jasonXkeller.com

As many of you know, Anissa and I long to travel and experience different cultures.  We’ve been talking about it for so long that most of our friends assumed it was talk and little more.  Alas the hour is upon us.  As of last week, we paid our deposits for TEFL Worldwide Prague.  If you are unfamiliar, TEFL is Teaching English as a Foreign Language.  A 30 day course at TEFL Worldwide, certifies you to teach English “anywhere in the world” (most places require an accompanying bachelor degree. Prague, however, does not).  I graduate from CSUSB in June.  We have reserved seats for the July class session.  Tentatively we will sell most everything we own and fly into Europe by way of Pennsylvania at the end of June.  Upon completion of the program, we plan to stay in Prague to teach.  This is a delicate dance because of visa issues, but that is another issue.  Provided that we find work and acquire visas, we will likely sign contracts for one school year.  Like the states, their school years are about nine months long.  That leaves us in Prague for about a year, at which time we will reassess our situation.  No doubt we will return home for a short stint, but Anissa has her eye on Barcelona.  I, on the other hand, love the idea of Buenos Aires or Tokyo.  At any rate, many people have asked, so I thought I should make a brief official announcement.

I was enjoying an iced americano at Stell Coffee and Tea Co. in Redlands, CA when the prospect of teaching English abroad first crossed my radar.  I was immediately enthralled with the possibilities.  Being an industrious young man, I thought surely a quick trip down Google lane would provide me with more than enough information to get started.  I have rarely been so wrong.  I discovered what so many people with like intentions must have discovered.  Google search results list countless pages, none of which are really any help.  You can query: TEFL and (insert place of your choice), “teach English abroad,” “teach overseas,” and so on.  You are unlikely to find more than lists of TEFL schools trying to sell their services.  It was quickly apparent that information sans marketing agenda would be very hard to find.  After many many MANY hours of searching, I have managed to find a few resources that were helpful.  To maximize the effect of my research, I thought it would be prudent to consolidate all of the resources and information I found.  Over the next few weeks I will be posting new information and resources for you.  If you have any specific questions, feel free to drop a line in askKeller.  I’ll do whatever I can to point you in the right direction.

Ok, so here is the idea.  I have a broad range of interests and expertise, and I am interested in imparting whatever wisdom I may have to whomever may need it.  Nothing is explicitly off the table.  If it happens to be an area where I lack, I will research a reliable source to satisfy your query.  I expect that queries, while not limited to, will largely be regarding my opinion on one matter or another.  Please consider that in most cases, I am not inclined toward the use of euphemisms and am less inclined to tell you only what you want to hear.  If you don’t really want to know, I suggest you direct your question elsewhere.  That being said, lets get the ball rolling.  Here’s how it will work:  Send your queries directly, through the Ask Keller Form at the top of the page.  I will get back to you if I feel clarification is necessary.  In absence of extenuating circumstances you can expect an answer within 24 hours.  Please do not leave questions in a comment, as they may go unnoticed.

If I might recommend some topics:  Travel, Veganism, Fitness, Interior Design, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Marine Corps, Straightedge and Literature are ripe choices.