Getting started as a foreign teacher

[Brisbanian]

Getting started as a foreign teacher?

I've been going to quite a few travel agents, websites and such basically gathering a ludicrous amount of information on what exactly the process is to teach english in another country. Holy moly, there is mountains of information, and your blacklist really has me questioning how much is valid - and how much is not.

Now firstly, qualifications?

I know that there are basically two qualifications, TEFl and TESOL, the difference being Tesol is a far more intensive "degree" qualifying you for many more jobs and pay in positions, and secondly TEFL is a lesser degree, upon which one can do quite a bit of (Here in Australia at least) on line at your own pace, the cost of which matters greatly, too.

Now of course I would like to do a Tesol course, but the costs and time requirements (Fulltime work etc) make it near impossible to do, so I ask those of you out there how does having a TEFL course basically... umm place you in the work force? Ideally in South America and/or China? Are the wages alright in these countries with just that qualification, or are they for the most part the same as one would have with no qualification?

Secondly, who is the best and/or good to go through agency wise? There seems to be a plethora of bodgy and not so bodgy (How can you tell from a website?) agencies offering you the earth for very little. Are the streets paved with gold? Not where I've travelled.... so that's got me a bit curious too.

As far as the actual work? I've done quite a bit of coaching, debating coaching (As well as regional/state debating competitions) forgive my lethargic nature in regards to textual communication too...

But these were basically my queries from someone who has very little real information, and I would really appreciate if those more experienced could basically give me a heads up, and/or starters guide so as to help me to answer some of these questions?

I'm sorry if I overlooked any rookies guide or similar, too, I did look.

Many thanks,

Brisbanian
Brisbane, Australia

[Antonio]

A good rule to follow is to get your Bachelor's degree before heading into the world of teaching. The TELF and TESOL qualifications after this is merely icing on the cake and will open more doors for you.

With on a Bachelor's degree and a passport from a native English speaking country, this would suffice in getting you a good teaching job overseas.

I have noticed over recent years more and more job ads are requesting the TEFL or TESOL qualification as preferred but not necessarily a necessity. So if you want to compete with other teachers looking for work, do yourself a favour and get some sort of teaching certificate.

And your question about who is the best agency to go with? Well, I'm not going to recommend any otherwise it may just bite me back in the bum. Whatever agency you choose to use, be sure to search in the black lists and in google for them to see if they are scam artists or just plain lazy with respect to looking after their teachers.

Does this help?

[Brisbanian]

Thanks.

As far as a bachelors degree, I'm really looking at heading off within the next couple of months.

Who I am looking at is i-to-i which seem to have a pretty good rep reading through the search functions.

Thanks a lot for your help, I think I might throw myself in the deepend after reading what I can and keeping my fingers crossed