TEFL or TESOL

[sixpencer]

Has anyone ever gotten or tried to acquire a TEFL or TESOL certificate in Manila? And what about working as an English Teacher in the Middle East or elsewhere?

[SUX2BÜ]

Hi sixpencer!

You may want to inquire about teaching ESL/EFL at schools or language institutes in countries where you intend to teach. Some schools do not require any certification provided you can prove that you are 100% fluent in all language skills like speaking, writing, reading, and listening. But, of course, there are also schools that require certifications like CELTA issued by UCLES and offered by affiliated schools or passing PRAXIS subjects, a battery of exams in the US.

I've been teaching ESL/EFL in Latin America for almost 4 years now and I do not have TESOL/TEFL certifications.

:)

[sixpencer]

Thank you for your input. Yes, I've read up on most places and I've found that they either look for experience, a Master's Degree, a TESOL/TEFL, etc., or Native English speakers. Oh well.

[SUX2BÜ]

Just like what I've said, each school/country has its own requirements. I don't know about you, but Pinoys who are really good at English can pass for a native speaker; well, you can claim that you really are provided that your 4 English skills are impeccable.

Why not start teaching at a language institute, sixpencer? Language schools have their own methods and approaches and they usually provide training to qualified teachers regardless of being ESL/EFL certified or not.

Some good news: In Tawain, for example, schools have finally opened their doors to Filipino ESL teachers after a long debate on the Filipinos' "questionable" English language facility. The Taiwanese government used to require ESL/EFL teachers to come from the US, South Africa, Canada, Australia or the UK only. I've also heard from some colleagues that Korea and Japan are slowly following suit, which will eventually open more doors to aspiring (Filipino) ESL/EFL teachers like you.

What's your background, by the way?

:)

[sixpencer]

I'm a Mass Comm grad doing PR writing at the moment. For a few years, I was also in the call center industry. Before all that, I was a DJ when in college. I hope you don't mind, do you have any links 'cause all I get are dead ends.

[SUX2BÜ]

With your background, you definitely have an edge. Mine is in business, marketing, economics, IT, and literature, but I was able to worm myself into ESL/EFL without any certifications or experience.

You should visit Dave's ESL Cafe (http://www.eslcafe.com/), which people consider as their online ESL bible. The site has lots of information from job boards to teacher forums, and you can even post your résumé there! It has everything you need to know about ESL/EFL.

:)

[jcblued]

great to hear about this. thanks for sharing!