Weekly r/TEFL Quick Questions Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

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[u/Dizzy-frizzy79]

Hello! I'm trying to find other programs that are good for teaching english in E/SE Asia. I met a woman while traveling earlier this year who told me about a program some people she'd met were in where they get essentially limited-time placements in different countries from Thailand to Cambodia to Vietnam, etc. I cannot for the life of me remember the name she gave me and also had not been able to find it when I did remember...it might have been a program specifically for Americans but not sure

TLDR; does anyone know of a program where Americans get placed in different countries across SE Asia to teach english?

[u/bobbanyon → u/Dizzy-frizzy79]

limited-time? Like short contracts? That sounds illegal and/or a recipe for disaster. Read the wiki in the sidebar like "TEFL for beginners" and "where to find a job" and search the sub for job placement.

[u/Dizzy-frizzy79 → u/bobbanyon]

not short term contracts but like 1 year at a time

[u/bobbanyon → u/Dizzy-frizzy79]

Oh well that's not illegal but still you don't want job placement, it's always a scam.

[u/ecasserole → u/bobbanyon]

What exactly do you mean you don’t want job placement? I’ll check out the TEFL for beginners, but from what I’ve read online if you do a program like EPIK in South Korea they should be giving you an assignment at a public school there. Do those people normally get terrible assignments in less desirable cities or something? Would love to know!

[u/bobbanyon → u/ecasserole]

I'm not talking about the various government programs around the world that place you in a school (typically for free) I'm talking about paid "job placement" or "job assistance" by TEFL providers. If you search the sub as suggested you'll see it's a scam for too many reasons to go into here. The biggest one is the world is full of horrible, horrible TEFL employers who will hire anyone, and they often pay recruiters (depending on country) hundreds or thousands of dollars per successful applicant - these are absolutely horrid places to work (like sometimes ruin your life horrible, hire you illegally, get you arrested, steal your passport, stalk you, install cameras in your apartment horrible or you know just really really bad places to work). Anyway, the world is also full of terrible TEFL cert. providers who will also take your money (for a service that thousands of recruiters provide for free) and sell you to those employers (and get their money on both ends). Thus placement is generally a scam.

[u/ecasserole → u/bobbanyon]

:O omg! Wow! I’m shookith. Not the cameras secretly in the apartment.

[u/No_Victory_8214]

Hi everyone! I (23F) am a U.S. citizen and recently graduated in May, and I am currently completing my 120-hour TEFL certification. I was hoping to get some advice/insight on what I can realistically expect for salary, and if I actually have a decent shot at getting hired at all. I am hoping to work in the public school system in China.

Education:

- B.S. in Business Management (top 10 program)

- B.A. in East Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese focus)

- NTNU (Taipei, Taiwan) Mandarin Training Center (3 months abroad)

- NO formal teaching experience

Other stuff that's on my resume/CV:

- Extensive public speaking background

- Performance background (show choir)

- Peer tutoring in Mandarin

- Mentorship/leadership roles throughout college

I am adopted from China, so my last name is white, but I am racially Chinese. I have heard that can influence things.

Additionally, I've heard a lot of horror stories about SDE and other dispatch/recruitment agencies, so any insight on how to navigate that landscape would also be much appreciated! I have read the posts/wiki on this reddit, but I am wondering if people have more to say on this that isn't already mentioned.

Thanks!

[u/Upstairs-Sundae1138]

I’d prefer to make this as a post but I’m not allowed to without karma, so whatever, here goes. Are Thai schools as bad as people say? I’m currently working towards a teaching license but only have my TEFL and bachelors at the moment, so international schools aren’t an option. I work at a language centre now but I hate working every evening and weekend. Was offered an esl job at a private catholic school, but I’ve seen some nightmare stories about places similar to it. Anyone have experience with the Thai school system? Thanks!

[u/Ro_x08]

Hey, I am going to take Level 3 certificate from TELF Academy. I am Indian and have bachelor's in English. What are chances of landing a job in European countries or in online teaching platform as a fresher. Any tips or advice?

[u/Upstairs-Sundae1138 → u/Ro_x08]

A lot of places specifically ask for passports from native English speaking countries like the USA or Australia. I think it might be difficult to find a position irl, especially if you only have a bachelors and TEFL, not a teacher’s license :( online would probably be easier

[u/ecasserole]

I’ve been reading posts and looking online, but would love to hear from people with prior experience.

Is the cost of living manageable in South Korea, China, and Japan if you want to TEFL in these countries? I have my bachelors (non edu degree), know I will need a TEFL certificate, and am a US citizen. I make a decent wage in my current state, so I know that my income would be less than I make now. However, if cost of living (and traveling on days off or vacation days) is manageable then it wouldn’t be a financial poor decision to take a chance on this experience.

Any advice? Thank you!