Comments on: Request a Topic

By: Ted

Ted — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:36:16 +0000

Hi Edward,
With your education you should probably start at a college or university. Often these jobs want some previous experience, so China or somewhere that will let you start on that path with no experience is a good idea. TEFL or CELTA? In most of the world it doesn’t matter. People who sell the CELTA or took it would like to convince you that nothing else is useful. But China, Korea, Japan and even Thailand – the world’s four largest EFL markets – will accept either. Your power is in your graduate degree. It does the heavy lifting for landing the job you want. A certification just helps you get the method and will make you a better teacher. In some places you can even teach business classes in English. Enjoy!
Ted

By: edward

edward — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:21:33 +0000

I have a BS in Management and a MS in Administration. I have not taken a ESL course yet and am trying to decide between TEFL and CELTA. How do my degrees stack up and what is your recommendation on course type? thanks.

By: Ted

Ted — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:58:04 +0000

Hello Bri,
You have a good idea if you want to get started right away. Just don’t forget to keep studying until your reach your educational goal. If you are looking for a good “distance” program (what degree programs are more likely to be called than “online” – you don’t need to limit your search to California. There are several excellent schools in Australia and in the UK – that are usually a fair bit cheaper than US schools. I can recommend anything specific, but just do a good search and you will likely find many. Best to pick on that actually has a physical location somewhere and ideally where you must go at least once to take an exam. The very few places that do not accept distance programs these days tend to do so as they can not be sure it was you who did the work as you never went to the school. If the school requires your presence for an exam or final exams to graduate – then usually that objection is dropped. I earned a PGCE by distance from the UK and the one employer who every challenged it (there won’t be more than a handful) only wanted to be sure that I was the guy who did the work. It might seem strange, but I once shared an office with a guy who – for several years – earned a good living in S. America by taking examinations for other people. Thus the concern!
I hope that helps.
Ted

By: Bri

Bri — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:49:58 +0000

Hi Ted! Love your site! I am 35 years old and finally going back to school. I got accepted to a California state school for a social work bachelor’s degree. I have an A.A. in Behaviorial Science. But after reading some websites on TESL it seems that linguistics is the preferred major, and it does interest me somewhat. Do you think it may be a good idea to change my major? I’m also considering doing an online program, so I can start teaching in China or Cambodia.But I couldn’t find one based out of California in linguistics. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Ted!!

By: Ted

Ted — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 04:16:14 +0000

Hello Maninder,
To the best of my knowledge you will need a degree AND a TEFL certificate to work legally in Thailand. I believe that some schools will tell you that you don’t need a degree to “find a job” in Thailand and they are correct. You can find a job and work in Thailand without a degree, but you will soon have to leave as you will not have the appropriate visa and working papers that will allow you to stay.
I hope that helps.
Ted

By: Maninder Singh

Maninder Singh — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:32:03 +0000

Hi Ted
I am from India and in first year of my college. i want to do TEFL but and teach abroad, but one thing i need to know is do i need a university degree to teach in thailand with a TEFL course?