Suggest my escape plan
September 9, 2009 8:00 PM Subscribe
Where might I expect to find a job teaching English currently?
I'm certified in TEFL but don't have a degree of any kind. Spent the last year in Germany but didn't work much other than the odd tutoring/temp placement. I'd really like to put this certificate to use in some way!
As I understand it, not having a degree rules out places like Taiwan, China and Japan; apparently any reputable company there hires only university graduates. In any case, Asia doesn't interest me all that much (if anyone cares to relate personal anecdotes and sway me, feel free.) I was thinking of something like South America, Eastern Europe, or the Middle East.
If its relevant, I'm Canadian and in Vancouver - which is hosting the Olympics this February, and hence, why I'd like to leave for the winter.
Ideally I'd like something that wouldn't require me to sign a contract, as I'd like to be back here around April or May.
In terms of internet resources, I'm aware of tefl.com and eslcafe.com. Other suggestions are welcome.
Thanks you crazy mefites!
I'm certified in TEFL but don't have a degree of any kind. Spent the last year in Germany but didn't work much other than the odd tutoring/temp placement. I'd really like to put this certificate to use in some way!
As I understand it, not having a degree rules out places like Taiwan, China and Japan; apparently any reputable company there hires only university graduates. In any case, Asia doesn't interest me all that much (if anyone cares to relate personal anecdotes and sway me, feel free.) I was thinking of something like South America, Eastern Europe, or the Middle East.
If its relevant, I'm Canadian and in Vancouver - which is hosting the Olympics this February, and hence, why I'd like to leave for the winter.
Ideally I'd like something that wouldn't require me to sign a contract, as I'd like to be back here around April or May.
In terms of internet resources, I'm aware of tefl.com and eslcafe.com. Other suggestions are welcome.
Thanks you crazy mefites!
apparently any reputable company there hires only university graduates.
this AFAIK is more a limitation due to visa requirements. However, being Canadian, if you are under 30 you qualify via the Working Holiday visa program and should find your TEFL more than sufficient to land work, assuming you have the suitably professional mien to overcome the slight handicap of not holding college degree. (This is IMHO and not IME, btw.)
if anyone cares to relate personal anecdotes and sway me, feel free
I did the eikaiwa thing in Japan for 2 ⅖ years. The first year was challenging, the 2nd was quite enjoyable, and by the third it was getting old.
Getting paid to talk with interesting people is good work if you can get it. The central issue is that at least in Japan the language learners skew basic-intermediate, so constructing an interesting conversation in the classroom can be a rare experience.
In retrospect, teaching in either Tokyo or Kyoto is probably a more "fun" experience. The only problem is that with the shitty economy both of these areas pretty much have a surplus of teaching talent, making getting established much more difficult if not improabable. Landing a job out in the sticks may be more realistic perhaps, and if so, I just came across this video of the typical dweeb's life out in the country which is relatively representative of life in semi-rural Japan (very little of that video matches my experiences of Tokyo, eg. I would never drive a car to get around).
China is a LOT cheaper to live in and the market isn't so crowded with teachers so you may find that a possible route. OTOH, I found Japan's level of civilization to be quite nice and am not sure how well I would adapt to the more 3rd-world mentality that still obtains in the great majority of China (many people say bring it on, even eg. preferring rural Thailand; me, I think not).
Dunno anything about Korea or Taiwan.
posted by Palamedes at 8:40 PM on September 9, 2009
this AFAIK is more a limitation due to visa requirements. However, being Canadian, if you are under 30 you qualify via the Working Holiday visa program and should find your TEFL more than sufficient to land work, assuming you have the suitably professional mien to overcome the slight handicap of not holding college degree. (This is IMHO and not IME, btw.)
if anyone cares to relate personal anecdotes and sway me, feel free
I did the eikaiwa thing in Japan for 2 ⅖ years. The first year was challenging, the 2nd was quite enjoyable, and by the third it was getting old.
Getting paid to talk with interesting people is good work if you can get it. The central issue is that at least in Japan the language learners skew basic-intermediate, so constructing an interesting conversation in the classroom can be a rare experience.
In retrospect, teaching in either Tokyo or Kyoto is probably a more "fun" experience. The only problem is that with the shitty economy both of these areas pretty much have a surplus of teaching talent, making getting established much more difficult if not improabable. Landing a job out in the sticks may be more realistic perhaps, and if so, I just came across this video of the typical dweeb's life out in the country which is relatively representative of life in semi-rural Japan (very little of that video matches my experiences of Tokyo, eg. I would never drive a car to get around).
China is a LOT cheaper to live in and the market isn't so crowded with teachers so you may find that a possible route. OTOH, I found Japan's level of civilization to be quite nice and am not sure how well I would adapt to the more 3rd-world mentality that still obtains in the great majority of China (many people say bring it on, even eg. preferring rural Thailand; me, I think not).
Dunno anything about Korea or Taiwan.
posted by Palamedes at 8:40 PM on September 9, 2009
The job market for TEFL teachers is pretty tough in Japan now. It's a lot of work to get set up in Japan, and there is a lot of risk - you might not find a job. All Japanese schools (at least ones that aren't completely crazy or unprofessional or fly-by-night) require that you have a degree of some sort.
FWIW (and I know that the OP is not interested in Japan), I lived in rural Japan from 1994 to 2004, and quite enjoyed it (I guess that would make me a dweeb). Clean air, good food, awesome hiking, uncrowded hot springs, nice people.
But not a lot of EFL teaching work (outside of JET), which is actually a good thing, because it forced me to grow up and stop taking a stupid, slacker profession like "english teaching" for granted, and moved me on to bigger and better things while I lived in Japan.
posted by KokuRyu at 8:55 PM on September 9, 2009
FWIW (and I know that the OP is not interested in Japan), I lived in rural Japan from 1994 to 2004, and quite enjoyed it (I guess that would make me a dweeb). Clean air, good food, awesome hiking, uncrowded hot springs, nice people.
But not a lot of EFL teaching work (outside of JET), which is actually a good thing, because it forced me to grow up and stop taking a stupid, slacker profession like "english teaching" for granted, and moved me on to bigger and better things while I lived in Japan.
posted by KokuRyu at 8:55 PM on September 9, 2009
I'd like to be back here around April or May
I missed this part. The good news is that April is when most teaching positions open up. That's also the bad news for you since they're already filled for this year.
I have read of experiences of Canadians etc. finding employment at major Japanese ski resorts over the winter; this does apparently line up with your timing if not your interests. Working conditions are, to put it charitably, variable, since there is a significant cultural impedance mismatch between Japanese business owners and Western ski bums.
posted by Palamedes at 8:59 PM on September 9, 2009
I missed this part. The good news is that April is when most teaching positions open up. That's also the bad news for you since they're already filled for this year.
I have read of experiences of Canadians etc. finding employment at major Japanese ski resorts over the winter; this does apparently line up with your timing if not your interests. Working conditions are, to put it charitably, variable, since there is a significant cultural impedance mismatch between Japanese business owners and Western ski bums.
posted by Palamedes at 8:59 PM on September 9, 2009
I have heard several horror stories about ESL in South Korea. You may want to consider getting certified beforehand in order to qualify for the better placements. I have meet several people who have gone through this program. But I am not sure about any equivalent programs in Canada.
posted by nestor_makhno at 10:00 PM on September 9, 2009
posted by nestor_makhno at 10:00 PM on September 9, 2009
You won't get a job in Korea, because you won't be able to get a work visa (E-2). Transcript and diploma from a B.A./B.S. granting institution are requirements from the immigration office of the government, let alone the schools themselves.
I'm pretty sure Japan is the same, but I work in Korea.
posted by bardic at 11:55 PM on September 9, 2009
I'm pretty sure Japan is the same, but I work in Korea.
posted by bardic at 11:55 PM on September 9, 2009
backing bardic up I see wikipedia has this for Working Holiday visas in South Korea:
To teach a foreign language the same qualification requirements as a "E-2 Language instructor visa" applies and permission must be granted by the chief of immigration office.
So the ROK is right out but I still think Japan is theoretically doable on a working holiday visa. Not that I would recommend trying for casual employment in the English sector over the winter. Not many jobs come up then.
If you had a year or three of language study I'm sure you could find a job somewhere with a WH visa.
No language skills, no degree, and a tight time horizon over winter just isn't that promising for Japan, or Asia for that matter. Except Singapore (they speak English!), except they don't apparently have a proper WH program arrangement with Canada.
posted by Palamedes at 12:38 AM on September 10, 2009
To teach a foreign language the same qualification requirements as a "E-2 Language instructor visa" applies and permission must be granted by the chief of immigration office.
So the ROK is right out but I still think Japan is theoretically doable on a working holiday visa. Not that I would recommend trying for casual employment in the English sector over the winter. Not many jobs come up then.
If you had a year or three of language study I'm sure you could find a job somewhere with a WH visa.
No language skills, no degree, and a tight time horizon over winter just isn't that promising for Japan, or Asia for that matter. Except Singapore (they speak English!), except they don't apparently have a proper WH program arrangement with Canada.
posted by Palamedes at 12:38 AM on September 10, 2009
I'm American and teach English in Poland. Visa-wise, if a company wants you and can't get a local/EU citizen to do it, you'll get a visa, though it will take some time for the process to sort itself out and some doing. You should be looking around now. My own process was something like initial job interview on day zero, official permission to hire me sought/received six weeks later, postal waiting time two additional weeks, consulate visit a few weeks after that, flight a few weeks after that. Let's say three/four months or so.
Overall, eastern Europe's smaller, regional cities (places like Budapest or Krakow or Prague being full of English speakers) are probably better places to look, as native speakers like us are in demand even if we aren't as skilled as locals with multiple masters' degrees at the actual craft of teaching. Look at university/student cities as well; you may be able to supplement a smaller income with private lessons or editing/translation work. My students are universally respectful, and most private schools in cities with competition try to keep conditions good for teachers, be that with smaller classes (rare is the class over 15 students) or non-horrible scheduling.
Random places I've wanted to visit that might prove fruitful for a search like yours: Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Belgrade; Sarajevo; Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia; all of Albania and Macedonia; Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Lviv, Sevastopol, or Odessa, Ukraine; Bursa and Ankara, Turkey.
You know what I'd do? I'd look online at private language schools in largish but still-regional cities where you'd like to try living, look for contact info for their director of studies, and just e-mail them a few questions outlining your abilities and timeframe, with a CV attached. No one will post a job for a short-term, no-contract, perhaps-visa-less deal, but everyone's going to have a staffing need, especially in less glamorous places where native speakers are rare. Many schools in the region might not want you for February to April, but you'd probably find many who'd want you for January to June, which would coincide with the second half of the academic year in most places here.
Also, consider looking outside the EU. The Balkan and Central Asian capitals, as well as big cities in Ukraine and Turkey, are stable-enough places to base yourself and have fewer visa hurdles, though everyday life is not exactly as easy as it might be in a place like Warsaw or Tallinn.
You might also try looking at volunteer positions, which by virtue of not earning you a salary may make you more appealing to companies or charities that want less paperwork.
Good luck! Eastern and central Europe is fascinating, mostly affordable, refreshingly free of Mongol-like tourist hordes, and extremely rewarding for the visitor or resident who's willing to dive into the language a bit and meet locals. Send me a MeMail if you've got more questions.
posted by mdonley at 12:40 AM on September 10, 2009
Overall, eastern Europe's smaller, regional cities (places like Budapest or Krakow or Prague being full of English speakers) are probably better places to look, as native speakers like us are in demand even if we aren't as skilled as locals with multiple masters' degrees at the actual craft of teaching. Look at university/student cities as well; you may be able to supplement a smaller income with private lessons or editing/translation work. My students are universally respectful, and most private schools in cities with competition try to keep conditions good for teachers, be that with smaller classes (rare is the class over 15 students) or non-horrible scheduling.
Random places I've wanted to visit that might prove fruitful for a search like yours: Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Belgrade; Sarajevo; Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia; all of Albania and Macedonia; Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Lviv, Sevastopol, or Odessa, Ukraine; Bursa and Ankara, Turkey.
You know what I'd do? I'd look online at private language schools in largish but still-regional cities where you'd like to try living, look for contact info for their director of studies, and just e-mail them a few questions outlining your abilities and timeframe, with a CV attached. No one will post a job for a short-term, no-contract, perhaps-visa-less deal, but everyone's going to have a staffing need, especially in less glamorous places where native speakers are rare. Many schools in the region might not want you for February to April, but you'd probably find many who'd want you for January to June, which would coincide with the second half of the academic year in most places here.
Also, consider looking outside the EU. The Balkan and Central Asian capitals, as well as big cities in Ukraine and Turkey, are stable-enough places to base yourself and have fewer visa hurdles, though everyday life is not exactly as easy as it might be in a place like Warsaw or Tallinn.
You might also try looking at volunteer positions, which by virtue of not earning you a salary may make you more appealing to companies or charities that want less paperwork.
Good luck! Eastern and central Europe is fascinating, mostly affordable, refreshingly free of Mongol-like tourist hordes, and extremely rewarding for the visitor or resident who's willing to dive into the language a bit and meet locals. Send me a MeMail if you've got more questions.
posted by mdonley at 12:40 AM on September 10, 2009
What mdonley said.
Another option might be Berlitz, which casts a pretty wide net.
posted by Ljubljana at 2:15 AM on September 10, 2009
Another option might be Berlitz, which casts a pretty wide net.
posted by Ljubljana at 2:15 AM on September 10, 2009
Best answer: Not having a degree certainly does not rule out China. I know a Spanish bus driver (a high school graduate) who quit his job in Madrid to try his luck in the Chinese market. Once there he took both Chinese and English classes and had passable English (e and I spoke in a Spanglish mash-up). He began teaching beginning English classes due to the super high demand.
I did some part-time teaching jobs for ABC Language Schools in Beijing. They had great facilities. They make their own curricular materials and textbooks so you can have input if you see problems. They paid fairly well, including offers of housing, transportation, and insurance (which I did not take so I can't speak to that). They can provide Chinese lessons. They are also hiring like mad.
posted by Pollomacho at 5:39 AM on September 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
I did some part-time teaching jobs for ABC Language Schools in Beijing. They had great facilities. They make their own curricular materials and textbooks so you can have input if you see problems. They paid fairly well, including offers of housing, transportation, and insurance (which I did not take so I can't speak to that). They can provide Chinese lessons. They are also hiring like mad.
posted by Pollomacho at 5:39 AM on September 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'm surprised you didn't work much in Germany, as Berlitz needs teachers there! Here's a list of their job openings currently, as well as requirements.
posted by misha at 7:55 AM on September 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by misha at 7:55 AM on September 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
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As far as I understand, there is high need for English Teachers in Central America...the bay islands of Honduras would be a particular treat during the wintertime.
posted by GarotaDaCidade at 8:21 PM on September 9, 2009