No Degree Required?

Not to get into any sort of deep argument with you Stacey, but I don't see my comments as either "biting the hand that feeds" or "poor taste".

They were in direct response to a posting that has since been deleted and, as that post is gone, my reply to it is without its former context.

I don't see any reason why my reply to Jason's post should not have been deleted along with his.

I am not unthankful to Global, as I said I find that my certificates from them do get some level of respect when I look for work.

Where we can certainly agree, Stacey, is that attitude counts for a lot.

I have never applied for a teaching position that did not also require me to plan and teach a demo lesson at the time of interviewing. Even when I was applying for jobs from Canada, no potential employer in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland or Slovakia (the four countries I was primarily targeting with my job search) would be satisfied with a telephone interview, they all insisted that I come over and teach demo lessons for them.

I had to take the risk of going over there if I wanted to stand a chance of getting work. I found a lot of potential employers had a lot of respect for me just for my willingness to take that risk. After about ten interviews and demo lessons, I had my pick of four job offers and my first job secured by the time the academic year started.

Their insistance on such a thing speaks volumes for how important attitude in a potential teacher is to them. I could have had a certificate of any sort: TESOL, TEFL, CELTA.... from any school and on its own it would not have been enough to secure for me the jobs I've had.

To reiterate, I am NOT ungrateful to Global, but on reflection of my past four years in the ESL teaching business and the hiring practices of the geographic region I work in, I can't credit them exclusively for any job I've secured. I've found that attitude has always counted for just as much as any certificate or diploma I've been able to show to a potential employer.

Jeanne, Laura and Tricia:

As I said in my first post, do NOT let the fact that a job posting tells you that a degree is required stop you from applying for the position, particularly if you can find no evidence on the country's embassy web site to indicate that a foreigner must hold a degree of any sort to legally work in that country.

A lot of schools just want to say that they have degree holding teachers as a bit of a prestige point for their advertising so they will try to get them if they can.

There's always going to be something of a crap shoot element to job hunting regardless of the field you work in, the qualifications you hold or the experience you bring with you to the interview. There will always be some disapointments, you simply CAN'T let that stop you from keeping at it.


Good luck ladies.

I am literally shocked and appalled at a post I received regarding a very simple question about the necessity of a degree to work in various locations. I was under the impression this is a place of support for graduates of the Global TESOL Program. I was not expecting a LECTURE on my lack of honesty or inadequacy in applying for various teaching positions. What I was looking for were ideas and suggestions of perhaps places to apply from those who are, or have been in my situation. It took less than one minute to post, so to suggest I am complaining instead of using my time constructively and apply for work is absurd! Stacey, for you to assume (once again more about me, whom you have never met) what I did with my time on the last day of the course again is absurd! How is it you think you know all of this? I certainly did not divulge much information about myself and have never insulted Global TESOL. Did I have some misunderstandings about a few subjects? Absolutely. Did I call Jim and the school? Absolutely. Once again another wrong assumption from you. If you would like to know something or anything for that matter about me, let’s start with why I took the course in the first place. I am a Certified Life Coach and through this training had a very strong desire to have a purposeful meaning in my choice of a career. I left a high paying job of 16 years, relocated to a large city to start a new beginning at the age of 39. If you had met me in person you would immediately recognize my positive attitude and enthusiasm for life and adding value to the lives of others.

If you are under the impression you offered support, you may want to re-read your reply to me. One must NEVER assume.

Thank you to all that did offer support and suggestions.

Wow! I am a bit taken aback at Stacey's response also. Apparently it is unacceptable to ask a simple question...but isn't that what this site is for!

Thankyou Kevan for your response! I found it to be very helpful. Its good to know that I can apply to a position regardless of whether or not it states "degree required". I found your response to be very helpful!! Thankyou!!! :)

No problem Tricia.

Even with the best preparation and planning, looking for a job overseas is a rather daunting and confusing thing to try doing at the very begining.

The embassy web sites of your intended target countries should ALWAYS be your first stop. Every country has its bureaucratic procedures regarding legally working there and you need to know what they are before trying to secure work there.

Visit the embassy sites regularly as requirements do change from time to time and it is your job as the potential foreigner there to keep on top of what you need to become, and stay, legal wherever you plan on going.

Jeanne, Laura,


I highly recommend Dave's ESL Cafe, it made looking for a job in China so much easier! Simply post your cover letter...or resume on that site, stating your experience and you will be amazed at how many replies you recieve from the many different schools seeking english teachers.

Tricia

eslcafe.com

Hi, I am new to the ESL course and just went into the graduate forum today to meet some fellow students. Scanning, I too was surprised by 'Stacey's' reaction to Jeanne's simple statement. The response seemed way too personally neagative and full of assumptions,coming from someone with a job and a 'winning attitude'. I was thinking I might write such angry words if I ahd stock in Global and I lost it all. But, hang in, Jeanne. Stay encouraged and keep being open. I see the kind and caring learners and teachers on line with good advice. As a new student with Global, I like guarantees to include its reputation compared to others, its support and timeliness, its course content quality and usefulness, that it researches the best, safest job leads plus provides follow up training support. So far, the content looks very good. I'll know more as i complete assignments. Glad to hear you all enjoyed the material. It seems that this is an exciting career . I never noticed till Stacey pointed it out but I am glad to be associated with people who are writing books. It's a credit to the course that it attracts diverse skills and work experience. Now, I have to go study. Have a good weekend. Stacy , Kevan and Jeanne and all the 'gradautes'. I am not one yet but I hope to join you! M.

Blush, I will avoid those typos if I ever post again. My apologies.

Actually, to be fair to you, Stacey, I admire, not your response to Jean which scared me a little, but your passionate loyalty to what must be, for you especially and for many, a good school. I met Jim by phone and was impressed by his keen interest and experience in learning and in ESL.

Hi Maureen, thanks for keeping a thread on a very important aspect of TEFL job hunting near the top.

There's a lot of competition out there for English teaching work so you really do have to take shots at the opportunities you want.

Once you've checked out the embassy web pages to make sure there are no legal obstacles to keep you from working in a particular country, the only resume that is wasted is the one that isn't submitted.

Just remember, we will all regret at least a few things in our lives but its easier to live with regrets about things you did do than things you didn't do.

No loss is so deep and lasting as the loss from a chance left untaken.

As for Stacey's comments, the less said the better. I've let Global know what I think of her comments. I don't think we should let them overshadow this very relevant and potentially very useful thread any further.