im looking into the tefl options, and its so hard to choose where to go, what are some examples of why you chose a particular place? stupid question but right nowim looking at a whole list and they all have their good and bad things

and with airfare, the course fee, accomodations , food , how much does one need to save to tide them over till they actually get a teaching position. any help, stories would be greatfully appreciated

Hi Tiff
I did mine in Budapest and I chose it because it was near where I wanted to work (Croatia or Bosnia at the time) and a bit cheaper than in Western Europe. I did the CELTA, and part of my reason was that it is internationally recognized and so well-known that I thought this would help in getting a job.

Lots of courses are good, and I believe as long as they have 100+ hours of instruction time and 6+ (per teacher) hours classroom teaching practice, that is supposed to satisfy this requirement of being internationally recognized.

How much money really depends on the country. If you're going to a place with a big tefl market, you could probably arrange a couple interviews in advance and even plan your 4-week course to start, say, 6-8 weeks before a potential work start date.

If you intend to work in the country where you do your course, you might be able to get a job at the school where you train, or be able to have access to their insight on and contacts with other local schools, which would simplify and maybe speed up the job finding process.

You probably know about the TEFL Logue, but I'll try to send you a pm with links to a few relevant posts from it soon, and feel free to pm or post if you have any other questions.

Tiffie
if I can mildly rebuke you without being prevented, you need to look at your spelling and grammar before you go on your golden TEFL course. Accommodation is with two c's as well as two m's and is an uncountable noun so you can't talk about accommodations. Grateful is not greatful, which, if it existed, would probably mean full of greatness rather than full of gratitude.

Great idea - go for it

oh believe me, if i was actually making a point to spell, i can. lol. i am in such a frenzy with this though. when i get excited about something i dont think about much else, especially my spelling.

You asked in your initial posting for

"some examples of why you chose a particular place?"

For the five "foreign" countries I have worked in the answers would be:

1. Assigned there - not much choice (Volunteer program - Botswana)

2. Easiest country to start TEFLing in (Korea)

3. Curious about it - wanted change of pace (Taiwan)

4. Money (Saudi Arabia)

5. Quality of Life - want to retire here (Thailand)