ESL Jobs Forum

[DoubleA79]

Hi all

What are the prospects for a Brit to gain a work visa for the US?

I have a Bachelors degree, Cambridge CELTA and 4 years experience.

I would love to work in a language school (or university) in the US, even if its just a temporary post.

Any ideas / advice appreciated!

Thanks

[Lexicon]

Your only realistic option would be to get a visa to study in the US and to pursue a BA or MA in some teaching related field.

The US doesn't have the restrictive protectionist visa policies that the UK and EU have which is nice because the best qualified person can get the job regardless of nationality.

But, to get one of those visa's you would have to meet or exceed the qualifications of your American peers.

BA's in the UK only being 3 years usually and the CELTA having no recognition in the US means that you'd likely be at a professional disadvantage in the US to a fresh college graduate with a BA here.

Also consider that the options for working in ESL in the US tend to be either in public schools (requires a teaching degree), in a university ESL program (usually requires minimum an MA from a US/Canadian uni), or teaching TEFL through a university (normally requires a PhD and several years experience).
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[Belinda1987]

but did you end up going??

i'm in a similar situation, i'd love to teach in the US and am hoping to go in September, however after ploughing through visa information i'm not sure if this is a possibility now - it's a real shame!

i have a Trinity qualification, BA and 1 year experience - I'm British also. Any advice / your experience would be excellent

thanks

[TheEnforcer]

Hi Belinda

DoubleA here....have changed my identity since that post as this stupid forum wasn't letting me sign in on my last one.

I never did make it to the States in the end. I guess I've almost given up the idea, altho I don't think it's totally impossible. Maybe I'll do a Master's eventually at a uni in Canada and then try to get a job there. But I think definitely a minimum of a master's is necessary.

Have you found anything else out??