cd

Our granddaughter and her husband are looking to teach English in Europe or Asia. They are college graduates and will be TEFL certified as they are currently in Germany finishing their certifications. Where does one start? They want to find positions before having to come back to the states. He has his degree in Japanese, she in French. Thank you.

thursdaysd

Try this site: http://eslcafe.com/

cd

Thank you thursdaysd

glover

I teach English here in the US and have been getting international job listings for years from tefl.com. Many of these are actually promoting tefl courses, but think at least some are for actual openings at various kinds of schools.

From what I've read most European jobs tend to go to EU passport holders. Possibilities seem better in Asia. I would hope too that your grandaughter and husband will be getting some good realistic job outlook/seeking info /assistance as part of their TEFL course as well. I was discouraged from teaching abroad by what I read - pay is predictably low, seems some people have trouble getting enough hours to pay living expenses, or getting their preference of students (eg. kids or adults?), while others are worked to death for little reward. Getting appropriate work permits/visas to work legally can sometimes be a hassle. . . in any case granddaughter should do due diligence about any schools she and husband consider, because quality of schools and treatment of teachers seems to vary wildly from place to place. But again, this is just what I took from my research. Though I got a TEFL cert outside the US, my teaching has been limited to here in the US. I'm sure you'll hear from others who have taught abroad - and hopefully from some who had a good experience!

cd

Thank you glover, I will send your reply on and appreciate you taking the time to respond.

harrybridges

you can call the local school ask if they need a English or not.
As I know, most people whose mother language is English can find the teaching job very easy in China

thursdaysd

With the appalling pollution that currently exists in China that would be far from my first choice. Well-paid expats are leaving rather than arriving.

foggybridges

South Korea is famous for having US citizens teach English, lots of jobs.

jobin

Well thursdaysd, maybe you are not a young, newly-graduated university person seeking some experience and adventure in the world. Sure, some folks are leaving china, it's a big place and until only a few years ago, very backwards. Lots of good university English teaching jobs and i would suggest that in the first instance, compared to younger kids. The Univs offer lots more free time and less hassle. And BTW, some folks are leaving the USA too, coz too many damn guns.

ClementineLdn

I think that's a bit harsh, jobin. The pollution in many areas of China is very bad and very dangerous, and not everyone knows about it. I certainly had no idea about just how bad it was until very recently.

South Korea has always been a good place to teach English. There are always plenty of jobs and they are constantly recruiting. You have to work long hours, but the salary is generally OK (not amazing, but more than enough to live well on) and you get free accommodation. Europe is pretty much out for those who don't hold European passports.

thursdaysd

@jobin - what on earth makes you think I support the lack of gun controls in the US?

On pollution in China, I can only conclude that you have not bothered to read articles/threads such as:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/02/wo...-in-china.html or
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...y-that-bad.cfm or
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...o-to-china.cfm

jobin

Ha thursday. I never implied that you favored guns or gun control laws. I only remind you, and others, that no destination is without problems of one kind or another. Sure China pollution is bad, would you suggest wannabe teachers go to Nigeria, or Pakistan, as an alternative, where the air is cleaner? China is in fact relatively safe for foreigners, despite the foul air found in some cities during some months. Would you deny young Western folk the direct experience of life in China when hundreds of millions of other folk are living in it, and will do so forever? And may i remind you of the pollution that most of us here contribute just living in the world with our daily auto and air transport usage? Sometimes i read on these pages a distinct arrogance built around the western concept of 'my wealth should enable me to buy what i want wherever i want it'. But this off topic.
I very recently lived and taught english in north china for 7 years and yes, did cough a bit during the winter esp, and saw many dirty rivers, some ignorant hygiene, very poor air but many fine people looking forwards as best they could given the reality of the mainland politics. And if i believed everything i read on the WWW, including NYT and Fodors, would i be stoopid or smart?

thursdaysd

@jobin - I think that people should be properly informed of both the positive and negative sides of a prospective decision, so far as that is possible. Most of what you write is quite irrelevant. The fact that many people have no choice but to live in awful conditions doesn't mean that others should volunteer to do so without knowing what they will face.

cd

Granddaughter and her husband have both been offered teaching jobs in Ningbo, China. They are very excited!