G’day..
Okay, here’s the thing.
I’m a 17 year old, Australian guy in Year 12 who is looking at what to do next year. I’ve been bitten by the travel bug, and my natural ability to teach is a driving force in my choices.
I’ve done a bit of research into getting my TESOL certificate, to qualify me to teach English overseas.
I guess I’m asking for peoples thoughts, experiences and opinions on this adventure?
The Plan:
Jan-July
-Earn TESOL Certificate
-Acquire Bar tending and Coffee Barrister course.
July
Line up a 6 month contract teaching English in a school in China
After that, I ideally would like to organise 4 x 3-month contracts. For example;
Jan-March in Japan
April-June in Cambodia
July-Sept in Germany
Oct-Dec in India
The other countries I would like to tutor privately, work in bars/clubs at night and coffee houses during the day.
I’m prepared for the culture shock, and going at it alone, but I guess i’m just asking to see if this is a realistic plan?
I think it sounds too good to be true-.
(The countries are just an example)
I’m just after some advice, opinions and experiences.
Thanking you all in advance,
Brad.
Are you thinking about selling your home yourself? then
WOW! You seem to have a productive plan. I would only question a couple of things – one, your age and experience. Having had one stint in Japan, know that age and experience are a factor. They do want teachers ‘young’, but they have discovered that the younger teachers do not want to stay for very long – and their contracts are usually at least one year. Older teachers are now starting to get the overseas contracts.
You might need to adjust your time periods if you want to teach -one year is usually the commitment in many overseas cases.
It won’t be that easy to obtain a "job" in another country. Many teaching contracts will declare limitations on other employment.
If I were you – I’d confirm what countries I want to work, obtain a personal contact in that area in order to communicate on a regular basis. That way, you have a ‘friend’ who knows you’re coming basically, and can help assist your planning along the way and hopefully help you ‘hook up’ with other countries who will be susceptible to your plan.
I think you are a very intelligent and have a well-developed plan. You just need some fine tuning. Much luck to you, Mate!
(In fact, I’m looking into teaching in Australia -what do you know about programs for American English teachers to teach there?)
Use my email if you’d like to continue to correspond.