Teaching English abroad is an experience unlike any other. It not only gives you the opportunity to pass a new skill onto others, but there are many things to be learned from the experience itself. You will not only improve your own ability to speak another language, but you will develop professionally as well as personally as you help others to make a real positive step in their lives. Immersing yourself in a new culture is something that many of us only ever dream of and so the opportunity to live and teach in a foreign country is one that shouldn’t be passed up if you have a genuine passion for teaching and self-development.
To help you get a better idea of how you can go about teaching English in a foreign country, we’re detailing some of the most important things you need to know.
If you hope to teach English anywhere in the world, you will need a TEFL qualification. TEFL is a course that can be completed entirely online, in class, or if you want to make the best of both worlds, you can do a blended learning TEFL course. The course can take as little as 3 months to complete, and after that, you’ll be ready to start your journey of teaching English. It’s a necessity for anyone planning on teaching English abroad but even if it wasn’t it’s still very worthwhile doing as it will give you the extra confidence and ability to teach English to a non-speaking audience.
Heading to another part of the world to teach the English language to non-English speakers can take a great amount of courage and determination. Before embarking on your journey, there are a number of things you will need to research thoroughly beforehand. Thankfully, you’ll always have the option to speak to experts or those who have previously taught English abroad, to seek their advice. In fact, TEFL has plenty of expert advisors that you can contact to discuss your options, and it is completely free to do so when taking the course.
It’s always a good idea to take some time to look into the culture of the place in which you will be teaching. It makes sense to familiarise yourself with the country and city of your choice and even to visit as a tourist before committing to moving there to teach. From a practical point of view, this will put you in a better position when it comes to finding a place to rent, where to shop, public transport schedules etc.
Set yourself a realistic timeline from the moment you begin your course until the moment you arrive in your destination country to begin teaching. There are many steps to consider, like the time it will take for you to complete your course (as mentioned, it can take as little as 3 months but in some cases, depending on your learning style, it could take longer), how long it will take you to land a job, and how soon you can relocate to your destination country to begin working. Pace yourself each step of the way, and make your goals achievable.
From the moment you enroll in your TEFL course, you will be provided with help and support through every step of your journey. The course itself usually includes work experience and this is usually what comes in handy when applying for jobs in the completion of the course. TEFL advisors can even help you to seek jobs in your destination country. As well, there are plenty of online resources to help you land a job before arriving in the country.
Explore the Abroad English Teaching jobs on Jooble.