Big Step

Hi Dominic,

Thanks.

Well, in terms of my appearance, I believe I look presentable lol. I am white, good looking guy, but I am not blond (I can always change my hair colour though) :)

OK - these are the place I am potentially interested in - maybe you could give me your opinion on my chances of landing a job in these places, as well as visa: China, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Morocco, Turkey, Costa Rica, and Mexico! By the way, a friend told me of an Eastern European guy he knows who did English teaching jobs all over the place, even with a very thick Eastern European accent! Was he just lucky? I am not sure though which countries he thought in.

Thanks.

Reality check - if you think you're good-looking, and have the gall to tell others that - maybe you're just self-deluded?
If that is the case, I suggest you get a job as a street sweeper instead. You'd get a more balanced outlook on life and your place in the scheme of things. And you'd save yourself the quite high CELTA training fees.

What is the matter with some people on here?
I mean, seriously, if you have something useful to say, please do, if not, jog on!

Much grateful.

I'm deadly serious, Travelino. It's just such a waste of time and money.

Still, I guess you have to make your own mistakes (sigh!)

From a lawyer to a street sweeper, and with my stunning looks? I don’t think so, darling.

Oops, running late for my tanning appointment. Ciao x

See - if you were a street sweeper you'd get that tan for free!
And get to chat up some posh ladies, too.
Many bored housewives - with big bank accounts - like to chat up 'a bit of rough'. And you'd be unique. Might even be able to swap street-sweeping for part-time gigilo-ship.

I'm sorry, I know very little about teaching English in those places. I can tell you however that wages in Latin America are generally very low. My girlfriend taught English last year in Honduras (where we met) and was paid the princely sum of $350 a month, plus a free house to live in. Not really a liveable wage for a foreigner. But there was no shortage of applicants for jobs at her school.

Dave's ESL Cafe website should have some answers for you for at least a few of the countries on your list. Good luck!

I taught English in Mexico...made about $8 per hour in private academy which is considered very good. Have a Bachelor of Education degree, this had to be translated and notarized before I got my work visa. I managed to get contracts with companies, after establishing myself as a good teacher. This paid a lot better. Teaching there was a great experience.

Unless you plan to teach English as a second language as a long term career, forget the certification. It's a waste of time and money. Of all the certifications, CELTA is the most time intensive and costly. If your goal is just to get away for a few months or a year, save enough money to supplement the low wages you will be earning, for example, teaching a bunch of 7 year olds the alphabet. Since you are not a native speaker, prospects will be more difficult in Asia in particular, which happens to be where the better paying TEFL jobs are - many of which only require a university qualification (not all however require this) and native speaking ability.

Good luck!

Shaun

Great advice, guys.
Thank you.

Best xx