"Getting Started Teaching English!"
Teaching English Abroad - An Overview
Two of the most important of these are the American $ as the international currency, and English as the accepted language for business and commerce. In fact, English is the single most widely spoken second language. The English teaching positions available Worldwide are as varied as the countries that offer them. TEFL jobs abroad exist in just about every country around the globe from the colossus of China to the smallest pacific islands. Why Should You Teach English Abroad?There are various reasons why you may be considering teaching English abroad, but the most popular motivations include:
If you’re a native English speaker you're lucky enough to have a commodity that is in huge demand all over the globe. That demand is continuing to rise as more countries embrace English as the international language of commerce, science, movies, computer games etc. As an experienced traveller you’ll have an edge when applying for all kinds of work when you return to your home country. The fact that you’ve lived abroad demonstrates maturity and initiative. Employers see teaching English abroad as a very positive experience, particularly in work situations where you need to be organised, have the ability to make presentations and coach other people. In today’s global society international travel is much more accessible than it was 30 years ago. GAP years are no longer the domain of the pre-university student, with people of all ages and backgrounds deciding to up sticks and enjoy a complete lifestyle change by travelling or living abroad. Are you sitting here now thinking about how you’d rather be off doing something different, escaping the humdrum of working life and enjoying warmer climates and different cultures? Then you should join the thousands who have empowered themselves with the skills to live and work where they choose. In a world of over 260 countries we all have many unique places to discover. Whether you decide to do it for 6 months or 6 years, teaching English abroad is an extremely rewarding experience. Few professions allow you the flexibility to live in virtually any country you choose. Endless Opportunities To Teach English Abroad!The range of English teaching TEFL jobs abroad is immense; with the choice of benefits just as varied. Only a handful of nations have chosen to reject western influence outright and therefore don’t require teachers. If you’re a British or Irish national (holder of an EU passport), your skills will be in high demand on the continents of Europe and Africa where the desire to learn British English is highest. If you have an EU passport you’ll be able to find TEFL jobs in Europe easily because you can work legally without any kind of visa. In Europe, Spain, Italy and Portugal are ever popular destinations. Greece, Turkey and Poland also stand out as having a wealth of TEFL job opportunities.
Unfortunately, if you’re from North America you will find it harder to find a TEFL job in Europe. Employers favour British or Irish teachers because they don’t have to invest time or money in sponsorship/ working visas etc. Having said that, there are plenty of North Americans working in Europe without visas, with a handful of schools requiring North Americans to teach American English. As a North American your best bet is usually to find employment locally. After years of Russian lessons, the old Eastern Bloc countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary have now embraced the English language and so are the newest nations to be crying out for teachers. These countries are an excellent central base from which to explore Eurasia. If you rate your quality of life and the experiences you gain above the amount of money you earn then the world is your oyster when it comes to teaching English abroad. If you’re into surfing and other water sports take a look at countries like Indonesia, Costa Rica the Caribbean, or indeed pretty much anywhere on the Pacific. If you like trekking in the mountains then Nepal, North Asia, Chile, Peru, Bolivia or Ecuador would be a good choice. If you want to learn more about Buddhist culture and their relaxed way of life then any number of North and South East Asian countries would be ideal. To enable you to find the most suitable job for your needs take a moment to categorise your most important requirements. Examples include:
Many end up living in a number of locations giving them a variety of experiences. Finally, don’t get blinkered into comparing overseas salaries to wages in your home country. Remember costs of living are sure to be lower; tax, airfare and accommodation may be provided or subsidised. Plus if your only motivation was to earn money then you would stay at home. Remember the cultural, life enhancing experiences you will have and the understanding you will gain from living and working abroad. These life experiences are invaluable. Jane Price says “Whilst I only earnt £500 per month in China (which is a small salary in the UK), I was very well off. I earnt double what white collar Chinese nationals got plus I received free accommodation, flights and lunch every day at my school. In a year I saved £3000 as well as having a great time. I’m now taking a 6 month holiday in Thailand and Malaysia. Try doing that on £500 a month in England!” Could YOU Be An English Teacher?To be a successful English teacher you need to have certain characteristics. Look at some of the qualities that have the potential to make a good teacher and take the time to decide if teaching is really for you.
Mark Bradford, UK says “Before I first taught I thought of my own schooling in the UK. Being a teacher overseas was nothing like this. In many ways it didn’t feel like work, because I love children and enjoyed playing games, reading stories and singing songs with the kids. I loved being a mentor and holding the attention of the class. I found the students in Asia looked at me like a big brother and they were always intrigued to learn more about their new foreigner friend, particularly whether or not I could introduce them to David Beckham!” The best reason to teach Englis abroad is the desire to experience all that is different in the world. Two vital ways to get the most out of your experience is to be prepared and be open-minded. If you focus on these, you are likely to have a very enjoyable experience teaching English abroad. Expect the unexpected and you'll be fine! Bridget says “I found that teaching in Asia was only about 50% teaching English (although everything was done in English medium). I noticed I indirectly taught students social interaction with a foreigner; body language, mannerisms, colloquialism etc. I felt this gave the students a new found confidence around foreigners and an understanding of what people are like from the other side of the planet. I also learnt exactly the same, except I was paid for this experience!”
Watching your students’ English language skills grow and progress is a most rewarding experience. If you really open up to your students, as a friend, mentor and leader, class time will be a stimulating experience for all involved. In time you’ll come to realise what teaching methods work for you, and what makes the subject matter come alive for your students. Remember, within reason, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to teaching methods; if there were, learning would be an extremely dull experience. Younger students react to teachers that can express themselves well with action, while adult students appreciate a more explanative approach. Find what you feel comfortable with and what achieves results, and then develop your English teaching skills from there. If you feel comfortable, so will your students. Many teachers begin by teaching English to younger age groups and then progress to a more mature audience as they gain more experience. How Do You Become A Qualified English Teacher?Long gone are the days when your ability to speak English was enough to get you a good job teaching English abroad. With the rise in TEFL as a profession employers are demanding higher standards from their teachers, and rightly so! A certificate in TEFL/TESOL is now the minimum requirement for any reputable school. Although it is still possible to pick up a job without a certificate, there is the risk of working for a cowboy outfit, and you will almost certainly earn less than your qualified counterparts. As recruiters ourselves, we question the motives of anyone who is not willing to undertake proper training to teach English. Regardless of how long you plan to teach, we believe you owe it to yourself and your students to make sure you have the knowledge and skills to teach to the best of your ability. Look at it this way, would you get a job driving a taxi without a driving licence? How would you learn the rules of the road? Would you just make it up as you went along?
The minimum requirement to teach English professionally is an accredited Certificate in TESOL/TEFL. This type of course will be accredited by a professional educational body. Cambridge RSA, College of Teachers, Trinity and any accredited university are all recognised validating bodies for TESOL/TEFL. TIP: There are many short and/or unaccredited courses available these days that do not provide a recognised qualification for your CV.
Our sister organisation, INTESOL, is a world renowned, internationally recognised TESOL/TEFL course provider that will help you achieve your goal of successfully teaching English abroad. Following completion of the certificate course you will not only have a certificate that is approved by employers worldwide, you will also have gained the necessary skills to make a real contribution as an English language teacher.
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As the World races towards globalisation certain constants have become globally accepted.
North American English is in higher demand in Asia and Latin America where trade links with America are stronger. However, due to the huge demand for English in Asia, any qualified teacher of any native English speaking nationality will be able to find work here. You just need to be aware of Americanisms, i.e. pavement = sidewalk, lorry = truck etc. Many jobs are available in the nations of China, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Korea.
We all have different desires. Matching your desires to the options available will help you choose the right place to teach English abroad.
With proper training both you and your students will get more out of class time, and your confidence will shine through. Feeling relaxed and secure about your teaching abilities will allow you to focus on enjoying your new surroundings.
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