TEFL query
Jan 24th 2010, 8:35 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4
TEFL query
Hi,
I'm British and live in UK.
If I took a TEFL course and passed, would that be enough to move to somewhere in mainland europe and start teaching. Would I need anything else?
I have GCSE English C which I took at school.
And as I work full-time what's the best route to go down (part-time college course or online course)?
Any advice or pointers would be appreciated. Thanks.
I'm British and live in UK.
If I took a TEFL course and passed, would that be enough to move to somewhere in mainland europe and start teaching. Would I need anything else?
I have GCSE English C which I took at school.
And as I work full-time what's the best route to go down (part-time college course or online course)?
Any advice or pointers would be appreciated. Thanks.
Jan 25th 2010, 3:09 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Location: Bucharest, Romania
Posts: 209
Re: TEFL query
Hi there,
As an EU citizen you can work anywhere within the EU without needed to get a work permit, so that's not a problem - you just move there and start living, and within the first three month pick up your residency certificate from the local police/town hall/bureaucratic office.
Now about working in TEFL. The main factors in getting a job teaching English are qualifications and experience. The best industry-specific certificate to have is the CELTA (RSA/Cambridge). You can do it either in four weeks full-time or six month part time (normally one day per week). It includes classroom theory and practical teaching hours. It's well-regarded in the industry and you would be well advised to get it. There are online courses which are quicker and cheaper to get, but most decent schools will eye them suspiciously.
Most international schools, colleges and some of the better language schools will not consider someone without a degree. If you don't have a university degree, and assuming you don't have teaching experience, you really should try to get the CELTA to put yourself in the best light possible. Even then you'll be looking at starting off in a low-grade language mill.
Western European countries have very few opportunities on the whole, especially for unqualified inexperienced teachers. Considering the cost of living, you'd be lucky to break even. Central/Eastern European might offer better opportunities, and the lack of native speakers may mean they are more likely to overlook lack of experience and qualifications, and there may be more private lessons on offer outside school hours, which are useful for topping up your income. Cost of living is also lower so any savings you bring with you will go further, as will your income.
Good luck!
As an EU citizen you can work anywhere within the EU without needed to get a work permit, so that's not a problem - you just move there and start living, and within the first three month pick up your residency certificate from the local police/town hall/bureaucratic office.
Now about working in TEFL. The main factors in getting a job teaching English are qualifications and experience. The best industry-specific certificate to have is the CELTA (RSA/Cambridge). You can do it either in four weeks full-time or six month part time (normally one day per week). It includes classroom theory and practical teaching hours. It's well-regarded in the industry and you would be well advised to get it. There are online courses which are quicker and cheaper to get, but most decent schools will eye them suspiciously.
Most international schools, colleges and some of the better language schools will not consider someone without a degree. If you don't have a university degree, and assuming you don't have teaching experience, you really should try to get the CELTA to put yourself in the best light possible. Even then you'll be looking at starting off in a low-grade language mill.
Western European countries have very few opportunities on the whole, especially for unqualified inexperienced teachers. Considering the cost of living, you'd be lucky to break even. Central/Eastern European might offer better opportunities, and the lack of native speakers may mean they are more likely to overlook lack of experience and qualifications, and there may be more private lessons on offer outside school hours, which are useful for topping up your income. Cost of living is also lower so any savings you bring with you will go further, as will your income.
Good luck!
