Hello everyone!

I am Deepthi from India. First, a little about myself. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science (4 years). I have worked as a Customer Support Representative and as a Systems's Engineer in an MNC for close to 5 years. I have also been volunteering at a school for last 7 years during weekends helping kids with their lessons and also teaching them Computers and multimedia. 

I am considering doing a 140 hour combined course. However, there are a few questions in my mind that I was hoping someone here might be able to help me with. 

Firstly, I see most of the job postings for teaching English requires that the Applicant is a native English Speaker - I am not. So will I be able to find a job? Does anyone here know of non-native English speakers who have been successful in getting a good placement?

Secondly, are there agencies (genuine ones) that can help with placement?

Also, any internships available for non-native English speakers?

Last but not the least, any non-native English speakers here who can share their experiences with me so I can make a more informed choice?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. 

Deepthi

Hi Deepthi !

I sail the same boat as you . Graduated from Enginering school in 2011 and fleeted past one gruelling year with IBM as an application developer and have just quit my first job to pursue TEFL as a career. It is driven by my love for the language as much as it is for travel .I also have some experience teaching Indian kids at a local NGO in pune .


I have posted on a lot of forums and have been writing to a lot of course coordinators ( CELTA ) at International  House , British Council and the likes . Based on my extensive resesarch about teh job prospects of a non native in the EFL world I have narrowed down my options to Thailand, Vietnam , Japan and Hong Kong ( Although I think HK is impossible for a lot of reasons )

Most of the responses from people with real TEFL experience is the regular " It is hard but not impossible  " . An online course might not really be the ideal choice from a non native perspective because prejudice does exist and it will take a strong convinction to change notions about  non natives being effective ESL teachers and this can be best done if you are interviewing face to face .

I have not enrolled for a course yet and am gathering enough courage / substantial evidence by talking to people who have gone through the whole EFL drill . We as non natives need to understand that there will be no guarantees as far as emplyment is concerned infact most agencies that claim to provide guaranteed employment( which btw I believe is a misleading claim ) have specifically mentioned in their clause that they might not be able to help you if your first language is not English.

Let me know how your plans work out . Please share any information that we all can benefit from as non natives waiting to embark on their EFL journeys :)

Hi deepti,

Prashant from india...MBA with 2 years as Sr.HR. Bored and now have enrolled for aTEFL in BKK.

I'm sure it should not be impossible to find a job, but the prospects are pretty thin and the Salary that we Non-Natives u'd be offered are also not great.

You need to put in a lot of effort in your In-class course (Online is of no good), appear to all the possible interviews for a good number of weeks

I have lived for a couple of months in Thailand and have done intense research before i put down my papers...have a fair idea about the place and the market.

If you ready for al this then welcome to Thailand.

I'll keep you guys posted here...share your experiences guys......

Best of luck!!!