Starting a career in ESL

[tnb0314]

Hi, I'm currently a Junior in high school in the US. I'm planning on teaching English as a second language. I'm pretty sure I will be majoring in english and if not it will be something bery similar (definetly something within the liberal arts field). Once I get my TEFL and graduate from college, what are the frist steps? I really want to teach in Europe and eventually teach a little in Africa, but I would like to start in Europe and get adjusted to the change from university to real life and get a little money before I go work for hardly anything in Africa. I heard it's hard to get your first job in ESL if you're an American citizen. i heard it takes a very long time to get accepted to teach in Europe and for the papers to be processed and such and that most jobs won't wait for all this to happen.

basically I'm jsut looking for any advice or what to expect once graduating and getting my TEFL certificate. What is next?

thanks sooo much!!

[cool ice]

You need to fix up your spelling before you start teaching! I hope you put a bit more care into your teaching than you do in your posting, otherwise it would be very unfair to your students. Self-improvement is an ongoing process.

Originally Posted by tnb0314

something bery similar

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Originally Posted by tnb0314

definetly something within the liberal arts field

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Originally Posted by tnb0314

basically I'm jsut looking

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Originally Posted by tnb0314

I heard it's hard to get your first job in ESL if you're an American citizen.

Total crap! Where did you hear this from? If anything, it's to your advantage to have an American accent - it's in big demand you know!

First step would be to go to university after highschool. Without a university degree, you are only going to sell yourself short and close many doors. Trust me... I have seen many without a degree and they only now wish they did head to university after high school.

If you want to get a feel for teaching without waiting 4 years until you graduate, then try a summer program of a few weeks teaching somewhere. Korea has many of these summer teaching jobs available.

Forget Europe! It's too hard to get a job unless you hold an EU passport.

[LeslieW]

I would also consider seeing if a preschool or kindergarten are looking for assistants. Why not talk to your schools guidance counsellor about programs that allow you to work in some capacity at a school? One that would allow you to pick up pointers by watching teachers in action. Perhaps a semester work program, if they offer them in your area?

I agree with Cool Ice, work on your spelling, learn to proofread before okaying any thing. You wont get far with employers when they see spelling errors. You will have to forget about teaching in Europe, unless you marry a European sometime in your future. Without the EU passport, you wont even be considered.

Asia is a different story, as there is a great need for teachers that have the 4 year degree. If the degree isnt in Education then take a Tesol course before applying to any job.