| If you are thinking of teaching English as a Foreign | | | | as a Foreign Language? |
| Language (TEFL) in a non-English-speaking country, no | | | | It depends. Most language schools are understandably |
| doubt you have questions. What's it really like to do | | | | looking for people with native pronunciation of English. If |
| this? Here are some of the common questions | | | | you are looking for work in a country where there |
| would-be teachers have, with answers. | | | | aren't that many native English speakers who want to |
| [1] What will my students be like? | | | | teach English, you are likely to be more successful. By |
| They are unlikely to be children, as whatever English | | | | the same token, people who are native speakers of |
| the children learn is usually done within the country's | | | | English but have a strong regional accent may find it |
| public school system. More likely, you will be teaching | | | | more difficult to get work than people who speak a |
| teenagers or adults. The adults will likely be very | | | | more standard English. By the way, both American |
| motivated, as they see English as a key to a better | | | | English and British English are acceptable. |
| life. Some of the teenagers will have the same attitude, | | | | [5] I graduated from high school but I don't have a |
| but some may be more casual. | | | | college degree. Can I still do this? |
| [2] I only speak English. How will I communicate with | | | | You may have fewer choices of positions, but you |
| the students? | | | | should be able to find work. Since you don't have a |
| Many methods of language instruction are based on | | | | formal degree, it would be a good idea for you to take |
| using just the language the students are learning. So | | | | one of the many TEFL courses that are available all |
| you will be fine. Once you get beyond the most basic | | | | over the world and online. Take one that provides at |
| levels of English, you can use English to explain things | | | | least 100 hours of instruction and gives you TEFL |
| and most of the students will understand. | | | | certification. |
| [3] I don't remember much of the grammar I studied in | | | | If you are traveling in foreign countries, particularly |
| school. Do I have to know it? | | | | outside the US and Europe, you may be able to find |
| You do need to know some grammar, but you do not | | | | work simply because you are there. The schools may |
| have to be a genius at it. This is one reason it is a | | | | be more lax in their requirements because they can |
| good idea for you to take a TEFL class that gives you | | | | talk to you on the spot, and you may also find smaller, |
| certification. Not only will it help you find work, it will also | | | | more informal schools. |
| go over English grammar, from the point of view of | | | | [6] I wonder if I would be good at this. |
| what you will need to explain to your students. | | | | If you are friendly, outgoing, flexible, and genuinely |
| [4] I speak fluent English, but it is my second language | | | | interested in helping other people, it's well worth a try! It |
| and I do have a slight accent. Can I still teach English | | | | also helps if you prepare your class lessons with care. |