Thank you, Pysch and Julie for your comments and the info. I will look into the facebook page, Julie.

I have also been researching distance education PGCE programs with or without QTS that I can pursue while still working in ESL for the time being. The Uni of Nottingham looks like a good fit.

Thanks once again for steering me in the right direction.

Regards,
Matt

Hi,

I am not sure about the school, contract etc but I have lived in Bangalore for 2 years and I am an Indian national. Bangalore is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in India and it can incredibly rewarding to live there. It is quite westernized and you can enjoy western style multiplexes, shopping malls, restaurants, fast food places and it is considerably easy city to live in for foreigners when compared to some other smaller cities in India.

Bangalore is the silicon valley of India and you will find most people speak a good level of English, esp those who work in service sectors. It is also very green, though pollution can still be a problem when compared to developed countries.

Bangalore has just got its own 'Metro' train service and they are developing more lines..so expect lots of construction activity on the roads.

Overall, I would say the positives far outweigh the negatives, but someone else may differ in their opinion.

All the best!
Matt

Hi Guys,

I am a newbie, just starting out and looking for some advice/feedback on how to proceed. I am 32 year old Indian guy, have nearly 4 years experience teaching ESL in China, Vietnam, India and Cambodia in a variety of roles- ESL teacher, freelance teacher trainer (with the British Council in India), Young Leraner Academic Coordinator (my last role before my present job). I have a Masters degree in English Language and Literature (Distance Education) from an good Indian University and a full time, onsite TESOL certification. I am currently working as a ESL teacher in Siem Reap, Cambodia in one of the few good language schools. I have steller references from all the language schools I have worked for. I am also a qualified IELTS trainer and have taught IELTS/TOEFL for several years in India, China and Vietnam.

I am married with a non teaching spouse (she is a banker with loads of experience in banking Operations) and a 7 month old baby.

Now I understand that my ESL experience doesnt count/hardly counts and I dont want to stay in ESL any longer. I have decided to go back to school in India and get a B.Ed next year. I hope to finish my B.Ed by May 2014 with specialization in English and/or ESL and Geography/Special needs Ed. I want to be an International school teacher in a few years time.

My query is whether I should get some experience working in an Indian International school (Tier 2 or Tier 3) for a couple of years before starting out on the International scene or should I go to one of the Search fairs in Bangkok right after I get certified in my home country? I have no preferences in location and will take up any reasonable offer, as long I can break even for 2 years and it is a reasonably safe country for my family. The aim is to hit the magic number of 2 years exp, required by most schools. Is it reasonable to believe that I might get a job from a Tier 3 IS in Africa, Middle East or Asia, right after teacher training, with no actual IS experience? Will it help if I am ready to pay for my wife and baby to join me (flights, health insurance, difference in housing cost vs the housing allowance, living expenses etc) for the first 2 year contract, to make myself a more attractive candidate to the recruiters? Do schools usually help with the visas/residency permits for the family in that scenario?

Is it do-able or should I just stick to ESL? The other option is do the DELTA and just go forward in the ESL route.

How much weight does a degree from a major english speaking country (US, UK, AUS etc) carry? Or would someone like me with Indian degrees have a chance? I have got all my ESL jobs despite tremendous competition from native speakers and never had to hide my nationality from my students/parents. Though I must admit there were tons of rejections based on my so called 'non native speaker' tag, for every job offer I got. They probably dont know that India is a major English speaking country and I have a very neutral accent:-) So I am not new to rejection and aim to bring the same steely resolve in shaping this career.

I am in the process of registering with Search associates and so far my associate has done a great job of responding to all my queries promptly and helping me with my registration process. I have collected 3 out of the 4 references required. Any other IS recruitment sites I should register on?

Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt