me, as I have already completed Precalc, which is generally a senior class) and science? How important is it to attend a top-name school (if I were by some miracle accepted to an Ivy League or something of similar standing, would it be worth the price, or would I be better off finishing with minimal debt at a less selective college?). Thank you soo much to anyone who can offer any advice, several google searches and numerous library trips have landed me on this site and I truly appreciate anything at all that can be offered.

]]> By: Cheryl http://studenomics.com/outside-the-box-thinking/5-steps-to-get-you-hired-as-an-english-teacher-abroad/#comment-19890 Cheryl Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:57:22 +0000 http://studenomics.com/?p=3293#comment-19890 As a pretty recent college graduate (last May), I have had a horrible experience trying to find a decent job (not retail). Even a few internships didn't want me, because they wanted more experience, more skills, more previous internships. (Internships!!!) I didn't have time to take part in an un-paid internship in college- I was more focused on working jobs that could get me through college. So, as I grew more frustrated, I decided to apply to teach English in Shanghai. Well, everything went through like cakework, and I'm set to leave next month for a year. Fortunately, I did focus my history major around Asia/minored in Japanese, took a research trip to China (instead of taking an unpaid internship), and formed good relations with our professors specializing in Asia and my boss at the office I worked through college. There are some schools that are only looking for semester long teachers, and a TEFL certification certainly helps in some countries. Countries like China require just a bachelors and native English speaking abilities. You don't even need to speak Chinese. But, it's definitely not for everyone. The JET program- http://www.jetprogramme.org - is an excellent, excellent program through the Japanese government for teaching in Japan, or even placing you in a business if you speak Japanese. Unfortunately, they are getting record high applicants, and they are very, very selective. Otherwise, there's always the job boards like at http://www.eslcafe.com/, or you can pay an agency or company to help line up a job for you. As a pretty recent college graduate (last May), I have had a horrible experience trying to find a decent job (not retail). Even a few internships didn’t want me, because they wanted more experience, more skills, more previous internships. (Internships!!!) I didn’t have time to take part in an un-paid internship in college- I was more focused on working jobs that could get me through college.

So, as I grew more frustrated, I decided to apply to teach English in Shanghai. Well, everything went through like cakework, and I’m set to leave next month for a year. Fortunately, I did focus my history major around Asia/minored in Japanese, took a research trip to China (instead of taking an unpaid internship), and formed good relations with our professors specializing in Asia and my boss at the office I worked through college.

There are some schools that are only looking for semester long teachers, and a TEFL certification certainly helps in some countries. Countries like China require just a bachelors and native English speaking abilities. You don’t even need to speak Chinese. But, it’s definitely not for everyone.

The JET program- http://www.jetprogramme.org – is an excellent, excellent program through the Japanese government for teaching in Japan, or even placing you in a business if you speak Japanese. Unfortunately, they are getting record high applicants, and they are very, very selective. Otherwise, there’s always the job boards like at http://www.eslcafe.com/, or you can pay an agency or company to help line up a job for you.

]]> By: Austin http://studenomics.com/outside-the-box-thinking/5-steps-to-get-you-hired-as-an-english-teacher-abroad/#comment-19330 Austin Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:56:29 +0000 http://studenomics.com/?p=3293#comment-19330 At our pre-departure orientation in Chicago the MC introduced a woman who was going back for her second round of teaching in Japan. She was 33 or 34 and had a kid. This time she was going back with her family. Teaching abroad doesn't have to be something you do the second you graduate, but it's a feasible option for anyone who's just looking for a change. At our pre-departure orientation in Chicago the MC introduced a woman who was going back for her second round of teaching in Japan. She was 33 or 34 and had a kid. This time she was going back with her family.

Teaching abroad doesn’t have to be something you do the second you graduate, but it’s a feasible option for anyone who’s just looking for a change.

]]> By: Studenomist http://studenomics.com/outside-the-box-thinking/5-steps-to-get-you-hired-as-an-english-teacher-abroad/#comment-19328 Studenomist Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:34:26 +0000 http://studenomics.com/?p=3293#comment-19328 Hey guys! I just wanted to step in quickly and say this- teaching English abroad after college is something that most college students will never even consider. With the power of word of mouth traveling so quickly through the internet, a new opportunity comes alive for college students. The idea itself is clearly not for everyone (my family would kill me if I tried leaving for a year) but I greatly appreciate the fact that Austin has opened up a new idea for Studenomics readers. Many college students have careers lined up for the moment they step out of college. Other college students have no clue as to what their future holds. In my opinion I think we should all keep our options open at all times. Hey guys!

I just wanted to step in quickly and say this- teaching English abroad after college is something that most college students will never even consider. With the power of word of mouth traveling so quickly through the internet, a new opportunity comes alive for college students.

The idea itself is clearly not for everyone (my family would kill me if I tried leaving for a year) but I greatly appreciate the fact that Austin has opened up a new idea for Studenomics readers.

Many college students have careers lined up for the moment they step out of college. Other college students have no clue as to what their future holds. In my opinion I think we should all keep our options open at all times.

]]> By: Edwin http://studenomics.com/outside-the-box-thinking/5-steps-to-get-you-hired-as-an-english-teacher-abroad/#comment-19230 Edwin Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:24:01 +0000 http://studenomics.com/?p=3293#comment-19230 @Austin It can be difficult for people to make those choices when they have easier and more stable options available to them. Being both a business and economics person myself, I actually enjoy both fields immensely although I only work in business. Honestly when I graduated I never even considered other options, it just wasn't on my radar. People tend to view the professions as boring and tedious or as you say, requiring an exchange of sanity for money. I tend to disagree with this view though and think it can be quite interesting and challenging. Of course those professions also tend to come with a heftier paycheck. @Austin
It can be difficult for people to make those choices when they have easier and more stable options available to them. Being both a business and economics person myself, I actually enjoy both fields immensely although I only work in business. Honestly when I graduated I never even considered other options, it just wasn’t on my radar.

People tend to view the professions as boring and tedious or as you say, requiring an exchange of sanity for money. I tend to disagree with this view though and think it can be quite interesting and challenging. Of course those professions also tend to come with a heftier paycheck.

]]> By: Austin http://studenomics.com/outside-the-box-thinking/5-steps-to-get-you-hired-as-an-english-teacher-abroad/#comment-19219 Austin Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:49:06 +0000 http://studenomics.com/?p=3293#comment-19219 Hey, this is Austin the author of this article. @James The rewards are huge you're right. I'll be very surprised if I ever have another job where I like so much about the job outside of the job! From travel to compensation to new friends to independent living; it's a great thing for me at this time in my life. @Edwin I agree, but think it's sad that we have to suffer through a recession for people to try interesting and off-beat job choices. It's never too late to take a gap year or two and travel and teach. Even econ or business majors will grow from an experience. I wonder, what makes a good economic climate make students take jobs that pay well in exchange for their sanity? Hey, this is Austin the author of this article.

@James
The rewards are huge you’re right. I’ll be very surprised if I ever have another job where I like so much about the job outside of the job! From travel to compensation to new friends to independent living; it’s a great thing for me at this time in my life.

@Edwin
I agree, but think it’s sad that we have to suffer through a recession for people to try interesting and off-beat job choices. It’s never too late to take a gap year or two and travel and teach. Even econ or business majors will grow from an experience. I wonder, what makes a good economic climate make students take jobs that pay well in exchange for their sanity?

]]> By: Edwin http://studenomics.com/outside-the-box-thinking/5-steps-to-get-you-hired-as-an-english-teacher-abroad/#comment-19208 Edwin Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:15:19 +0000 http://studenomics.com/?p=3293#comment-19208 You've highlighted one advantage (if you can call it that) of graduating in a poor economic environment, which is that you give up much less by choosing to take risks. This includes teaching English abroad, starting a business, going into a field that you like rather than one that just pays well, etc. Since you don't have an easy well paying job lined up you are a lot more willing to take these risks. You’ve highlighted one advantage (if you can call it that) of graduating in a poor economic environment, which is that you give up much less by choosing to take risks. This includes teaching English abroad, starting a business, going into a field that you like rather than one that just pays well, etc. Since you don’t have an easy well paying job lined up you are a lot more willing to take these risks.

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