| ing abroad is a life-changing experience. Not only will | | | | you'll have time to get over the culture shock and |
| you see and do things that you never thought you | | | | really enjoy your time away. After exploring the big |
| would, but you'll boost your confidence and develop | | | | landmarks, you can move onto the hidden treasures |
| new skills that can be used in a variety of situations. | | | | that tourists rarely see. And since you'll be living and |
| Just how much it'll change you depends on how long | | | | working with local people, it won't be hard to find them. |
| you work for; and you might find that once you start, | | | | Taking on a year-long contract will also look great on |
| you just won't want to stop. | | | | your CV; it shows the commitment that employers |
| The volunteers – 1 week to 26 weeks | | | | really love. You'll have plenty of time to develop your |
| To get paid teaching work abroad, you'll have to | | | | skills, improve your teaching technique and build your |
| commit to a short term contract, usually no less than 3 | | | | confidence. And best of all, you'll see your class |
| months long. But if you don't have that much time to | | | | develop through a whole year of study and realise the |
| spare, you can always try volunteering. Just like with a | | | | effect you've had on their ability to speak English and, |
| paid position, you'll work alongside local people and get | | | | ultimately, their lives. |
| a unique view of the culture. But it'll often feel more | | | | It's also possible to get shorter placements of 3, 6 or 9 |
| rewarding because learning English will make even | | | | months. These are ideal if you want to make a little |
| more of a difference to your underprivileged students; | | | | money while you travel, but still see a range of |
| lives. | | | | destinations. However, these contracts are harder to |
| These mini-placements are perfect if you want to test | | | | come by, so you might want to consider i-to-i's Job |
| the water. You'll get glimpse of life as a TEFL teacher, | | | | Placement Service. |
| so you can decide whether it's right for you or if you'd | | | | The lifers – 2 years to forever |
| rather travel on your savings. And then there's the | | | | Have you ever worried that you'll never find a job you |
| experience! With a volunteer placement under your | | | | enjoy? For some, teaching abroad takes all those |
| belt, you'll really stand out from the crowd when you're | | | | fears away and they never come back. Some |
| applying for jobs. Which means you'll have an even | | | | travellers love teaching so much that they take |
| better chance of getting that ideal job. | | | | another year long placement, then another, then... who |
| The gappers – 3 to 12 month contracts | | | | knows! The world is their oyster! |
| Most teaching contracts are one year long, which | | | | The point is that you don't have to decide if TEFL is |
| makes them popular with gap year travellers. The | | | | the career for you just yet. You can try it for a year |
| advantage of choosing one of these contracts is that | | | | and go home or you can just keep going. |