The top 5 TEFL questions… Answered!

Are you thinking of teaching English abroad, but feel like you’ve got a gazillion questions swimming through your head? You’re not the only one! So, Emma Foers asked TEFL tutor James Jenkin, who has over 15 years’ experience, to answer people’s most common TEFL questions.

Q) Which TEFL course should I do?

A) There is such demand for English teachers that you’ll be able to find a job in many countries with no qualification at all. However, schools that tend to have the better TEFL positions (in terms of hours, support and remuneration) often ask for a TEFL qualification. The course you choose could be purely online, face-to-face, or a combination of both. And of course, if you want to be confident and do a good job, a TEFL course is highly recommended.

There are lots of TEFL courses available, so choose a provider that’s well known, and a course that’s best suited to your needs.

For teaching overseas, even a weekend course will give you a head start, and 100-120 hours of TEFL study will give you a strong chance of being considered for most TEFL roles if coupled with a suitable CV. Factors to consider with any course include delivery of the online component (is it interactive?), whether you’ll have a tutor, whether there’s an in-class component, and what ongoing support and resource you’ll have access to.

Finding work in an English-speaking country is tougher. You will generally need a degree and a four-week, full-time certificate course like the CELTA or Trinity Cert TESOL. Before starting either of these, you need to be sure they’re right for you, as they not only cost a lot more, but require 100% commitment.

Q) How do I find TEFL jobs?

A)Some courses offer a Job Placement Service, but you can easily find TEFL work yourself online. It’s estimated that twenty thousand tefl jobs are advertised at any one time. Therefore it’s simply a matter of identifying where you want to work, and what remuneration package you’re looking for. One of the best websites to find jobs is www.tefl.com.

Q) How do I get a TEFL job?

Once you’ve identified a position that suits you, it’s just a matter of going through the application process like any other job.

Tell the employer what they want to hear – nothing more, nothing less. Keep your application short and sharp. For example, if a school wants a Business English teacher, show them why you will be a good Business English teacher. Don’t tell them all about your fruit picking experience, or that you like music.

Most employers will be able to help with visa information and applications. If you’re unsure about this advice, you should speak to the country’s embassy.

If you’re worried about the history of potential employers or the terms you’ve being offered, join the forums on sites such as www.tefl-chalkboard.com, and ask the question or search past conversations. TEFL teachers never like to see fellow teachers being taken for a ride.

Q) What if I’m nervous being in front of people?

A)It’s the fate of a good teacher to have a few nerves before starting a new class – it means you care about doing a good job! But rest assured, after each lesson you’ll become more and more confident.

One thing to keep in mind is that maximising student practice time is one of the keys to teaching English, so in effect, the less time you’re up the front and under the spotlight, the better. You should get them into pairs and groups practising what they’ve learnt, and you should move around the class helping students as they need it. I hope this fundamental principle takes some of the scary edge off.

Q)What if I don’t know any grammar?

People obsess about grammar. But it’s only one of many things students need to know. Working on pronunciation and vocabulary is likely to be much more useful in increasing your students’ ability to communicate.

And, often, there’s this misconception that students ‘want grammar’, which isn’t the case. But be clear about exactly what help you’re going to provide in a lesson – eg ‘I’m going to help you with your pronunciation today’.

Having said that, you do need to learn about the mechanics of English to help students speak and write with precision. But you can learn this as you go. Don’t feel you have to understand all the intricacies of English before you start. When you plan a lesson just research the little bit of grammar you’re going to teach. Soon you’ll start seeing connections and the big picture will become clear.

About the Author

I honestly believe that teaching English abroad is the perfect opportunity for any English speaker to explore the world. As long as you’re a fluent English speaker, a TEFL course can be your ticket to the journey of your life.