Hello

For a few days Ive been researching into getting a tefl certificate and possibly coming to Cambodia as a means to teach and live for a year or so. I tried doing some forum searches but none seemed to have answered any questions for me...

I am a 40 year old White male born in the USA. I have no formal college degree in teaching but I did graduate high school and attended some college for Computer programming years back.

I would be pursuing a Tefl certificate. Infact they have a certification program right in Phnom Penh I could attend which does help with job placement(The International Tefl Academy).

Many youtube videos I have watched and articles Ive read state that while a degree is preferred its not required.

Is the info still current? Can I find an *okay paying full time job going this route? Part tiem jobs seem very risky with no guarantee of enough hours to pay for rent/bills etc etc I dont expect to make alot of money but just something that I can live comfortably on in an apartment at around 300 usd rent a month?

In my mind Im seeing living expenses with rent and all to be about $800 a month. I do not drink or smoke and besides my computer I live rather simple. I do enjoy cooking though. extra 1-200 usd a month for saving up would be fine for me for an unexpected flight home or for license renewals/visas etc etc.

Is $1000- $1200 USD a month pay unrealistic ? I will be coming with some money as well so I could have a small cushion but would prefer If I only needed to dip into that for big things like a trip or medical expense and not if I have to dip into it for every day expenses. I do not want to have to live on rice and beans But I hardly have any needs... Give me my computer and an internet connection and I will be happy!

How hard is getting a job at all? Ive read a few other posts but those posts seem to be from non white non native English people which does seem to affect pay scales?

Currently I work as a card dealer in a casino and do have a state issued casino dealers license. I just feel it would be nice to have a job "giving back" instead of the take take take of the casino industry!

If anyone can send me info or to a few links or posts for the "real truth" about it I would say thank you in advance!

Your casino knowledge might be very valuable in Cambodia, especially in places like Poipet.

Expect $800 - $1,000/m. and you won't be bitterly disappointed.

Your expectations are realistic, but why Cambodia? You would have an easier time finding work and you will get better pay in Myanmar or Vietnam. Particularly now with tightening of work permit requirements and other slight hints that westerners aren't as welcome as they once were, why would you choose the KOW of all places?

kptic wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:17 am Your expectations are realistic, but why Cambodia? You would have an easier time finding work and you will get better pay in Myanmar or Vietnam. Particularly now with tightening of work permit requirements and other slight hints that westerners aren't as welcome as they once were, why would you choose the KOW of all places?

Agreed.
OP Cambodia has lost much of its charm and PP is far from the pearl of the asia in 2017.

Whilst it's not what you may expect its still great.

Thank you for your input... I've been thinking about cambodia mainly because of where the tefl classes are held they do have one as well in Vietnam(none in myanmar) but according to their chart a bachelor's degree is needed in those parts to teach english... only a few places allow no college degree which is why I have gravitated to Cambodia.. I'm still very much in the research stage before I commit to anything so any more feedback would be very much appreciated

Would it be better to get the Tefl certificate in your own country?

AndyKK wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:03 pm Would it be better to get the Tefl certificate in your own country?

I checked on that and it's actually much more expensive to do the course in the u.s. by almost a 1000 bucks also NYC hotels for 4 weeks would be crazy... since they also try to help find you a job it would be best to do it in the country of interest.

Breaker207 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:55 pm

AndyKK wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2017 3:03 pm Would it be better to get the Tefl certificate in your own country?

I checked on that and it's actually much more expensive to do the course in the u.s. by almost a 1000 bucks also NYC hotels for 4 weeks would be crazy... since they also try to help find you a job it would be best to do it in the country of interest.

I don't know myself a lot about it in Cambodia. But many years ago some people took a Tefl in Thailand, One for the visa available, and two you just had to hand over the fee.
Here a guy I know has just paid $2000 for his Tefl course and certificate. He still as not found the work he wants.

Id suggest applying in the US at your local ISD for a substitute teacher position. You should get a little experience just to see if in front of the classroom is something you will enjoy. This country has enough backpacker type teachers. At the same time you dont necessarily need a degree to be an effective teacher.
As far as TEFL goes... I have my BA and MA and taught in the US for a few years before quitting to join the corporate world for a couple decades so I didn't necessarily need a TEFL but I did a legit course in Chiang Mai. It was a great refresher.
If you choose a TEFL course you need one that has atleast a 4 weeks practicum at the end. It will greatly benefit you.

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I just finished the I to I tefl course held in PP, was mostly well organized and very helpful in getting settled. I don't particularly need a job so I haven't been looking atm but several others, with help from the local support were able to land employment.