A TEFL internship is another way to get started in the world of teaching English abroad. It offers a tailor-made package of teaching experience, teaching work, and cultural introduction that’s truly hands-on. You don’t need a degree to get started and there’s no requirement for applicants to have past teaching experience either. They’re often a great choice for those who want to travel and work but aren’t sure where to begin, or feel like they might benefit from a little extra support along the way. This guide runs through the ins and outs of internship programs to help you decide if they’re the pick for you…
PRO: A TEFL internship means lots of support
The number one reason that most people plump for a TEFL internship is that it comes with a whole load of extra support. It’s perfect for those who aren’t quite sure about jumping in and applying for jobs in a strange new place somewhere halfway around the globe all on their own, as might be the case when you complete a standard TEFL course. Most internship packages include a cultural orientation week where you’ll meet and greet other interns from all over, and get to do some awesome things like Thai cooking classes in the Land of Smiles or Spanish language lessons in Buenos Aires. And there are dedicated support teams at hand throughout the whole program duration, not to mention help with key aspects of moving abroad, from searching out accommodation to booking the right flights and insurance.
CON: You’ll be limited to the destination you choose from the start
One thing about a TEFL internship is that you’ll sometimes be picking your next destination without actually having been there. Options range from Thailand to South Africa, so the spots are hardly boring. Still, it’s worth remembering that this will be your new home for more than half a year in some cases and you’ll be locked into a job contract for the duration. The key is to pick somewhere you’ll totally love.
PRO: No degree or teaching experience required
A TEFL internship is the perfect foot in the door for people without a degree or past teaching experience. You might find it really hard to bag a job in the EFL industry in places like Thailand if you haven’t yet completed college, but these programs bypass that to give you the full teaching experience, bachelors or no bachelors. That’s not to say there aren’t requirements. There are. You’ll usually need to fit a certain age range. And you might need to be a native English speaker who holds a passport from CA, US, UK, SA, AU, or NZ (or be able to prove you have native-level English through a test).
CON: Salaries can be lower
The reality of TEFL internships is that they smooth out a path to teaching, add in much-needed support for some people, and guarantee you a job on the ground. But all that comes at a price, so expect salaries in these positions to be lower or in-line with the average for any given destination. That’s not a bad thing, because you’ll be gaining valuable experience and things like accommodation is sometimes included in the internship program, but you won’t be earning the mega bucks of, say, the UAE or Japan. On top of that, internships are paid programs, so you’ll need to fork out something from the very beginning.
PRO: You get to travel right away
One of the greatest pros of the lot if you ask us – travel right now! Yep, after booking onto your TEFL internship you’ll have a certain departure date set in stone. You can start doing the TEFL course component of your package straight away, and then it’s about packing and planning for your jaunt to Thailand, South Africa, or Argentina. Before you know it, you’ll be twisting the tango in a Buenos Aires dance hall or sipping a cold Chang down the Khaosan Road.
Conclusion
A TEFL internship is a fantastic choice for would-be teachers who don’t have a degree or are unsure about traveling alone. They offer more support and camaraderie than a TEFL course on its own, but do mean dropping the freedom to apply for jobs wherever you like, and potentially lower wages.
If you have anything to add to this guide, be sure to drop your thoughts in the comments below. For more information on TEFL internships with myTEFL, check out our internship page right now.
There’s no doubt about it – 2020 has been a strange one! Here, we’ll take a look at what we think might happen in the coming 365 days. This list of the top five 2021 TEFL trends dips its toe into the booming world of online TEFL teaching, digital nomadism, and TEFL tech. Enjoy…
Tech, tech, and more tech
The time of the hi-tech TEFL class is upon us. 2020, pandemic or not, was always set to be the golden age of online teaching. COVID only sped things along by a few years, so it’s hardly a surprise that there’s now a huge push within the private sector to innovate and explore all new sorts of ways to teach via the web. We’re seeing augmented reality, an extra use of audio and visual cues, platforms that allow for interactive learning, and even VR starting to be talked about in the TEFL world. Exciting stuff!
More conversational learning online
As more and more people look to the internet to start their English learning journey, there’s bound to be a bigger push for online conversational-style classes. It’s already a pretty big thing for offline teaching. Shorter lessons, lower prices, and less of a focus on getting technical grammar and vocabulary are all hallmarks. The overarching aim is to improve how students actually speak English in day-to-day situations, not to nail their past participles or tenses. We’d expect these sessions to be cheaper and act as a good supplement to more rigid, curriculum learning.
Collaborative teaching
We’ve already said just how much we expect the tech used for online teaching to improve in 2021. One part of that is sure to be advancements in the connectivity between teachers and their students. That’s where a collaborative approach to English lessons could come in. As video and audio tools like Zoom get to the next level, might we see the possibility for more fluid group classes online? Might we see the potential for sessions with multiple teachers present? It could be the perfect way to channel the power of peer-to-peer learning in the online teaching sphere, which, up until now, has been largely based on one-on-one tutoring.
TPRS
Teaching Proficiency Through Reading and Storytelling (or just TPRS for short) isn’t a new concept. It’s actually been around for more than 40 years. However, with the advent of the online teaching boom, it’s once again riding high. That’s particularly true in China, where heads of schools tend to be very interested in adopting teaching methods that ditch the classic textbook in favor of something more immersive and creative. TPRS does just that. It essentially means using narratives to teach language, instead of repeat exercises and drills.
Digital nomad teaching
TEFL was always an option for those who wanted to live the life of a digital nomad (someone who travels the globe while working). However, we think 2021 might be the time when it becomes a major option for those looking to pack the bags and get exploring. The reason? COVID has brought real uncertainty to what borders are open and when. People can’t be certain about planning trips in advance, so they’re looking for something that will let them move spontaneously and freely. On top of that, there are more online TEFL jobs paying good wages than ever before, with thousands of new opportunities popping up every month.
Can you think of any more 2021 TEFL trends to watch out for? If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Alternatively, if you think it’s time you got qualified for next year, check out our TEFL courses page!
It’s normal for schools to request you teach a certain brand of language in their classrooms. In Europe, it might be British English that’s preferred, while it’s common in Asia to find teaching American English in the mainstream. That’s why we’ve strung together this helpful factsheet of some of the major differences between the two strands of lingo. It should help anyone needing to flit between them in their classroom year on year.
All those Zs
From magazines to realizations, needing to apologize to needing to organize, you’ll catch so many instances of the use of Z in American! You’ll need to resist the temptation to use the usual soft-sounding Ss of British English and move to those more definite sounds. It’s all about re-learning the words you’re so used to, and getting to know which ones make the switch.
Pronunciations
It’s not just the written language that US folks like to alter and change. When it comes to speaking, there are plenty of words that might not even be recognized by UK natives. So, next time you’re sharing a beer or sitting at a dinner table with someone from across the pond, by sure to listen to the way they say Caribbean, tomato, potato, cache, almond, caramel – the list goes on and on.
Spelling nuances
Perhaps the most glaring change from GB writing to teaching American English is the focus that’s put on totally different spelling conventions. There are quite a few you’ll need to get used to if you’re making the hop across the Atlantic Ocean. We’ve already seen the love of Zs in the stars and stripes. But what about the move away from y in tire? What about the dropping of that u in color? What about the lack of ls in traveler?
Sometimes the word is ever so slightly altered
One irritating aspect of switching from teaching British English to teaching American English is often the slight change in word formation. Yes, there are US words that are entirely different in sound and spelling (more on those later). However, we’re talking about the take-you-by-surprise alterations in words you probably thought you knew already – think windshield instead of windscreen, takeout instead of takeaway.
Slang usage
If you’re teaching American English in a casual setting, with students keen to learn on-the-street lingo that’ll help them sound like a real native, it’s important to do a few sessions on slang. Unfortunately, this can be one of the trickiest aspects for tutors switching over from speaking the King’s. In the US, there are all sorts of alternative words used in the vernacular jargon. From bucks (for dollars) to zonked (for tired) and beyond, it’s endless. Oh, and don’t forget that this can all change by hopping over a state line or entering a new city. It’s that fickle.
Prepositions
Anyone teaching American English should be certain to delve into the wonderful world of prepositions before they get a-rolling. It’s even important to get you to the classroom on time: Brits will usually use ‘at’ to signify what hour you need to be somewhere (as in, ‘at 12pm’); in American English it’s a quarter after the hour, not a quarter past. These little changes are so minute you might not even notice them, but they can make all the difference in a professional setting so are worth getting to grips with.
Regional accents
Anyone who’s ever travelled the UK will know that there are more regional accents than you can shake a bag of fish and chips at! They go from the thick, guttural Yorkshire tongue to the mellifluous and soft-flowing Welsh sounds, all the way to the hardy, serrated growls of the Scottish Highlanders. Of course, the same does go for America, what with the Deep South rolling into the Irish-infused Atlantic Northeast. However, you’re likely to find that accents are spread over a greater geographical area with US speakers, meaning it might not have such a profound affect on the way English is used.
The lingo for food and all sorts more
Careful – a bag of chips in New York isn’t the fluffy potato dish with salt and vinegar you’re used to! Don’t worry – if someone says they like your pants in LA, it’s not because you forgot to pull your trousers on this morning! Such are the sorts of nuances in word usage across the states. It’s something that both entertains and – more often than not – confuses speakers of UK English. And that means it’s something you’ll need to know all about if you’re planning to start teaching American English somewhere around the globe.
If you’ve encountered anymore interesting differences between teaching American English and teaching British English, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Alternatively, if you think it’s time you got qualified and traveling the world with TEFL, be sure to head over to our courses page for more information.
Who would have thought that simply becoming a TEFL teacher can be a fruitful process, even if you opt not to hit the classrooms and teach once you’ve got that all-important certificate? Yep, from transferable skills that other employers simply adore to adventurous dispositions that are great for would-be travelers, there are oodles of unseen benefits. Check them out…
You’ll get to grips with grammar you never knew
Whether it’s gerunds of past participles, the ins and outs of the passive voice, the intricacies of pronoun choices, the dreaded likes of compound verbs, English sentence structures, or the nature of the forward-looking future tense, there are oodles of areas of grammar that come into play when your becoming a TEFL teacher. For many folk, this sort of close-up study of language will be completely new. Many schools across the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom simply won’t have touched on them during their normal curriculums, meaning that a TEFL course offers a valuable opportunity to get to grips with the deeper secrets of your own vernacular. Take that opportunity and you won’t be disappointed, trust us!
It will make you more confident
Becoming a TEFL teacher isn’t just about learning the facts of what language is, how grammar works, and the rest. It’s also about finding your teaching voice. And that can mean developing a whole host of different skills. For many it will mean gaining the confidence to stand up in front of a class of strangers and deliver a lesson – yep, that’s a real skill in itself, believe it or not! Modules on classroom management and exercises that get you mock teaching with fellow students on the course are both great ways to find that inner self, while some students find that simply the process of gaining knowledge about their language makes them more confident when it comes to teaching it. You can find out for yourself.
It will give you transferable skills
The challenges of becoming a TEFL teacher are varied. You’ll need a good understanding of your language, yes. You’ll need to be confident too (see above). But you’ll also need to develop a whole range of other professional skills that are sure to be valuable in a whole range of other circumstances and situations. We’re talking about the organizational ability to plan lessons in advance, to mark homework on time, and get exam results and reports filed before the deadline. We’re talking about the social skills needed to mingle with your co-workers. We’re talking about the sense of adventure and boldness that’s nurtured by a job that lets you travel the globe. These are all valuable transferable skills that other employers are sure to love.
It will give you a back-up career for life
Granted, TEFL teaching sure doesn’t promise millions. You’re not likely to be kicking-back on the top of your own yacht, or chilling with jet setters at the poolside of your private infinity pool in a jiffy. But that doesn’t mean that the career of classroom hopping isn’t a good one. In fact, with more and more countries opting to add English tuition to their national program, the industry has boomed and boomed. There are now more opportunities for TEFL teachers out there than ever before, which makes this one a perfect backup career no matter what your goals in life. By all means get that TEFL qualification under the belt and then head off to try your hand at coffee roasting or entrepreneurship. You can rest assured that the English schools of Thailand and China will still be hiring when you return!
You might just get to travel
For many folk becoming a TEFL teacher, the process of building a career in the language sector is just half the story. Many will also be excited about the prospect of exploring the globe and getting out there. And you won’t even have to take a job for the adventure to start either. From the beaches of the Thai Gulf to the throbbing cityscapes of Vietnam, the savannahs of South Africa to the tropical jungles of South America, there are oodles of places that offer on-location TEFL courses; ones that get you qualified and on the road in one fell swoop. Sounds good? Check out myTEFL’s own line-up of options.
Can you think of any other benefits that the budding TEFL teacher who doesn’t teach will enjoy? We’d love to hear about them in comments below. And if you’re considering becoming a TEFL teacher, then be sure to head over and check out all the courses on offer at myTEFL.
Clickbait title? Maybe. But before you navigate away with a tut and a roll of the eyes, let’s just get one thing straight: getting a TEFL qualification for free isn’t actually impossible. With so many options for would-be teachers now on the table, there are means and ways to cushion the financial blow of taking the plunge and becoming qualified. We’re talking about loopholes that will guarantee an income to more than offset the cost of your training, or about potential funding sources that will mean you don’t pay a penny for those tutorials on past tenses and classroom management. And there are even opportunities that will limit the price of travel, living costs, and relocation once you’re done, which means you may even end up better off than you did before – not to mention armed with a potentially life-changing certificate that can keep you adventuring and on the road for good!
Look for funding sources
You don’t have to be an A-star footballer or point-clocking quarterback, a budding rocket scientist or poetry prodigy to be in with a chance of bagging a scholarship in this sphere of learning! No sir, the world of TEFL is open to everyone and anyone who’s fluent in English, making it a pretty level playing field when it comes to doling out the dollars in support. The upshot? No matter your own financial situation, your level of academic qualification, your employment history, age or gender, it’s always worth trying for those funding sources. For would-be teachers in the UK, there are oodles of institutions out there interested in giving a helping hand with TEFL qualifications: The Prince’s Trust; Careers Connect; the National Careers Service. And the US has opportunities too, coming in the form of private higher education grants, like TESOL Professional Development Scholarships, SIT Scholarships, and institution-specific grants from various universities.
Pursue paid placements after qualifying
Another way to nail that TEFL qualification for free, or at least make some headway in offsetting the cost of it (hence the ‘nearly free’ in the title), is to pursue a paid placement straight after you’re done with the course. These are often on the menu of TEFL providers, and promise guaranteed teaching positions with pay to recent graduates. You could be looking at six months of teaching on the shimmering beaches of Thailand’s tropical islands, or a trip to the throbbing cityscapes of China, Taiwan or South Korea – all in the safe knowledge that those wages will be coming in each month. MyTEFL has placements right across the planet, from the colonial old towns of Colombia to the mystical reaches of the Far East, where pay packets can go up to a whopping $2,700 USD per month. Placements are also a great way to test the waters and self-critique your own strengths and weaknesses in the classroom, so the bonuses aren’t just financial here either.
Consider an internship
An internship is a safe and supported way of breaking out of that comfort zone. All tutorials and classes are done on location, and see students get to grips with the ins and outs of the profession while on the job. Placement packages include a full 120-hour TEFL cert, along with cultural introduction and orientation packages, language lessons (to help you navigate your way around that vernacular) and constant support. They are also a great way to meet like-minded teachers, and to begin your travels and TEFL career in a tried and tested environment. The real pull though? Well that has to be the pay, which can be as much as $1,200 USD per month in some positions. Short of getting the TEFL qualification for free, you’re sure to neutralize that initial cost in no time!
Can you think of any other ways would-be teachers can cushion the financial blow of getting qualified? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Or, are you interested in pursuing one of these ways to get that TEFL qualification for free? Then be sure to head over to myTEFL’s placements or internship page.
When I first moved to China to work, I came with my boyfriend and some of his friends. The group we came here with were all from the same city in Canada, and were tightly knit. So much so that they had little interest in meeting others or even getting to know Hangzhou. Because of this, I feel like I didn’t get as much out of my first few months here as I could have.
When we got our new jobs and began working full time, my partner and I slid into our own little bubble of working and hanging out just the two of us. While it is valuable to make the move to China with your significant other, it puts a lot of strain on each of you when both people are getting used to a dramatically different lifestyle. I realized that making friends outside of my relationship would lighten the pressure as well as bring a bit of spice to the routine of teaching full-time.
Finding friends with expat groups
There are endless amounts of foreigner and “expat” groups in China. Just do a quick Bing search (don’t forget… Google is blocked!) and you can find all sorts of resources. The group I connected with hosts mixers about once every two weeks – everything from dinners to hikes to dragon boat racing.
Through them, I’ve made friends who significantly improved my experience in this city. Some have been here for a long time, and they’ve shown me fun new places to go, shared their experiences dealing with visa struggles, and generally provided relief when I realized most problems I encountered were fairly common; Sometimes just hearing that others share your frustrations and worries can make you feel better about your move. Others I’ve met were only in Hangzhou for a few months, and I loved showing them around “my” city.
There are even a few locals who hang around the foreigner circles to practise their English, which was a great surprise! Knowing people who were born and raised in your city can open your eyes to a whole side of it that would otherwise be difficult to access as a non-native speaker.
The months that have passed since I started going to expat mixers have been awesome: I’ve met people who can show me a new side of Hangzhou, and it’s always fun to go out in a big group or host a movie night with a few close friends.
Before I started looking, I thought there were very few Westerners in this city, but I couldn’t have been more wrong! It was so easy to broaden my horizons, and now I know that my next year here will be full of new experiences with friends that I will stay in contact with long after I go home.
Explore new horizons, make new friends and experience life in China! It all starts with getting TEFL certified with one of our accredited online courses.
You might be aware of the most popular teaching destinations – Thailand, China, Africa. They offer great experiences, come with growing expat communities and lots of support. However, there’s a lot of other options you may be unaware of.
In this post, we run down 6 places with unique TEFL jobs.
1. North Korea
Fancy being part teacher, part diplomat?
Yes, North Korea. In January this year a rare opportunity was announced for teachers with TEFL certificates. Selected applicants will be invited to teach new tour guides at the Pyongyang Tourism College.
The first group of teachers are set to fly out soon, with a second round opening to applications later this year. If you’re interested in one of these limited TEFL jobs, apply via Juche Travel Services.
2. The Military
For those who prefer a stricter style of teaching.
The military can offer some truly unique TEFL jobs. The U.S. government, for example, routinely hires teachers to serve in military bases around the world. These include across Europe, Asia, North America and the Mediterranean.
Aside from teaching the children of service members, special classes also serve local non-military employees. This gives you chance to really engage with local cultures, some of which are otherwise out of bounds to civilians.
3. Oil Companies
Abu Dhabi mixes modern cityscape, a world class harbor and desert expeditions in one.
If it’s big bucks you’re after, you’ll want to head out to the oil company schools in Abu Dhabi. These companies are currently opening huge new international schools, and offer some of the highest pay packages around.
For example, it’s common to come across TEFL jobs which include:
- Tax free salaries of 130,000-190,000 AED ($51,000) per year.
- Free housing.
- Yearly flights to/from home.
- Medical cover.
- Free tuition for your own children.
4. Mongolia
How about a taste of the nomadic life?
Not a fan of big cities? How about life on the sprawling plains of Mongolia. Despite being one of the most sparsely populated places on Earth, recent years have seen a growing number TEFL jobs appear.
While the pay isn’t especially high, the views and nomadic trips offer incredible experiences unlike anywhere else.
5. The Amazon
Itinerary: TEFL certificate, mosquito repellant, canoe…
If you’re looking to make the biggest impact possible, consider volunteering in the Amazon. Schools located in rural, indigenous communities bring valuable skills to those largely cut off from education.
You can access these places with volunteer programs such as Eco Volunteer VP. Aside from teaching English, you’ll also get to help the community with organic farming and construction projects.
6. The Himalayas
If you thought the morning school run was a challenge, this might not be for you…
In the Nepalese Himalayas, there are schools which require 3-4 days of hiking to arrive at. You trek up mountains, and even pass through waterfalls on the way to these remote gems.
Keep tuned this summer, as we’re partnering with Trek to Teach to provide this unique experience with our myTEFL internships.
Did we miss any out?
If you’re currently teaching somewhere extraordinary, or have heard of some more unique places, tell us in the comments!
At myTEFL we offer help for all our graduates to find their dream TEFL jobs. Whether near a beach, in the urban jungle, or on a mountain, we’re always extending our network.