So I assumed I had my life on track and that I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life when all of a sudden, this weekend, I didn't anymore. A friend of mine told me she was going to get certified to teach english as a second language in Bangkok, and I thought that sounded like the best thing ever (though I want to go somewhere else). I have a few friends who are esl teachers, and they love it and tell me I would, too. Plus it would give me a reason for having this Masters in teaching I acquired not too long ago. I'm not gonna lie- I could change my mind again soon, but I'm at one of those "crossroads" in my life that everyone hears about; so I want to make sure I know about all my choices.

So do any of you know about certain certifications in ESL? For example, which have more merit than others, and which have a better rep? I just want to make sure I'll get a job after my certification, you know? I'm trying to choose between CELTA and SIT TESOL.

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You must live on land and I must live at sea.

I have the same question...I am ESOL endorsed in Florida but would eventually like to leave the US to teach English.

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Here's a spoiler for you: Chinese Democracy is shit

my brother tried to get certified for Japan...but they must have known he is a stoner rebel.

I would say go for CELTA. I taught in Italy for over a year and pretty much everyone I worked with had it. I am not sure it's a great idea if you're looking for something life-changing, though. I mean it's great fun, you get to travel, meet new people etc etc, but at the end of the day you have no stability at all, you're always broke, there are some periods of the year when you don't get to work much (in Italy it's mainly July and August). Unless you score a great job in a university or a big company (which you definitely could do with a master's), the chances of growing professionaly are very limited. This said it's a great experience and you'll probably love it

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now that I know that I'm breaking to pieces
I'll pull out my heart and I'll feed it to anyone.

Thank you, obscurearse! I'm actually looking at a CELTA program offered in Verona, Italy. My plan is to teach esl only for a while and then move on to something else after having that experience; so maybe the CELTA is what I want.

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You must live on land and I must live at sea.