| A Myriad of Questions | | | | a group of learners whom you can't talk to in their |
| With increasing frequency I receive e-mails with | | | | native language. Not only will you be (rightfully) scared |
| questions from people interested in dropping out of the | | | | to death, but may fall completely flat on your |
| "rat race" and into a more interesting, rewarding way | | | | "whatchamacallit". Any good CELTA or TEFL |
| of life. They want to teach English, their native or first | | | | certificate program will provide you with immediate |
| language, as a foreign language in another country. | | | | "hands on" experience in working directly with EFL |
| Their reasons are as varied as the people themselves; | | | | learners. |
| executives who want stress-relief, bored | | | | Second, online TEFL certifications are NOT accepted |
| homemakers, divorcees, retirees looking for new | | | | in several Latin American, Asian and European |
| purpose where they can apply their hard-won | | | | countries. For example, the Colombian Ministry of |
| experience and knowledge, recent grads who want | | | | Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and most |
| some fun and adventure under their belt before | | | | high-level schools, institutes and universities WILL check |
| "settling down" to a more permanent career. Then | | | | this out thoroughly. You very likely won't be able to |
| there are the travelers who can "see the world" - for | | | | work legally with only an online TEFL certificate. Be |
| free - by working their way around the planet as they | | | | sure to inquire about this first, before you plunk down |
| see fit. (They hope) Finally, there are teaching | | | | hundreds, or thousands, of your hard-won dollars. |
| professionals who simply wish to ply their trade on | | | | Think carefully on this. |
| foreign soil while soaking up as much local color in the | | | | Otherwise you may well be wasting your time and |
| process as possible. They often become career | | | | money. |
| expats, like me. | | | | Want More No-Nonsense Information? |
| Are you interested and curious about the prospect of | | | | In this article series I can barely scratch the surface. |
| teaching English as a Foreign Language in a foreign | | | | You can get some additional information by going to |
| country? What do you need to know? How do you | | | | and doing a search there for my name, "Larry M. |
| get started? Do you have to know a foreign | | | | Lynch". You will then be taken to my free article |
| language? How can you choose a good training | | | | postings on English teaching. Finally, don't get me |
| program? Where can you go to teach? How much | | | | wrong, I'm not "knocking" any organization's TEFL |
| can you earn? Will you be able to travel? How about | | | | program. You just need to scrupulously check and |
| health and other benefits? This second article of a | | | | compare what you'll be getting and if it'll be accepted |
| series will continue to help answer these and other | | | | where you're planning to teach. With more than 17 |
| questions, and hopefully, keep you pointed in the right | | | | years in the field working on both sides of the |
| direction to get going in this fascinating, rewarding field. | | | | interview table, I've seen far too many things go wrong |
| Online TEFL Programs | | | | which could have been avoided by a more careful |
| First, many online TEFL programs are not internationally | | | | scrutiny of TEFL training programs. Yes, most |
| accredited so you may have problems in many | | | | internationally certified CELTA or TEFL certificate |
| countries if this will be your only teaching credential. An | | | | programs cost more and are far more difficult to |
| online program may also not have as stringent | | | | successfully complete to boot, but, as the saying goes, |
| requisite for observed and graded teaching. As a | | | | you usually get what you pay for. |
| matter of fact, some may not even have an observed | | | | Let me know if there's anything else I can help you |
| class room teaching requirement at all. You simply | | | | with. Good luck. |
| won't be prepared to walk into a class room to teach | | | | |