Teaching English Outside of US
 

My just college grad son is getting ready to get a certificate to qualify him to teach English as a second language somewhere outside of the US. Anyone out there have any experience with any of the certification programs or experiences teaching in another country? I would love to hear your experiences. He wants to go to Bogota, Colombia, or somewhere else in South America, and then after that to Japan.

I have a coworker whose sister teaches in Japan. She got her position through Dave's ELS cafe.

http://www.eslcafe.com/

Unfortunately that's all the info I have.

I hope this helps.

I would suggest checking out some of the major chains of language schools for employment opportunities. I'm sure they would also provide info as to what qualifications they require for their teachers. My brother worked for International House in Poland -they have schools all over the world, and have an excellent reputation. The other major one that I know of is, of course, Berlitz. Most of my brother's coworkers were recent college grads. Good luck!

Several of my relatives have done this. ONe went to Turkey for a year, then followed it by going to Harvard Law; One went to China and hasnt returned. He ended up getting a permanant job there for a US company, then after a while, and is also doing freelance writing. He's been there at least 6 or 7 years. Finally, my nephew went to Singapore to teach, met his future wife, who was doing the same thing. funny thing is that they went to the same college at the same time but never knew each other. Glas to say they just had their 2nd child! Everyone loved teaching overseas, and all went on to successful careers.

My son found tons of info on Daves ESL .. he is now in his 5th year of teaching in Japan :)
He actually found his first job, online, in a small town outside of Tokyo. A lot of the schools provide an apt, speaking Japanese is not required, the pay is usually very good and the schools provide the Visa that the teachers need , in order to work in Japan.
From there he moved into Tokyo and got a new job with a big school..
He really has enjoyed working and living in Japan and has seen a lot of the country..they have many vacation days, including 2 weeks in Aug and 2 in Dec.
Good luck to your son, I hate it that ours is so far away, but he has seen so much of the world and learned so much !

Thank you all for your answers. He thinks he is using Oxford Seminars. I will have him check out Dave's ESL cafe if he hasn't already. I have mixed emotions, on one hand I am encouraging him to take this time in his life to see the world and have the awesome learning experience of living in another culture. On the other hand I have missed him like crazy for 4 years of college and he was only in Chicago (we are in California!) His choice of Bogata also has me concerned, but he has a friend who lives there and he insists it isn't as scary as it's reputation! Scarlett and Rachel you are describing my big fear, that he will like it so much he will never come back!

topping

Here's a great feature article about someone who did just what your son is planning:

http://tinyurl.com/rumbn

Thanks Bardo,
Gee, do I want him to fall in love with China!? That really is my only fear...he goes to some far end of the earth and likes it so much he stays! I love Fodor Folk, I know I can come here and ask a question that is connected to travel in the slimmest way and still get answers! I wish there was a Fodors for home remodels, my other dilemna in life!

I taught English in Slovakia about 13 years ago. It was one of the best times of my life so far. There was no threat of me staying - still had grad school to contend with - but I have the most wonderful memories.

Sadly, I don't remember the details of how I got the job, although I know it was based on something I saw at my Canadian university.

A close friend taught English in Japan and also had a fantastic year.

I think your son is very likely to have an incredibly memorable and positive experience. I wish him luck!

I don't but the most recent guest on my travel show had taught english in Japan. He said that in Japan you did not need a TEFL certificate in Japan. I cannot verify that.

http://AmateurTraveler.com/2007/01/2...lish-in-japan/

ttt

I see this has been topped so I will update my son's situation. He accepted a position teaching at a private school in South Korea. He researched the school well before he took the job. They gave hime several current and past teacher's e-mail addresses and they said it was a good place. He teaches K-8, primarily the younger kids. I think he has found this a valuble experience in many ways. He is not too keen on keeping the kids in line so pretty sure elementary education won't be a career path. Living in a culture that is very different than the US has been a great way to empathize with people who are living in the US and trying to cope with a culture they are not familiar with. He has found himself getting frustrated in situations where things were handled differently than they would be here in the US and has had to take a step back and realize just because he is used to things being done a certain way does not make it the "right" way. He has also had to experience being the outsider/foreigner. 6' 2" Blond curly hair really stands out and he has been stared at and laughed at frequently, also a cultural difference.(His little kids call him "ramen head") He has enjoyed the bit of travel he has done and hopes when he has more break time to take a few more trips. He is a really adventerous eater and likes Korean food but he has loved the care packages I have put together with whole wheat bread (not available in his town) Pita bread, Falafel mix, Cliff bars and some other hard to find items! I would urge anyone with an interest in doing this to check out their options on the websites previous posters have mentioned. If this had been an option 30 years ago (maybe it was) I would have gone in a heartbeat! Most of his co-workers are from Canada, the UK, Australia, So Africa and all are into travel. He has made friends with people he normally would not have bonded with just because they are English speaking co-workers. We are hoping to get a trip in before he leaves so that is an added bonus for us. It will also make it easier to live with his decision to leave the west coast and live in NY when he returns. That seems much closer now!

Thanks for bringing us up-to-date, Mary2Go. It sounds like this is a wonderful experience for your son. I'm envious!

That's a great post, Mary2Go, thannks for the update.

Thanks so much for resurrecting this thread. My son is very interested in doing this very same thing and this information will be very helpful for him.