Anyone here ever done the "teach English abroad" gig? How did you get started? Would you recommend it? I've done some searching but most results that I've found so far are some kind of company you need to pay to get you started.

pm zander iirc

 

Originally Posted by DONKWOOD

For Japan you need at least a bachelors degree. Look up the JET Program: http://www.jetprogramme.org/

The majority of English teachers belong to that program

Exactly what I thought about doing. I am not sure how it is now due to the obvious problems over there. Donk would know situation better

 

Originally Posted by normlfella

pm zander iirc

he recalls correctly, five years in Japan, TEFL certification in Prague, money and opportunity to travel all around the world.

I started out by applying for the JET Program in Japan as I finished college and ended up teaching there for 5 years. I spoke some Japanese when I got there but that's generally not required. Am actually currently looking at moving back there, especially with poker the way it is now.

Bachelor's isn't necessary for every job, but it's pretty standard and it's getting more competitive. TESL certification also not required, but it helps, and in a lot of the training programs (mine was a month of teaching Czech adult students after the day's classes, then going out and drinking one dollar pints of awesome Czech beers with other trainees and sometimes the students, especially the blondes) will even guarantee a job placement when you finish.

It's a pretty kickass way of life. Get paid to speak your language, become a local rockstar, see the world, live in countries that don't prosecute online poker, profit.

PM me with questions, I'll gladly answer.

I did a year in China, and I actually found the program through my hometown's local government. I went to my hometown's sister city in a teacher exchange program. Worth looking into if your city has sister cities in the country you want to go to. If not, I would recommend finding a program like the onmes mentioned above.

What ages are you generally teaching? Is teaching english the only option? or can you like teach science to high schoolers?

how does it pay? (is it enough to live on?)
do the programs set up a place to stay or u just find one on ur own?
what length of time do u have to commit to or do they expect?

i did it in madrid, you need to do a tefl course, well you dont need one but they way it works is companies go to your school ( mine was ttmadrid) and hire from there, it takes a month and costs about 1200 for me, i didnt use it tho, once i got it, it was xmas, i went home and never went back.....tefl equals teaching englsih as a second language btw

I assume you need to be bilingual with whatever the native language is in that country?

 

Originally Posted by TMLMS13

I assume you need to be bilingual with whatever the native language is in that country?

No, at least not for the purposes of teaching, and in many cases they prefer you don't speak their language. That way you won't give a crutch to the students. In many cases they are looking to hire someone who will speak nothing but 100% American English in their classrooms.

 

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson

anyone have a site to do this but in Europe instead of Asia?

find something and Im in. LS mentioned France, and I would be all over moving to France, working in a winery whilst you teach the English.

 

Originally Posted by Seykota

Do you know French, also? It will be hard to get a job in France outside of teaching English if you don't. I checked already!

he doesn't. we're thinking of getting rosetta stone though. i have 2 years of french that i took in high school so i know some, but not very much. i think that there is a chance to be hired without knowing the language in the hospitality business, especially in places that have high tourism as English is well known by most travelers.

 

Originally Posted by Seykota

Possible. I was reading a story about one of the French wineries yesterday hiring Chinese workers to help serve the Chinese tourists that are starting to visit the country more. The only thing is there is more exposure to English speakers already as the relationships are more developed. French unemployment rate is still high but getting better, too. Not trying to be negative, but just things to consider. I think the opportunity to live there for awhile would be fantastic as I've already done some looking into the laws about moving there to work for awhile myself. Good luck!

yeah, i just would love the opportunity even if its only for a little while. my current company has a division in France but i haven't been able to get anyone to write me back..lol. i've been trying to connect through our alumni club at Michigan State to get more info. we're hoping that since he's actually had some formal instruction in wine that it might be an advantage. i think we both feel if we could just get experience working there we wouldn't necessarily need to get jobs that pay like careers and it would be nothing but a benefit to have on a resume when (*if) we came back to the states. wishful thinking perhaps.

i know what you mean. i think half of what i ate there years (and years) ago was pain avec de beurre. they have the best bread.

thanks for the advice i'll give it a shot and see what i can come up with :)