and do other really cool stuff. I have been teaching high school English for four years now. I love it. But I want to do more, mainly in the summer months. I've applied for a few Fulbrights and been turned down. I did an NEH fellowship last summer that was fantastic, but how do I keep getting those experiences. Is TEFL a ripoff? Should I get certified. I am willing to volunteer for a month, but that may not be cost-feasible. What do I do? I don't think I want to leave for more than a year, but who knows. If you have any websites or suggestions, they are most appreciated.

Try Belize

try Networkesl

You can find some good summer TESOL certificate programs. That should allow you to teach overseas in some countries. An online TEFL certificate is pretty worthless, but if you spend a summer at an actual U.S. university for a certificate, that's good.

Look at www.tesol.org for more resources of how to get certified. They also have some job vacancies for summers, too. Dave's ESL cafe, www.eslcafe.com has tons of job opportunities, although they are a little shadier. (TESOL is the professional organization so usually people who are listed jobs through them are decent. With ESL cafe, anyone can list, so you don't really know if you're getting a reputable place).

Good luck. I've been an ESL teacher for over a decade and have loved it!

If you're looking for jobs you could try http://www.tefl-jobs.co.uk. It's not only for people in the UK - the positions are generally for anyone with qualifications, and they're all over the world.

Being TEFL certified will make you more marketable and it will also, and perhaps more importantly, prepare you for the job.

If you don't wan to invest too much in terms of money or time then online courses are a good option. See the ICAL courses for quality online teacher training and a respected TEFL Certificate.