Going worldwide with TEFL
Maybe you opened your results envelope and didn’t receive the grades you were hoping for. But don’t worry, because there are exciting opportunities out there, leading you on the path to your next adventure.
If you’re looking for a gap year experience that allows you to see the world, gain some life experience, and educate others: then TEFL could be for you.
Joel Davis is a law and history graduate from Swansea University. He moved to China after learning how to teach English with TEFL Org.
“I love working with young people and the rewards it can bring,” explains Joel. “However, I was not completely set upon teaching as a permanent career. I wanted to travel after graduation. Naturally, I looked into how I could save money, gain experience, and travel. TEFL fit all three of these criteria.”
TEACHING
TEFL Org (which stands for teaching English as a foreign language) is an organisation that equips you with the skills needed to work abroad, teaching English to children and adults around the globe.
The classes are online or classroom based, or a mix of both. Teaching the basics and essentials of the English language, including verbs, nouns, adjectives and tenses – the teaching methods you learn with TEFL Org give you the tools to help others improve their English skills.
Opportunities are available worldwide: from Colombia to China, Italy to Indonesia and Spain to South Korea. The opportunities are endless!
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LANGUAGE BARRIER
One of the things that can often hold people back from TEFL is the assumption that you have to understand the native language before you go, but this isn’t the case.
“I had no knowledge of any Mandarin prior to my arrival in China,” says Joel. “In fact, I’d only learnt the very basic phrases by the end of the first year. GoogleTranslate was essential for many day-to-day activities, and if you can befriend someone who speaks the local language, that goes a long way.
“A lot of the teaching techniques are based on hand gestures and facial expressions. The English taught was incredibly basic: the use of flashcards, songs, games and visual aids are really important.”
LIFE SKILLS
Though teaching can be tough, living abroad will equip you with life skills and experiences that will be invaluable in the future.
“I’d be lying if I said the first few months were easy,” admits Joel. “We had to adjust to our new surroundings, train for our new role, update our visa, open a bank account, get a new phone number, take a medical, and set up our new apartment. It was incredibly stressful at times. However, if you push through the culture shock, you’ll come out the other side a more resilient and open person.”
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So, what are you waiting for? The right opportunity is waiting for you and TEFL Org could take you there.
For more information about how you can get involved with TEFL, head to www.tefl.org
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