If there is no faculty directory, how would I go about doing that? I've been advised to ask the school to provide contact information, but then was told that the teachers schools supply might also have an agenda. :S So it seems fairly confusing.

Hello everyone,

I've been reading through some of the reviews on the site, and a *lot* of them seem negative. My question is, if you are considering a school that has negative reviews here, how seriously should you take them? I know they say that a lot of people will only say negative things online, but I'm currently weighing my options and would like to know if I should *always* avoid a school with negative reviews here?

Thank you, Android.

Currently I'm considering just taking anything that comes my way to get that all-important 2 years of experience in. My question would also be: should I settle for a low salary and not-so-great contract, or hold out for something better? I'm thinking of taking a language school job just for that reason, although I really would like to work in international schools or universities.

Hi,

Yes, Search didn't require it (and in the school advertisements, there is a question something along the lines of 'Will you consider hiring a teacher with experience, but without certification?').

That said, I am definitely willing to get certification; I just did not realize I would need to, because I was initially only interested in teaching at university. I'll look into the online program mentioned. I'd heard that if you received a TEFL cert online the schools did not look favourably on it; do you think it is the same for getting a teaching certificate online as well?

Hi mathgym,

No, I don't, unfortunately! I was originally interested in teaching at college/university and did not know I would need it. My university was also extremely disinterested in its students and I couldn't get any kind of advice from anyone about what I ought to do or study in order to be a teacher (at any level).

For example, should I try to get university work in China/Korea/etc, or any job to get my foot in the door, and earn my certification while I am working?

Thanks very much.

Hello everyone, I am new here. I am looking for some general advice about teaching overseas.

I am registered with Search, and I have signed up to go to the London fair. I've sent several letters of interest via Search and heard nothing so far, although I did receive a job offer prior to signing with them which I ultimately turned down because I felt the contract was a bit weird, and also because the free accommodation meant sharing a bedroom with another lecturer.

My question is, with my admittedly limited experience, do I have any chance at all? If not, what do I need in further training, and where can I get the all-important two years of fulltime teaching experience?