If you’re looking at joining the thousands of people every year who complete a TEFL, this is a good place to start. It’s a quick run through of the basic requirements for teaching English abroad, detailing the necessary qualifications you’ll have to have and some of the ones that schools will prefer, which you might want if you’re keen to apply to some of the better-paid and more competitive places around the globe.
The necessary requirements for teaching English abroad
Let’s start with the qualifications that are 100% nonnegotiable. These are the lines on your resume that you will simply HAVE to have completed to be able to start seriously applying for positions in the TEFL industry. It won’t matter if it’s a casual job in a rustic school up in the Colombian Andes or a lucrative city position in the heart of Tokyo, these are needed…
- English – It might seem obvious, but you will need to be able to speak English to be able to teach English. If you don’t, then well done on getting this far through this article! We would note that this isn’t a requirement to speak English as a native. Nope. There are now lots of TEFL schools willing to accept non-native speakers as applicants.
- A TEFL qualification – Virtually all employers now ask for some sort of TEFL certification. It’s a bit of a Wild West out there. You can do free courses that take a couple of hours, or you can spend thousands of dollars on courses run by word-leading universities. The best option is to pick a properly accredited TEFL provider (that means it will be recognized by schools all around the globe) and complete a 120-hour course, which is the most common level asked for by schools. That should quality you for virtually any job out there.
Non-necessary requirements for teaching English abroad
The truth is that the requirements for teaching English abroad vary wildly from destination to destination. In Japan, you’ll need a university education and native-level English. Cambodia doesn’t ask for either of those. It’s different again in Mexico and Spain, Italy and South Africa. Let’s run through some of the things that you might be required to show, but don’t have to have to start dipping your toe in the TEFL world…
- Native English – The reality of TEFL teaching today is that the top jobs tend to be reserved for native teachers. That’s generally defined as teachers who come from a country where English is the mother tongue, which means the US, the UK, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. Lots of schoolswill test this by checking where you hold a passport or citizenship.
- A college/university degree – The upper cohort of higher-paying jobs in the TEFL industry usually ask for a BA or a BSc degree, or some equivalent from a higher education institution. However, a college degree is more commonly a requirement on application for national working visas, which means this is your ticket to get inside the country, not an English school per se.
- Previous teaching experience – Again, not required, but very much a plus. Previous teaching experience is often stipulated as a necessary on applications, but we wouldn’t discourage you from applying if you think you’re still a star candidate. What it will do is give you the confidence to know that you can do the job and let you talk in detail about your specific TEFL skills at interview stage.
Some extra requirements that you might want to think about
There are some other things that we think TEFL teachers should often think about mentioning when they come to apply for that dream job in Thailand or that tutoring position in Brazil. They aren’t usually listed as must-have qualifications, but can really help you stand out from the crowd…
- Organizational skills/experience – Teaching jobs both online and offline involve a lot of organization and project management. You need to manage homework tasks, reporting, feedback, parent liaison – the list goes on. If you can show that you know how to go about all that then you can really improve your position.
- Social aspects – Schools want to hire people that will gel with their current staff and vibe. Show you’re outgoing, easy-going, and ready to socialize and it can help your prospects.
- Love of travel – The TEFL industry is full of people who LOVE travel. Just look at us! Share that passion for experiencing new places and new cultures and it can really look great on a job application. Don’t push it too hard, though – you don’t want to make it seem as if you’ll be gone as soon as a cheap flight pops up!
This guide outlines the basic requirements for teaching English abroad. If you think you’ve got what it takes, be sure to check out our destinations page. Or, if you’re ready to complete that TEFL qualification, check out our courses page.
Oh, Europe! You’re a beauty. Glistening alpine lakes meet the glinting beaches of the French Riviera, the spiked Tatra mountains roll down to historic towns dating from centuries gone by, while Tuscany is filled with vineyards and Greece is all postcard-worthy coves and endless sun. Tempted? You’re going to want to get on the hunt for teaching jobs in Europe for English speakers, which is where these five handy steps come in…
Step 1: Do your 120-hour TEFL
Teaching jobs in Europe for English speakers almost always ask for applicants to have a full-fledged TEFL qualification in the bag. What’s more, most won’t even think about interviewing candidates that haven’t finished at least a 120-hour course. Anything less than that and your CV could well be on the fast flight from desktop to wastepaper bin. So, avoid those free-to-enrol 40-hour courses. They might sound like attractive prospects, but they aren’t a ticket to well-paid jobs in Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal.
Step 2: Write a targeted CV and cover letter
Generally speaking, teaching jobs in Europe for English speakers are a little more demanding on the requirements front when compared with their Asian counterparts. You’ll most likely need a BA degree here, not to mention that completed TEFL qualification. A bit of experience can go a long way too. That means you’ll need to be ready to flaunt what you’ve got during the application process, which is why a good CV and cover letter is a big, positive step to make. Be sure to tailor both to the particular school or institution you’re applying for. Do your research, mention their teaching methods, focus on skills that match their curriculum. All that will help you stand out from the crowd.
Step 3: Think about summer schools
There are several different types of teaching jobs in Europe for English speakers. From full-time positions in private business schools to university lecturing posts, a lot of them will have pretty high qualification standards. That might not be the best thing for start-out teachers, which is why summer camps and summer schools can be a gift. They can help you get hands-on experience working with English learners on the continent, all with good pay packets, short contract commitments, and – usually – fewer requirements. Oh, and they take place in some seriously gorgeous places, from the Italian Dolomites to the sierras of Spain.
Step 4: Choose your country wisely
Europe isn’t one place. It’s a whole color swatch of countries. You’ll be wowed by the mega diversity that goes from west to east, south to north. Seriously, you’d hardly believe that those glowing Greek islands are on the same continent as the ice-capped fells of Norway. You’d never think that Portugal’s wave-washed shorelines are on the same land mass as Poland’s rolling eastern forests. But they are. And that’s why it’s really important to decide wisely on your TEFL destination. We’d even recommend spending some time traveling the continent to get a feel for where you love the most before starting to blast off CVs.
Step 5: Start networking locally
So, you’ve settled on where you want to go. Now you just need to start listing all the TEFL teaching opportunities in that location that you think you have the experience and qualifications to score. Arguably the best way to keep your pulse on the jobs market is to get networking with expat and local communities. Most of the larger towns and cities in Europe have some sort of online group where folk share advertisements, jobs, flat rental classifieds – all sorts. Join up on Facebook, on LinkedIn, on NomadList, and on Couchsurfing to start e-meeting and mingling.
Have you successfully scored teaching jobs in Europe for English speakers in the past? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. Alternatively, get over to our destinations page for more information on various places to teach around the continent.
So, you’re thinking about undertaking a TEFL in your 30s? Go for it! Seriously, there might be no better decade of life to start considering a career change into the world of teaching English abroad. Why? Well, lots of reasons. From the added confidence that having navigated your 20s brings to the table to the professional skills that can only bolster your CV, it all adds up…
Employers are likely to love the extra age
Not only is there virtually no lower age limit for TEFL jobs, but employers might even appreciate the extra years you’ve clocked. Being 30, not 20, or just on a gap year, means you’re probably not quite the hard-partying hedonist you once were. Bosses run less of a risk of hiring someone who’ll turn up in a hangover haze if they aim their net for the more mature generation.
You have extra professional skills
Whether it’s four years working in an office, training courses in leadership, or something as simple as a driving license, the longer time you’ve had to feel out potential careers surely puts you ahead of the competition in the world of teaching English abroad. Just be sure to flaunt that in the interviews – age is your strength, never a weakness!
You’re probably a little more worldly wise
With 10 more years of travel and wanderings under your belt compared to the standard gap-year TEFL teacher, you’ll find fitting into somewhere new and different and strange nothing but a cakewalk. Endless streams of scooters purring through Ho Chi Minh City? Seen it all before. Boiled chicken’s legs in a curry? Been there; tried that.
Confidence is at a high
If you’re considering ditching the comfort zone as a tricenarian, then the chances are you have quite an adventurous soul. After all, it’s a point in life when a lot of other folk are thinking about mortgages, marriages, and – horror! – even maternity! If those three Ms aren’t your idea of how your third decade should go, then it’s likely you’ve got stacks of moxie to draw on. A TEFL in your 30s should be a cinch.
You can bring guidance that younger teachers might struggle with
Whether you like it or not, being a little older in the game of TEFL means there’s a certain role model element that you can take to the classroom. Students will find it easier to look up to you, take advice, and – importantly – take discipline. Respect in the form of completed homework assignments and quiet classes is sure to follow.
There are now loads of places that TEFL can help you explore
Back when you were 20, the TEFL industry wasn’t riding the boom wave it is today. Then, it was probably Thailand, China, Vietnam, and a select few other destinations on the menu. These days, there are exotic TEFL jobs up for grabs in the coffee hills of Colombia, by the roaring waves of Costa Rica, in the flamenco-twirling bars of Spain. And that’s not even mentioning the digital nomad opportunities that come from working as a TEFL teacher online.
New skills – no strings attached
One of the great reasons to undertake a TEFL in your 30s is the fact that a qualification doesn’t have to lead to teaching. Of course, it can do if you like – our jobs placements can take care of that. But it can also be about broadening your horizons, connecting with likeminded folk, and brushing up on your grammar. Don’t worry about what comes after. C’est la vie.
You can finally ditch those ‘what if?’ thoughts
There’s surely nothing worse than looking back and thinking what could’ve been. Hey, they ain’t called the ‘modals of lost opportunities’ in the grammar world for nothing, folks! Ideas you had, dreams you didn’t chase, and whatever else you wish you’d done – it’s time to put an end to them by shaking things up and taking that TEFL in your 30s.
If you’ve headed off to do a TEFL in your 30s, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this article in the comments below. Or, if you need a little more guidance, either get in touch or go to our courses page for more information.
From editorial desk positions to the folk who raise great bridges and buildings, there are loads of different professions that could benefit from TEFL skills – learnt on a myTEFL training package, of course.
Magazine/newspaper editor
If there’s one thing that completing that TEFL training is sure to do it’s to teach you how to dot those I’s and cross those T’s. Yep, getting to grips with all the ins and outs of things like grammar and syntax is one of the major skills on the menu for budding would-be teachers. And that’s not just going to help you when you’re faced with a class of bemused adult students who really want to know what the devil you mean when you say ‘modal verb’. It’s also going to help if you ever need to edit lengthy pieces of prose or proofread something prior to publication.
Tour guiding
TEFL skills aren’t limited to the technicalities of teaching language or managing a classroom. They also extend to life outside of school. Yep, by opting for a career that takes you to all-new destinations around the planet, places you in contact with different cultures, and gives new colleagues all the time, you’re sure to nurture a certain wanderlust and love of the unknown. Now, if that won’t help you become a tour guide, leading groups of wide-eyed globetrotters around the world’s great destinations, then what will?
Ski/surf instructor
Similar to nurturing that sense of wanderlust and adventure is making the most of the new environments that TEFL teachers find around them. For those in the Alpine countries of Europe, that could mean completing ski instructor courses on the weekend, while folk in the salt-washed lands of Asia might prefer to become a surf tutor on the waves. The upshot is your newfound skills in student communication and skill explanation is sure to help when it comes to revealing the secrets of carving, no matter if that’s on snow or sea!
Engineer/architect
The math-heavy professions of architecture and engineering might seem like miles away from the language-orientated world of English tutoring, but there’s actually plenty of crossover between TEFL skills and number crunching. Yep, with critical thinking, textual analysis and an eye for the theory of language all part and parcel of EFL training, there’s little doubt that getting qualified will help you when it comes to pulling out the calculator or raising a skyscraper. Then, of course, there’s all that meticulous lesson planning you’re going to be doing, which requires the same sort of focus on prep and pre-project management as architecture and the like.
Public speaking
We’ve touched on the importance of confidence-building before. For teachers who aren’t used to standing up in front of groups of new and strange students, it’s certainly one of the main TEFL skills that’ll be honed in your training sessions and first couple of months of teaching. Once you’ve emboldened yourself with a couple of mistakes and mishaps, and realised that you really can rule the roost in that classroom, there’s absolutely no reason why that newfound panache can’t become a transferable skill; a transferable skill you use to stand-up and express yourself in public, perhaps.
Any other form of teaching
Now it might seem a little obvious, but very few teachers actually make the connection between their newfound TEFL skills and the world of professional teaching in schools back home. Perhaps that’s because the weather’s just a little nicer in tropical Thailand and there’s a bit more cultural immersion in the throbbing cities in Asia. Who knows? Still, the fact is that those classroom management, discipline and literacy abilities are sure to come in handy if you choose to make the switch to mainstream teaching one day.
Marketer
Before you roll those eyes in disbelief, bear with us just a mo. If you think about all the technical writing and listening abilities associated with constantly marking students’ homework in the English classroom, and then compare it to the communication, audience analysis and content-creation skills required of a modern marketing position, you’re sure to see just a little crossover! Whether that means constructing error-free social media posts or being able to proof outreach emails, TEFL skills are always at use in the PR office…
If you can think of any more useful transferable TEFL skills, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below – there are loads more! Or, if you think it’s time you got qualified and teaching English out in the world, head over to our courses page.
It’s a new year, and that means new year’s resolutions. From cutting down on salty foods to giving up the sauce, there are oodles out there. Our favourite though? Well, that has to be the one that says get TEFL qualified – of course! And just in case you needed the extra push to get that course in motion and spruce up on your grammar before hitting the road and the foreign classrooms, we thought we’d fling together this list of inspiring travel writers, who’ve scrawled notes from Myanmar to the Middle East. Get ready for a little wanderlust-fueling inspiration…
Paul Theroux
Prolific American travel writer, Paul Theroux, has written tome after tome of both engaging globetrotting prose and award-winning fiction novellas. His output ranges from long and intrepid odysseys over the peaks of the South American Andes down to the glacial fields of Patagonia. They include treks deep into the Orient, through the Mongolian Steppe and Siberia, all the way to sun-kissed Southeast Asia and Thailand, whose mystical secrets are revealed in the best-selling book The Great Railway Bazaar. More recently, Theroux has focussed on destinations that are closer to home, like the Deep South – it’s okay, we can look to the old stuff for that inspiration to get TEFL qualified!
Bill Bryson
Much-loved and smiley Bill Bryson is one of the most revered travel writers to come out of the UK. His prose is thoughtful and engaging, full of witty little anecdotes and detailed touches that rarely fail to evoke nostalgia. Bryson is perhaps best known for his soul-searching and comical piece, A Walk In The Woods, which describes his long journeys through the Appalachian hills. Then there are his Notes from a Small Island, which showcase a returned love for the ins and outs of his homeland across The Pond. Granted, there’s not much in the way for direct inspiration to get TEFL qualified and travel, but Bryson is great at nurturing a thoughtful and general all-round wanderlust in his readers.
Michael Palin
Michael Palin might have made his name flitting between funny dresses and fish-infused sketches with the side-splitting folk of Monty Python, but his later life has been dedicated to one thing and one thing only: travel. Yep, this affable and humorous man is the BBC’s go-to character when it comes to televised travel docs, and his explorations have been put onto the page too. The totemic works of Around the World in 80 Days, Pole to Pole and Full Circle were enough to secure him a place in the globetrotting hall of fame. They tell of adventures across the shifting desert sands of Arabia, the steamy docklands of Singapore, and the hectic streets of Mumbai; sometimes even following routes a la Jules Verne.
Ernest Hemingway
The great inspirer of beatnik travelers since his days spent slumming it on the gritty streets of 1920s Paris, Hemingway has become almost synonymous with the life of the globetrotting bohemian. Known for his heavy drinking sessions and bouts of unending hedonism amidst the bars of The City of Light’s Latin Quarter, he wrote famous travelogues like The Sun Also Rises (a story that recounts the odyssey of a group of partying youngsters as they cross Europe to Spain’s bucket-list-busting Pamplona festivities) and For Whom the Bell Tolls (a brutal and piercing look at the Spanish Civil War, complete with some beautiful descriptions of Iberia’s backcountry). Today, the spectre of Hemingway looms large over the dreams of many a budding backpacker – and would-be TEFL teachers for that matter!
Hunter S. Thompson
And if you’re in need of some real adrenaline-fuelled, high-octane material to inspire you to get TEFL qualified this year, why not ratchet up the exuberance one notch, from Hemingway to Hunter? This poster boy of 60s subculture emerged as one of the leading journalists of his age when he spent years riding with the American Hell’s Angels across the dusty deserts of the Deep South. His most famous work has to be Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas though: a head-spinning bout of hedonism in Sin City. Thompson might not have traveled far and wide, but his prose remains littered with tiny titbits of inspirational travel quotes that surely won’t fail to get you thinking about your next move. (“I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours.” There, I’ll leave you with that one…)
Are you a travel writing junkie? Can you think of any more awesome figures to add to this list? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Or, have we done enough here to inspire you to get TEFL qualified in 2017? Head over to our courses section for more information…