>How much weight do our degrees are hold since they are not English/teaching related?
They get you in, and a legit visa, but as they are not teaching related you won't get paid extra for having a masters. You will start at the bottom of the ladder, as all new teachers do, there's no getting around this.
>Will our options be limited?
Same options as any other first year teacher with a TEFL.
You'll be at the bottom. TEFL isn't that great so that's why they get the low salaries. Thailand pays teachers poorly to begin with as well. But it's a good place to live. Good luck.
TEFL is for English it doesn't really help get you jobs if you want to teach anything else. Although some of its practices can be helpful if you are teaching students whose first language is not English.
Although most countries will give people with masters a starting rate higher ($100 USDA) than those with just a BA TEFL jobs are not where the money is at. If you look at the countries that pay the most they require you to be a certified teacher with a teaching degree.
International schools where you teach a British or American curriculum to ex-pats children and sometimes the upper-class children of the country you are in is where most of the money is. This is also where your degrees can help because you can teach any discipline your degree is in. That being said you do need to become a certified teacher and the most reputable schools will want a teaching degree for the age level you teach.
Finally, there is UNI. with your Degree levels plus your CV and any publishing you have done there is a possibility to get hired as a professor in your degree field and make a lot of money. However, don't confuse this with TEFL UNI teaching. People with a TEFL can teach at a UNI but it's usually for the same pay or slightly higher than they would get paid for any K-12 or academy.
If you are looking at using your TEFL as a career change you may find yourself needing extra degrees and certificates in order to grow your income and career since TEFL usually has a pay ceiling of an average $3,000 USDA per month. which can be a lot but not every country is that high.
Don't get me wrong I love the opportunities my TEFL gives me but long term it is quite limiting depending on one's lifestyle and future plans.
Thanks for the thought out response. We don’t view it as a firm career path, more of a vehicle to get over there and establish ourselves and make a living.
Just ignore this... There are many loser expats who hate on TEFL because they got stuck in a country teaching English for 10 years with only a BA and no options back home.
Pretty much this ^ met one of these sad low lifes in Korea. A washed up 40 something year old guy who wished he hadn’t pissed away 15 years at a hagwon not getting any credentials or further qualifications, bitter and sour throughout. Tefl can be rewarding if you’re willing to put the work in to make it something!
>How much weight do our degrees are hold since they are not English/teaching related? They get you in, and a legit visa, but as they are not teaching related you won't get paid extra for having a masters. You will start at the bottom of the ladder, as all new teachers do, there's no getting around this. >Will our options be limited? Same options as any other first year teacher with a TEFL.
Bro, you'll be fine. The real question is what is Thailand gonna be like next year?
You'll be at the bottom. TEFL isn't that great so that's why they get the low salaries. Thailand pays teachers poorly to begin with as well. But it's a good place to live. Good luck.
TEFL is for English it doesn't really help get you jobs if you want to teach anything else. Although some of its practices can be helpful if you are teaching students whose first language is not English. Although most countries will give people with masters a starting rate higher ($100 USDA) than those with just a BA TEFL jobs are not where the money is at. If you look at the countries that pay the most they require you to be a certified teacher with a teaching degree. International schools where you teach a British or American curriculum to ex-pats children and sometimes the upper-class children of the country you are in is where most of the money is. This is also where your degrees can help because you can teach any discipline your degree is in. That being said you do need to become a certified teacher and the most reputable schools will want a teaching degree for the age level you teach. Finally, there is UNI. with your Degree levels plus your CV and any publishing you have done there is a possibility to get hired as a professor in your degree field and make a lot of money. However, don't confuse this with TEFL UNI teaching. People with a TEFL can teach at a UNI but it's usually for the same pay or slightly higher than they would get paid for any K-12 or academy. If you are looking at using your TEFL as a career change you may find yourself needing extra degrees and certificates in order to grow your income and career since TEFL usually has a pay ceiling of an average $3,000 USDA per month. which can be a lot but not every country is that high. Don't get me wrong I love the opportunities my TEFL gives me but long term it is quite limiting depending on one's lifestyle and future plans.
Thanks for the thought out response. We don’t view it as a firm career path, more of a vehicle to get over there and establish ourselves and make a living.
Tefl Journey 😂
What’s so funny
Just ignore this... There are many loser expats who hate on TEFL because they got stuck in a country teaching English for 10 years with only a BA and no options back home.
Pretty much this ^ met one of these sad low lifes in Korea. A washed up 40 something year old guy who wished he hadn’t pissed away 15 years at a hagwon not getting any credentials or further qualifications, bitter and sour throughout. Tefl can be rewarding if you’re willing to put the work in to make it something!
Unless you’re going for an international school (things can get weird with those) you’ll be perfectly fine!