Hello,
I would like to ask for some advice with regards to TEFL/ESOL teaching abroad. I have completed a TEFL certificate through i-to-i and I have also been working as a volunteer English teacher in Glasgow now for six months. I'm now planning on leaving home to pursue my teaching career overseas, but I'm anxious about having a negative experience. I've done some basic research online in order to try and ascertain some information on good and bad TEFL/ESOL schools / recruitment companies. It's starting to concern me as I've read some horror stories about how a lot of these franchise 'profit motif' schools/recruitment companies mess their employees about and basically exploit them. I've even read on some TEFL forums that i-to-i are suspect and have a bad reputation as an unscrupulous business. My question to you is, would you know of any credible or authoritative TEFL/ESOL language schools blacklist (if such a thing exists?). Or would you have any personal positive / negative experiences of your own you could enlighten me with? I would like some guidance so I have an idea of what schools to steer clear of. I've been reading conflicting positive and negative blogs from
http://teflblacklist.blogspot.com/2007/06/ef-indonesia-english-first-indonesia.html
but, this is one individual author's point of view, which to be honest, is very negative. How can I trust this as gospel? I mean what credibility does this person have? I'm confused and becoming a wee bit disheartened.
Best regards,
Andy.
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Thanks Beenal123.
Hi again
I just had another thought as I lived in Sweden for a number of years, it might be a good idea to approach "International English" school equivalents for a job, I'm sure they would be reputable and offer some good advice about teaching. I was offered a temporary contract as a subsitute teacher, however based on their lack of teachers I could have stayed for the remainder of the year.
A possible avenue for some...
BR Bee
Hi!
I read your blog and have the same concerns. Although I am in the very early stages of my exploration in the teaching world. I cannot really offer much advice based on my limited experience (I only registered on my TEFL course a few days ago), but based on what life has taught me. Theirs a lot of screwing people over, it doesnt surprise me. Life is a risk, and I (possibly recklessly or blindly) have entered into numerous "explorations" to be burnt - however life is a learning cuve. I think you have got to assess every situation, take a chance - and always have a back door open. Keep your eyes and ears open, being aware of the good and the bad (plus ugly!)
Maybe this is coming out wrong but the main point I wanted to say is I will do some research and find the best possible placement I can (If i do!) and then time will tell. I rather judge it by my own experience than by others, and I think it can be helpful to read other peoples experiences (good and bad). However you have to weigh it all out and make up YOUR own mind
Good luck, Id love to know how it goes for you
BR Bee
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