| Are you looking for a fresh challenge? Want to break | | | | qualifications |
| from your routine? Do you feel that you would like to | | | | · In the unfortunate event that you land up in a |
| explore new skills and talents that you haven't yet had | | | | position that isn't working out your qualifications mean |
| the opportunity to develop? What about travel? Would | | | | that you aren't stuck - you will have better options. |
| you like to experience other countries and other | | | | There are plenty of 'seat of the pants' TEFL teachers |
| cultures up close? | | | | out there winging it. You don't have to. The poor jobs, |
| Then teaching English in other countries might be just | | | | low rates and stress that come with not really |
| the ticket - your passport to a world of new | | | | knowing what you are doing just aren't worth it. |
| adventure and discovery. | | | | It's neither particularly expensive nor time consuming to |
| As English establishes an unstoppable momentum and | | | | get the instruction you need. From full time four or five |
| reaches a critical mass of adoption as the international | | | | week courses to part-time evening courses run over a |
| language of business, media and technology, so | | | | number of months, online or offline, there are all kinds |
| non-native English speakers are turning to English | | | | of ways to do it. Of course you will need a certain |
| language study in their millions. | | | | standard of English but if you are a native speaker |
| What do you need to do to teach English abroad? | | | | and educated up to or above GCSE level you should |
| What's the best way to find teaching jobs abroad? | | | | be fine. Ideally though you should have a degree, as |
| Teaching English in Asia? In Africa? The Middle East, | | | | many jobs will require graduate level teachers. Watch |
| South America, anywhere in fact that requires English | | | | out for all that grammar you didn't pay attention to at |
| instruction? | | | | school though - it may come back to haunt you. |
| Here's a little advice to help you on your way. | | | | Understand too that teaching abroad isn't a game. |
| If at all possible go into TEFL (teaching English as | | | | Certainly, TEFL is fun and offers a great opportunity to |
| foreign language) often referred to also as TESL | | | | travel and see the world, but people pay hard-earned |
| (teaching English as a second language) with as much | | | | money to be taught English by a professional. You |
| instruction and as many qualifications under your best | | | | owe it to them to give them their money's worth. |
| as possible. Don't let a lack certification get in the way | | | | Finally - make sure you do you homework. Research |
| of your dream but always remember that the better | | | | the training options and investigate them thoroughly. |
| qualified you are the more you will enjoy your teaching | | | | When you qualify make sure that you get as much |
| career. From Totnes to Timbuktu, Barcelona to Beijing, | | | | background on the location you are heading to and the |
| the facts remain that: | | | | positions you are applying for. Go online and hunt |
| · Training equips you with the skills and confidence to | | | | around the many TEFL resources, many of which |
| be an effective teacher. | | | | have really useful forums or message-boards. Try to |
| · Your certification will give you access to better paid | | | | speak with existing or former teachers of institutions |
| and more interesting TEFL jobs | | | | you are considering working with and make sure you |
| · Some institutions insist on qualifications such as a | | | | gather as much information as possible to help you |
| Trinity TESOL, Cambridge CELTA or equivalents. | | | | make the right job choices for you. |
| Others might require Diplomas or more advanced | | | | But most importantly, have fun! |