| Grew up in an English speaking country? Or your Mum | | | | time courses generally run for four weeks and are |
| and Dad taught you to speak English? Or both? | | | | highly intensive. You will eat, sleep and drink ESL for |
| Congratulations! You have a talent that is in huge | | | | the duration. The part time courses cover the same |
| demand and that can take you just about anywhere in | | | | syllabus, but spread over a longer period. The choice is |
| the world. Teaching English as a second or foreign | | | | yours. Some people prefer the intensity of full time |
| language. | | | | study, for others part time allows them to keep |
| The world is growing smaller day-by-day. Increasing | | | | working and may give longer to absorb the numerous |
| globalization in the business world combined with the | | | | new concepts that are presented. |
| phenomenal growth of the Internet mean demand for | | | | Gaining Experience |
| a truly international language has never been greater. | | | | Some face-to-face courses include actual teaching |
| And that language is English. | | | | practice (with real ESL learners). This is helpful |
| The demand for English is such that a native speaker | | | | because when you graduate you are not only qualified |
| could probably finance (or substantially subsidize) a | | | | but experienced too. However, if your course doesn't |
| global tour without any kind of training or qualification. | | | | include real classroom teaching, don't despair; there are |
| Indeed, that is what many people do. | | | | plenty of opportunities to gain that all-important initial |
| However, given the immense and likely increasing | | | | experience. |
| demand for English, English teaching is an extremely | | | | Perhaps your locality has volunteer programs for |
| good career choice. Not only are qualified, experienced | | | | learners of English. Such programs are nearly always |
| English teachers are unlikely to be unemployed for | | | | grateful for new volunteer teachers. If you live |
| very long but the profession offers the true job | | | | somewhere where there are a lot of ESL learners, |
| satisfaction that comes from the knowledge you are | | | | advertise your services as a private teacher. |
| genuinely giving something to others. | | | | Alternatively, look for language exchange partners. this |
| Becoming an English Teacher | | | | is an arrangement whereby you teach someone |
| So, how do you become a teacher of English as a | | | | English in return for them teaching you their language. |
| Second Language (ESL)? | | | | Not only will you get experience, but it can also be |
| The answers are many and various and range from | | | | valuable to put yourself in the learner's shoes. You can |
| strapping on a backpack and buying a plane ticket to | | | | also make some good friends. |
| an exotic destination through to taking a Master's | | | | If you're hoping to travel abroad, why not look for |
| degree. | | | | some pen pals (or e-mail pals) in your intended |
| Teaching is very much a practical skill and you will find | | | | location? You can get some experience helping them |
| that no matter how academic study you've completed | | | | with their English, as well as making some friends to |
| you will feel pretty overwhelmed when you encounter | | | | show you around when you arrive. |
| your first real learners. Don't panic, you'll quickly get | | | | Finding a Job |
| better with practice. And, if it's any reassurance even | | | | ESL teachers have several employment options. They |
| experienced teachers sometimes give dogs of | | | | can be employed by a school, teach privately or - as |
| lessons. | | | | many do - combine the two. |
| Try to build a rapport with your students and to | | | | There are different kinds of schools. These include |
| develop an awareness of how a lesson is being | | | | private English schools, schools and colleges in |
| received. Is the topic too easy or too difficult? Are the | | | | mainstream education (ESL teachers are employed by |
| students interested or bored? You should have some | | | | English departments) and organizations offering |
| sort of plan for every lesson, ie what you want the | | | | services (including English lessons) to immigrants. |
| students to get out of it and how you hope to achieve | | | | Some countries operate centralized recruitment |
| it. However, if a lesson isn't working, don't be afraid to | | | | schemes for ESL teachers in schools, eg the JET |
| tear up the plan and improvise according to the needs | | | | (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program in Japan. |
| of the moment. | | | | Teachers employed under such schemes have the |
| The important thing is to be your own harshest critic. If | | | | advantage of being public employees and also enjoy |
| a lesson doesn't go as you intended, ask yourself how | | | | working standard business hours (TESL hours can be |
| you can make things better. Remember, if your | | | | very unsocial). |
| learners have been exposed to real English - and | | | | When applying for jobs try to sell yourself as much as |
| better still used some themselves - the lesson has | | | | possible with your CV/resume. Don't only state your |
| been worthwhile. | | | | TESL qualifications and experience, but include |
| Teacher Training | | | | absolutely anything that may be relevant, eg have you |
| I can't over-emphasize that teaching is something you | | | | trained staff in a previous job, do you have any |
| learn by doing. However teacher training courses are | | | | hobbies that show you get on well with people, do you |
| useful, as they will introduce you to a range of | | | | have a background in business or working with children |
| techniques that you can employ to help your learners | | | | that may equip you for specialized teaching? |
| learn. They will also remind, or teach, you about the | | | | Be prepared to do some sample teaching, or even |
| more technical aspects of language such as rules of | | | | give a free, observed, trial lesson when you attend a |
| grammar, phonetics etc. All the kind of stuff you do | | | | school for interview. |
| without thinking about, but can't necessarily explain why | | | | You can find private students through placing small ads |
| you do it. | | | | wherever English learners might see them. Often, if |
| If you've completed a recognized training course it will | | | | you are a good teacher, students will refer friends and |
| make you much more marketable to potential | | | | colleagues to you. It's a good idea to offer students a |
| employers and private students, simply by showing | | | | free trial lesson. Try to put the potential student at |
| you're serious about teaching and not just another | | | | ease. Spend some time on introductions. Tell them a bit |
| backpacker passing through. | | | | about yourself, but more importantly listen to them. |
| There are a growing number of online TESL (Teaching | | | | Private students will often tell you what they want to |
| English as a Second Language) and TEFL (Teaching | | | | focus on, eg fluency, grammar, English for work etc. |
| English as a Foreign Language) teacher training | | | | You may notice other areas that might need attention, |
| courses. These allow you to study in your own time | | | | eg listening, pronunciation. Point these out, but avoid |
| and pace. | | | | being too critical. Praising students for what they do |
| For those that prefer more traditional face-to-face | | | | well goes a long way in winning confidence - and a |
| tuition many language schools also offer TESL training | | | | new customer. |
| courses. These can be taken full time part time. Full | | | | |