TEFL vacancies in Ireland

user_name_user

Hi all, I am hoping to go abroad as a TEFL teacher. I'm about to do a course, most likely a CELTA.

I am wondering what the opportunities are like in Ireland. I would like to think that when I return to Ireland, I will have a chance of getting work all-year round.

I know that the peak time is during the summer - I'm wondering what the possibilities are during the rest of the year. Ideally there would be full-time work, but part-time work would be welcome too, provided it was all-year round. Is there much of this in Ireland? (and Dublin?)

I have a masters and a PhD. By the time I get back, I'll have the CELTA plus experience to add to these.

If anyone can give me some advice, I would really appreciate it.

livinginkorea

What is your MA and PhD in? If it is in education then I don't think there would be any problem. However since you are going to take the CELTA course I imagine that you do not have much practical teaching experience?

Dublin would probably be the best place with a number of language institutes but the pay would not be comparable to a PhD to be honest.

user_name_user

Hi, thanks for the reply. No, not in education but in philosophy and political science. In terms of teaching, I have done a lot of tutoring and some lecturing. I spent a couple of summers as a TEFL teacher a few years back before a qualification was needed.

Things are pretty tight, teaching-wise, in universities in Ireland. I'm looking for another option. I'd like to know that I would have the option of teaching TEFL back in Ireland after being away.

(I'm thinking about South Korea and I'm looking at i-to-i and TigerEnglish.)

livinginkorea

user_name_user wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the reply. No, not in education but in philosophy and political science. In terms of teaching, I have done a lot of tutoring and some lecturing. I spent a couple of summers as a TEFL teacher a few years back before a qualification was needed.

Things are pretty tight, teaching-wise, in universities in Ireland. I'm looking for another option. I'd like to know that I would have the option of teaching TEFL back in Ireland after being away.

(I'm thinking about South Korea and I'm looking at i-to-i and TigerEnglish.)

Forget about i-to-i and TigerEnglish. With a PhD you should be looking into universities directly (even if you want to teach English and not your area) and those two companies I am sure have no university jobs lined up. Check out http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/ and scroll down for the university jobs. Also check out Seoul National University, and other universities because their websites would offer jobs since it is the season for hiring. Most universities advertise on their own website.

Sorry I don't mean to be pushy but with a MA and PhD your job prospects in Korea are very, very good. Forgot about going to hagwons teaching 25~30 hours a week. You should teach 12~15 hours a week. With that kind of experience you could easily go back and teach TEFL in Ireland (perhaps as a TEFL trainer or English for Academic Purposes in a university).

user_name_user

Thanks so much for the advice. That's really encouraging, I will apply for university teaching in South Korea then.

user_name_user

Hi livinginkorea,

I wonder if you can help? I took a look at the university job ads on eslcafe. I get the impression that applicants need to attend a face-to-face interview (and possibly do a teaching demo).

Is this the norm, do you know, or is it possible to get a university job through a phone interview? I can't really travel for interviews without a definite offer.

Thanks a million.

livinginkorea

user_name_user wrote: »

Thanks so much for the advice. That's really encouraging, I will apply for university teaching in South Korea then.

Great to hear!

livinginkorea

user_name_user wrote: »

Hi livinginkorea,

I wonder if you can help? I took a look at the university job ads on eslcafe. I get the impression that applicants need to attend a face-to-face interview (and possibly do a teaching demo).

Is this the norm, do you know, or is it possible to get a university job through a phone interview? I can't really travel for interviews without a definite offer.

Thanks a million.

Yes, usually universities want to hold an interview face-to-face but I have worked with a good few instructors who have sent a CD of themselves teaching (pretend class, no students in most cases) and/or general introduction. Sample lesson plans, teaching portfolio, publications, thesis or dissertation are also appropiate in most cases, depending on the position. If you have a phone interview then check out the time difference in advance.

If the university is interested in your application then you could suggest sending a CD to them. Very few universities actually pay for instructors to come over to Korea for the interview. I have only seen one instance of it for a PhD in Applied Linguistics in Seoul National University a couple of years back.

So in short, it is possible, although in most cases for English instructors positions they want to see you face-to-face whereas with faculity positions they offer more leeway it seems.

Best of luck!

Jenroche

Hi,

Just stumbled across this thread and looking for advice. I'm considering training as a TEFL instructor. I'm not looking at working abroad as I am married with children but I reckon that with the vast influx of immigrants into this country in recent years that there would be a good chance of employment in this field. Would I be right in saying this and if so, what would be the best way to go about getting a TEFL qualification. I have seen online/distance learning courses advertised but would actually attending classes be a better option? Any advice would be appreciated.

Jen ;->

user_name_user

Hi,

Thanks again for the advice Livinginkorea. That's really interesting, I'll think about that.

To Jenroche,

I've asked around and the impression I'm getting is that there is lots of summer work in Ireland but little, if anything, the rest of the year. I've been told not to count on work throughout the year. I wish the prospects were better but it doesn't really look good. At least, that's what I'm hearing.

I would love to be proved wrong.

To work in Ireland you need an ACELS approved qualification (CELT or CELTA). Check out this site:
http://www.acels.ie/acelselt.htm