Career and job opportunities of Teaching English as a Foreign Language(TEFL)
Teaching English to students whose first language is another language is known as TEFL, or Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Teaching English as a Second Language is called TESL while teaching English as a Second Language is called TESOL.
This is certainly not the same as some students studying English as a second language while living in an English-speaking country. Comparing it to learning a foreign language is not the same. In non-English speaking countries, TEFL is generally offered in public schools, private language schools, and one-to-one settings. TEFL can also occur in English-speaking countries, but this usually occurs when students enroll in schools there to take short courses after traveling from non-English-speaking countries. Due to students’ proximity to unfamiliar but unfamiliar systems, this immersive learning style is particularly favored.
How do I get a TEFL certificate?
TEFL certification is often not required for TEFL work in the East. All it takes to work as a teacher in Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan is a bachelor’s degree. So why try the TEFL qualification?
First of all, if you have never taught before, it will help prepare you for it. When you start working as a teacher in another country for the first time, this will be crucial. Without a doubt, you will go through a culture shock and you will need a few months to adapt. Failure to teach the basics will only add to the tension, which may lead you to pack your bags and head home. Many language schools will expect you to take on your teaching job based solely on the fact that you speak the language, as they have nothing to do with a teacher training course.
Second, and perhaps more important, learning TEFL is a step towards becoming a certified TEFL instructor. After a few years of teaching, some teachers sign up for a TEFL course. They do this to improve their teaching skills and advance in the ESL/EFL industry. TEFL certified teachers are eligible for higher paying positions. Check out job postings from places like Europe or Hong Kong. Most of them require TEFL certification in some capacity.
TEFL is a must. But what should I do:
There are several TEFL course options, but unfortunately there is no international organization that certifies graduates. Employers accept most varieties of 4-week, 120-hour TEFL certificates. However, employers tend to be more demanding when it comes to Trinity CertTESOL or UCLES CELTA. Contact TEFL for more information.
Do I have to learn the language of my destination?:
In general, the only requirement for teachers is that they have an excellent command of the language. Therefore, being fluent in a second language is not very helpful. In fact, even your fluency in languages like French, Spanish, and Zulu would be of little use if you were teaching a class of students who spoke 10 different native languages, which isn’t impossible.
Therefore, it is not necessary to speak a foreign language to teach English. That said, having some background knowledge about learning and using a foreign language will help you understand the language in general and the process by which we learn it, as well as your quest for a deeper understanding of English, particularly english grammar. . It can also make your life easier and your trip better if you are somewhat familiar with the language and culture of your chosen destination.
What it will be like to teach English abroad:
There are few jobs like teaching TEFL. It is about moving to a place that will undoubtedly be different from yours. When communicating (at least in part) with people outside the workplace, you must use your native workplace language. One of the main reasons people leave TEFL as a career is in an effort to adjust to this new way of life, also known as “culture shock.”
TEFL instructors are often low paid. However, TEFL teachers are often paid substantially compared to the local population, but very little compared to other workers in their home country. As a result, they can lead a cozy middle-class life. Even by first world standards, lucrative TEFL positions are available in areas like the Middle East and Hong Kong. While South Korea and Taiwan also pay reasonable salaries, they are preferred by instructors due to their lower cost of living. TEFL teachers currently find Japan attractive.
TEFL instructors need to be careful when accepting jobs abroad. There are frequent reports of violations of employer contracts and mistreatment of teachers. Working in a foreign nation where you do not speak the language and are unaware of your legal rights as an employee significantly increases your risk of being exploited.
Before you accept a job, research the school and contact teachers who have worked there. If possible, visit the country and the school before signing anything. TEFL can be a lifelong adventure and career, but either way, do your research, prepare, and enjoy!