Incredibly Interested in Becoming TEFL Teacher...Need Help!

Discussion about courses, qualifications etc

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mconstant
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Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 02:51
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Incredibly Interested in Becoming TEFL Teacher...Need Help!

Unread post by mconstant »

Hello,

I am currently a Senior in High School. I am extremely interested in teaching English as a second language. I have a few questions about it though.

I will be going to college in Hawaii at either Hawaii Pacific University of Chaminade, so I will be getting a Bachelors degree and possibly a Masters if it is convenient for me.

What majors are generally suggested if you want to have a career in TEFL?

This is something I have been interested in for several years. I am mainly interested in teaching in Asia. Japan or China would be preferable. I am taking Chinese right now but am not sure if that will help or not.

Is it fairly easy to find a job TEFL?

For the certificate, do you suggest online or campus?

HPU offers the TEFL Bachelors and Masters, would that be the most helpful in getting a job overseas?

I really want to make a career out of this. Will any major work with the TEFL certificate?

What country would you suggest for TEFL?

I am not really into this for the money, but the cultural benefits and being able to learn about other people and the way they live.

Sorry I asked so many questions, any help would be much appreciated!
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ICAL_Pete
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Re: Incredibly Interested in Becoming TEFL Teacher...Need Help!

Unread post by ICAL_Pete »

In general the qualifications to teach English are a degree and a TEFL certificate. Often it really doesn't matter what degree you have but obviously it helps (in both finding work and teaching) if your degree is related to English.

You could go for a straightforward English degree or you could go for a more specialised TEFL degree. Personally I would advise against the latter as it's very job specific and if you decide later not to go into teaching English you are stuck with a degree which only really applies to that profession.

As for the TEFL certificate almost any will do for a first job so either in-house or online is fine.

As for finding work, yes it is fairly easy to find a job and the signs are that it is going to continue that way. There are so many places where you can teach that it very much depends on your preference. Where do you want to go?

North Americans often opt for Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam - or South America. Europe is out because of visa issues.

This article is a useful Introduction to TEFL.
mconstant
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Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 02:51
Status: Prospective Teacher

Re: Incredibly Interested in Becoming TEFL Teacher...Need Help!

Unread post by mconstant »

China and Japan are actually tied for my #1 choice.

Is it easy to make a career out of this?

How long does it take to get a Masters in TEFL?

Thanks for your help!

Also, I checked your website out, are those certificates recognized by schools in Asia?
Lucas
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Re: Incredibly Interested in Becoming TEFL Teacher...Need Help!

Unread post by Lucas »

Hello,
I'm happy to hear that you would like to make a long-term career out of TEFL. A degree in TEFL is not necessary for teaching abroad, but if you would like to teach in the US when you come back, then you need a BA or MA of education or TESOl/TEFL. Here's a useful link http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/sec_docume ... 32&DID=395

I agree with Ical Pete that you may be stuck in one career but it's what you love doing and there are many other lucrative options apart from teaching abroad (ei: writing books or opening an ESL school). I suggest taking a minor through your elective courses. It's great that you are already learning Chinese for example. You could learn another language or take some businesses classes, journalism, or some other course that teaches technical skills.
Good luck!
Ontesol - Online TESOL/TEFL courses. http://www.ontesol.com
mconstant
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Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 02:51
Status: Prospective Teacher

Re: Incredibly Interested in Becoming TEFL Teacher...Need Help!

Unread post by mconstant »

I hope this wont come off as advertising but I saw this site, http://www.tefljobplacement.com/index.php, is it legit for job placement? It says for Korea that is is free. Any thoughts?

Also, what country's are suggested for TEFL?
Lucas
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Re: Incredibly Interested in Becoming TEFL Teacher...Need Help!

Unread post by Lucas »

To answer your questions, Korea is one of the top destinations for teaching English. The salary is $2,000-$3,500 depending on experience and teachers receive a lot of benefits and perks such as free accommodation, return airfare, and bonuses, so you'll be able to come back with some savings.
We also work with EPIK as most other TEFL schools do. The site you mention is legit as long as you are not paying for job placement. Some schools charge over $1,000 for this service and I strongly advise against paying a single cent.
Ontesol - Online TESOL/TEFL courses. http://www.ontesol.com
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