Tips on getting back into teaching English (as a foreign language)

Up-n-atom!

I did a CELT course in Nov 2010 to have the qualification for possible trips abroad/teaching opportunities in Ireland, but soon after I finished the course I fell back into an administration job, and basically did not build on what I had learned by gaining more practical experience (outside the teaching hours I did as part of the course). I was thinking of getting back into teaching last year, since at that time I quit my job and went back to college to do a Master's, as it would've fitted in with my college hours etc etc, but I was worried I'd left it too long and so was a bit afraid to pursue it. I'm now considering returning to teaching once again, as I really did enjoy it and feel like I'd get more out of it than returning to admin jobs once again, but, it being another year on, I'm not sure how to go about it.

Has anyone returned to teaching after a hiatus, or know any good ways to ease myself back into it/get my foot in the door? I can't really afford to do another course, and I don't really want to since I've already done one. I'm all for swotting up on my grammar and teaching methods, and I am friends with a Korean couple who have contacted me to help them improve their English. I've also looked on volunteer websites to see if there's any places locally looking for volunteer teachers, but I didn't see anything. I am going to look into offering a free evening class (with a friend who is a TEFL teacher) at a local community centre, as they used to run one and I believe it is no longer going. I was thinking that maybe I could contact some schools and see if they would allow me to shadow some teachers or supervise some classes. If any of this sounds good (or not!) I'd love to have some feedback.

MouseTail

Is there a Failte Isteach in your area? If so, volunteer to facilitate, if not, look to set one up.

Up-n-atom!

Yeah, a friend told me about the one on Thomas St, I'm looking into it

haveabanana

It's not much good to you at the minute but the English language schools in Dublin take on gansey loads of teachers during the summer. It's worth sending your C.V to all the schools now anyway as they often need people to cover classes, but more steady work would be hard to come by at this time of year I'd say.

Up-n-atom!

I was going to try to do that over the summer, but the start date crept up on me while I was neck-deep in thesis work. Seems to be a great entry point, from what I hear from friends who have done it.

robwarman

Hey! Have you thought about teaching English in China? I've been in Beijing for 2 and a half years working for a great school. It's one of the best cites in the world and the students are lovely! The money isn't bad either. The air isn't perfect though!