We’re once again joined by Luke Fisher, who delves into the world of teacher training courses in this latest addition to the guest authors series:

The various types of TEFL Certification available make it important to research all possible options before learning to teach English as a second language. As there are many types of courses available you can usually find one that will suit both your timing and the method that you prefer for instruction. In the past there have been two options when it comes to taking a TEFL course, the first is classroom style and the second is an online course. Currently, about 30,000 people per year become TEFL certified with 5,000 completing in-class courses and 25,000 completing online courses.

There are a number of options in terms of TEFL certification. The training methods vary due to the nature of the course itself, the main difference being the method of course delivery. An in-class 4 week course is face to face where trainees are taught along with their peers and includes the very important component of teaching practice with real students of English. By Contrast, an online course is by nature completed independently with the support of an online tutor either via email or chat. Although an online course is a convenient option in terms of cost and accessibility, the draw back is that no teaching practice can be completed due the course being online. Instead, a CD of teachers teaching are viewed and commented on.

Typically, a TEFL certification course is 4 weeks long and is more than often completed in the country where you plan to teach English. The course is fairly intensive and is designed to give a sound foundation and introduction to teaching English as well as teaching practice with actual students of English. Teaching skills, knowledge and experience are improved after the course when actually teaching. The most popular locations for TEFL certification are Thailand, Spain, Italy and Costa Rica.

Another option is TEFL certification online. The main advantage of this type of course is its flexibility and price. The course can be taken from pretty much anywhere with a pc and can be completed at a self dictated pace. The course can be completed in anything from 2 weeks to 6 months depending on the time that you have available. Not having to attend a training centre overseas for 4 weeks obviously makes this type of course a much cheaper option.

One further option is a Combined TEFL course. This is a combination of the two methods above. Trainees complete the online TEFL certification course and then attend a training centre for two weeks for further training and teaching practice. This is a good option for those that do not perform to their full potential in intensive environments. The teaching practice component of the combined course is offered in four locations: Thailand, Italy, Spain and the USA.

The quality of training and certification received when completing a TEFL course relates to the time involved in training and the amount of teaching practice hours completed. The 4 week in class TEFL course and the combined TEFL course involves approximately 130 hrs of training and 6 to 10 hrs of teaching practice. The industry standard recommendation for an in-class course is 6 hrs of teaching practice. The online course involves 100 hrs of training and post course options for in class components of teaching practice either locally or abroad.

About the author

TEFL Course is a leading provider in global TEFL Certification and TESOL Certification. TEFL Course will help you find TEFL Jobs in a range of countries.

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In this article from our guest authors series, Luke Fisher discusses the life of the TEFL teacher in the South American nation of Argentina:

There are a wide variety of TEFL courses in Argentina offered in cities throughout the country. Completing a TEFL course in Argentina leads to TEFL jobs teaching English in Argentina. This is a truly wonderful and unique country which offers great opportunities for travel and teaching. In terms of initial costs for TEFL certification, Argentina is one of the best deals going in South America due to the financial crash of 2003.

Argentina is a country of stunning natural beauty. Due to the waves of immigration throughout the 20th Century, Argentina is truly cosmopolitan. It has beautiful big cities and huge expanses of untamed wilderness. It is a place where the visitor, particularly if they have a lively interest in soccer, can blend seamlessly with the surroundings and friendly people. The local language is of course Spanish, but there are some native South American dialects still in use. The population of this vast country is thirty-seven million, and the religion is predominately Roman Catholic. In a country where US television and baseball is enormously popular, there is considerable enthusiasm for learning English and as a result a plethora of TEFL jobs teaching English in Argentina are available. Those actively looking for TEFL jobs teaching English in Argentina will find a good variety of opportunities throughout the country, and be rewarded by the experience of teaching some of the most enthusiastic and fun-loving students in the world.

Completing a TEFL course in Argentina with TEFL certification is sufficient to teach in state and private schools. Generally, employers for TEFL jobs do not require a degree, PGCE or previous teaching experience. Within language institutes you can expect to find yourself teaching those who work in tourism or business. Also businesses and companies provide TEFL jobs teaching English in Argentina for English language training purposes for their employees. A good TEFL course in Argentina will provide components within the course for teaching business English and in some cases specialized courses dealing only with business English teaching leading to CTBE: Certificate in Teaching Business English.

Argentina has a needs driven market when it comes to English language learning and as a result you will find highly motivated students. TEFL jobs teaching English in Argentina have to be paid for and this is generally at a cost to the student of English. Students, school managers, companies and businesses will expect a respectable, well-turned out, professional teacher. An important thing to note is that Latin languages are inflected and students will naturally have a high awareness of grammar. Teachers teaching English in Argentina will need to prepare well for their classes in order to provide rich and structured lessons and a solid learning environment. Argentinean students are amongst the most warmly spoken of by experienced TEFL teachers. Expect fun, great enthusiasm, but do not be too surprised if class sizes are low should there be a major sporting event being broadcast.

Buenos Aires is a great location for TEFL courses in Argentina and TEFL jobs leading to teaching English in Argentina. The capital city boasts cafe lined grand avenues and cobbled back-streets in a style as that of Europe, a buzzing night life and many places of interest. It is not too difficult to escape the somewhat unusually easy paced life of the city for the quieter suburbs and natural expanses that surround Buenos Aires. Cordoba is the education centre of the country with seven universities in total. As an academic town it is alive with interesting people and events and there is plenty to do on a budget. Mendoza in contrast, with giant sycamore lined streets, feels like a desert – as you will notice from the high temperatures – but it is a desert made green by the work of plantation owners.

A little preparation prior to setting off for your TEFL course in Argentina or TEFL job teaching English in Argentina will pay dividends. Think of not just of Argentina, but the whole continent of South America, as you may well end up traveling around quite a bit once you hit this part of the world. It is a good idea to contact Latin American embassies in your country of origin for the locations that interest you. Enquire about TEFL courses, TEFL jobs teaching English and visas, and see what you get back. You will find that you will have compiled a useful set of information which will help in the long run. Information will vary from country of origin to country of origin, Latin American embassy to Latin American embassy.

In many cases TEFL jobs teaching English in Argentina are acquired on-the-spot. Hence you will need a letter of introduction, in Spanish, your resume or CV translated accordingly, plus a translation of your transcripts and certificates. The best option is to use Castillian Spanish as spoken in Spain. This is seen as the mother tongue, universally comprehended, and carries style, weight and considerable currency throughout Argentina and Latin America.

There are a number of options that can be utilized to gain a placement prior to teaching English in Argentina. Many US TEFL schools have close ties with Argentina and other South American countries. The Buenos Aires Herald carries TEFL job advertisements for English Teachers and sometimes information about TEFL courses in Argentina. The Net has many forums and dedicated websites for TEFL jobs and teaching English in Argentina.

The local yellow pages detail schools, language institutes and universities which are often only too willing to interview candidates. Well presented, organized and enthusiastic TEFL teachers are in short supply. It is quite likely that if an employer likes you they will most certainly find some teaching for you!

TEFL job opportunities for teaching English in Argentina are in plentiful supply. There is a wide and varied market for those having completed a TEFL course in Argentina or at another location. Argentina offers great travel options and the opportunity to become part of the local culture through teaching English. When choosing a location for a TEFL course and teaching English overseas, Argentina and South America should be given some serious consideration.

About the Author

TEFL International offers TEFL courses in Argentina and TEFL jobs leading to teaching English in Argentina. Teach, travel, live and work in Argentina.

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The life of the English teacher in Thailand is the subject of this latest in the series of guest articles, this time from Luke Fisher:

There are a wide variety and number of TEFL courses in Thailand in locations to suit all tastes. Equally, teaching English in Thailand is well catered for due to the high number of TEFL jobs available. There is a high demand for English language knowledge and ability in this diverse and truly amazing country. Thailand is a central Asian country which enjoys a tropical climate with 3 seasons: hot and dry October through February, hot and humid with showers from March through May and wet and cool June to September. These seasons vary from the cooler north of Thailand to the hotter south. The average annual temperature is 28 C (83 F), ranging, in Bangkok, for example, from 30 C in April to 25 C in December.

The relaxed life style, friendly people and sense of tropical paradise, all make Thailand a very popular destination for teaching English. After completing a TEFL course in Thailand, TEFL jobs may appear to offer somewhat low salaries ranging from Bht 30,000 ($1000 USD) to Bht 60,000 ($2000 USD) per month, but the cost of living is relatively low. As a result, teaching English in Thailand provides the opportunity to live comfortably, save and travel.

One thing to remember is that as a teacher teaching English in Thailand, you will be going native and not paying ‘Farang’ (foreigner) prices for everything. Most people find that salaries are more than enough to support a very comfortable lifestyle, and that TEFL jobs teaching English in Thailand are a very positive life experience.

Thailand is a very popular location for teaching English and TEFL courses and it is important to remember to respect local concerns. Teachers teaching English in Thailand are respected members of society, and are expected to dress accordingly. It is, therefore, advisable that dress, when teaching or looking for TEFL jobs, includes either long trousers or a skirt below the knee, accompanied by long-sleeved shirt or blouse. Cut-off shorts and vests will neither win friends nor influence people. It does get very hot, so light-weight clothing is advisable. Simply show a little respect and this will be appreciated and reciprocated. As with many Asian countries the saving of face is extremely important, being rude or in-polite is seriously frowned upon.

The whole approach to TEFL courses in Thailand and teaching English in Thailand is dictated by your anticipated length of stay, and this will be reflected in your approach to visas. TEFL courses in Thailand can be completed on a tourist visa or a student visa. Teaching English in Thailand and TEFL jobs in Thailand in general require a Non-B visa which is renewable every twelve months. As well as this, teachers of English will need a teacher’s license. Employers help provide both the visa and the license. In order to be eligible TEFL job applicants would have to of successfully completed a TEFL course in Thailand or prior to arrival in another location.

Major cities for TEFL jobs teaching English in Thailand include Bangkok, Chang Mai, Udon Thani, Phuket and Hat Yai. Bangkok offers great nightlife, but at the cost of pollution, congestion and higher living costs, although salaries tend to be higher here. Mountainous Chang Mai and Udon Thani in the North of Thailand are proving popular, especially for those seeking the real Thailand and the unique experience that comes with it. The island of Phuket is developing rapidly and is very popular for TEFL courses in Thailand and teaching English. With development comes a strong and varied TEFL job market in the public, private and tourism sectors. Phuket also retains a great sense of tropical paradise regardless of the development.

TEFL courses in Thailand are offered in Phuket, Ban Phe and Chiang Mai as well as several other locations. Searching on the net will provide a wide choice of TEFL course provider. Two things to consider are that the course provider is properly accredited and examined by the Thai Ministry of Education and that the provider has good TEFL job support services and that this element is included as part of the TEFL course.

For those seeking TEFL jobs teaching English in Thailand in advance of arrival, companies such as Anglo-Pacific Consultancy, Bell Associated Schools and EF English First, which has several centres in Thailand, are all worth checking out. It is perfectly possible to get jobs on the spot in most cities. It is simply a matter of checking out the local English language press, trying to make a few contacts, and making the rounds of the universities, schools and English language colleges. You will need a copy of your TEFL certificate, and increasingly in Thailand, a university degree is also a requisite.

As with any TEFL job teaching English in Thailand you should complete some research. You should enquire with your employer about class sizes, teaching materials, preparation time, time for staff meetings, and expected length of contract. In some cases you will be making up the whole curriculum for your students and in others working within a very rigid framework.

Most people find teaching English in Thailand a wonderful experience and teaching Thai people a great pleasure. A fortune is not there to be earned, but a great sense of worth and accomplishment is there to be realized. There are a wide variety of TEFL courses in Thailand to choose from leading to TEFL jobs and an opportunity live, work and travel in one of the world’s most amazing countries.

About the Author

TEFL in Thailand and TEFL International provides TEFL courses and TEFL certification leading to TEFL jobs and teaching English abroad. English teaching jobs are available in countries all over the world.

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The four-week TEFL course, a starting point for so many of us in our careers as English teachers. But is it really worth it?

What do we really gain from these short, intensive courses that can’t possibly hope to adequately prepare us for a career in teaching? A great deal, it would seem, according to the poll that ran on the blog and the forum.

Firstly, and most importantly judging by how many suggested this, the initial teacher training course provides a good foundation on which to build.

I started the ball rolling, stating the following:

‘It didn’t in any way prepare me for a full-time teaching position, but I can’t imagine having had to go into a classroom for the first time without having done it.’

Emma, a forum member currently embroiled in her initial training course, perceptively notes, ‘I imagine it’s like passing your driving test. You only really learn to drive properly afterwards.’ Spiral78 adds, ‘a good course is a pretty essential starter – not that certified teachers are professionals, but that they’ve got a decent idea of how to start. The course got me started on a stronger foot than I’d have had without it.’ Denise further reiterates:

‘It alone would not have gotten me to where I am now, but it was a crucial first step. It taught me the basics and I went on from there. I can’t imagine how my first teaching job would have gone without a certificate (if they would even have hired me without one). I learned a lot about how to plan, organize, and deliver a lesson.’

Canuck is another who shares the notion, ‘that the one month courses offer a foundation to build upon, maybe provide information about what someone currently does in their class now and reinforces good techniques.’ GueroPaz and Mishmumkin further exemplify, GueroPaz noting, ‘it helped me immensely; I would have been lost without it,’ while Mishmumkin adds, ‘I had been teaching a year before doing it, but it really taught me a lot about lesson planning, what to expect, how to talk less/listen more.’ Guy Courchesne reinforces the idea that 4 week courses should be seen as a foundation and that development is required after:

‘I took it without having any serious or immediate expectations of going abroad… I eventually did, about 6 months later. I completed my course in Canada and as it was geared towards teaching in Korea, I found I had to study further and learn ‘on the fly’ when I started teaching in Mexico.

Increased opportunity in the local job market is another advantage that was mentioned. Chimp Guevara asserts that, ‘it opened the door to better jobs for me in Japan, and gave me a good grounding in the basics so that I continue learning when I got back.’

Another potential advantage of the four-week training course is that it will effectively indicate those who are clearly not up to it. spiral78 exemplifies, ‘I think the courses can also be useful for weeding out people who genuinely aren’t cut out for the job – for example, if a trainee can’t show up on time every day, looking reputable, he/she’s going to crash and burn early in a contract anyway.’

It would seem, therefore, that these initial teacher training courses hold a lot of value. Never the less, Jerry was one who, validly, raised issue with an inadequate learning environment as reason for a course not being worth what was paid:

‘I would say it wasn’t worth the money. I say this because the course was delivered on a shoestring in less than acceptable premises with virtually no frills (coffee, water, working computers). The (course provider’s) websites are very misleading with respect to training environment.’

So, certain courses may be lacking in areas outside the experience you’ll gain in terms of teacher training. These are definitely things to consider when choosing a course, an issue we’ll return to later. Despite this feeling of dissatisfaction, Jerry goes on to note, ‘the course content was delivered well by the trainer and was comprehensive so in that respect it was “worthwhile”.’

Another factor relating to whether or not a particular course is worth the investment is related to what you gain from being in a particular location. This particular aspect caused some disagreement, with suggestions made in support of doing the course in an exotic foreign locale or at a location in your home country. Spiral78 led the cry for taking the course in the country where you’re thinking of teaching, listing the following benefits:

-You can get your feet wet in the country/culture while you still have a support system – training centers will usually arrange for your housing during the course, pick you up at the airport, and generally offer you some kind of local orientation. -Your practice teaching students will be representative of those you’ll be working with when you start. -A good training centre can give you invaluable info regarding reputable employers in a region. -You can be sure that your cert will be recognized by regional employers.

Jerry, in contrast, notes the benefits of doing the course in your home country:

-When you set up a course online in the country you will work in can you be sure of the provider? -Is their course moderated? -Can you have your certificate notarized in that country? -What’s the validity of the certificate? -What’s the local reputation of the course provider? -What’s the training environment like? -Will you be picked up at the airport? I wasn’t, a pre-course orientation meeting was convened and conducted by a previous student who felt it was her moral duty to make sure new students were not left out on a limb as she had been. -Long term, is the certificate any use in another country or region?

Jerry also notes that this won’t necessarily help you in getting used to the type of student you’ll be teaching, suggesting, ‘As for getting to know the type of student, the lessons are so heavily teacher orientated and regimented you don’t get near to learning about them or understanding them.’

In terms of it being worthwhile, there was more agreement when it came to the notion of finding out about your course in advance, with spiral78 suggesting the following checklist:

-How long has the course been operating – under current management? -What qualifications do the trainers have? -What support will the centre guarantee? -Will the centre allow you to contact current trainees? -I’d also send a very brief email to several employers in the area asking whether certification from course X is well-looked-upon.

Spiral78 further exemplifies the disparity between courses, noting, ‘there are a couple of 60-hour courses without teaching practice which are given as seminars using classrooms at universities – but which are NOT considered to be basic level certifications in many parts of the world.’ Indeed, deciding on whether or not a course will be worth it, finding out what the course will include seems to be vital, Canuck asserting that, ‘the only 4 week course someone should take is one that is 120 hours with a practical teaching component. The CELTA and 120 hour TEFL have this. I don’t think an online course can measure up. I also believe that the ‘every weekend’ CELTA isn’t as valuable as the one month all at once type.’

So, generally such courses are seen by the majority as being a good thing, providing as good a foundation in teaching as possible in a short space of time. The experience you gain will open doors in terms of job opportunities and will give you a pretty clear indication if you’re not up to the task.

There are also clear benefits to the location at which you take the course, depending on what your needs may be. Having said that, it’s clear that there are major disparities between the quality of such courses and doing some research before hand will pay dividends.

One final thing to consider if you’re thinking of doing such a course is the group you’re likely to end up teaching. For example, in many countries this might end up being primarily children. Leprofdanglais comments, ‘the only thing is it trains you to teach adults, but where I was working in Spain, new staff always got lumbered with kids’ classes.’ GueroPaz reiterates, ‘here in Thailand and in most places in the world, you teach lots of kids. That’s my main complaint against any adult-oriented course.’ So, even at the initial, four-week starter course stage, think about how specifically the course is going to meet your potential needs.

Use and distribution of this article is permitted subject to no changes being made to the content and appropriate hyperlinks/URL references in place.

Read more great articles like this at the Horizons Journal website.

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In this article from our guest authors selection the TEFL Training World website discusses how you should go about getting started in the profession:

TEFL?

TEFL – what does it mean? TEFL simply means Teaching English as a Foreign Language. This acronym describes everything to do with teaching English as a foreign language – the industry, the courses and qualifications and the profession.

Different types of people approach TEFL at different points in their lives. Some are on gap years, others on career breaks, others as a permanent career and yet others who see it as means to earn money and travel the world.

A lot of the people who start out doing TEFL on gap years or career breaks end up doing it permanently.

The next question must be ‘How do I become a TEFL teacher?’

How do I become a TEFL teacher?

The days of just turning up in a foreign country and landing a TEFL job on the strength of being able to speak English are slowly becoming a thing of the past. As the market has matured, the need for qualifications has become essential.

Before you consider taking a TEFL course you might want to think about where you are going to teach. Different countries have different rules regarding minimum qualifications of teachers. Some countries accept just a TEFL qualification while other countries will only accept a TEFL qualification with a degree. Qualifications may differ depending on the type of school you are going to work in, an International school may require a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education).

Choosing a TEFL course

There are hundreds of different courses to choose from, ranging from 4 week full-time courses to short weekend courses to online courses. The choice is overwhelming!

Do some research before choosing your TEFL course. If you know where you are going to teach, check what qualifications are needed and accepted in the country (or countries) you are going to.

Let’s have a look at some of the different types of courses on offer.

4 week full-time courses

The most well-known courses available fall into this category: the CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) and the Trinity CertTESOL (Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). These courses are generally offered full-time over a four week period (there are also options to take these courses part-time, for example at weekends, over a longer time period).

If you take one of the above mentioned courses, you fill find that they are recognised worldwide and nearly all language schools would employ you on the strength of one of these qualifications.

There are other four week courses available with a similar structure and syllabus. As long as these courses are 120 hours long and contain six hours of teaching practice, then they will probably secure you work in most language schools.

A typical day on a training courses of this nature would look something like this:

Morning session 1 - input (language analysis), break,

Morning session 2 – input (phonology), lunch, afternoon session 1 – teaching practice, break, afternoon session 2 – feedback.

The rest of the day would be spent lesson planning or completing written assignments.

Four week courses are intensive (hard work) but, if you are willing to put in the effort, worth it.

Short courses

If for any reason you can’t take a four week course, then a shorter course might be the option for you.

People choose the shorter courses for a number of reasons but primarily because of the shorter duration (usually a weekend, 2 or 3 days long or a week) and the cheaper cost. Although in the short term the savings on time and money might seem like a good idea, if you are going to teach for any length of time you will eventually have to take one of the longer courses.

Shorter courses are a great introduction to TEFL and some even give you some form of teaching practice. Generally, you can’t fail these courses but will receive a certificate of completion which can be used in making job applications.

If you are planning to use TEFL as a means to keep travelling, then a shorter course might be the one for you.

Online courses

A third option would be an online TEFL course. These courses can give you an introduction to TEFL. Online TEFL courses are generally the cheapest way of getting a TEFL qualification and usually you can complete them without giving up your current job.

The downside is that online courses don’t offer any real classroom experience (no teaching practice and no observation of other teachers). Online courses might not be recognised in the country or countries you are going to teach in.

Online courses can offer modules on areas like teaching English to young learners and teaching business English. If you plan to specialize in any of these areas, then an online course might be a good starting point.

Starting points

Search for information on TEFL courses:

www.cambridge-efl.org

www.trinitycollege.co.uk

About the Author

TEFLTrainingWorld.com is dedicated to getting those interested in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) the information they need to know.

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Unfortunately there has never been one single regulatory body for the TEFL industry. Right now there are numerous TEFL schools springing up everywhere, all claiming that their course is better than the rest or, that they offer the most accredited TEFL certificate. It can be a daunting task trying to select the right TEFL course in a minefield of choices. So how can you tell the good from the bad?The answer is actually quite simple. Don’t overlook the obvious!

Here are the 5 things to look out for when choosing a TEFL course……

1. How Does The Website Look?

Is it professional looking, well organised? If a TEFL organization cannot organise a website properly then you can’t really expect them to organize a four week TEFL course!

2. Spelling & Grammar

I’m always amazed at the numerous spelling and grammar errors on many TEFL websites. Do you really think these TEFL schools are capable of training you to be an English teacher?

3. Criticizing Competitors to Win Customers

This is common practice for many cowboy schools who struggle to get enough students to fill their empty courses. They usually ask if you’re looking at any other TEFL schools and once you mention a name, they discredit them claiming the certificate isn’t accredited, or something along those lines.

Any reputable organization will focus on the features/benefits of their own course and won’t directly criticize their competitors or get involved in a slanging match.

4. The TEFL Trainers Experience

A good trainer usually means a good course. Ask for details of the trainers experience and qualifications. Get some telephone numbers or email addresses of previous candidates and contact them for feedback.

5. How Many Students Attend Each TEFL Course

Any more than 16 is far too many. Many international TEFL courses have 30+ students on each course, which is one reason why they’re so cheap. You cannot possibly receive quality TEFL training in such a large group of students. You Get What You Pay For!

So what about the actual TEFL certificate?

A Word of Warning; Weekend TEFL certificates may be a good introduction to TEFL but they are no longer accepted for teaching Jobs in most countries, especially now in Thailand.

The term ‘Accredited‘ is used freely but it holds little essence. Most employers will expect you to have around 100 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of observed teaching practice with real students under your belt. They will prefer to see how you perform in a classroom and so the type of certificate you have isn’t always that important to them.

Make sure you choose a reputable TEFL course which has at least 6 hours of observed teaching practice with real students This will give you the confidence to walk into a roomful of expectant faces and not run out again screaming!

Good Luck!

About the Author

Lisa Walker has extensive experience teaching English as a foreign language throughout Asia. Based in Thailand, Lisa works as a freelance Education Consultant for a number of TEFL schools around the world. Feel free to contact Lisa with any comments or suggestions at: http://www.worldteflschool.com

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In this guest author article, Luke Fisher discusses the life of the English teacher in Spain:

There are a wide variety of TEFL course options available in Spain leading to TEFL jobs for those with TEFL certification. Spain has such a tremendous amount regional diversity that one is almost dealing with this country as a mini continent. The Costa’s – Spain’s huge coastline – differs greatly from the geographic nature of the big cities, which in turn differs greatly from the environment of the thousands of picturesque rural villages, which is again is different from the mountainous regions of Andorra or Granada. Dispirit locations and circumstances are united in a profound love of life. Hence it is very easy to get swept up in a seemingly constant round of festivals and fiestas, dancing and music – eating well and drinking well being all part of pursuing the good life in the best of all possible worlds. Few who have lived in Spain for a spell would disagree with the idea that, in terms of quality of life, Spain is a world leader. There is a high demand for English language skills in all walks of life generating a vast market of TEFL jobs for those with TEFL certification.

Spain is a big country with a varying climate in different locations to suit all tastes. The country is very hot in the south with temperatures getting into the 40s, cooler in the north, and snowbound in the Pyrenees. The official language is Spanish, though Catalan, Basque and Gallego are the official languages in the Autonomous states. The population is approximately 42 million, and while there is plenty of hustle and bustle in the larger cities the rural areas leave one with the idea that no one has been there for years.

TEFL jobs for those having completed a TEFL course in Spain are excellent. Teachers of English have long been sought after with language schools catering to the needs of high school and university students seeking to shore up the tuition they get at their main place of study. Spain has undergone a huge period of economic growth during the late 20th century, and continues to be Western Europe’s fastest-growing economy. The result of this is that more and more employers in Spain require that their prospective employees have good English skills. Business-specific academies have sprung up almost everywhere to meet the needs of multi-nationals seeking to improve the language skills of their employees.

The large cities of the south such as Seville, Cadiz and Granada offer an array of medieval and Moorish architecture – often together in the same building – along with flamenco dance and music. The Costa’s range from Benedorm, where you will find it difficult to escape the idea that England has somehow been transplanted into the Mediterranean, to the beautiful and un-spoilt Costa de la Luz – coast of light. There are also many amazing locations that fall somewhere in between. Barcelona, in Catalonia, prides itself on its cosmopolitan environment, and has fabulous architecture, not least by the cities most famous son Gaudi. Madrid has everything that you would expect of any European capital city: Art and architecture abound in an air of cool sophistication. In Galicia you are greeted by mountains and mile after mile of spectacular, haunting forest.

For those wanting a TEFL job within a state or private school, employers require applicants to have completed a TEFL course in Spain, or in another country, and have full TEFL certification. Teaching experience is an advantage but often not a pre requisite. With language institutes, or acadamias, expect to find yourself to be teaching university or high school students – sometimes in the same class. Specialist business colleges and schools aim to provide for the needs of large multinationals, in this case a business background is an advantage. Enthusiasm for English is continuously increasing and there are moves to bring English into the school curriculum at an earlier stage. In many cases you will find yourself teaching students of varying ability, sometimes in the same class. Fortunately a great deal of time within the Spanish education system is spent on learning Spanish grammar which is a great help when learning English grammar. So with grammar a Spaniard will tend to know what they are talking about. As a result preparation for teaching classes is very important.

When researching TEFL jobs in advance a useful contact is the British Council in Madrid. They will be able to advise you as to where in Spain the British Council has offices and they keep a list of language schools, both private and state. In addition, the on-line Yellow Pages are a good resource for those with TEFL certification. Within the UK, The Guardian newspaper has a special edition on Tuesdays for TEFL courses in Spain and TEFL jobs. The vast majority of TEFL jobs and TEFL certification courses in Spain can be found on the net on websites such as TEFL.com and the eslcafe. With this said, the vast majority of teaching positions are filled on the spot and it is important to remember that timing is a very important issue. Many language schools close for the summer, thus September is good time to arrive for your TEFL certification course also to look for TEFL jobs. In addition, there is often a spike of recruitment activity in January and generally TEFL jobs are available all year round. Month to month September to June there are constantly TEFL job opportunities available.

A good idea, before setting off, is to contact your local Spanish Embassy to see what information they have available. Most consulates have a document entitled ‘Teaching English in Spain.’, and the consulate in the UK has a list of teaching institutes. It is also useful to contact the Federation Espanola de Centros de Ensenanza de Idiomas (FECEI) which is an organization of the better, more established language schools.

About the Author

Teaching English in Spain with TEFL International. TEFL International provides TEFL certification and TEFL courses in Spain with TEFL jobs. Teach, travel, live and work in Spain with TEFL International.

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The Cambridge Delta (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults) is one of the most prestigious qualifications in the ELT field today. It is seen by the profession as the mark of a serious, dedicated teacher, one who has been in teaching for at least two years, often more, and who has decided to go deeper into the magic and mysteries behind teaching and learning.

Taking the Delta means putting aside a period of time – 8-12 weeks for an intensive course, six months to a year for a part time course, as well as finding a substantial sum of money for the course fees, which can cost anywhere between £1300 and £2500. Then there are the exam fees, another couple of hundred pounds on top. So the decision to go for the Delta is obviously a crucially important one.

Read the full article at the Guardian TEFL News website.

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The International Training Institute (ITI) specialises in teacher training and development. They have been conducting teacher training courses since 1988 and boast one of the highest success ratios worldwide. ITI is internationally recognised as a leading centre for the Cambridge CELTA and DELTA courses and is the only approved UCLES centre for both of these courses in Turkey. The institute is run by Tom Godfrey, who, along with Sally Hirst and Brigid Nugent, was kind enough to answer several questions about teacher training in the early twenty-first century. Here’s part one of the interview:

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More and more I find myself advising teachers of English to think of ways to broaden their horizons in the job market. Rather than getting stuck in a career that many fail to find fulfilling, we all need to look for ways of expanding our opportunities. Even those of us who are happy need to think about what the future holds for us, given the changing nature of the global workplace. A lot of us have probably never considered IT training as an option, although it’s something worth thinking about, especially as the move towards online teaching and learning gathers pace. If you’re thinking about getting out of English teaching or, as is possible, updating your skills, then getting qualified via a technical school is something that’s worth considering.

The Tech Training schools website seems to offer numerous options that would suit the hard working TEFLer, both in terms of courses available, such as IT and network and database design, and locations including hundreds of tech schools across North America as well as online.

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