Whether you are looking for a career change or hoping to travel without worrying about your budget, a TEFL certification can offer a world of possibilities.
In a globalized world, English continues to be more important than ever. It’s known as the language of the Internet and business, which has created a widespread demand for English teachers.
With that in mind, these are some benefits you can enjoy by undertaking a TEFL certification.
The ins and outs of a TEFL Certification
Depending on where you’re based, you can complete your TEFL certification in person or online. The industry standard is 120 hours, and you’ll cover various topics, from teaching methodology to classroom management to grammar.
Alongside the affordable TEFL certification options you can choose from, you can also undertake additional courses. These cover more specialized areas, such as how to teach English for academic purposes, exam preparation, and even teaching young learners.
Throughout your course, you’ll also have the opportunity to pick the brains of experienced tutors. Remember, they’ve got firsthand experience in the industry, so be sure to ask for their advice on destinations you could head to, as well as their top teaching tips.
Benefits of English
For learners, English learning will be invaluable for a variety of reasons. The first is academic, as many schools have a basic requirement of English knowledge that their students must meet. English proficiency might also be necessary if students eventually want to study abroad.
Another need for English is tied to work. Companies often request potential candidates’ ability to communicate in both written and spoken form to work in an international environment. The type of English required in this case will generally be more formal and business-oriented.
Outside of the academic and business spheres, your students may simply want to reach a reasonable level of English proficiency for personal reasons, such as travel. A basic ability to communicate abroad will give your students more independence and the possibility of meeting and connecting with new people.
Benefits of TEFL certification
In the English teaching industry, there’s a little bit of something for everyone, allowing you to develop skills in an area you’re passionate about. For example, you could work in a private language school, go the more traditional route, teach in public or international schools, or opt to freelance.
What you gain from these roles will differ. For example, in a private language school, you’ll likely teach a wide range of ages and levels, requiring the ability to adapt and excellent communication. In public schools, meanwhile, you’ll need to be good at managing medium to large-sized classes of students, ensuring all your students get the same level of attention.
Freelancers, on the other hand, will need a lot of initiative, effective communication—potentially in the local language if working abroad—and the ability to network to build their clientele.
Earning potential
How much you earn will depend on your experience and where you decide to go to teach. In Switzerland, for example, there are excellent opportunities to make good money, with teachers earning between £1,850 and £2,475 on average.
In Latin American countries, meanwhile, despite the allure of being great holiday destinations, wages are generally much lower. As a teacher in countries like Brazil and Chile, you can expect to earn up to £800, so heading there with some savings behind you is a good idea.
Alternatively, you could decide to teach online. In this case, your earning potential will be based on your rates, how many students you have, and how often you’d like to teach as you travel.
Online teaching
Teaching online is a great way to teach and travel or even as a solution for those looking for a flexible, remote role. However, there are a few considerations to bear in mind before starting, such as the requirements and how to get started.
When finding work, you could find your own students or work with one of the many online platforms. To decide which best suits your needs, research the different hourly rates on offer, the types of students you’re likely to teach, and whether you’ll be required to teach a minimum number of hours each week.
As for your working environment, even if you’re on the go, it’s vital to have a strong internet connection and a high-quality headset so your students can easily follow your lessons. You should also ensure you’re in a quiet environment without distractions.
Popular destinations
With around 400 English learners, China is a popular teaching destination for many teachers due to the sheer demand. You can look into potential roles in universities, online, or private language schools in this country.
Another favorite choice is Thailand. While the pay may be a little lower than other destinations, the cost of living balances it out. Moreover, there are plenty of opportunities to undertake an internship for on-the-job training.
If Europe is more your cup of tea, you could consider Spain. The most popular locations are typically the bigger cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, and you’ll find schools with a mixture of fresh-faced and experienced teachers.
Find opportunities
If you’ve decided which career path you’d like to pursue, you’ll need to know how to find the best opportunities. The best way to land a role you’ll love is through your network. Chat with peers from your course and your tutor to get their take on which schools you should apply to.
For a wider scope, you can also look at teaching job boards. Once you’ve identified schools you’d like to apply to, all that’s left to research what it’s like to work there, the school’s requirements, the typical hiring period, and what else you should know before you arrive, as explained further by impactwealth.org.
There are many advantages to getting a TEFL certification and teaching English. What those will look like for each individual teacher, however, will differ depending on their interests.
