Teaching English as a foreign language (otherwise known as TEFL) has in recent years become a popular option for a wide variety of native English speakers, from those wishing to gain some experience of travel while remaining employed, to postgraduates considering a career in teaching but not quite ready to enter professional employment in their own country.
Is TEFL the Right Choice?
Before embarking on a career in TEFL, prospective teachers need to be sure that they will enjoy teaching. TEFL is not an especially lucrative profession in comparison with many others, and so many do it for the job satisfaction rather than the money. Teachers need to be certain that they are sociable beings, good listeners and, above all, confident and eloquent enough to stand in front of a class of children or adults and communicate information to them. They should also find out as much information as possible about the place and culture they will be living and working in.
TEFL Qualifications
Though it is sometimes possible to get employment as an English teacher without a formal teaching qualification, gaining such a qualification is recommended as it will give you a knowledge of grammar and vital skills needed to teach effectively in the classroom. There are many such courses that lead to recognised qualification. Two of the most well-known and comprehensive are the Cambridge/RSA Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) and the Trinity CertTESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).
These courses generally last four to six weeks and place great emphasis on practical skills such as teaching in the classroom and the design and implementation of lesson plans. The one-month full-time course is the quickest, if intensive, option and many private language schools in the UK and abroad offer such courses. Course fees usually range from £800 to £1000. There are also distance learning and part-time courses available, but it is advisable to check whether these offer invaluable teaching experience in the classroom.
Finding a Job as a Teacher
There is no shortage of jobs for TEFL teachers. A qualified teacher is spoiled for choice as work is available all over the world from Europe to Asia and Latin America. Job advertisements can be found in a wide range of sources, including the Education Guardian, Times Educational Supplement or on various TEFL websites. Types of job vary, and depending on preference a teacher could wind up working in kindergartens or private language schools attended by adult students. Salaries also vary, though they are dictated by the cost of living in different countries. A big recruiter currently is the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) scheme advertised every autumn by the Japanese government.
The Working Contract
Most teaching contracts stipulate a minimum of one year, though it is sometimes possible to obtain a shorter six month contract. Obtaining a formal contract is important, and if this is not forthcoming then a teacher should at least try and get written confirmation of their appointment and salary.
A properly drawn up contract should contain the following information:
- Address and other relevant details of the employer or company.
- Details relating to amount of salary and type of currency.Length of the contract, plus details of tax liability and any provision for health care and sick pay.
- Any entitlement to holiday.
- Payment of pension (if relevant) and contributions to National Insurance.
- Required length of notice.
- Details of any "extras" that may have been offered in the job advertisement i.e. assistance with finding accommodation, details of any free accommodation apparently provided, free provision of the internet and paid flights etc.
If a contract contains all of the above then a teacher can be reasonably certain that he or she is entering into a properly supported and secure position run by a responsible professional employer/company. It is also worth making a copy of the contract.
Health Insurance
Finally, it is recommended that teachers look for jobs with schools that offer a decent standard of health insurance. Policies should be checked thoroughly, for many only offer the basics and may not provide for emergencies or dental treatment. If the policy appears to be substandard, then a teacher always has the option of taking out a private policy and thus avoid being beholden to their employer. Vaccinations should be arranged for prior to leaving the country if a teacher is heading for somewhere tropical, and perhaps even a medical pack should be taken if travelling to countries such as Africa where the rate of HIV and other diseases are high.
Summarizing Key Issues
In summary, teachers need to keep in mind certain key issues when preparing for a career in TEFL. These include assessing their own abilities and inclinations before embarking on such a career, ensuring that they are offered a reliable professional standard contract that addresses all the factors mentioned above, and providing for a decent standard of health insurance while abroad. TEFL can be a demanding career to follow, but as long as a teacher goes into it fully prepared and with his or her eyes wide open, there is no reason why it should not be a rewarding and fulfilling one.
Recommended Sources:
Hubbard, Peter. A Training Course for TEFL. OUP Oxford, 1983.
Scrivener, Jim. Learning Teaching. NY: MacMillan, 2005.
 |
