Looking for other South Africans in this community. I am interested in the possible success as a South African, of doing a TEFLcourse and getting a job in Europe?

Hi Amy

I'm new here,recently completed the TESOL course and i'm also unsure where the best place is to go teach.(so many options)

What I've heard is that they prefer a CELTA and you will probably get a job easier if you have an EU. But I've also seen positions advertised on dave's esl for positions in Italy and they only require a TEFL. I think the main issue with being south african is our passport and where it will let us go. Indonesia looks like a really cool country to go teach and even singapore has really good opportunities, but it seems that the second they find out you are south african, then they won't even look at your resume.

Then again, I've also heard of some people just flying over and physically looking for a job and finding one. Depends what kind of risk you feel like taking. :)

Hi there.  I'm also from SA and really eager to go overseas now.  I don't have any preferences of destination but wouldn't mind going with someone.  The great unknown would be a little less scary that way.  I am busy doing my 120 hour TEFL online course and am slowly but surely working through it.  If any of you know of any South Africans currently overseas or who have done the teaching english thing in the past, please post some info.  I have no idea where to start looking for work and I don't have a degree, which makes it a little more difficult.  Which agencies would anyone trust?

Hi,

Im from S. A and completed my 100 hour course.  I have just been hired as a teacher for Harbin, China.  Finding positions can be relatively easy depending on where you looking to go.

If any of you will be going to China let me know, im leaving now at the end of August.

There are more South Africans than I had imagined.

I recently finished my course, and I am now looking for work in Bogota, Colombia.

I was heading for China when I started out, but finding work in Bogota seems easier since I have been there, and know people who live there. 

Anyone heading for South America? 

hey South Africans!!

i wana start my course in asap and i live in joburg, any suggestions as to where i can take classes?

2mi

hey all
im new to this whole thing and seriously need help from fellow south africans that have gone over to Europe to teach im looking at going April 2013 and would love to chat to someone who is currently there find out their experince and if it was easy finding a job?
Justine

Hi Justine,

I suspect you won't get too many replies from South Africans in Europe because unless they have a passport from an EU member state, it's almost impossible to find legal work.

I work in Europe (I'm British though) and can tell you that April is just about the worst time of year to come looking for work. The academic year jobs will have long since been filled (and refilled) and there will be almost nothing available until the summer jobs start at the end of June.

I wrote an advice guide to finding work in Europe, which you might find useful (http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-chalkboard/briona/posts/10675-finding-work-in-europe).

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Briona

hey
read your post and im kinda in the same boat as you except i havent started a Tefl course yet. looking at staring the 120 online course in November. how are you finding it? are you already working oversease or still getting there?

I am also looking into this now (the idea bit a mere three days ago!) so am still unsure what to do, where to go, will I be able to do it etc etc. I am considering the internship, it looks really good support wise etc. Let me know if you guys have any hints or tips!

Hey Guys

As my web surfing goes, you can still try out Turkey, as ive read not to difficult to get into,, China a bit easier, South America easiest but the lowe wages, you might even still try Spain, in some cases.If u want to be a bit off beat try the Czech replublic or Poland,, Im doing alot of homework before i head off to China. Also looking into rather doing a internship for 5 months to get me settled in and get that teaching experiance whilst its not good bucks, only doing a online TEFL course is risky it seems,, you never know if they are affiliated with someone,,and so many to choose from, alot of these guys are only out to make money and dont care,, some but few internships sound good but im sure they are so stocked up on people i wonder if they will ever accept me,, after that i should be able to get a proper job with some good contacts, and then i would have been in the coutry a while to know where id like to go. Japan or South America next i think

Hi everyone,

also from SA looking to go to  Asia , preferably Thailand.....any thoughts on Thailand or other suggestions.

So excited to start my 140 online course in Dec, and hopefully find a job by February  2013.

I heard Asian peopl are not very friendly towards 'black ppl' i'm a little worried about that, because my heart is set on  Asia.

Also struggling to find somebody that can tell me the right process in following through with this. Is it better to do TEFL then look for a job, and the rest will fall into place after. Or you look for a job, then do TEFL and the rest?

Any one taking the courses, how are you finding them?

regards

Nonj

Hey, 

I can't tell you about Thailand, but I can tell you about South Korea. Here, there are definitely visas available for South Africans. There are programs like EPIK which are color blind, but if you go into hagwon teaching it can be more difficult to find a teaching position if you don't look how like what is "expected" (ie, mid 20s, white, fairly attractive).That being said, there are plenty of positions out there. I know my school has employed black teachers in the past.

I know of several black people from different places working in Korea. There are a couple of things to be aware of. Firstly, most Koreans (I don't know about the rest of Asia) have always been in a very homogenous society. This is especially true for the older generation, but applies to all ages. They are fascinated by things that are different. A small example of this is that men often have people wanting to stroke their hairy arms. People with larger noses often get them commented on. This applies to black people as well, and I have known a lot of black people comment on how people want to touch their skin or hair. Nothing aggressive, but I know it bothers some people.

The second is that there is an idea here that pale skin is beautiful. You will see skin whitening creams all over the place. Kids will sometimes say that they are sad because they have such dark skin. This is a cultural attitude towards beauty, that it might be good to be aware of.

That all being said, though, I haven't ever encountered anyone who has had issues with Koreans not being friendly. They are lovely people (with the possible exception of school owners) and will go out of their way to help foreigners of any colour. If it was me, I don't think it would stop me coming, but then that's a very hard thing to comment on accurately, isn't it?

Anyways, good luck! Not all of Asia is the same, but I thought I'd let you know what I know :)

ha  ha ha ha Mahalath, thank you for that... LOL i dont mind a little fascination about having dark skin!!!

Who knows, i might look into skin whitening myself...I cant wait to get there :-)

Thanks!

Teaching in Thailand is AWESOME. It became like home for me. Unfortunately I did not have a degree and did not know I was teaching illegally there. Was not asked to leave, but became difficult and so I left before any big problems came up. But it really is a wonderful place to live and teach.

I dont know about teaching in Europe. But South Africans can teach here in China which is where I am now. Not as nice as Thailand, but still better than being in a crime ridden country like SA. Sorry to the patriots, but I was not a fan of South Africa and thus is why I did courses to get out.

I love travel and will do as much as I can. As a South African, I have not had any problems yet when applying for positions. Just do a Skype interview to give them an idea of how good your English really is and you will be ok.

Regards

Wolflock

@Wolflock  I just taught in China for a year, and I'm considering working in Thailand next. What are some of the differences between the two that you've seen? Pros/Cons.

Thanks.

It depends on where you go in Thailand and which schools you end up at. Students will probably have waaay less english ability in Thailand. They are still very behind with many schools not having teachers. If you want to experience the real Thailand, dont go to the Cities. Especially Bangkok and Phuket. They offer more money, but tend to be VERY expensive.

The people in Thailand are definately more friendly and will do evrything they can for you. They just tend to do it at the last minute. Everything there is hurry up only at the last minute. Cost of living is very cheap but be careful as there is so much stuff, that the small amounts add up. Much cheaper than here in China. You can catch busses to almost anywhere in Thailand for very cheap, so try to use them more than taxis and tuk tuks.

Lessons will be very basic and most schools will need your help with setting up lessons as they have no decent english books and dont know how to get decent English lessons.

Getting things done there is MUCH easier than here in daily life. No having to push your way to the front or jumping line to get service. There you will learn patience and everyone waits their turn.

Same as here in China, try to learn SOME of the basics with the Thai language before going as most people dont speak English (Or very limited amount). But pure strangers will gladly invite you into their homes for Whiskey and Soda or a beer just to practice the few things they can say. And it will invariably be the same questions every time.

Food is better there than here in China, but you will rarely get beef and no Mutton. Everything is fish, seafood, pork and chicken.

All in all, China is a great place to be, Thailand (In my humble opinion) is better. And waaaaaay less... military.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Regards

Wolflock

im not south african but im living in south africa, and starting the course soon. Did you follow through with the course?

Hello all I am also from South Africa. Just started the 140 hour TEFL course :) so good knowing theres other SA peeps doing this too.