How hard is to get a TEFL job and to teach EFL???

[EdithBratt]

Firslty, a bit about myself. I am from the UK and I'm 22 years of age. I am currently studying for an MA in Economics from York Uni after I graduated from the same uni this year with a BA.

I first became aware of teaching english abroad as a career option around 6 months ago and since then I have been doing a lot of research into it, and also spent a lot of time thinking about how amazing it would be! However, I haven't really found answers to the following questions:

1. How hard is it to get a tefl job with zero experience? I am hoping to take the 4 week CELTA course in the summer of 2013 so I should have a highly recognised qualification. From there how should I best proceed to find a TEFL job? Ideally I would like to go to Spain or South/Central America as I have some spanish and think it would be great to both teach english and improve me language skills at the same time! I have seen plenty of jobs advertised on various websites, but I have no idea of the level of competition or even if these jobs are legit?

2. How hard is the actual experience of teaching? How did you feel on your first day?

The reason I ask this is because I have a job offer to work in the City starting in September 2013, and I dont want to give it up if im not going to get a job. I wouldnt mind working for free for a few months if it meant I could get future employment. I would be really grateful for any help people on this forum can give and it would be great to hear some other peoples experience. Im also aware this question has probably been asked before so im sorry if I have broken some kind of house rule.

Thanks

[kdammers]

With your skills in time-travelling, you should be able to do just about anything.

[jmczzz]

i started looking in June 1997 still here. and "still haven't found what i 'm looking for".

[John V55]

A few questions – pre-match nerves and rightly so. If you’re about to get a good job in ‘the city’, go for the city job. TEFL is not career and the excitement soon wears off. It’s hard work and those who really want teaching as a career choose the PGCE route.

I wouldn’t concentrate too much on qualifications as where you’ll end up no one probably gives a toss whether you have a TEFL cert’ or CELTA. What they will care about is what experience you have. Get some. Take a year out and teach your way through an extended holiday in the East or S. America. I taught in Inner Mongolia for several years and loved it.

No download, scroll down to read.
https://www.academia.edu/16438508/TEFL_ ... r_Mongolia

[TheNightBeak]

I wouldn’t concentrate too much on qualifications as where you’ll end up no one probably gives a toss whether you have a TEFL cert’ or CELTA.

Take no notice of him, Edith.

If you're looking for teaching work in Spain then a CELTA cert (or equivalent) is a basic requirement. TEFL has been a big thing in Spain for decades and even small towns have their own English-language schools, so it shouldn't be so difficult to find something. But you might have to accept relatively low wages, and a contract that includes teaching kids and teens, at least initially.

Good luck!

[John V55]

Edith, unfortunately the Internet is full of anonymous people giving advice. Some are of the wannabe astronaut type, some will try to sell you something and yet others are simply clueless frauds. There are no end of websites touting DELTA, TESOL, CELTA and all are trying to convince you that they’re a must-have. They’re not. You already have a degree and with a TEFL certificate (not an online one), what you then lack is experience, not a pile of expensive and needless certificates.

https://www.expatica.com/es/working/fin ... in-716889/
‘The main requirements to teach English in Spain are:
A recognized teaching certificate: TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language), CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) and TESOL (Teach English to Speakers of Other Languages) are the main certificates.’

Anyone who has experience of TEFL teaching would already know this. If your heart is set on it go in at the beginner level, or get some teaching experience first as a volunteer. A CELTA is just an unnecessary certificate and not an obligatory one to teach in Spain, or anywhere else.

[TheNightBeak]

At the very least you need a 120-hour TEFL certificate with a practical component to teach anywhere in Europe. That's the way it is in 2020.

[John V55]

At the very least you need a 120-hour TEFL certificate with a practical component to teach anywhere in Europe. That's the way it is in 2020.

The op wasn't intending to teach in Europe! I just shake my head

[TheNightBeak]

Ideally I would like to go to Spain or South/Central America as I have some spanish and think it would be great to both teach english and improve me language skills at the same time! I have seen plenty of jobs advertised on various websites...

[Robert55]

Job search is time-consuming and if you are doing your job search, internationally, more time-consuming.

My recommendation for you is to do your research and then do some more research. Really do the groundwork on where you’d like to teach and where suits your interests. Make sure you understand if there are any work visa restrictions to where you are planning to move to mcdvoice.

You can begin your research by grabbing a copy of our teach abroad guide

Being prepared to start applying for the positions you are interested in will be your best artillery. The final advice is to keep an open mind and apply to as many positions as you qualify for. Good luck with your search!