Is TEFL a decent option?

[msrisotto]

What's it like? I'm not a teacher and would have to do some training but I like the idea of living abroad for a couple of years. I might be naive, but I like the idea of doing TEFL whilst getting my foreign language skills up to par then I can think about doing my current career in the foreign country. What do you think?

I haven't done TEFL but have looked at it quite closely. It is quite expensive, and intense. It looks really rewarding though. Check out what qualification you get and what sort of accreditation that carries. Some future employers will only accept Cambridge courses, CETOL I think, but can't remember off the top of my head. Some employers will take 'lesser' qualifications.

Good luck. Let me know how it goes!

Yeah, i've seen the prospects and know that the quality and price of TEFL courses vary hugely! Don't know much about job accessibility and salary though.

Personally I'd suggest doing a PGCE, then working in an international school. For TEFL, pay is worse, there is no security and you have to plan etc but only get paid for the hours worked (or this is my experience anyway). Also, with a PGCE you can then get a decent job when/if back in the UK.

If there are language schools near you, or you have an idea of employers you would be interested in once you've qualified, then ring them and ask what qualifications they want.

I have a career in the UK. Isn't a PGCE a bigger commitment than a TEFL?

Have done both, it sounds like you have your own career in mind. If it is a gap fill you are after TEFL is fantastic! Go and do it!

Thanks. Anyone with experience care to share?

What do you want to know? I could waffle pages on the subject.

I have a tefl cert and i enjoyed it a lot. I plan to move abroad at some point to use it

I say do it op

Lots of friends have done it, and CELTA is the qualification to get. The biggest provider offers jobs in its own organisation to the best in each cohort, and there is lots of advice and help In getting jobs at the end. If you want it as means to living abroad for awhile and then doing another career as the OP intends, it is a good route. If you intend to be a proper career teacher then the PGCE gives a more recognised career path.
However, CELTA is a month long (VERY intense) experience - really first rate experience if you are prepared to work HARD.
PGCE is a year long slog of variable quality (mine was appalling - really amateurish waste of money a SW London landscaped campus uni that is supposed to be a leading institution ) £9k fees + living costs for a year. Unless you are determined to be a career teacher, don't bother.

I haven't done it myself but have known lots of people over the years who have. Depends where you want to go, how old you are, your expectations etc. Pay for TEFL teaching can be on the low side so depends what kind of lifestyle you are now used to and what you expect abroad. Partly because of the pay, but also the lifestyle, you tend to get younger people doing it (straight out of uni, for example) and there is likely to be a young (or young at heart) social life around bars, clubs etc.

I guess I don't know what I need to know really....like how do you find a job at the end? How well do employers expect you to speak their language? Would interviews be in English? Contacting recruiters?

And then what is it like returning to the UK and trying to resume your old career?

I have CELTA. Trinity is good too.
of course interviews are all in English and you are expected to have a very good knowledge of English grammar. Being a native speaker isn't enough.
International House are well respected but there are a lot of dodgy schools out there so you need to do your research.

I loved doing my celta and don't regret it. I worked abroad for 6 months then did summer school on the south coast. I would have gone abroad again if I hadn't met DP. Getting permanent work in UK is difficult as a PGCE or Diploma is usually required but summer school pay is quite reasonable.

I returned to my original career but found the skills I'd learned teaching improved my skillset and I was promoted quickly.

A friend who had a previous career did a CELTA course age 45 in the summer and then did a PGCE starting the September. He found that the CELTA equipped him far better for actual teaching that the PGCE .
He then went to Hong Kong, easily found a job when he got there - is an excellent school, has a fantastic flat in the centre, excellent salary and benefits - reckons he will never come back...

Thanks for your experiences/knowledge. I have seriously itchy feet so looking into this really helps me plan my escape!