The ESLstarter Guide to. Everything You Need To Know About Teaching English Abroad. Sample

Transcription

1 The ESLstarter Guide to Everything You Need To Know About Teaching English Abroad Sample

2 As the leading authority in all things TEFL, ESLstarter can introduce prospective teachers to one of the world s most rewarding and intriguing job markets. According to British Council reports, 750 million English speakers work as foreign language speakers and 375 million for whom English was a second language work as foreign language speakers. The British Council estimates that by the year 2020, two billion people will be enrolled in classes in order to learn the English language. English teachers are not just in demand now, but will continue to be in demand reaching into the next decade. To find out how you can be a part of the adventure, visit to get started today. Why Teach English abroad? Job Security - With such a strong job market, prospective English teachers need not ask whether or not they can get a job, they only need ask within what country will they teach? Straightforward Eligibility - Any recent college graduate as well as English speakers without a college degree qualify to teach English abroad. Certification through one of ESLstarter s TEFL programs will provide teachers with the training and qualifications to begin their career as a professional English teacher abroad. Paid Adventure - One of the greatest personal benefits of teaching English abroad is to actually get paid as you experience the culture of a foreign country. Wages and living expenses vary from one country to another, but few jobs offer such an opportunity as getting paid for the adventure of a lifetime. Cultural Immersion - Working among the locals also means living among the locals. As an English teacher you will be a part of the working community of the foreign country you teach in. You will reside in a typical neighbourhood, shop the local markets, use public transportation and savour the flavour of the cuisine and entertainment just like a native, learning the local dialect as you go. It is likely that you will build friendships and become part of everyday, local family life. That is an experience that cannot be found in any college classroom or executive boardroom. Amp Up the Resume - Current job markets are highly competitive. What greater way to have an edge on a rival than to have a resume that reflects a year abroad and fluency in another language. With the current economy being a global economy, international experience is definitely a plus on any resume, not to mention the character traits a TEFL job reflects such as key communication skills, cultural awareness, leadership abilities, and of course foreign language skills! Any prospective employer will reflect upon your initiative, ability to adapt, and willingness to accept a challenge as your resume is considered. Real World Experience for the Grad - Many graduate schools look for students who have gained non-academic experience before admission. Teaching English abroad can fulfil this requirement. Be prepared to share your experiences abroad when you sit for your interview. 2

3 International Career Prep - Agencies such as the State Department of the United States, CIA, and UN, report that they prefer candidates that are multi-lingual, have travelled internationally, have an awareness of international affairs, and volunteer experience. Teaching English abroad can satisfy such preferences. International Travel Often, the geographical location of an English teaching position offers the benefit of economical international travel to neighbouring countries. See the world as you teach in Asia, Europe and South and Central America. Make A Difference - In addition to many wonderful personal benefits, teaching English abroad puts a person in a position to make a profound, positive impact on the lives of many people, enabling them to better their lives, achieve their goals and fulfil their dreams. Who Can Teach English abroad? Fluent English Speakers - Almost any person who is a fluent English speaker is qualified to teach English abroad. In many cases, a college degree is not required to be an English teacher in a foreign nation. The most important qualifying characteristic is the ability to speak English. Some nations prefer native English speakers and others require English teachers to be a citizen of an English speaking nation. 3

4 English Teachers With Accredited Certification TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certification qualifies an English teacher for more job opportunities in the global market than a teacher without a college degree and no teaching experience. Certified teachers can also expect higher wage prospects. This specialized training can also help a college graduate gain specific skills that will enhance existing abilities. Approximately 100 nations currently hire first-time English teachers. College Graduates Many countries of Western Europe, Asia and the Persian Gulf require a college degree in order to teach English in their country. Non-Native English Speakers Opportunities are available in Europe, Asia and Latin America for teachers for whom English is not their native language but have fluent English speaking skills. What Does TEFL / TESOL / CELTA Certification Mean? Most European countries require TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certification in order to teach English in their country. Such certifications are also helpful in finding jobs in other countries, such as Latin American countries. These programs provide training in order to teach English professionally in a foreign country. Any person looking for an English teaching job abroad, with or without a college degree, can gain tremendous benefit from the skills learned in these certification programs. TEFL Teach English as a Foreign Language is a non-standardized teacher preparation certificate program. TESOL Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is a non-standardized teacher preparation certificate program often available through universities. ONLINE TEFL A non-standardized, convenient and economical certification program available worldwide through the internet. Flexibility and convenience are certainly advantages to this teacher preparation program. CELTA "Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults" is a standardized preparation program which is an internationally recognized qualification. In order to be optimally prepared as a professional teacher abroad and enjoy the benefit of more opportunities as you job seek, ESLstarter recommends accredited TEFL or TESOL certification with a minimum of 100 hours of course work and 6-20 hours of practical classroom experience. ESLstarter offers the convenience of online classes in which the student advances at their own pace and are 4

5 instructed by experienced, highly qualified tutors. To enrol today, visit eslstarter.com/tefl-courses.php. Browse, select, enroll, and the first step toward a fascinating career has already been accomplished! A method of assuring that the quality of particular skills meet professional standards, accreditation is an important factor to consider when comparing TEFL/TESOL programs. An accredited program has been reviewed and approved by an independent agency that is recognized in the particular career field of certification. Employers will look for accreditation when reviewing teacher certification documents. To establish credibility as a teacher when applying for an international teaching job, it is highly recommended to be certified in an accredited TEFL course. When determining which course to enroll in, consider that the following standards will be met by programs that are legitimately accredited: minimum of 100 hours of coursework and training minimum of six hours of practice teaching with observation of actual ESL students accreditation awarded by a reputable, outside agency or body course instructor is qualified with a Master s degree, Dip TEFL, Dip TESOL, or DELTA and has a minimum of eight years teaching experience 5

6 If you plan to enroll in an online certification program, look for a direct link on the website that will navigate to the accrediting body s website. Research the accrediting body s history and determine that it is a separate business entity than the website offering the TEFL course. All certification programs offered by ESLstarter are fully accredited through ALAP and meet, or exceed, all industry standards. ESLstarter offers a range of courses to choose from. Most employers will require a minimum of 100 hours of TEFL/TESOL training. Classes offered by ESLstarter can easily help a teacher meet this requirement or even exceed it. ESLstarter stands behind all of the teaching certification programs they offer by continuing on with the student to the next step of the journey. ESLstarter provides the assistance of an expert job placement team as the newly certified English teacher searches thousands of job opportunities and begins the application and visa process. How do I get started in TEFL? The first step in getting started is research. Study the requirements of TEFL teachers in several countries you are interested in. Read testimonials of other foreign teachers or, if possible, have a conversation with them about their own personal experiences teaching abroad. Discover criteria foreign employers look for in addition to teaching skills and plan your approach to a potential interview. Don t forget cultural research as well. It is important to know what is a faux pas and what is considered to be a gesture of respect. Knowledge of basic customs, languages, and religious practices will indicate to an interviewer that you are serious about teaching in their country. Learning a traditional greeting in the native language of the interviewer can also express a measure of enthusiasm an interviewer can see as positive. When you have an interview planned, the first impression you should make is that you are reliable. In other words, be on time. Whether the interview is over the phone, in person or via Skype, be punctual. Also make sure you are certain how Skype is formatted so that a webcam interview runs smoothly from start to finish. It is also possible you may have multiple interviews. Verify scheduling and stay organized so times and dates do not get mixed up. Be aware of time zone differences. Put forth a positive image and don t be afraid to smile when you greet your interviewer. Consider the possibility that the interviewer may not be a native English speaker. Speak clear, concise and unhurried. Dress professionally even if the interview is through a medium such as Skype. An interview is also the teacher s first opportunity to... End of sample To read the full 19 page edition of this guide, sign up FREE for the ESLstarter Referral Program.