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TEFL/CELTA/CELT answers...

13567…14

Comments

  • #102
    A.Blinkin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 40 ✭A.Blinkin


    Hi guys,

    Sorry if I'm reiterating what other people have said but I could really use your opinions. I have a full-time job and don't drive.

    I was just about to book a part-time course here but it will be really intensive.
    This course starts in January and is €850. It is 6pm to 9:15pm every week day, and all day Saturday for a month. This means I would be leaving the house at 7:30am and getting home at 10pm every week day and working Saturdays as well. Can I realistically keep up this pace while doing successfully in my course?

    My alternate option is here.
    This CELTA course is €1595. Is it really worth the extra €750 to have a CELTA qualification over a CELT?

    I was confident last night I would pick the first option as all other 3 month courses took up your entire weekend but then I found this CELTA course. Can you advise if there would be an advantage to finishing in February in terms of semesters.

    I assume if I was working in Europe I would have to wait until September to start anyway. Can anyone advise on Asian semesters e.g. Korea, Thailand, etc.

    Thank you so much for your help! I'm incapable of making decisions. :)


  • #103
    Aubrey Rough Comic
    Posts: 0 ✭ Aubrey Rough Comic


    A.Blinkin wrote: »
    Hi guys,

    Sorry if I'm reiterating what other people have said but I could really use your opinions. I have a full-time job and don't drive.

    I was just about to book a part-time course here but it will be really intensive.
    This course starts in January and is €850. It is 6pm to 9:15pm every week day, and all day Saturday for a month. This means I would be leaving the house at 7:30am and getting home at 10pm every week day and working Saturdays as well. Can I realistically keep up this pace while doing successfully in my course?

    That would be really tough. I did the full time course and found it very hard. You have a lot of homework and preparation on top of the course hours, so you could be working long after 10pm also.
    My alternate option is here.
    This CELTA course is €1595. Is it really worth the extra €750 to have a CELTA qualification over a CELT?

    People will tell you that but personally I've never had a problem finding work the CELT. I'm in London now and the schools seems to consider it the same thing. I don't know if I ever missed out on an interview because of not having it, but I've gotten a good bit of work out of the CELT.
    I was confident last night I would pick the first option as all other 3 month courses took up your entire weekend but then I found this CELTA course. Can you advise if there would be an advantage to finishing in February in terms of semesters.

    I assume if I was working in Europe I would have to wait until September to start anyway. Can anyone advise on Asian semesters e.g. Korea, Thailand, etc.

    It depends where you want to teach, in a public school, in a private school, in businesses...? I was told to go over to the continent in September, but I did my course in September so obviously I couldn't. I went in February and I found a lot of freelance work. For Korea, I know you can go any time at all, they are always recruiting. It's almost impossible NOT to get a job.


  • #104
    carmo85
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11 ✭carmo85


    Hello there.
    Sorry for jumping in off key but I am planning to do a TEFL course in Limerick next month. I then plan on travelling to either South America, Thailand or Prague to teach English. However, I plan on the possibility of doing a masters in Ireland in Sept 2010. If anyone has relevant experience, do you think I stand a chance of getting a 6 month placement? What's the story with breaking contracts? I mean I know it's bad form but ultimately it may need to be done. If I was doing a temp job in Ireland I wouldn’t be overly concerned about prematurely breaking the contract but maybe it's a complete different story in these countries.

    Any help would be great. Thanks.:D


  • #105
    red_bairn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,343 ✭✭✭red_bairn


    Whats the best choice for me?

    I'm saving away to travel next March to go to Asia (Japan, S.Korea, China), or I may do a course perhaps in TEFL (say the weekend course, w/100+ hrs online)...before hand and teach over in one of these countries for a duration of 3mths.

    Is TEFL my best option?

    I don't think the other courses would suit because I don't need them as I will not be intending to teach english in Ireland in the future (for any universities/schools, etc)...plus it's costly.

    I'm basically looking for a reasonable priced but well-equipped course that I could use for heading to one of these countries on a 3mth contract or less.

    I've got my degree also, can't remember any other requirements...22yrs old also...living in Ireland for that time (speaking english)...so, also if there's any other requirements, please point them out, thanks!

    :)


  • #106
    Goiter
    Registered Users Posts: 50 ✭✭Goiter


    I passed my interview for a celta course. I thought it was too expensive and had considered going to Australia instead, but I have just found out that I will get financial aid which will ease the blow to my pocket.

    I tried to get into the November course back in late August but it was full up, and the next one starts in January. I heard that South America employs teachers in March, but it seems to be very difficult to get visas in those areas (especially in Brazil), and to be honest I would rather go somewhere a bit closer to home.

    I wanted to go somewhere in Spain, preferably Madrid or Barcelona, but it looks like most of the recruitment is done in September and January. Is February too late?

    Does anymore know any other places in the world that employs teachers in February??

    Thanks (I started up a tread with this query but didn't get any replies)


  • #107
    A.Blinkin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 40 ✭A.Blinkin


    May I ask where you applied to get financial aid, as the CELTA course I applied for is beyond my budget, and I was going to go for the CELT one instead.


  • #108
    Goiter
    Registered Users Posts: 50 ✭✭Goiter


    A.Blinkin wrote: »
    May I ask where you applied to get financial aid, as the CELTA course I applied for is beyond my budget, and I was going to go for the CELT one instead.

    My local Fas office. They are willing to pay for some of it. Iv'e been unemployed for awhile now, I don't know if you would get financial support if you were working, you could always try your luck. I was initially going to go for a celt myself, but since I don't have a degree, I wouldn't of got a proper certificate.


  • #109
    HappyCarrot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭HappyCarrot


    jacintha wrote: »

    I am forty years old, with a lively toddler and have not studied in 20 years but please, let it be possible with an eager heart and mind and a lot of slogging to achieve this qualification, even for a Mum just like me??

    Is there anyone else out there who is not a teacher and does not have a degree or any teaching skills who did this course and passed?

    Please reply as I need some encouragement!!

    I am dreading the "standing up in front of everyone and trying my hand at teaching", but I am more scared of the other prospect of not being able to make ends meet and letting my children down and failing before I even begin if I throw the towel in now.

    Worried girl!!!!

    Jacintha, I can understand exactly how you feel. I returned from years of living abroad about 4 years ago and, after some thought, in my early 40s, I started down the TEFL route. The initial reason was to perhaps do some more travelling in a few years but, much to my surprise, I discovered I loved teaching and eventually decided to pack in my boring office job and try to teach full time.

    I did one of the much maligned i-to-i courses (80 hours in total) and can say that even though it doesn't cover as much as a CELT or CELTA course it did give me a good grounding in how to teach English to non-native speakers. I was fortunate, on completion of this course, to get a voluntary position teaching EFL for the local VEC. This meant I got the practice teaching that the course didn't include. It was absolutely terrifying at first but I soon settled down and got more confident about standing in front of a class. I can't recommend voluntary teaching highly enough for enabling you to gain experience and confidence. If you have time after your course it would pay dividends for your career to get some practice this way. You'll meet some amazing people along the way too.

    I hope it works out for you. Don't be too scared :) The study skills will come back too although it'll be an uphill struggle at times (I''m still struggling!), But, believe me, it'll all be worthwhile in the end. Good luck!


  • #110
    carmo85
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11 ✭carmo85


    I think you would do well with TEFL as they would prob set you up with a ob themselves. However, Asia (maybe excl. Japan) is prob the only place in the world where the demand for English speakers outweighs it's supply. You also have a degree and this goes a long way over there. I would start looking for English language schools in whatever country you are looking at and send some emails asking for work.

    The best place for you right now, is daves esl café. It's a teerrific website with loads of information on teaching in nearly ewvery country in the world. I will be doing a TEFL in December but only because I want to get a job in Madrid for 6 months to tie me over until September. Ideally, a CELTA or Trinity would be preferred for this but I do not have the funds, not do I want to do this as a career.

    Hope this helps.


  • #111
    red_bairn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,343 ✭✭✭red_bairn


    carmo85 wrote: »
    I think you would do well with TEFL as they would prob set you up with a ob themselves. However, Asia (maybe excl. Japan) is prob the only place in the world where the demand for English speakers outweighs it's supply. You also have a degree and this goes a long way over there. I would start looking for English language schools in whatever country you are looking at and send some emails asking for work.

    The best place for you right now, is daves esl café. It's a teerrific website with loads of information on teaching in nearly ewvery country in the world. I will be doing a TEFL in December but only because I want to get a job in Madrid for 6 months to tie me over until September. Ideally, a CELTA or Trinity would be preferred for this but I do not have the funds, not do I want to do this as a career.

    Hope this helps.

    Yeah, I'm just wondering whether this weekend course thing would be ok or a four week course is more beneficial?

    If I do a four week course, I may leave my current job after the Christmas period and do the course in Jan if available.

    But If the weekend courses are adequate, I can continue with my job right up to the end of say, February and have money saved away plus have a job to fall into for abroad :D

    What's this about Trinity? This an organisation or are you talking about the college?

    Anybody else got thoughts on what I should do?

    I've got the experience of speaking to others through presentations in class and have even spoke infront of the lecturers and students when speaking about my 'work' (art work), so I've gained some confidence through that generally. But I don't wanna do a 'hey! I'm gonna run off to Asia and teach English w/o a TEFL course or watever under me sleeve!'. I'd rather have a security blanket, you know?

    My sister also teaches History and Religion over in Essex and whenever she's over during the Christmas period, I could get some advice off her. Her and her lesson plans and the like. When she was studying in her teaching course I'd see her get very active in creating up ways to be very interactive with her school kids, and this is what I like.

    When I was in college, I seemed to become the non-paid techy for alotta peeps, sometimes I didn't care, sometimes I got irritated...but in the end It was helpful for both the learner and the teacher. My close friend from college would sometimes struggle about with some video editing stuff or when we were doing web design, and I'd give him analogies so he'd understand the technical writings behind it. I'd sometimes act them out. :D


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  • #112
    Oceanfeliz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭Oceanfeliz


    Hi Kevin Dublin

    Do you know where I could access information about the number of Irish English Language schools in Ireland please? I friend told me that many of these schools are closing down.Is this true?

    Thank you


  • #113
    blackrovers
    Registered Users Posts: 88 ✭✭blackrovers


    hey guys some good advice on this thread. But i'm just wondering is there any financial aid or anyway of availing of any of these CELT courses through the department of education itself? i heard that in some schools the teachers got to do tefl courses for free!!


  • #114
    red_bairn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,343 ✭✭✭red_bairn


    red_bairn wrote: »
    Yeah, I'm just wondering whether this weekend course thing would be ok or a four week course is more beneficial?

    If I do a four week course, I may leave my current job after the Christmas period and do the course in Jan if available.

    But If the weekend courses are adequate, I can continue with my job right up to the end of say, February and have money saved away plus have a job to fall into for abroad :D

    What's this about Trinity? This an organisation or are you talking about the college?

    Anybody else got thoughts on what I should do?

    I've got the experience of speaking to others through presentations in class and have even spoke infront of the lecturers and students when speaking about my 'work' (art work), so I've gained some confidence through that generally. But I don't wanna do a 'hey! I'm gonna run off to Asia and teach English w/o a TEFL course or watever under me sleeve!'. I'd rather have a security blanket, you know?

    My sister also teaches History and Religion over in Essex and whenever she's over during the Christmas period, I could get some advice off her. Her and her lesson plans and the like. When she was studying in her teaching course I'd see her get very active in creating up ways to be very interactive with her school kids, and this is what I like.

    When I was in college, I seemed to become the non-paid techy for alotta peeps, sometimes I didn't care, sometimes I got irritated...but in the end It was helpful for both the learner and the teacher. My close friend from college would sometimes struggle about with some video editing stuff or when we were doing web design, and I'd give him analogies so he'd understand the technical writings behind it. I'd sometimes act them out. :D

    Any help on this much appreciated.

    I was also looking at the JET Programme set up in Japan, but it closing date for applications was yesterday, nonetheless, the programme is for a contracted full year...

    I would love to find something like their ALT's programme elsewhere If possible. If not, I may have to do the TEFL course soon.

    I need to make a decision of the next few weeks.


  • #115
    red_bairn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,343 ✭✭✭red_bairn


    red_bairn wrote: »
    Any help on this much appreciated.

    I was also looking at the JET Programme set up in Japan, but it closing date for applications was yesterday, nonetheless, the programme is for a contracted full year...

    I would love to find something like their ALT's programme elsewhere If possible. If not, I may have to do the TEFL course soon.

    I need to make a decision of the next few weeks.

    :(

    bump


  • #116
    laser750
    Registered Users Posts: 35 ✭laser750


    Hi,

    Does anybody know if it is possible to do the CELT course anywhere near Waterford? I want to enroll in a course but would rather not have to travel to Dublin/Galway for it:)


  • #117
    nellyshark
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 455 ✭✭nellyshark


    Hi all,

    is there anywhere I can do a celta in Kerry or abroad where it wont cost be an arm and a leg. I was looking at http://www.oxfordtefl.com/ but that is 4-week TESOL courses and in Spain cost 1450 and a further 400 for accom. Is there anywhere I can this for cheaper or will I be able to get some assistance from Fas?

    Thanks for any replies


  • #118
    madziuda
    Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭madziuda


    International House offers a 4-week CELTA course in Krakow, Poland at 897.40 Euro, with accommodation at roughly 250 Euro (though if you look for short term accommodation on your own you'll find much cheaper places of equal standard)

    http://www.ih.pl/international-house-krakow.php?m=1


  • #119
    nellyshark
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 455 ✭✭nellyshark


    madziuda wrote: »
    International House offers a 4-week CELTA course in Krakow, Poland at 897.40 Euro, with accommodation at roughly 250 Euro (though if you look for short term accommodation on your own you'll find much cheaper places of equal standard)

    http://www.ih.pl/international-house-krakow.php?m=1

    Thanks for that. Thats more like the price I would pay, has anyone been at it or can recommend it?


  • #120
    Rainbow_brite
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Rainbow_brite


    laser750 wrote: »
    Hi,

    Does anybody know if it is possible to do the CELT course anywhere near Waterford? I want to enroll in a course but would rather not have to travel to Dublin/Galway for it:)

    Hi Laser750

    Did you find out in the end in there are any courses near Waterford? Last time I checked it was mainly Dublin also


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  • #121
    Dionysus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,420 ✭✭✭Dionysus


    laser750 wrote: »
    Hi,

    Does anybody know if it is possible to do the CELT course anywhere near Waterford? I want to enroll in a course but would rather not have to travel to Dublin/Galway for it:)
    Rainbow_brite wrote: »
    Hi Laser750

    Did you find out in the end in there are any courses near Waterford? Last time I checked it was mainly Dublin also


    Every officially sanctioned Department of Education ACELS CELT course in Ireland can be found on this very handy map on the ACELS homepage:

    http://www.acels.ie/search.htm

    A click on the 'W', for instance, reveals that a CELT course is running in:

    Name: Waterford English Language Centres
    Address: 31 John's Hill, Waterford. Co. Waterford
    Tel: 051 877288
    Fax: 051 854603
    Website: www.welc.ie
    Contacts: Bridget Behal, Benedict Behal

    There is also an ACELS CELT course running in:

    Name: EFL-Ireland
    Address: 29 Fisherman's Grove, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford
    Tel: 051 347483
    Fax: 051 385483
    Email: info@efl-ireland.com
    Website: www.efl-ireland.com
    Contact: Richard McMullen


  • #122
    Rainbow_brite
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Rainbow_brite


    Thank you Dionysus for the link


  • #123
    Sir Humphrey
    Closed Accounts Posts: 104 ✭✭Sir Humphrey


    The Waterford schools mentioned offer ACELS approved English course but I don't think they offer teacher training which I presume is what people mean when they equire about CELT.


  • #124
    youngblood
    Registered Users Posts: 1,770 ✭✭✭youngblood


    Hi, hope someone here maybe able to answer this
    Qualified primary school teaching, 5 years experience
    Qualified EFL teacher as part of my under grad
    Have taught in Asia, Europe and language schools here
    during the summer
    Wondering what my EFL job prospects would be in New Zealand?
    I initially thought about primary teaching there but as the fee's to get accredited over there are so high and I will only be there for about 3 months
    I was wondering what my EFL job prospects would be there?
    Any help appreciated


  • #125
    Feownah
    Closed Accounts Posts: 87 ✭✭Feownah


    Hi there, I am looking to do a part time CELT course as i have a full time job, the only part time courses seem to be in Dublin School of English and also Dorset College. Has anyone been on either of these courses, I would appreciate some feedback ? I am ideally looking for the cheapest option but I also take the quality of the course into consideration. Also if anyone knows of any other part time options in Dublin region please advise?Thanks!


  • #126
    snowleapord
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭snowleapord


    Hi there
    I completed a CELTA course in IH Dublin in November..Brilliant course was 1 month and super intensive...v pressurised but well worth it!!
    I know that IH Dublin do part time courses too..so check them out. I hear that it is very difficult doing the course part time...better to get it over and done in 1 month if you're able too. I was lucky I got funding from Fás that paid for most of the course as I was made redundant in May..Hope this helps ;)


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  • #127
    Dionysus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,420 ✭✭✭Dionysus


    I received notification about the following event from an English language school that I worked with last year. It is from ACELS, which is the governing body of English language schools in Ireland and which awards the CELT tefl qualification. If anybody is interested in becoming a teacher of English as a foreign language, it would probably be worth your while going to it in the Teachers' Club (Parnell Square, Dublin) on Saturday 6 February 2010:
    http://www.acels.ie/acelsevents.htm

    PS: As somebody who did the CELT, I regularly receive such emails from both the language school I did it in and the school I worked in last year. Most of these emails are notifications of jobs for teachers of English across the world. They were looking for teachers in Santander in Spain two days ago.


  • #128
    Cole
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,509 ✭✭✭Cole


    snowleapord wrote: »
    I hear that it is very difficult doing the course part time...better to get it over and done in 1 month if you're able too.

    I posted a query about the part-time versus full-time options at IH in the other recent CELTA thread, no feedback yet.

    Do you have anymore info on this, snowleapord? I can do either option.


  • #129
    Deadsnott
    Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭Deadsnott


    Hi everyone, just finished reading the 9 pages of this thread (very informative, thanks to everyone!).

    I'm hoping to do the 4 week CELT course but it costs the best part of a thousand euros :( so it will be some time before I can get the money together. I was wondering if there was any funding I could get? I went to my local employment services office today but they told me FAS will not fund anything to do with TEFL or the likes. I saw that Goiter posted that he/she got partial funding from FAS. Does anyone have any more info about this or about anywhere else I can try? Any help would be greatly appreciated.


  • #130
    Feownah
    Closed Accounts Posts: 87 ✭✭Feownah


    hey all. thanks for responses also! Anybody have any feedback/stories to tell of their experiences whilst teaching abroad?Recommend any particular countries?


  • #131
    Rainbow_brite
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭Rainbow_brite


    Hi all

    I've been thinking of completing the CELTA course for sometime. Just wondering if anybody completed it in International House London? if so whats their thoughts on it? I presume it's similar to the course offered in IH Dublin?!

    Thanks


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  • #132
    1c1a
    Registered Users Posts: 91 ✭✭1c1a


    does anyone know if you can collect your garda vetting form from the offices in tipp? And if you just rang them and said you needed it asap could you collect it instead of waiting for it to be posted?


  • #133
    laser750
    Registered Users Posts: 35 ✭laser750


    Thanks very much for all the replies;)


  • #134
    Tristram
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭Tristram


    1c1a wrote: »
    does anyone know if you can collect your garda vetting form from the offices in tipp? And if you just rang them and said you needed it asap could you collect it instead of waiting for it to be posted?

    Don't know myself. I had a few things I wanted clarified when applying for me, phoned and found them to be very helpful. Maybe you could give them a ring.


  • #135
    blackrovers
    Registered Users Posts: 88 ✭✭blackrovers


    youngblood wrote: »
    Hi, hope someone here maybe able to answer this
    Qualified primary school teaching, 5 years experience
    Qualified EFL teacher as part of my under grad
    Have taught in Asia, Europe and language schools here
    during the summer
    Wondering what my EFL job prospects would be in New Zealand?
    I initially thought about primary teaching there but as the fee's to get accredited over there are so high and I will only be there for about 3 months
    I was wondering what my EFL job prospects would be there?
    Any help appreciated

    hi just wondering how you got to do tefl teaching in asia and what the pay was like?


  • #136
    youngblood
    Registered Users Posts: 1,770 ✭✭✭youngblood


    Hey there,
    was about 7 years ago
    Pay wasnt great when you converted it but was a very decent amount in comparison to the local salaries there
    Accomodation and food was covered in my package as was a portion of the flights abroad
    Unfortunately the school is no longer in operation but am sure many schools/companies still offer the same sorta packages
    I applied thought TEFL.com
    It was a life changing experience-
    Go for it-You wont be a millionaire after it but you'll have memories that last a lifetime


  • #137
    laser750
    Registered Users Posts: 35 ✭laser750


    Rainbow_brite wrote: »
    Thank you Dionysus for the link
    Hi,
    I checked out the link that Dionysus added and it seems there are alot of courses out there but none in waterford. The majority are in Dublin, Galway and Cork. There are some in Louth i think and Clare and Wicklow.


  • #138
    Smokey1000
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭Smokey1000


    Hi, I'm looking to do TEFL and move away to somewhere warm and cheap, I've heard bad things about I to I, so I'm looking into TEFL International, it's a company with about 30 locations around the world where you go away for a month of intensive courses, I'm looking at the one in Phuket, Thailand, anyone used TEFL international or know anyone who has experience with them? They seem legit.

    http://www.teflcourse.net/index.htm


  • #139
    cloneslad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭cloneslad


    blackrovers wrote: »
    hi just wondering how you got to do tefl teaching in asia and what the pay was like?

    what part of asia are you interested in?

    I taught in Korea for 18months until july 2008 and I am going back out again on sunday for another 12 months.

    My school pays for my flights to korea and also back home after my 12 month stint, they also pay for my accomodation, although I pay gas, elec, phone, internet.

    After that I also receive my salary, even with going out nd enjoying myself, I should save around €10grand in the 12 months.

    All schools will (should) offer to pay your flights and accomodation plus a one month bonus at the end of the 12 months. salary is dependent on the school plus your experience but I wouldn't work in a private school for less than 2.2 million won per month


  • #140
    Smokey1000
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭Smokey1000


    Wow, that sounds great, you'd recommend teaching in S. Korea then? What are the people like? What area are you living in?


  • #141
    cloneslad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭cloneslad


    Smokey1000 wrote: »
    Wow, that sounds great, you'd recommend teaching in S. Korea then? What are the people like? What area are you living in?


    yeah I would definitely recommend it. I will be living on a little island just off the south east coast, it's called geoje do. It has quite a small population (for korea) about 200,000 people on the island.

    I am going back to my old school, no point risking being somewhere I don't like :)

    You do need to have a bachelors degree though. It's a requirement to obtain the visa (E2 visa). You don't need a tefl / celta cert or anything like that though, although if you want to work in the public schools it helps get you about an extra 60 or 70 euro a month in your pay cheque.

    If you have any questions about it then feel free to ask me. there is also another poster called livinginkorea and they have quite a lot of knowledge on the subject matter too. you could also read this thread to find out information on it.


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  • #142
    Smokey1000
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭Smokey1000


    Thanks, I do have a BA and a masters, so that opens up a lot of option, the school i'm applying to in thailand to do tefl say they can set me up with a job locally afterward.


  • #143
    cloneslad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭cloneslad


    Smokey1000 wrote: »
    Thanks, I do have a BA and a masters, so that opens up a lot of option, the school i'm applying to in thailand to do tefl say they can set me up with a job locally afterward.


    the ba and masters will bump you up on the payscale for the public school system. if you had a tefl qualification with more than 100hours I think it takes you up to a pay scale of 2.3 million. you will also get a a bonus for teaching in a less populated area (outside seoul or busan)

    The pay in thailand isn't so great but the lifestyle would be much more pleasant and enjoyable.


  • #144
    livinginkorea
    Registered Users Posts: 5,438 ✭✭✭livinginkorea


    Smokey1000 wrote: »
    Thanks, I do have a BA and a masters, so that opens up a lot of option, the school i'm applying to in thailand to do tefl say they can set me up with a job locally afterward.

    A MA will get you a university job in Korea but you will need some experience (especially if it isn't related to education). If you have experience then you could be looking at 2.5~3 million won (1,600~1,900 Euro) a month for around 15 hours but that would exclude housing. In and around Seoul you are expected to get your own housing for most universities positions. With public schools and institutes they have to give you housing by law. Housing is standard for universities in the countryside but you will make less money. Vacation time is pretty good, typically 2~4 months a year depending which university you work for. It's typically 2 weeks for institutes and a couple weeks more for public schools dependin a great deal on your boss and the placement or program (EPIK, GEPIK).

    I don't want to blow my own trumpet but getting a good university job is what many teachers in Korea dream of. And you can easily see why. A lot of my co-workers or ex co-workers take long trips around Asia, stopping in one place for a month or so. They go back home for a month and then travel for a month. Some study other courses. Many do winter or summer camps which should be extra pay for most universities. Once you get in the door then are flying but you need a MA to have a realistic chance because that's the way the market is going now. I work in a TESOL Department (MA level) for a fairly high university (top 20 in Korea out of 200+) and there are 4 Phds proffessors with the remainder currently doing a Phd. We have about 10 weeks vacation per semester (paid of course) and teach 12 hours a week. If you have a MA these things are possible and with some experience there is no reason why you can't try.

    Seriously consider Korea.


  • #145
    maggie_cork
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 302 ✭✭maggie_cork


    Hi. Im thinking of going abroad to teach tefl aswell. thinking of going september.. still in final year college at moment so if i dont get my dDip this year I would love to travel, work abroad and gain amazing experience for a year..

    my qualifications will be a joint honours degree in History & English (hoping to get a 2.1) I also have a tefl qualification through college..

    I wasnt considering Korea at the start but Im opened to anywhere.. my only worry though is finding a good school to teach in.. i have heard stories from people that they were placed in less than desirable schools.. so I want to be really careful.

    I also want to work somewhere abroad where I can both experience a new culture, gain experience but also make money.. Because bills etc.. and also the cost of doing my postgrad when I come back..


  • #146
    cloneslad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭cloneslad


    maggie_cork wrote: »
    Hi. Im thinking of going abroad to teach tefl aswell. thinking of going september.. still in final year college at moment so if i dont get my dDip this year I would love to travel, work abroad and gain amazing experience for a year..

    my qualifications will be a joint honours degree in History & English (hoping to get a 2.1) I also have a tefl qualification through college..

    I wasnt considering Korea at the start but Im opened to anywhere.. my only worry though is finding a good school to teach in.. i have heard stories from people that they were placed in less than desirable schools.. so I want to be really careful.

    I also want to work somewhere abroad where I can both experience a new culture, gain experience but also make money.. Because bills etc.. and also the cost of doing my postgrad when I come back..


    If you have your degree scroll just follow apply to different agencies or schools you see advertised, there is a whole thread on teaching in korea in this forum.

    I also posted the process of applying for the visa so that should be no problem for you either.

    The only way you are going to find out if the school you are going to is nice, trust worthy and in a good area is to get the contact details of current and previous teachers and ask them all the questions you have to try and gain as much information as possible.

    Korea is definitely one of the best places to go if you want to have a good experience and save some money while doing it.


  • #147
    theglobe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 300 ✭✭theglobe


    Hi guys, the information has been great, thanks a lot. I just want to clear a few things up.

    I'm travelling to Phuket in June with an open ended ticket and I am very interested in TEFL. Are there many opportunities for teaching in Phuket are places near it? I am open to travelling to get work however.

    I graduated in May with a 2h1 Commerce degree from UCC. Would this be considered a useful degree to have for teaching?

    What would anyone estimate are the % chances of getting a job in Asia with the Commerce degree alone? What sorta chance would I have with the basic TEFL qualification and the Commerce degree? I am aware it is important to be actually a good teacher as well of course: )

    P.S Around what months would I have the best opportunities to get a job?

    Thanking you..


  • #148
    cloneslad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭cloneslad


    theglobe wrote: »
    Hi guys, the information has been great, thanks a lot. I just want to clear a few things up.

    I'm travelling to Phuket in June with an open ended ticket and I am very interested in TEFL. Are there many opportunities for teaching in Phuket are places near it? I am open to travelling to get work however.

    I don't have any information about jobs in thailand, I do know that the pay is quite loq but the living expenses are too. Aparrently some of the bosses can be very difficult to work with and will stiff you on your pay cheque.
    theglobe wrote: »
    I graduated in May with a 2h1 Commerce degree from UCC. Would this be considered a useful degree to have for teaching?

    In korea they don't care what your degree is in, it's only for visa purposes that the degree is a requirement.
    theglobe wrote: »
    What would anyone estimate are the % chances of getting a job in Asia with the Commerce degree alone? What sorta chance would I have with the basic TEFL qualification and the Commerce degree? I am aware it is important to be actually a good teacher as well of course: )

    you will have a great chance of getting a job with only your degree, most hagwons (private schools) in Korea will hire you on that alone, you can always lie on your cv and say you have previous teaching experience etc, however I would recommend you studying up on grammar etc etc Although you will find yourself improving in these areas as time goes on.

    The basic TEFL, I'm assuming you mean the 60 hour online one? Is not worth much in terms of a qualification, it will not give you a pay rise in the public school sector but it will imrpove your overall grammatical skills. You really need to be doind at least the 100 hour one, but if possible do the month long celta, it costs about a grand but will allow you to teach throughout Europe and also in Ireland too.

    The TEFL/Celta is really not a big deal to have if teaching in Korea, it will get you further ahead in the pecking order than those who don't have one but you should find a job easily in the private sector and also in the public school system (the 100 hour tefl gets you a bonus in your pay cheque in public schools though)
    theglobe wrote: »
    P.S Around what months would I have the best opportunities to get a job?

    Thanking you..

    Public schools have their main hiring periods in September and at the end of feb/start of march. To get in for these you really need to be applying in July and December to allow yourself enough time to be accepted and to get your visa sorted.

    They do hire throughout the year to cover teachers leaving early etc.

    Private schools will hire all year round, it just depends on the school when they last hired a teacher and when their 12 month stint is up.


  • #149
    theglobe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 300 ✭✭theglobe


    cloneslad wrote: »
    I don't have any information about jobs in thailand, I do know that the pay is quite loq but the living expenses are too. Aparrently some of the bosses can be very difficult to work with and will stiff you on your pay cheque.



    In korea they don't care what your degree is in, it's only for visa purposes that the degree is a requirement.



    you will have a great chance of getting a job with only your degree, most hagwons (private schools) in Korea will hire you on that alone, you can always lie on your cv and say you have previous teaching experience etc, however I would recommend you studying up on grammar etc etc Although you will find yourself improving in these areas as time goes on.

    The basic TEFL, I'm assuming you mean the 60 hour online one? Is not worth much in terms of a qualification, it will not give you a pay rise in the public school sector but it will imrpove your overall grammatical skills. You really need to be doind at least the 100 hour one, but if possible do the month long celta, it costs about a grand but will allow you to teach throughout Europe and also in Ireland too.

    The TEFL/Celta is really not a big deal to have if teaching in Korea, it will get you further ahead in the pecking order than those who don't have one but you should find a job easily in the private sector and also in the public school system (the 100 hour tefl gets you a bonus in your pay cheque in public schools though)



    Public schools have their main hiring periods in September and at the end of feb/start of march. To get in for these you really need to be applying in July and December to allow yourself enough time to be accepted and to get your visa sorted.

    They do hire throughout the year to cover teachers leaving early etc.

    Private schools will hire all year round, it just depends on the school when they last hired a teacher and when their 12 month stint is up.

    Yeah, just read through my post. My grammar is a little all over the place because I wrote it up in like a minute. I wouldn't make those mistakes normally:)

    I'm assuming I would just have to go to Korea and put myself out there... Is it possible to do interviews in Phuket and get a placement for Korea?

    Thanks for all the information.


  • #150
    cloneslad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭cloneslad


    theglobe wrote: »
    Yeah, just read through my post. My grammar is a little all over the place because I wrote it up in like a minute. I wouldn't make those mistakes normally:) .

    I wasn't judging your grammar fromy your post, I don't use perfect grammar on here either, it's just that we stop studying and learning about grammar in primary school.

    I never knew there were so many tenses and other grammatical stuffythingy maj-igs.
    theglobe wrote: »
    I'm assuming I would just have to go to Korea and put myself out there... Is it possible to do interviews in Phuket and get a placement for Korea?

    Thanks for all the information.


    Most people tend to get hired for their first contract outside of the country and then coming near the end of that they will look for a new job in the country with better pay due to contacts you have made.

    If you are going to go over to korea and look for a job, be sure you have your documents all ready to apply for your vsia, they can be found in the teaching in korea thread.

    Also if it is your first time teaching in korea you will have to get an interview at the korean embassy and I am not sure if this can be done in japan or if you have to fly home to do it.


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  • #151
    Smokey1000
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7 ✭Smokey1000


    I've just been accepted to a TEFL course in Phuket, Thailand and was talking to a guy in the school who said job oppertunities in Phuket are pretty good.
    Anyone hear anything about this course/school? Haven't paid a deposit yet, just wanna check it out, it seems well certified:
    http://www.teflcourse.net/tefl-courses-locations/thailand/phuket/


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