TEFL experiences/ course recommendations

[xmasdealhunter]

My DD is in her third year of university, and is looking into jobs for when she graduates.

She is considering EFL teaching, hopefully somewhere in Europe. Does anyone have experience of this (good or bad!) that they could share? I'm also aware that she'll need to complete a TEFL course. She was looking at the TEFL Institute of Ireland. Any experiences with this company or others that are decently priced?

She has quite a bit of tutoring experience, and enjoys working with children, but her degree is not a teaching one.

Thank you!

I looked into this a while back so expect advice to have changed.

Look at job ads where she wants to work and see what qualifications they want. There are plenty of good and cheap enough courses which give you recognised qualifications but if you want it to be a real career spend a bit more to get the qualifications most in demand.

Thank you, that's good advice! Do you have any course providers that you could recommend?

Just bumping in case anyone else has any insight?

Most of the teachers I work with have the Cambridge CELTA or DELTA.

Quite a few places doing it fully funded at the moment due to the need for ESOL teachers so worth having a look around.

@gingersnappz That's great to hear about the funding, I haven't come across any programs that offer that just yet. She's found some jobs in Hungary but would have to pay to do the EFL qualification before she applies

CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL are the only properly recognised entry level qualifications. They are much more expensive than the 120 hour online courses (which TEFL Institute of Ireland looks like) but actually prepare you properly for teaching and are required by the better language schools, especially in Europe.

Does she have EU citizenship? It's almost impossible to get a job/residency as a new EFL teacher in the EU if not.

If she does, southern Europe is very attractive lifestyle-wise, but pay is low and there are lots of questionable work practices.

I did it for a year after graduating. It's a fantastic experience but not an easy ride. To fully support herself and even save money, she could consider SE or E Asia, but that comes with other issues.

There are very helpful and expert Reddit communities she/you could look at - here's the beginner's guide from r/tefl
reddit.com/r/TEFL/w/teflforbeginners?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

@DonnaHaywood She doesn't have EU residency no, she was looking at companies/ organisations that arrange for new grads or students to go over for a year and help them sort out visas which are sponsored etc. I think she'd struggle being so far from home in Asia but I'll put the idea to her! Thank you for the info about the qualifications, that's really useful x

I worked in Asia for EF and it was one of the best experiences of my life. They trained me for free as they were crying out for teachers. They get slated on Glassdoor but my experience (and that of my colleagues) was very positive. Each school will be different I suppose. She will find it easier if she's willing to work outside Europe.

@floppybit thank you- do you mind me asking where in Asia you worked?

Came here to say this.

Java in Indonesia