| 1. It’s easy to get up and go | | | | on here – nothing makes sense!’ This |
| | | | kind of culture shock is totally normal and getting over |
| Deciding you want to teach abroad for a year or two | | | | it will make you more open-minded, understanding and |
| doesn’t mean years at university or thousands | | | | willing to try new things… and if your students start |
| of pounds. As there’s such huge demand for | | | | asking awkward questions about your personal life, |
| certified English teachers all around the world at the | | | | just smile and dodge the question. |
| minute, all you need is a TEFL course (which can be | | | | 5. You’ll have an instant support network |
| done in as little as two weeks), a one-way plane ticket | | | | |
| and a spot of enthusiasm. You can learn more about | | | | Unless you’re a lone teacher giving English |
| TEFL courses and TEFL job opportunities here: | | | | lessons to goats in Azerbaijan, odds on there will be |
| 2. You’ll take weekend trips to a whole new | | | | local teachers working at your school, many of whom |
| level | | | | will speak good English. Because they’ll be keen |
| | | | on practising their English with you, you’ll find |
| If your average weekend involves a trip to the local | | | | they’ll be keen to show you around, take you |
| shopping centre/mall and watching a spot of TV, | | | | out and help you in case any problems crop up |
| teaching abroad will certainly take that up a notch. | | | | – better than a guidebook any day! |
| When you’re living and working in another | | | | 6. It’s good resume/CV fodder |
| country, you’ll find it pretty irresistible to explore | | | | Even if it’s not your lifetime ambition to become |
| – depending on where you are that could be | | | | a teacher, you’ll find that there’s plenty to |
| lazing on the beach, visiting nearby cities or even doing | | | | put on your CV about your time as an EFL teacher: |
| a spot of trekking. What’s more, the cost of | | | | leadership, communication and organisational skills, not |
| travel in most TEFL destinations is super-cheap, so | | | | to mention to ability to successfully work with people |
| you won’t find yourself blowing all your wages | | | | who might not speak your language and have totally |
| on bus tickets. | | | | different cultural values. |
| 3. TEFL-travellers are a very friendly bunch | | | | 7. You’ll see behind the tourist tat |
| | | | |
| Want to know where in Japan is best to teach, or the | | | | Forget travelling off the beaten track, this is living off |
| best site to look for TEFL jobs in Thailand? Ask a | | | | the beaten track. If you really want to lift the lid on |
| TEFL-traveller. You’ll usually find a good | | | | another culture, teaching abroad is the perfect way to |
| network of other teachers ready to dispense advice in | | | | do it. As a teacher, you’ll usually find yourself |
| whichever city you’re teaching in, or if | | | | welcomed into people’s lives and homes |
| you’re in the back and beyond, TEFL networks | | | | – much better than taking snapshots of temples |
| such as Chalkboard ( are full of people willing to help | | | | and monuments by a country mile! |
| out a fellow teacher. | | | | Well, the secret’s well and truly out – if |
| 4. It’s a crash course in handling cultural | | | | you’re interested in teaching abroad make sure |
| difference | | | | you check out to make it happen! |
| | | | |
| At one point or another you’re going to look | | | | Anyone else got any secret benefits of teaching |
| around and think ‘what the bloody hell is going | | | | abroad? Add them below! |