| Teaching English overseas is the dream job. What | | | | you're effectively cheating your students out of their |
| better way to see the world, provide an useful service | | | | hard-earned money.) |
| and experience local life in a way that few tourists get | | | | Fortunately, there's a simple way to easily find a legal |
| to experience? | | | | job and have all the attendant benefits of security, visa |
| Imagine spending a few months in Italy or even a year | | | | extensions, health insurance and training. The simple |
| or two. Or how would you like to spend time getting to | | | | answer is to get a TEFL certificate. |
| know Thailand's exotic and pulsating capital, Bangkok? | | | | A TEFL certificate is the minimum qualification you |
| Or what about an extended sojourn on the tropical isle | | | | need to teach English to foreigners. You gain one by |
| of Costa Rica with its vibrant Latino culture? | | | | attending one of the many TEFL courses generally |
| Perhaps you think travel to such exotic locations is | | | | lasting a month full time. You'll find it very hands-on and |
| way out of your budget, let alone an extended stay in | | | | intensive, perfect for getting you ready for the realities |
| a foreign land. But as a TEFL (Teaching English as a | | | | of the classroom. |
| Foreign Language) teacher, the world really is your | | | | A typical day involves study sessions in the morning |
| oyster. With English language skills in constant demand | | | | and observing experienced teachers at work in the |
| the world over, you'll be able to choose the country | | | | afternoon. As the course progresses, you'll get more |
| you want to live and work in and be confident of | | | | and more practical experience teaching while being |
| finding a job there. | | | | observed by your trainers and your peers. At the end |
| Teaching English overseas has long been a way for | | | | of the course, you need to present a full lesson in front |
| people to fund their travels and spend extended | | | | of an assessor. |
| periods overseas. Intrepid travelers used to drop into | | | | In the evening you'll be expected to do homework, |
| far flung cities with just a few dollars in their pockets | | | | read up on such topics as grammar and write down |
| confident they could pick up some traveling money | | | | reflections and evaluations of the day. |
| teaching English. | | | | Most countries in the world offer TEFL courses so |
| Things have changed in recent years, however. Now | | | | you can probably do one in your home country. |
| many governments are chary of foreigners turning up | | | | However, doing your teacher training in the country |
| on their doorsteps claiming to be English teachers. | | | | you plan to work in can offer many advantages. For |
| Most governments nowadays demand a recognized | | | | one thing it will help you in familiarizing yourself with the |
| TEFL certificate before allowing foreigners to work | | | | learning style of the students. And being there on the |
| and be granted extended stays in their countries. | | | | spot, you'll probably be far better placed to find you job |
| Of course you could work freelance or sign up with | | | | you really want. |
| some bucket shop which turns a blind eye to the lack | | | | Be wary of online TEFL certificates as they have no |
| of qualifications. But this puts you in a very unenviable | | | | practical component. They're OK for filling you in on |
| position. | | | | theory but only by getting in front of a real class of |
| For one thing, these types of organization pay the | | | | students can you really cut your teeth as a teacher. |
| lowest rates. You'll be an illegal worker and have no | | | | So the fact is that reputable employers demand a |
| redress should you not get paid. You'll have to leave | | | | TEFL certificate with an observed teaching practice |
| the country and get a new visa every so often. And | | | | component. They need to see that someone has |
| worst of all, you'll leave yourself open to arrest and | | | | observed you actually teaching a real class and |
| deportation. It's no fun working in a climate of fear. (Not | | | | declared you competent. |
| to mention the fact that as an unqualified teacher, | | | | |