Was curious if anyone has taught English as a foreign language. And if you have, did you get any sort of TEFL certificate before you started? And if so, online or classroom? What were your thoughts on the courses and the actual teaching?
I'm considering going ahead and trying to get some sort of certification before I head out of the country, as this is something I may want to do. I don't want to put too much time/money/effort into since I'm not sure I'd even use it, but would like to have it in my back pocket, and I figure that having some sort of certification (even if it's bullshit) will give me a leg up on someone without any certification if I try to get a job.

Taught for a year in China 12 yrs ago at a university. I did not have any certification. Different places may or may not require it, but it certainly couldn't hurt to have it. If you are really on the fence, maybe research which countries/cities you are most interested in teaching in, and check out the requirements.

 

Originally Posted by Sandman_Good

Would you need to have the ability to speak another language fluently to teach THEM the English language?

In my experience, many places prefer that you don't have any experience with their native language. This assures that you will teach in 100% English so the students can maximize the experience. In general if a school is hiring foreign native speaking teachers, they are looking to put them in classrooms with students already very proficient in English (and if not they will provide an assistant who can translate). In many countries, students start learning English in elementary school, and it becomes a fixture on their course load through the duration of their studies.

I rarely spoke Mandarin to my students, I spoke just enough to let them know that they couldn't get away with inappropriate conversations during class, and also used it as a disciplinary tool. If I switched from English to Mandarin, they would sort of straighten up in their seats and pay more attention.

 

Originally Posted by Kiribato

i taught english when i lived in China 12 years ago.

jinx

我不知道你能说中文。令人印象深刻

 

Originally Posted by Sandman_Good

Would you need to have the ability to speak another language fluently to teach THEM the English language? And if so...curious what can you speak?

Yo hablo espanol muy bien.

I do speak German, not quite fluently, but pretty well. And a little bit of Spanish.

 

Originally Posted by Glo4m

Taught for a year in China 12 yrs ago at a university. I did not have any certification. Different places may or may not require it, but it certainly couldn't hurt to have it. If you are really on the fence, maybe research which countries/cities you are most interested in teaching in, and check out the requirements.

I'm going to be moving to Berlin. From what I've heard (just in passing, haven't done tons of research on it) it's super competitive for English teaching jobs there, and they prefer native British English speakers, so I don't have to much false hope for getting a job. One of the main reasons I would want a job would be to get a work visa/residency permit. Also considering enrolling in University to get such a visa, but that seems like a lot of work just to be able to live there.

 

Originally Posted by Glo4m

In that case go for the certification for sure. As for the visa issue, a viable but more expensive option would be to go there on a tourist visa, then find a job while there and transition to a work visa. Not sure if you will have to do the exit reentry thing though.

In Germany that is the standard for Americans (to enter with a tourist visa and then get your work visa/residency permit while you are there). You can arrange for it ahead of time, but it doesn't seem to be the norm. And you don't have to do the exit/reentry thing. I was chatting last night with someone who got an extended tourist visa (6 months instead of the standard 3 months) to France a few years back. Hoping to maybe find the same for Germany.

Probably will end up doing one of these online certifications: http://www.i-to-i.com/tefl-course/ . Just not sure how many hours I want to sign up for.

Let me know how it goes. I've played with the idea of going back to teaching for years. It wouldn't be the best financial decision for me, but the thought of an international fugue type-adventure is something I often fantasize about.

 

Originally Posted by Justman

I have thought about it. But at 29 im too old for that shit

I'm only 28... good thing I'm not 29... oh wait, i'll be 29 before I leave, shit

 

Originally Posted by Glo4m

Let me know how it goes. I've played with the idea of going back to teaching for years. It wouldn't be the best financial decision for me, but the thought of an international fugue type-adventure is something I often fantasize about.

will do. yeah I took a huge pay cut to start playing poker 4.5 years ago and started travelling a lot 2 years ago and so far am really happy with the decision.

Been teaching in Korea for almost 5 years now. I just packed up and left. Didn't have/or have now a TESOL of TEFL.

 

Originally Posted by SevenCostanza

Decided to sign up at http://www.i-to-i.com/tefl-course/. Since it was on sale I decided to sign up for the biggest online package, a 60 hour course, 20 hour grammar addition, plus 4 other 10 hour specialty certificates. I have 3 months to complete it all, but I won't be upset if I don't make my way through all of it. I'll definitely do the full 60 hour course, and the others depend on how valuable I think the training is and also how much free time I end up having.

Starting it right now.

How much is it costing you out of curiosity?