Ever wonder what it’s like on the other side of the classroom? More and more students have been getting certified to teach English after their undergrad degrees as a way to work and travel to break up their schooling or to take a break before they enter the work force. Depending on where your destination is, a person could make enough to start paying off student loans, although most of the time, a teacher will just break even especially when just starting out.
There are many different certifications out there to choose from. There is a traditional TEFL meaning teaching English as a foreign language. This is when a person goes to another country to teach English. Similarly, TESOL stands for teach English to speakers of other languages. There is also the ESL, which is where a person teaches English as a second language, more generally done in the United States to help others here strengthen their English proficiency. Generally, most schools require a 120-hour certification. Remember, sometimes once a program is purchased, you may have a certain amount of time for it to be completed. Many programs give you three months to complete a 120-hour program.
Some companies also offer specialist modules, which are certificates that accompany a TEFL certification. Some of these modules include teaching with limited resources, teaching one-on-one, teaching to large classes, teaching to young learners, and teaching business English. These can set you apart and help you get ahead of the competition.
Where do you find these companies? GoAbroad.com is a great way to find various travel companies. There seems to be endless companies where a person can get a legitimate certification, although thorough research should be done on a company before throwing your time and money into a program. Learning about the company through the website is the first step. Next, talk to alumni or people who have used the program. If the company has no way for you to contact people who have gone through the certification program, that will tell you this company may not be the best. A final step to ensure the legitimacy of a company is to contact them directly to see how you are treated and how long it takes for them to contact you back.
Once you have been certified, the next big decision is to decide on where to go. Asia is known to be the place to go to make and save the most money. Currently, there are high demands throughout Asia as well as some areas of Eastern Europe. Keep in mind; you do not need to know the language of the area you are going to. It is actually better for students to be engulfed in a completely English-speaking classroom. For your benefit, learning a bit of the language before departing would be a good idea as you may not need the language in the classroom, but it is essential for everyday life being out and about in the society getting groceries, ordering food and drinks, reading street signs, etc. Be aware of the safety hazards also before going. I would recommend getting the Smart Travel App created by the US Department of State that provides information about the safety of each country. Keeping updated on a country’s current events is
Teaching contracts range from public to private to governmental schools. Some include housing. Others include flight reimbursement. Some are for as little as two months or a summer session. Others are up to a year. Some companies give more support when looking for teaching jobs than others. This is a pivotal factor in choosing a company and choosing a destination. Be sure to research a destination on your own rather than blindly following a company’s suggestions.
While your friends are living at home, you could be teaching English is a foreign land working, gaining independence, and learning a whole new culture. Not to mention, doing things off the beaten track are looked well upon American companies!
