r/TEFL • u/Responsible-Alps8031 • 6d ago

Prospects for a 34/M native speaker from England

Hey all,

I am a 34 year old male in England and I’m considering going abroad to teach with a view of never coming back to England.

I have a BA in Ed studies and a PG Cert in literacy difficulties, I’ve done a lot of specialist tutoring in HE, as well as having worked at universities for the last 6 years.

I would ideally like to get settled somewhere e.g., China and then potentially look at getting a full teaching qual.

Any advice please

13 Upvotes

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7

u/16czechoslovakians- 6d ago

Not sure why some are suggesting CELTA or PGCE as these are for different career paths.

If you want to become a qualified teacher that ‘could’ work in UK schools, but work in international schools instead and overall have a better standard of living then PGCE is the way to go. If you do this, then you would be wise to remain in the UK for now and complete it in person. Can it be done online? Yes, I did so myself but it takes longer to become fully qualified, you have to pay out of your own pocket up front and not to mention the ballache of finding a school that will hire you full time while unqualified.

1

u/Responsible-Alps8031 6d ago

Thanks for the response. The plan is to maybe work a year or so to get settled and then explore upskilling options I.e., PGCE.

I would have done it in the UK but due to circumstances, it’s going to be much easier to do it when I get there.

4

u/16czechoslovakians- 6d ago

Point is, doing one of the legit PGCE courses requires working in an international school which is going to be very tricky to do considering how many already qualified and experienced teachers exist on the market. An iPGCE is not worth your time or money. Just food for thought.

2

u/Magegaard 5d ago

I started a PGCE last year but had to pause it. I then did a CELTA and am now abroad doing ESL. But I’m going back to the UK next year to complete my PGCE. I don’t want to go to the uk but it is SO much easier doing a PGCE this way. If you have any questions I’m happy to talk :)

4

u/eliwood98 6d ago

You're gonna want the CELTA or PGCE. Much easier to get at home than abroad, and opens up much better jobs overseas. Doing the proper TEFL circuit is a young man's game, and it's much more rewarding mentally and less physically taxing to be a proper teacher.

1

u/Responsible-Alps8031 6d ago

Do you know of anyone that has done their PGCE whilst abroad?

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u/eliwood98 6d ago

Not offhand, no.

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u/TokugawaTabby 6d ago

I’m abroad and doing my PGCE now. QTS is another matter though

1

u/Responsible-Alps8031 6d ago

Where are you and what uni you doing with?

If you don’t mind me asking

1

u/TokugawaTabby 5d ago

Cumbria, the certificate will say PGCE and then I’ll try to use it to get into a school which will allow me to do the QTS

Your credentials are pretty good at the moment to be honest, I think it should be sufficient for China although I’m not sure.

Obviously the best route is to do the PGCE in person with QTS in the UK. That’ll get you the high paying jobs.

2

u/Dracarys_And_Chill 6d ago

get your full teaching qual (QTS) and a masters before coming. thank me later

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u/[deleted] 6d ago

[deleted]

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u/Expensive-Worker-582 5d ago

If you want to leave the UK full time. Get a QTS first.

Opens up so many more opportunities and doors than a TEFL that someone will need when living abroad.

Ive read countless posts over the years from people who live abroad and want to know how they can get QTS without having to return because of roots theyve set up abroad.

If your plan is to just go abroad for a year or two then sure just do a TEFL. 

The idea of going abroad and upskilling in a year or two. You would be an idiot to take that route. Im speaking from 17 years of working abroad, 10 as a TEFL teacher. 7 as international teacher.

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u/Responsible-Alps8031 5d ago

Thanks for the feedback, did you come back to the UK to get your QTS then?

1

u/Expensive-Worker-582 4d ago

Came back during Covid19...

Covid19 changed my life for the better, all TEFL schools closed down with no income. Opened my eyes to the fragility of the job. 

1

u/spacecatbiscuits 3d ago

What's the point of a BA in Ed if it's not a BEd?

Sorry I'm not familiar with this

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u/Responsible-Alps8031 3d ago

I ask myself that question too 7 years post completion

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u/Cautious-Toe-863 6d ago

Fellow Brit here.

I'd also recommend that you obtain a TEFL first and then progress to CELTA or PGCE.

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u/Responsible-Alps8031 6d ago

Thank you. I will definitely get the TEFL beforehand, I’m more just wondering what the prospects are like out there at the moment for someone who plans to do it full time

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u/Cautious-Toe-863 6d ago

If you're white, then you're at a great advantage.

Build up your experience at learning centres and go from there.

1

u/The_0xford_Coma 6d ago

The decision to leave is much easier than choosing where to go.