So, here is the update on my "exciting" TEFL life. I completed my course just over 4 months ago and was really excited about getting to put all my hard spent money and newly acquired knowledge to good use. I found out very soon however that the i-to-i team dont provide a job placement service for those of us who wish to remain in the uk for whatever reason. I assumed this would be no problem as there are still lots of opportunities to live and work in the uk right? WRONG!!. Every TEFL agency or training facility I have come across in the uk will not provide jobs to those who do not have any teaching experience or have not gained a "proper degree". Along with that I have also discovered the only way to get onto a proper degree or a paid apprenticeship or intrenship or any training for that matter, anywhere in the wold not just the uk, is to pay for it. So I am currently unemployed with no way of funding a trip or training anywhere in the entire world so I ask "was it even worth it?". I have a tefl qualification and cant do anything with it, It doesnt help me to secure an average joe kind of job and I cant use it to get a teaching job unless I pay to use it. I know this may sound like im being ungrateful or lazy or stupid or whatever, but if after 4 months and €700 im no better off than when I started in september of last year then is it something im dong or is it something else?
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Hey,
Glad you are feeling better about things! I think we all have days like that :) Hope is there for the future in Birmingham though I saw a couple of summer schools that were recruiting last year, which must mean there are a few about :)
when i posted this message i was having one of "those days" and felt a bit sily afterwards, but im glad i did post it now. all your comments below have been helpful and made me feel alot better about where i can take my tefl qualification. the plan is to find work and save to find a tefl abroad, hopefully one where further training is provided. Mahalath, i live in birmingham.
I have exchanged messages a few times with Tania but not recently.. Getting back to the heading "Was it even worth it?" for me I would have to say yes!, I did the 120 hr course, fired off some apps to countries that would accept the qualification and now I'm two weeks into my teaching job here in China!. I had my doubts about the course getting me work, and my age being a draw back but I find it has helped me rather than hinder me!. So I'm sure Tania will get something and it may also inspire others sitting on the fence to take a leap of faith!......... Good luck all.
I've read your post several times while debating whether or not to reply. Here's my (probably unwelcome) penny's worth.
If you were dead-set on teaching in the UK, you should probably have researched it better. It doesn't take much time to discover that to teach in the UK you must have a minimum of a 120hr course with 6hrs observed teaching practice, in other words, a CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL. They are more expensive than online TEFL courses, but in the long run, they open more doors.
Since that's not much help now, here's my advice. The way I see it, you have three options.
#1: apply for a TEFL job abroad. There are plenty of places in Europe where online TEFL certificates are accepted, and where your initial outlay (flights and living costs) is not that great.
#2: Apply for any old job in the UK with the aim of saving money to pay for a flight/trip/internship next year.
#3: Apply for any old job in the UK using your recently TEFL course as proof that you are committed to further study/self-development. Most companies would be impressed that you have paid for this yourself and studied in your free time. They may be willing to invest in you and upskill you, which would make finding work - either TEFL or other - in the future easier.
Oh, and you might be able to get into a summer school job! I know it is a while to wait, but it isn't exactly high season over there at the moment, and that will give you some experience, and doesn't require quite as much as a full time post often in terms of qualifications.
Hey,
The TEFL market in the UK is pretty saturated. Basically, the best way to get into a school in the UK is to do your training there. There are a few jobs, but they require experience and a lot of them need (like the rest of Europe) a 4 week in person course. I also think that i-to-i should advertise that more. That said, going abroad is probably your best option with a TEFL anyways. Teaching English in the UK is not very well paid for the amount of work you do! I hope you find your path soon, if you want any help with anything, let me know. Can I ask, where in the UK are you based?
Hi Tania, I like Steve managed to find a job in China without a degree and I plan to be here till at least Jan 2012!. i-to-i can also assist getting you a paid placement/internship, if your OK to travel so good luck.
Mark
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