I have put off the dreaded search for a good TEFL certification course for quite awhile and I’m not really even sure I’m ready to dive into it yet but seeing as though I’m about a year out from graduating it would smart to at least have some options. For those of you who don’t know, TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) is a certification that helps prepare people to teach English in a foreign country to students who already have a basic grasp of the language. The certification is not required but it does help find better paying jobs in more competitive markets.
I’ve narrowed it down to Chiang Mai, Thailand, Hong Kong and Jakarta, Indonesia as the three most likely places I will land a teaching job coming straight out of TEFL certification and my bachelors degree. I found a pretty decent looking course. TEFL International I’ve done a little bit of research and it doesn’t seem to have any scams attached to it and it is pretty affordable. There are 4-6 week courses in Chiang Mai so that would be perfect! I could totally see myself traveling through South East Asia for a few months then settling into a TEFL course and then hopefully being placed into a job. Thailand is supposed to be really laid back and the students are really eager to learn and very respectful. This would be a great opportunity to start out and get the hang of the classroom. My ultimate goal will be Hong Kong. I’ve always wanted to live in a big city and I totally dig Hong Kong in just about every way. I can give up having a car, learn a new language, ride the best subway system in the world in a city with by far the best skyline. Oh, and eat authentic Chinese food ALL the time.
If anyone reading this has any suggestions for TEFL courses or knows anything about TEFL International that I linked above PLEASE let me know.
Awesomeness! This is exciting! I really wanted to do the J.E.T. program in Japan. of course, my international adventures never came to be so I live vicariously through you! I wish you the best of look with this and I’m sure you will have great success!
Gald I found your blog Joey! And glad you’re so motivated, it’s awesome to have a plan.Maybe I’ll finally be able to join you in Asia when you’re back.
Rachel
If you want to do TEFL for any length of time, you should definitely do a Cambridge CELTA or Trinity Cert TESOL rather than TEFL International. It’s not a scam, but it doesn’t have a good reputation either:
http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/category/teaching/tefl/teacher-training/teaching-qualifications/cert/tefl-int/
Thanks Alex, I appreciate the info
I took the TEFL International course in Ban Phe, Thailand, back in 2003 and had no trouble getting a teaching job up in Bangkok when I finished. I’ve interacted w/the school dozens of times since then w/o any hassles and never felt cheated in any way by them. They belong to the Better Business Bureau, so why don’t you check them out that way?
“Oh, and eat authentic Chinese food ALL the time.”
YUMMMMM!!