Don't give up!!!

I've been talking to quite a few people online and friends at home who really want to do teaching abroad but keep running into problems such as not having a degree, missed deadlines for applications, age, experience etc etc.

 

My advice for anyone wanting to be a teacher is to never give up.

I'm sure you all know the age old saying "good things come to those who wait"

 

We live in a society whereby if we want something we usually get it quickly, and if we dont we are not happy. Becoming a teacher can take time depending on where you want to teach and what level of English.

If you just want to visit places and teach a few classes to help pay your way then you can go to most countries and to some degree go tomorrow.

Some places, even volunteer placements, might want you to have some form of TEFL training. Which it is possible to do te 40hrs course in 4weeks or you could do a weekend course etc.

Some times you have to have an interview. This can mean a lot of time waiting around. You have to fill in an application form, which sometimes mean a paper one and then an online one. Then you wait. Then you will probably get an email or a phone call to arrange a phone interview. so you then wait for the phone call. After which you then wait again for a reply. Sometime you are required to attend a face-to-face interview (either in your country or sometimes in the country you want to teahc in). So more waiting for the interview date and then waiting afterwards for a responce. If they say yes you then have all the waiting around until the placement starts.

For me from starting the TEFL course to starting to teach it took 9months.

 

For some people who knew before doing a degree that they want to teach in another country it will have meant they had to endure a 3year course plus the waiting time for the interviews etc. But some countries require a degree. (An alternative to a degree is teaching experience, for Japan its recomended you have at least 2 years with a tefl certificate...sometimes if you have a CELTA they may accept you with one years experience)

 

Now for most of you, your probably thinking that its a long time to wait and to sit and do nothing.

But there are many things you can be doing and heres a list.

 

1. If your heart is set on a country do your research - find out what its like to live there rather then visit, look at possible areas you might want to live or be near, talk to other ALTs who are out there already, find out about the companies.

 

2. Learn the language - Even if its just the basic of Greetings, please and thank you

 

3. If you worried about not having enough experience then volunteer with a local youth group, do specialists certificates, do the weekend training...do as much as you can.

 

4. start thinking about what you can and can not take - Having a laptop might be better then having a PC but if your somewhere with out electricity etc then you probably wont need one.

you could organise you music and video collection of you are taking a laptop.

5. Save, Save, Save. - This is very important. The more money you can take

 with you, the better. This also meants paying off any credit cards so you dont have to worry about them when your teaching. Use ebay, Gumtree, local ads, car boot sales etc. Sell your unwanted stuff, restrict spending.

 

6. Invest in some good work clothes - for most teach jobs you will be in your schools 5 days a week from about 8am until 5pm (about). So having good business clothes (especially here in Japan) would help. Depending want level will depend on what you wear. I would advise not buying any dry clean only stuff (ive made that mistake), cos it means you cant just wash yourself if they get covered in chalk dust. Have comfy shoes.

 

7. Pack light: Remember you might only be there for a year or two so you dont need to take everything with you. Having pictures is nice but having them saved on your computer means you can still look at them and if need be print pictures off later. Most things you will still be able to buy in the country you teach in, such as clothes, electronics etc etc.

 

8. Make sure all your contact details are up to date - this is so when you do go people can still get in touch. Also its no good giving the company youve applied to a mobile number an then you change it.

 

9. Keep all your important documents to gether - CV, certificates, passport, CRB check, driving licence, visa etc etc. By a folder to keep them in...it makes it easier to carry them around and when a company asks if you can send a copy you will know exactly where to find them.

 

10. This is the most important thing you could be doing - Creating lesson plans. Think of games, ones that will take 5-10mins ranging upto a full lesson. Plan your first introduction lesson. Think of an introduction and come up with one in the language of the country your going to. Create templates. source pictures, music, writing etc...have it saved on your computer so your not having to take lots of paperwork with you...invest in a usb pen drive just incase you having problems buying a printer.

 

So even if you think you have a long time to wait and think you have nothing to do, you'll find there is lots to be doing.

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