TEFL courses?

[Petcha]

I can see there's a load of other threads on this but they're all from over 10 years ago so I thought I'd start a new one.

My industry is completely fucked, there are far more senior people than me are on LinkedIn scrabbling around looking for anything so what hope do I have. And there's obviously a second wave coming. So I thought I'd look into TEFL, which should be Covid-proof. Anyone got any suggestions for a reputable one that would kinda guarantee me work?

 

[maomao]

Why is TEFL Covid proof? Lot less people coming from abroad to work and study because of Covid and Brexit. Or is it your intention to escape this shithole country?

 

[Badgers]

Would a lack of formal education and a criminal record be any sort of barrier to this?

 

[Petcha]

Why is TEFL Covid proof? Lot less people coming from abroad to work and study because of Covid and Brexit. Or is it your intention to escape this shithole country?

I thought because it's a job where you don't have to be physically present (ie, via Zoom). A friend of a friend doesn't seem to be short of work doing it that way but I can't get hold of her.

 

[scifisam]

The EFL industry is fucked at the moment. It started being fucked a few years ago, when the government made student visa rules so tight that a lot of legitimate students couldn't meet them. Brexit means foreign students are warier to come here because they won't be able to travel freely around the EU. Now covid means face to face teaching is really difficult, and several months of shutdown has meant that numerous big schools have gone bust already. Even going abroad is much more difficult due to the possibility of needing a visa and general travel restrictions. Online teaching is OK as a back-up, but it's not very well paid, especially if you're just starting out.

There are thousands of unemployed TEFL teachers with qualifications and years of experience scrambling to get the few remaining jobs. It's definitely not a good time to try to get into this area.

Sorry to be a downer, but honestly, it's not worth spending money on a course. You won't even be able to do a proper course at the moment either, just an online one, and they can't teach you everything you need to know.

 

[Petcha]

The EFL industry is fucked at the moment. It started being fucked a few years ago, when the government made student visa rules so tight that a lot of legitimate students couldn't meet them. Brexit means foreign students are warier to come here because they won't be able to travel freely around the EU. Now covid means face to face teaching is really difficult, and several months of shutdown has meant that numerous big schools have gone bust already. Even going abroad is much more difficult due to the possibility of needing a visa and general travel restrictions. Online teaching is OK as a back-up, but it's not very well paid, especially if you're just starting out.

There are thousands of unemployed TEFL teachers with qualifications and years of experience scrambling to get the few remaining jobs. It's definitely not a good time to try to get into this area.

Sorry to be a downer, but honestly, it's not worth spending money on a course. You won't even be able to do a proper course at the moment either, just an online one, and they can't teach you everything you need to know.

The friend I mentioned lives in Spain. And is doing all her teaching via Zoom, she's actually busier than pre-Covoid somehow or other. I figured it was because a lot of people in Spain had a full-on lockdown and were trying to spend their time usefully.

 

[scifisam]

The friend I mentioned lives in Spain. And is doing all her teaching via Zoom, she's actually busier than pre-Covoid somehow or other. I figured it was because a lot of people in Spain had a full-on lockdown and were trying to spend their time usefully.

But she is probably teaching students she was already teaching in person, possibly to give them hours they'd already paid for. It's harder to get that work teaching via a specific online portal as a new teacher - you can get some work, sure, but it's hard to get full time hours out of it. And the pay through those sites is usually £10ph or less.

Plus of course lockdown is ending now and people are going back to work, so won't have time to spend their days brushing up their English.

 

[dessiato]

What scifisam said really. Additionally, a lot of people go into TEFL as a year out passing about job. The "I went to X and taught English" people. As a result there's a lot of academies who will treat you accordingly.

Since Brexit there has been an increase in EU based jobs moving towards Irish teachers. Adverts say that you must have the right to live and work in the EU. This right has been stripped from UK citizens.

If, however, you choose to go ahead the Trinity Cert and Cambridge CELTA are the gold standard of qualifications.

 

[planetgeli]

Covid proof? Interesting.

My S-I-L has worked for International House in Barcelona for 30 years. She's been furloughed for months. Last week they asked her to do some work. She reckons it was 400 euros of work. This week they've told her they can't afford to pay her for that work.

 

[dessiato]

The friend I mentioned lives in Spain. And is doing all her teaching via Zoom, she's actually busier than pre-Covoid somehow or other. I figured it was because a lot of people in Spain had a full-on lockdown and were trying to spend their time usefully.

Even the better Chinese sites only pay about 9€ an hour.

The fiends of mine working online are doing up to 10 hour days to earn enough to live.

Many are teaching students they already had.

 

[Petcha]

But she is probably teaching students she was already teaching in person, possibly to give them hours they'd already paid for. It's harder to get that work teaching via a specific online portal as a new teacher - you can get some work, sure, but it's hard to get full time hours out of it. And the pay through those sites is usually £10ph or less.

Plus of course lockdown is ending now and people are going back to work, so won't have time to spend their days brushing up their English.

Fair do's. I'm just startin to get a bit desperate! And been thinking I might take this opportunity to totally change career path. As I actually didn't like my career much anyway. Look out for more of these threads from me

 

[dessiato]

My wife and I have been teaching in EU for 13 years. We would not come into it now.

 

[Sweet FA]

Would a lack of formal education and a criminal record be any sort of barrier to this?

Judging by a lot of the EFL teachers I worked with, it's practically compulsory.

 

[Petcha]

Ouch... to all your posts above. The funny bit is the friend who lives in Spain's English isn't exactly perfect (she's Italian). It's always astonished me how she's got work. I can ask her if you like - for your SIL?

 

[Favelado]

I can see there's a load of other threads on this but they're all from over 10 years ago so I thought I'd start a new one.

My industry is completely fucked, there are far more senior people than me are on LinkedIn scrabbling around looking for anything so what hope do I have. And there's obviously a second wave coming. So I thought I'd look into TEFL, which should be Covid-proof. Anyone got any suggestions for a reputable one that would kinda guarantee me work?

Hi there. Do a good CELTA with International House. It's not the cheapest option but it's the best pre-service course and having the CELTA and IH on your CV lets any employer know that you are of a decent standard. Numbers are not down in TEFL in Madrid much despite the pandemic so it might not be a terrible idea. Brexit will be an issue of course. I don't think IH and companies like that are going to start getting visas organised for people. They will, instead, start poaching people who already have residency here from each other.

I'm doing DELTA now and it's evil!

 

[Favelado]

Covid proof? Interesting.

My S-I-L has worked for International House in Barcelona for 30 years. She's been furloughed for months. Last week they asked her to do some work. She reckons it was 400 euros of work. This week they've told her they can't afford to pay her for that work.

Weird that someone who has worked for IH for that long isn't in the protected inner-circle. At IH Madrid the newer teachers have taken a hit but anyone who's on a fijo indefinido is ok.

Can she get me a job at IH as a CELTA trainer when I finish my DELTA? I will suck up to her forever if necessary.

 

[MickiQ]

Covid proof? Interesting.

My S-I-L has worked for International House in Barcelona for 30 years. She's been furloughed for months. Last week they asked her to do some work. She reckons it was 400 euros of work. This week they've told her they can't afford to pay her for that work.

Has she actually done it yet?

 

[planetgeli]

Has she actually done it yet?

Yes.

 

[planetgeli]

Weird that someone who has worked for IH for that long isn't in the protected inner-circle. At IH Madrid the newer teachers have taken a hit but anyone who's on a fijo indefinido is ok.

Can she get me a job at IH as a CELTA trainer when I finish my DELTA? I will suck up to her forever if necessary.

If there's anything left of IH I'll ask.

She's very angry with them atm and 30 years of service is counting for shit.

 

[Favelado]

If there's anything left of IH I'll ask.

Hehe. It's very unlikely. Don't need to ask. IH Bcn had Scott Thornbury working there for many years. He's the biggest name in TEFL. I bet your AOL knows him.

 

[MickiQ]

Yes.

Damn

 

[planetgeli]

Hehe. It's very unlikely. Don't need to ask. IH Bcn had Scott Thornbury working there for many years. He's the biggest name in TEFL. I bet your AOL knows him.

She may well be protected to some extent (I don't know) but the week's work for 400 euros and then saying 'we can't pay you' after she's done it...cunt's trick.

I'll ask about Scott, sounds like she's sure to know him.

She's also looking for a new bf having split up with her Catalan bloke after 25 years (and two grown up kids). She's gorgeous, both in looks and personality but probably the most picky person I've ever met when it comes to men. Want me to ask about that too?

 

[Favelado]

She may well be protected to some extent (I don't know) but the week's work for 400 euros and then saying 'we can't pay you' after she's done it...cunt's trick.

I'll ask about Scott, sounds like she's sure to know him.

She's also looking for a new bf having split up with her Catalan bloke after 25 years (and two grown up kids). She's gorgeous, both in looks and personality but probably the most picky person I've ever met when it comes to men. Want me to ask about that too?

Hahaha!

She will know someone I know because I know the odd IH teacher (I'm doing my DELTA at IH Madrid).
IH has had a rough few years but it's still great for teacher training. I haven't lost any income at the school I work for so it does depend. This summer demand for intensives is the same as last year so the industry hasn't collapsed by any means.

My dream job is CELTA trainer at IH but not very likely.

How old is she? I'm 43. I'll but her a drink in Lavapiés if she's ever in town.