Tefl courses abroad and the realities of finding work?

[Jamesdevise]

Hello! As my title suggests I've got a lot of questions relating to TEFL as a whole and i'm looking for some advice.
I've been thinking of making a career change and getting into teaching english abroad, but there seems to be so many different courses and providers out there, it's all a bit baffling! I was initially looking into Cactus Tefl, but I've heard some bad things.
My initial plan was to leave my job (as i'm unable to get the necessary leave from work for the course), take a four-week intensive course in another country and then search for a job after completing the course (most likely CELTA).
I'm wanting to know if this is a bit of a far-fetched idea, as I've read it can take months to get your qualification and I don't have the savings to sit around in another country without being able to apply for work. I was looking mainly at Europe, in particular Germany and Poland and have enough savings to last me the course and possibly a couple of months after, but that would be stretching it.
Can anyone recommend a good course, I don't want to be one of the 'stories' you read about where after shelling out a hefty amount of cash you're left with a poor qualification an limited job-prospects.
In a nutshell, am I stupid to believe this is a possibility?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, James

[systematic]

Hi Jamesdevise !
Well, you come to the right place - this board is brimming with the advice your're loking for, especially in some quite recent posts. Don't hesitate to search around here a bit, because your questions are the most hotly discussed subjects here. You can even use the board's search feature (up there in the top right hand corner) by entering key words.

[ICAL_Pete]

There are generally 3 ways to get TEFL qualified.

1) Take a course at a local school/university.
2) Take a course online.
3) Take a course in a foreign school who may or may not find work for you also.

Personally I am not sure that the third option is the best in your case. There are a few reasons for this.

1) To attend a local school or online will cost you nothing (or at least, no more than you already pay now to live there). If you go abroad to school you'll have the additional travel costs as well.

2) The country where you go to attend school may not end up being the country you work in. More expense.

3) Moving to a new country is often quite stressful for people; on top of this you'll be studying a new subject which won't help matters.

4) If a training organisation "guarantees" you a job then check it very carefully. This means they have the ability to place not only their best students but also their worst. In which case which schools are they finding to hire their worst graduates?

However, if you did go abroad to take a course and then find a fantastic job you most certainly wouldn't be the first - it does happen.

But, my advice would be to stay where you are and get qualified and only then go about finding a job.