|
I know there is a wealth of random info on the web (and previous threads on tl). i am just starting serious & up-to-date research and have not even typed "how do i become an english teacher in japan" into google yet. im just calling out to anyone who is or has been in a similar "directionless" situation. maybe you know what my first steps to this goal should be, or how i should organise myself towards this endeavour?
Hi,
I am asking for some tips and advice with getting started with this idea of becoming an english teacher in a foreign country.
My current state is:
+no degree +no skills, no qualifications other than decent highschool grades +working a skill-less job for years +no money/savings atm
Where i want to be:
+working full time teaching english with some security +in japan, spanish-speaking country, china?
The sketchy plan is to save up some money, study the language, get a job, go there, be able to pay my bills
If you were in my situation how would you go about making this happen?
Some thoughts.. + Show Spoiler + saving up money is fine, ill just work here until i have enough, budgeting very precisely
i need to start applying for jobs. random internet postings, track down companies directly, ask my handful of friends eg i have one in japan
i cant commit to anything until ive saved up money. even if i was to be offered a job, i will be telling companies i cant come and work for them for something vague like 6 months
i have to narrow my search/country/desires at some point
there is the barrier of not having a degree. i could theoretically apply for random jobs over china and probably land one, purchase a flight, and that would be that..?
i have absolutely no idea what solid direction to walk in to achieve my goal... should i choose the country first and focus attention on trying to make that work , before having to fall back on less attractive ideas? obviously i should break it down and research it like that, make a list of things i want to find out and things i am able to do, prioritise them, then start ticking off the list
Thanks
edit: I dont have a degree, im not getting a degree, whatever i do and whereever i go it is to be done without a degree
|
Seems like a blog yo, but hmm I have a friend who does this and loves it, I think he has an english degree so that could be a start and maybe even a requirement? google would help you more than TL could I think
|
Most TEFL jobs require you to have a degree, but the subject in which it is doesn't tend to matter.
The JET program is the most reputable TEFL program in Japan and it government-run. You require a bachelors degree to teach in the program though.
Edited to add more info.
|
There are only a handful of countries nowadays where you can get away with not having a degree teaching English, and you probably wouldn't want to be in them (unless you're a humanitarian, that is).
|
I have never done this, only known people who have done it. From my understanding, not knowing the local language is generally not an issue, some of these companies actually prefer someone who knows little to none of whatever the local language is, because it forces the students to speak english.
Some of these companies can be shady, and there are horror stories of various degrees all over the internet, but everyone that I have personally known who did it seemed to have a positive experience overall.
Also, the not having any college degree could be a big issue with a lot of places.
Good luck.
|
On August 24 2011 05:13 Multifail wrote: Some of these companies can be shady, and there are horror stories of various degrees all over the internet, but everyone that I have personally known who did it seemed to have a positive experience overall. My first two months in China were under a shady employer who didn't pay me, but all I had to do was quit and find another place to live with the help of other English-speaking expats. In countries where that kind of stuff still happens it's sometimes better to go there first and then secure a job, but that requires balls of steel.
|
learning the language wont be an issue because i will start to learn the language asap!!
ive heard of horror stories and to be sure to get a proper contract and watch out for dodgy stuff and confirm everything like the working hours and salary
|
I did this before in Thailand and without a degree its almost impossible to get a job even if u have a TEFL so dont expect too much of it
Oh and also, if you are NOT a native speaker, even though ur English is really good or fluently, you will have even more problems finding a job as an English teacher in Asian countries
|
On August 24 2011 05:19 FFGenerations wrote: learning the language wont be an issue because i will start to learn the language asap!!
ive heard of horror stories and to be sure to get a proper contract and watch out for dodgy stuff and confirm everything like the working hours and salary
Is doing a degree a possible option for you? I just fear that otherwise your choice of teaching jobs is going to be extremely limited.
|
On August 24 2011 05:21 Flummie wrote:I did this before in Thailand and without a degree its almost impossible to get a job even if u have a TEFL so dont expect too much of it Oh and also, if you are NOT a native speaker, even though ur English is really good or fluently, you will have even more problems finding a job as an English teacher in Asian countries
how do you know its almost impossible to get a job without a degree? i will obviously find out for myself when i start applying i guess. getting a degree is not an option
|
On August 24 2011 05:26 FFGenerations wrote:Show nested quote +On August 24 2011 05:21 Flummie wrote:I did this before in Thailand and without a degree its almost impossible to get a job even if u have a TEFL so dont expect too much of it Oh and also, if you are NOT a native speaker, even though ur English is really good or fluently, you will have even more problems finding a job as an English teacher in Asian countries how do you know its almost impossible to get a job without a degree? i will obviously find out for myself when i start applying i guess. getting a degree is not an option
Cause I have lived in Thailand for 4 years and I guess in countries like Korea they are even more conservative.
|
On August 24 2011 05:26 FFGenerations wrote:how do you know its almost impossible to get a job without a degree? i will obviously find out for myself when i start applying i guess. getting a degree is not an option a lot of countries require a degree to even get any job there, no country wants to take the trash of another country.
english teaching pretty much requires a degree unless you want to work for horrible wages in terrible conditions.
|
On August 24 2011 05:26 FFGenerations wrote:how do you know its almost impossible to get a job without a degree? i will obviously find out for myself when i start applying i guess. getting a degree is not an option A TEFL/TESOL/TOEFL/whatever certificate isn't worth the paper it's printed on unless it's done through either a university or a JET-like program run by the country recruiting the teachers, that's why.
The real credentials that show you have enough of a grasp on the language to teach it are a degree, the bullshit certificate just shows that you can follow a lesson plan.
|
i think the best thing for me to do is focus on japan as i know a person there (woohoo) , i like the culture, and importantly the money would be decent enough to set me up for future travels/life.
once japan is a hopeless case i can look to spanish-speaking countries. learning spanish would be quite easy with so many local resources, and hot countries are awesome. if i can get a secure job then off i go
china is another option as i know a guy in shanghai and itd be easier to get into (still avoiding getting fucked over). the money might be shit and then id be stuck there
again, i havent done any recent research on these yet, im at the very beginning trying to order and quantify things to do and consider
|
I don't know what the situation is in Japan/Thailand (I've heard you usually need a degree). I have been living and teaching English in Bogotá, Colombia for almost 2 years and here you mostly need a clean appearance, a good resume and dedication (apply to many places). Experience helps, a degree helps, a TEFL/TESOL helps, a CELTA definitely helps but the three things I mentioned above will get you a job.
Also, it should be mentioned, some native English speakers are stupid, to put it frankly. Simply being a native speaker won´t keep you a job (you might get one but keeping it is another story) but also having a good handle of the English language and some understanding of grammar is important. Aside from that it also helps to have some actual love of teaching, that in itself goes a long way.
Anyway, if Japan is anything like Colombia there will be a lot of demand for English and therefor won´t be too difficult to find work, otherwise just come to Colombia! xD
Good luck
|
On August 24 2011 05:31 kainzero wrote:Show nested quote +On August 24 2011 05:26 FFGenerations wrote:how do you know its almost impossible to get a job without a degree? i will obviously find out for myself when i start applying i guess. getting a degree is not an option a lot of countries require a degree to even get any job there, no country wants to take the trash of another country. english teaching pretty much requires a degree unless you want to work for horrible wages in terrible conditions.
im gonna have to come up with a way around this then, and take the best that i can get myself
|
I know a guy that went over to China to teach English and he had just come out of high school, with no prior job experience anywhere, and not that great of high school grades. I think he got sent over by a church program? But I could be wrong. He took a 1 week course in Toronto before going and that was it, lol
|
I know in Korea they require a bachelors in any field. If you don't have that, you will have a hard time finding an employer. If you do though, they will fly you out and everything.
|
On August 24 2011 05:36 FFGenerations wrote:Show nested quote +On August 24 2011 05:31 kainzero wrote:On August 24 2011 05:26 FFGenerations wrote:how do you know its almost impossible to get a job without a degree? i will obviously find out for myself when i start applying i guess. getting a degree is not an option a lot of countries require a degree to even get any job there, no country wants to take the trash of another country. english teaching pretty much requires a degree unless you want to work for horrible wages in terrible conditions. im gonna have to come up with a way around this then, and take the best that i can get myself
I would disagree with kainzero's comment. I make more money teaching here in Colombia than I was making in the states working less hours and doing something far more enjoyable. And I wouldn´t call the conditions terrible in any way (except for the traffic >_<) On the contrary, English teachers (well, foreigners in general) are treated with a sort of special status.
|
|
|
|
|