From choosing the right TEFL course to selecting the ideal destination, from the job market to teaching opportunities in other countries: everything you need to know about teaching English abroad.
Have you ever thought about teaching English abroad? Learning a new language, visiting new countries and working in contact with other cultures? It could be an exciting prospect, full of opportunities for personal growth and professional development. But how do you take the right path? We talked about it with Georgie Robyn Snape, manager ofTeacher's Friend.
From choosing the right TEFL course to selecting the ideal destination, from the job market to teaching opportunities in other countries, from costs to salaries, in this interview you will find all the answers you were looking for.
Teaching English abroad: how do you choose the right TEFL course?
The best TEFL course is the one that fits your budget, your learning style and your expectations. Before making any final decisions, it is important to check both the accreditation and requirements of the countries where you hope to work in the future. Here's everything you need to know.HG
What is the budget and how much does a TEFL course cost?
A good TEFL course should be at least 140 hours to meet international criteria for both schools and language centres. It should also be accredited by an authoritative body and, ideally, should include at least 6 hours of hands-on experience teaching in a class with real ESL students, not just your peers (if budget is limited, this could be done online). This meets international standards.
You should spend at least $250 USD for an online TEFL course, as free courses and cheap Groupon offers for $60 do not offer you a quality education or learning experience and are usually created by people only interested in profit, not training. Most free courses or those below the recommended minimum are often not recognized in the education sector.
Most quality, in-person TEFL courses provided by legitimate providers cost between $1500 and $2500. Be careful of anyone who asks for more, regardless of the extras offered, because they are probably trying to take more money from you than you really need. Conversely, any price lower than this will be less likely to include the above-mentioned criteria.
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How do we choose the most suitable course for us?
There are some things to consider before making the right choice, and they can be summarized in these questions:
➢ Do you prefer to learn online or in person?
➢ Do you like personal support or large groups?
➢ Do you want a complete learning experience or are you happy to “improvise” in class and learn as you go?
Which countries are best for teaching English abroad?
The answer to this question depends on what you are looking for in your experience. Some factors to consider are cost of living, average salary (don't look on TEFL sites for this, as they often manipulate country data to make opportunities more attractive), climate (Southeast Asia is a great option for the TEFL, but the climate can be extremely hot during the dry season, while some countries have no seasons and are hot all year round). Another aspect to consider is the pollution of a country. Places in Southeast Asia can be very polluted compared toEurope, but because the cost of living is much lower and salaries tend to be better in some places, you're more likely to have a better quality of life there.
Other things to consider may include:
➢ The relationship between the people of that country and foreign workers versus tourists.
➢ What is the expat community like?
➢ Will it be easy to live there day by day/meet other foreigners?
➢ What landscape would you like to live in (city, beach or mountain)?
➢ Proximity to a large city or a small city (for services)?
➢ What job opportunities are there across the country or in neighboring countries (if you like the region)?
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What are the salaries like for teaching English abroad?
Salary must be considered in relation to the cost of living. Some countries likeJapan and the Koreain the South they pay very well and include free accommodation, but the cost of living is also very high and therefore the quality of life may not allow you to travel.China and United Arab Emiratesthey pay extremely well; however, for visa, they have strict requirements such as degree level and nationality. Additionally, in some countries it may be more difficult to adapt due to social norms that are very different from Western countries.
If you are looking for more detailed and reliable information on the salaries of English teachers abroad you can consult websites such as the British Council and Internations.
What kind of teaching/jobs are there?
Most ESL teaching jobs inAsiarequires experience or a willingness to work with children, while in English-speaking countries such asAustralia and New Zelandyou are more likely to find yourself teaching adults. L'Europe, instead, tends to need both. The jobs are usually in schools or language centers, and sometimes also in universities. Public schools tend to have large classes and require a lot of management skills, while language centers pay better, have smaller classes and better facilities. There are some international schools that accept TEFL holders but mostly require qualified teacher status. These are the establishments that pay the best and offer many things such as flights, healthcare and accommodation included.
Keep in mind that you can teach all ages, from preschool to adults, as well as business classes. Most jobs require you to teach multiple age groups and/or levels, while others require you to teach the same class over several years. In English-speaking schools, you may also be teaching several subjects.
Abroad you will have online teaching opportunities (mostly for children), business training (which can pay very well once you gain experience), exam courses and conversation classes.
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What opportunities can arise from teaching English abroad?
You will be able to work in any part of the world as you will acquire the ability to adapt and accept other cultures. You may also receive promotions to senior teacher, team leader, academic coordinator, academic manager, school/language center director (although this usually requires further qualifications). You will have the opportunity to start your own business as a tutor or as a manager of a language center for ESL (English as a second language) students or TEFL training center or TEFL promoter.
You can also gain skills as a copywriter, proofreader, editor, tour guide, and go on to obtain a license as a teacher in schools in theUnited States/United Kingdom/Australia, the most attractive countries.
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What do you think is the best thing about teaching English abroad?
Meet like-minded people with whom you will be friends for life as you all have the same experiences and interests. Learning things you didn't know you didn't know. For example that theKoreaof the South is surrounded by mountains, that certain people are not allowed to visit certain countries just because of their passport and that you are actually very good at riding a moped. You will be able to try new things such as parachuting and bungee jumping, riding a scooter, dancing Lindy Hop, doing acrobatic yoga, Muay Thai, Yoga.
You will be able to participate in extraordinary festivals/holidays such asThailandFull Moon Party, Holi Festival, Songkran Water Festival, TET Party, Chinese New Year, and many more. Finally you will be able to see the world.
If you take a TEFL with practical training and experience, you will have a better idea of what age/level/teaching environment you prefer. Many TEFL students change their minds and it's not what they thought!
