Dragonized
- 2011-11-06
You make some good points as well, I also think that it is very silly that gulf countries will require a masters degree to teach. In some places the students who you would be teaching aren't that mature at all. They are very slow to grow up and make you feel that you would have been better off getting trained in nursery care. These days the salaries are going down and maybe in a few years people will find that the gulf pay isn't as good as they would have liked it.
San Migs
- 2011-11-05
I know the economy sucks, and getting a job isn't an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. I hope you find what you're looking for. May I suggest paying around $500 and getting a TEFL certificate? This isn't really worth much in terms of educational value but employers across all countries require it in the ESL world nowadays. You can try applying to a gulf country and you will make more money there, then after saving up for a few months at least you can look at other options such as china, although you should stick with the public sector of education. Good luck.
Good advice there.
I have been through this same crap once or twice in the past. In the eurozone the economy and employment situation is really bad. A tefl cert would be a definite I think,Thailand could be a good place to get her feet wet, as they always have tefl courses and jobs. For a gulf country unfortunately a BA degree would be a prerequisite, even better to have a masters degree.
I did as you said and worked in the gulf for two semesters, and saved enough to put cash aside to pay off debts, and come to China with (admittedly) limited cash and an open return ticket home.
GL to the op!
Dragonized
- 2011-11-04
Lost, it's very inspiring to see someone who is willing to take a risk that can change their life. I know the economy sucks, and getting a job isn't an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. I hope you find what you're looking for. May I suggest paying around $500 and getting a TEFL certificate? This isn't really worth much in terms of educational value but employers across all countries require it in the ESL world nowadays. You can try applying to a gulf country and you will make more money there, then after saving up for a few months at least you can look at other options such as china, although you should stick with the public sector of education. Good luck.
Hi,
I've spent today reading the last couple of pages of this board.
See, I am in a tight spot. I have a pretty good grasp of English -- got a 100% on the LPI, got an A at a college creative writing course,
and I'm even editing stories for an e-publishing company (for free for now). I live near a major port city and have helped many immigrant co-workers with their English.
I do not have a university degree and have no hope at getting one, due to financial reasons.
I am broke, and due to screwing up my hands working physical labour, I am out of my line of work as a baker. I have been told
by doctors that I can't do physical labour or anything requiring repetitive motions ever again.
My boyfriend has suggested to me that I go teach English in China. I like talking about English and helping people with it.
I know from reading this board that most of you are probably going to jump on me and tear me apart for not having a degree. You're going to tell me
that I can't legally work in China without one.
Like you've said about most people going to China, I do have mental disorders that makes it difficult for me to work with people. I have clinical depression
and severe social anxiety in customer service type positions. The government has cut off my welfare because they say since I live with my boyfriend now and he has
money, he must share it with me. I feel like I have no place else to go, but I know that going without a degree is folly at best, dangerous at worst.
TL;DR version:
going to China seems like the best option for me right now, but I don't have a degree and can't get one because I'm broke. It's fairly likely I'd be a decent teacher as I
have helped co-workers and friends in the past, and my testing for English skills is very high (mid-university level). Should I try anyway?