Comments on: Too Old, No Degree, Want To Teach English? http://www.teflnewbie.com/too-old-no-degree-want-to-teach-english/ Tips for Teaching English Abroad Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:05:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ted http://www.teflnewbie.com/too-old-no-degree-want-to-teach-english/comment-page-1/#comment-8599 Ted Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:00:51 +0000 http://www.teflnewbie.com/?p=500#comment-8599 Hello Patricia, The only way we could tell you if you qualify for the internship program in China would be to go ahead and apply. Yes, fair warning! I am the Academic Director for the project. Go over to www.TEFLinternships.com <a href="http://www.TEFLinternships.com/" title="TEFL Internships in China" rel="nofollow"></a> and apply and let's see if it is a good fit for you and the schools. Ted Hello Patricia,
The only way we could tell you if you qualify for the internship program in China would be to go ahead and apply. Yes, fair warning! I am the Academic Director for the project. Go over to http://www.TEFLinternships.com and apply and let’s see if it is a good fit for you and the schools.
Ted

]]> By: patricia http://www.teflnewbie.com/too-old-no-degree-want-to-teach-english/comment-page-1/#comment-8573 patricia Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:44:18 +0000 http://www.teflnewbie.com/?p=500#comment-8573 Thanks Ted. I think my skills would honestly be better suited to producing and directing projects in Asia directed for an English-speaking audience. However I looked further on your site and found the China internship quite intriguing. I feel my personality, high energy, youthful appearance, enthusiasm, sense of wonder and great facility with language belies my statistical age. Might I be a qualified candidate for the China internships and are you involved in this particular program? Thanks Ted. I think my skills would honestly be better suited to producing and directing projects in Asia directed for an English-speaking audience. However I looked further on your site and found the China internship quite intriguing. I feel my personality, high energy, youthful appearance, enthusiasm, sense of wonder and great facility with language belies my statistical age. Might I be a qualified candidate for the China internships and are you involved in this particular program?

]]> By: Ted http://www.teflnewbie.com/too-old-no-degree-want-to-teach-english/comment-page-1/#comment-8546 Ted Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:30:08 +0000 http://www.teflnewbie.com/?p=500#comment-8546 Hello Patricia, You might want to look at our post about Teaching EFL Using Previous Skills here:<a href="http://www.teflnewbie.com/leverage-previous-skills-to-find-a-better-tefl-job/" title="TEFL using previous skills" rel="nofollow"></a>. You are starting to bump up against the age at which most language schools will not hire you, but some universities and colleges will (it's a problem for me too). Look for a college or university that teaches your specialty. I know Korea has a university specifically devoted to TV/Movie/Journalism/etc. They are more likely to hire you even if only for teaching English. This is sometimes the back door into teaching other topics - often in English. I've taught business topics, management, accounting and even psychology - all in English - at schools where I was initially hired just to teach English. Explore that path. But use English teaching to get your toe in the door. DO get some TEFL training first - an online course is fine for China, Korea, Japan and many other countries. At our age, you'll need some help and that will help. Ted Hello Patricia,
You might want to look at our post about Teaching EFL Using Previous Skills here:. You are starting to bump up against the age at which most language schools will not hire you, but some universities and colleges will (it’s a problem for me too). Look for a college or university that teaches your specialty. I know Korea has a university specifically devoted to TV/Movie/Journalism/etc. They are more likely to hire you even if only for teaching English. This is sometimes the back door into teaching other topics – often in English. I’ve taught business topics, management, accounting and even psychology – all in English – at schools where I was initially hired just to teach English. Explore that path. But use English teaching to get your toe in the door. DO get some TEFL training first – an online course is fine for China, Korea, Japan and many other countries. At our age, you’ll need some help and that will help.
Ted

]]> By: patricia http://www.teflnewbie.com/too-old-no-degree-want-to-teach-english/comment-page-1/#comment-8492 patricia Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:27:43 +0000 http://www.teflnewbie.com/?p=500#comment-8492 Hi Ted, I am 55, have a B.A. in Communications, an M.S in TV/Radio. Worked as an award-winning producer/director in TV for 14 years, a a freelance writer and for the past eight years as a publisher of a magazine. Looking to live abroad and teach English. Will I require some sort of special accreditation to do so or are there positions that offer on-the-job training? Also- while technology has changed, might my knowledge of producing, directing, editing and formatting a good story or short documentary also play into a position abroad? Hi Ted,

I am 55, have a B.A. in Communications, an M.S in TV/Radio. Worked as an award-winning producer/director in TV for 14 years, a a freelance writer and for the past eight years as a publisher of a magazine. Looking to live abroad and teach English. Will I require some sort of special accreditation to do so or are there positions that offer on-the-job training? Also- while technology has changed, might my knowledge of producing, directing, editing and formatting a good story or short documentary also play into a position abroad?

]]> By: Ted http://www.teflnewbie.com/too-old-no-degree-want-to-teach-english/comment-page-1/#comment-8545 Ted Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:40:23 +0000 http://www.teflnewbie.com/?p=500#comment-8545 Hi Hilary, Job opportunities for people without degrees are out there, but somewhat limited. Some Latin American countries are okay, but often without legal working papers. Cambodia and China are both fine and you can work there legally. But, no degree and then looking for short-term employment greatly diminishes the possibilities. My best recommendation? Run, don't walk, to that bachelor's degree and then a huge number of opportunites will open up for you, long and short term. Probably not the answer you were hoping for, but maybe the best one I can give. Ted Hi Hilary,
Job opportunities for people without degrees are out there, but somewhat limited. Some Latin American countries are okay, but often without legal working papers. Cambodia and China are both fine and you can work there legally. But, no degree and then looking for short-term employment greatly diminishes the possibilities. My best recommendation? Run, don’t walk, to that bachelor’s degree and then a huge number of opportunites will open up for you, long and short term. Probably not the answer you were hoping for, but maybe the best one I can give.
Ted

]]> By: Hilary Nemet http://www.teflnewbie.com/too-old-no-degree-want-to-teach-english/comment-page-1/#comment-8477 Hilary Nemet Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:36:19 +0000 http://www.teflnewbie.com/?p=500#comment-8477 Hi Ted, I was just online researching different job opportunities in South America, and I'm at a loss. I am only 19 years old, and I have spent one year abroad studying in Italy. Ever since then, I have wanted to travel and work abroad. I do want to attend University in a year or so, however, I would like to travel and earn money abroad before. Teaching English or working in a camp with children is something I am interested in. Even if it is an assistant in a school, since I do not have a degree in teaching. Do you have any ideas for me? What would you suggest I look for? Thank you very much for your help! Hi Ted,

I was just online researching different job opportunities in South America, and I’m at a loss. I am only 19 years old, and I have spent one year abroad studying in Italy. Ever since then, I have wanted to travel and work abroad. I do want to attend University in a year or so, however, I would like to travel and earn money abroad before.

Teaching English or working in a camp with children is something I am interested in. Even if it is an assistant in a school, since I do not have a degree in teaching. Do you have any ideas for me? What would you suggest I look for?

Thank you very much for your help!

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