Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is more than just a job, it’s a way of learning about the world. Either as a short or long-term experience, TEFL offers opportunities to travel and experience another culture, to learn a language, obtain invaluable experience, and make money at the same time.
Travel and Experiencing New Cultures
In some cases, students learning English will travel to Ireland for schooling, in other situations English teachers travel to a foreign country to provide instruction. For the instructor going abroad, travel comes with its own set of challenges such as moving to and working in a culture that may be completely different to Ireland. But this experience is also what makes the opportunity so alluring for many. Visiting another country is one thing, but living there, earning money, and learning about the realities of everyday life is quite another. It’s a chance to be exposed to a new culture in a unique and rare way that no book or short visit can provide. Opening a bank account in India, commuting in Beijing, learning how to greet different people in Japan, or when to make eye contact with a stranger in Colombia are all important to get by in these countries. Experiencing how different countries work and learning about the subtle nuances within each make for a more thorough understanding of both the country you’re working in and Ireland as well. And also working with students is another learning opportunity. Students will be excited to see a foreigner take an interest in their culture and more occasions to understand and learn will open up.
Learning a Language
Living in a foreign speaking country is the quickest way to becoming fluent in their language. Just as how students who want to learn English come to English-speaking countries, living in a Spanish-speaking or French-speaking country will improve language ability.
Career prospects
Even if you don’t end up teaching as a career, the advantages to be honed from teaching abroad are many. A proven ability to cross cultural barriers is highly sought after in many careers, as are leadership skills that teachers must possess to command a classroom. Coping with adversity and change are skills that are learned with experience and something TEFL teachers learn to do immediately. Last but not least, language skills and ability both in English and other languages will always work in your favour. All of this experience, central to TEFL, is an impressive and unique component on a CV regardless if you decide to keep teaching or move to another career. These distinctive skills and abilities are very attractive to employers and are essential for advancement in many careers outside of TEFL.
Good Salary
The salary for an overseas teacher varies greatly according to country, school and the amount of education a teacher has. For example, an overseas teacher with an undergraduate degree plus a TEFL certificate will be able to command a higher salary than someone who has a TEFL certificate. Some schools offer perks in addition to salary, including free language classes, transportation, medical insurance and up-front payment for plane tickets and visas. Salary levels are generally very good for the country you’re working in and will allow you to live comfortably.
TEFL is of course one way to wait out the recession, but it’s not just that and neither is it just an opportunity to travel. It’s an opportunity to meet different people, in different circumstances, and to gain a wider more inclusive view of the world and the planet. Teaching English is one half classroom, the other half, world.
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