Tefl

[Nickerelastic]

This isn't specifically Thai related...so forgive me.

My son was planning to come back to Scotland to do a TEFL qualification. He plans to do more travelling and figures having tefl would help him to gain employment in whatever country he finds himself.

Should he go down this route or come home and do a degree course , then go off travelling again?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Ijustwannateach]

If your son doesn't yet have a basic university degree and you can afford it, he should be doing that before he settles ANYWHERE permanently. If he's looking at these "travels" as a temporary 1-2 year stage between now and college, that's fine. If it looks like he wants to be here for the long stretch, he's really going to need the degree first (and it's simply the smart thing to do).

"Steven"

[Nickerelastic]

He's been working in Switzerland (chef) for the past 5 years. It's has been a long gap year

I've suggested his long term plans for travel would be better furnished if he went to uni and did a degree (Engish) would be his first choice.

[Ijustwannateach]

Life gets complicated. What if he wants to marry a Thai lady (it does happen) or has a child here? How is he going to juggle those responsibilities AND get a college degree at the same time? Better to tell him to knuckle down before it gets too late. On the other hand, maybe he can get a job in one of the hotels here as a chef.

[Nickerelastic]

As you say" life does get complicated". He realises he could find work as a chef however he's had enough of the long unsociable hours.

Hrmmm! Time for some mother and son discussion, gawd help my phone bill.

Thanks for the advice.

[Ijustwannateach]

Good luck!

[Eastender]

I think in Asia a degree is very important, for a foreigner it is necessary to get a work permit. However in Europe, and I don't know about other continents, it's not so important.

He would need at least a degree in any subject to legally teach English in Thailand, whereas in Europe a TEFL may be better. Of couse having both would be even better.

[Nickerelastic]

As I stated in my op it was not necessarily Thai related. There is however a wealth of real life experience to be gleaned from this forum.

I thank you.

[kenkannif]

I think in Asia a degree is very important, for a foreigner it is necessary to get a work permit.  However in Europe, and I don't know about other continents, it's not so important.

He would need at least a degree in any subject to legally teach English in Thailand, whereas in Europe a TEFL may be better.  Of couse having both would be even better.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not trues. It is possible to get a WP to teach English without a degree. For sure difficult, but doable.

How is old Bracknell (I'm a Woodley boy)? John Nike leisure centre still going strong?

But as IJWT it's probably for the best in the long run if he thinks about getting one

Edited June 12, 2005 by kenkannif