This is a collection of advice and links from the AusELT community, as of October 2019.

• Note we do our best to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but can’t check everything, so please let the volunteer admin of the month know what needs updating or what needs adding.
•  Note also that so far this information is primarily about working in Australia. Any information about working in New Zealand will be warmly welcomed.

 

In general:

Use every strategy you have ever learned about, for example, having an up-to-date and brief CV, and providing evidence of your experience eg via a portfolio. If you have limited experience, think about how you can showcase what you’ve learned and what you’re interested in exploring further, and how you’re doing this.

Be prepared to fit in, and show you are open to opportunities to expand your repertoire and take on new challenges , rather than presenting your personal requirements.

Consider also updating your record of PD / professional development (aka CPD as in Continuing ~). English Australia has a tool for teachers to record their PD activities and reflections.

• Read more here https://www.englishaustralia.com.au/eltar/eltar/eltar-overview Register for free via https://www.englishaustralia.com.au/register

 

Via online links, and direct contact

• Note it is a good strategy to check out the websites of potential employers, as well as to go and check out their premises. Introduce yourself to the admins / receptionists, and bear in mind they will form an immediate impression of you which they will no doubt pass on.
• Have a copy of your CV to pass on. Remember that they will be aware if the DoS / principal is looking for teachers right then, so be ready for a possible interview. That said, don’t be surprised if that person is not free to come and talk to you right now.

Your best strategy may be to send an initial email introducing yourself and attaching your CV.

• Note the DoS / principal may be fielding multiple contacts made by people forced to provide evidence of having applied for work, regardless of how suitable they are for the field. Don’t be expecting a personal response every time. If you do feel the need to send a follow-up email, be mindful how you express your continued interest and why you are interested in working with this institution.

Use drop-down menus of member organisations to find contacts eg

• English Australia (the national peak body for the English language sector of international education in Australia) https://www.englishaustralia.com.au/findacollege
• NEAS (the National ELICOS Accreditation Scheme) https://neas.org.au/quality-centres/ and their jobs board https://neas.org.au/resources/jobs-board/
  • Bear in mind that some institutions do not require NEAS accreditation, eg if they are an RTO, in which case they may be accredited by TEQSA https://www.teqsa.gov.au/ .
  • Note also that government data about RTOs needs, shall we say, updating.
• For university English language centres / colleges, search for the individual institution via their home page, looking for employment-related sections. You could also look for names of universities here via the University English Centres Australia site http://www.ueca.edu.au/courses-overview.php
• For Migrant English Language programs, learn more via https://www.education.gov.au/adult-migrant-english-program-0, search for providers near you in your state.

 

Via AusELT on Facebook posts

People do sometimes post in the AusELT Facebook group when they have positions available, so scroll down through recent posts in case.

• Note this does not conflict with AusELT guidelines, as this activity is clearly of benefit to people looking for work, as opposed to links which promote your own profit-making business.

You can also search the group using relevant terms, eg for a post about Qs you might be asked at interview on 3 March 2019.

There may also be other Facebook groups which post ads eg ESL Teachers – Brisbane. Use the Facebook search field.

 

Via generic job sites

While some organisations do not advertise, as they receive CVs by email or through their websites, you can also check sites such as https://www.seek.com.au/ and https://au.indeed.com/, using search terms such as ‘TESOL’ and similar.

 

Via ‘relief’ work

Register with agencies who connect teachers and institutions for ‘relief’ work aka cover teaching via eg http://readyteacher.com.au/contact

 

NB Check requirements

• For ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) centres, see
  https://neas.org.au/professional-development/career-advice/#neas-teacher-qualifications
  and
  https://www.englishaustralia.com.au/o…/teaching-in-australia

See also the ELICOS Standards https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L01349 – scroll to Standard P6.4

• Working for an RTO (Registered Training Organisation) such as TAFE and AMEP providers delivering VET courses
  https://www.asqa.gov.au/…/meeting-trainer-and-assessor-requ…
  and
  https://www.asqa.gov.au/…/what-constitutes-diploma-or-highe…
  • Note that the Cert IV TAE is no longer required if you have a diploma or higher level qualification in adult education. However, if your employer specifies having a TAE, the latest version of the Cert IV in TAE is 40116 https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/TAE40116
  • NB For the definitive answer on the above note re requirements for having a current Cert IV in Training and Assessment, the jury is still out, with conflicting advice. This may be because there are fine differences when it comes down to the individual organisation, depending on the range of courses they offer. Scroll back to numerous conversations about this eg 15 Sept 2019, 13 Aug 2019, 16 Jan 2019, …
• For employees and also volunteers working with children (defined as someone under the age of 18), check your state or territory in Australia re the WWCC (Working With Children Check) – which is valid for 5 years for date of issue – here
  https://aifs.gov.au/…/pre-employment-scree…/part-b-state-and

Their FAQs is useful, too.

https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/…/working-with-chil…/faq

EG for NSW, go to

https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/working-with-children-check

• NB if you work in a primary or secondary school setting, a Working with Children Check is not enough. You need to register in your state. Checking with AITSL https://www.aitsl.edu.au or the local body in your State/Territory (e.g. Victorian Institute of Teaching for Victoria) is strongly recommended.

It may ALSO be worth getting a ‘police check‘ https://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/services/criminal-records/national-police-checks

From their FAQs, https://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/services/criminal-records/frequently-asked-questions this involves comparing an individual’s details (such as name and date of birth) against a central index of names using a name matching algorithm to determine if the name and date of birth combination of that individual matches any others who have police history information. The name will then be vetted by police personnel to determine what information may be disclosed, subject to relevant spent conviction legislation and/or information release policies.

Note if you’re planning to work overseas, it’s better to do this before you leave the country.

Otherwise, check other info in the AusELT blog as well https://auselt.com/working-in-elt/ where you can find links for ELT associations, information about knowing your rights, and links

And last but not last, go along to local PD events and make connections, eg MeetELT in Sydney or Melbourne.

In the meantime, consider doing some volunteer work.