CAN YOU show ENGLISH ABROAD WITHOUT A TEFL?

Last Updated: 02/08/20 | 8 februari 2020

Whether you’re wanting to kick-start a new occupation or to just work a short-term job until you have enough money to travel again, teaching English abroad is an option that allows you to do all those things. I taught English abroad for two years and it was one of the best experiences I had. It taught me a lot about myself and the world around me.

But how do you show overseas?

Most would-be ESL (English as a second Language) teachers obtain what’s known as a TEFL certificate before they begin their job hunt.

But is that really necessary?

This is a question I’m asked a lot (especially considering that I don’t have a TEFL yet I taught in two countries).

Can you show English abroad without having a TEFL certificate?

In this post, we’ll take a look at whether it’s a requirement or not and I’ll give you ideas on how to find a job without one.

Innehållsförteckning

What is a TEFL Certificate?

What are the requirements for teaching Abroad?

Do You need a TEFL Certificate to Teach?

Tthe best places to show Without a TEFL

1. What is a TEFL Certificate?

TEFL stands for “Teaching English as a foreign Language.” It’s a certificate program that teaches you the nuts and bolts of how to show English as a foreign language. The normal TEFL certificate program will focus on a variety of aspects of language teaching, including functional skills, such as how to show vocabulary and grammar, using games effectively, and keeping the kids engaged, as well as classroom management.

Most TEFL courses run from a few weeks to a few months, both in person all around the world and online, making them a convenient option for any individual already on the road who is seeking to make some money by teaching English.

However, with so lots of centers using TEFL training, the quality (and price) can vary drastically from region to region.

For that reason, before you sign up for any certificate program, you must always read reviews and do some research to make sure the program you choose is accepted around the world. Some schools don’t recognize certain training programs, so if you have a particular school you want to show at in mind, you’ll want to make sure the TEFL program you pick will be accepted there.

That being said, the overwhelming majority of schools will accept all certificates. It’s normally just the top-tier schools and/or government programs that are a lot more picky.

Another crucial consideration is that some schools and government programs will require you to have a certain number of classroom-based TEFL hours. As a general rule, the a lot more classroom hours in a course, the better that course is (and the a lot more expensive it will be). Not only will it increase your odds of getting hired but it will make you a better, a lot more competent teacher.

Prices for TEFL courses range between $300 and $2,000 USD. courses used in the USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe are often much a lot more intensive and a lot more expensive, especially if they are in-person classes.

If you plan to show long-term, I would suggest you take a 120-hour course (the industry standard), at least 20 hours of which you’ll spend in a classroom setting. If you are just trying to find something temporary, an online certificate will likely suffice.

2. What are the requirements for teaching Abroad?

Fortunately, there are not lots of requirements to get started teaching English abroad. However, they vary from country to country, so you’ll need to do some research on where you’re seeking to teach.

Generally speaking, to show English abroad, it helps a lot if you:

Are a native English speaker from an English-speaking country

Have a bachelor’s degree

Have a TEFL certificate (or a CELTA or TESOL, two other ESL certificates)

Have some teaching experience (though this is optional)

Most jobs will require you to be a native English speaker from one of the following countries: the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, new Zealand, Ireland, or South Africa.

That being said, some countries might hire you if you’re from another country where English is fluently spoken or if you can demonstrate expert knowledge of the language. but it will be an uphill battle, so be prepared to really show off your skills if you’re not from one of the above countries.

You’ll find this bias to be especially famous in Asia. There, also being young, white, or female are the most sought-after qualities for teachers. Is that fair? Inte riktigt. but it’s just how the system works, so keep that in mind when searching for jobs.

3. So, Do You need a TEFL Certificate to show Abroad?

Kanske.

Inte alltid.

It depends really.

Varför är det så? because every country is different – and every school is different too so it depends on how high up the food chain you want to go!

If you don’t have a TEFL certificate but instead have a TESOL certificate or CELTA, you can find a job without any trouble. Without any of those certifications, you’ll have much a lot more limited options.

Some countries will still have job opportunities for you, but they won’t pay as well, and you’ll likely have fewer hours or subpar working conditions. For example, you can work from home teaching English online; however, the pay isn’t great and there is a lot of competition.

And lots of smaller schools and language institutes don’t really care. I once knew a kid who didn’t have a TEFL or college degree and got a job at a public school in Thailand.

But the higher you go up the ladder, the a lot more limited your options are. international schools, universities, and high-end language institutes probably won’t hire you without one.

A way around this is to be a certified teacher. If you’re a certified teacher, then you can generally get any job you want without a TEFL.

But, assuming that is not the case, there are plenty of entry jobs for teachers so long as you have a university degree.

So, in sum, to show English abroad, you need to have to be a native speaker, have a bachelor’s degree, or a TEFL (the bare minimum).

6 places to show Without a TEFL

If you decide you want to show overseas without a TEFL certificate, your options are limited but not impossible, especially if you have a university degree.

1. South Korea – South Korea is one of the best places to show English overseas. The pay is high, the jobs are plentiful, and you get awesome benefits (such as a contract completion bonus, healthcare, complimentary housing, and airfare reimbursement). You’ll also find lots of expats there, so it’s easy to make friends and find community. With a TEFL and a Bachelor’s degree, you can expect a much better salary.

2. Japan – much like South Korea, Japan has a track record for good jobs. While the cost of living can eat up your salary in cities like Tokyo, there are a number of programs (such as the government’s JET program) that reward long-term teachers with completion bonuses and generous benefits. You’ll need to have a Bachelor’s degree to safe the best positions, and a TEFL will give you much better job opportunities and a higher salary though.

3. Thailand – Not surprisingly, Thailand attracts lots of young teachers with its cheap cost of living and warm, beautiful weather. The pay in Thailand isn’t that high (unless you show in Bangkok or at an international school). but teaching English in Thailand isn’t about making lots of money — it’s about everything else: the ease of getting a job, the food, the fun-loving atmosphere, the weather, and everything in between. It’s one of the best destinations for young new teachers.

4. China – As China continues growing, its need for English teachers also increases. As such, it is one of the easiest places to find work — regardless of your skill level or experience. No matter where you go, you can find a position, even in saturated cities like Beijing and Shanghai. The pay can vary wildly, but this is a great place for new teachers to cut their teeth and test the waters of teaching ESL.

5. Spain – Spain uses some of the best opportunities for teachers seeking to work in Europe. There are plenty of jobs, the government has an active program for attracting teachers, and your visa indicates you can freely travel around Europe. The competition has grown in recent years, but there are still plenty of jobs — and you can often show private lessons on the side. You won’t get as lots of benefits as you would in Asia or the middle East, but the pay is still enough to live off of.

6. central America – If you’re new to teaching English abroad, central America is a great place to find entry-level positions. You can normally find jobs here even if you don’t have all of the suggested qualifications, though the pay will be reflective of that. While you won’t make a lot of money there, you’ll be able to take pleasure in the outstanding weather and laid-back lifestyle, which is a fair trade-off in my opinion!

***
For those seeking to work abroad and incorporate a lot more travel into their lives, teaching English overseas is an exceptional option. With opportunities in extraordinary destinations, competitive salaries, and the ability to explore new regions of the world, it’s no wonder that this job market has been thriving in recent years.

Whether you’re trying to find a new occupation or just a short-term job to help you travel more, teaching English abroad can help. Sure, it takes some preparation. but the rewards are well worth the effort.

Not only will you get to live out your dreams of seeing the world, but you’ll also be supplying children with the skills and knowledge they need to prosper in their future. and that is a worthwhile reward in and of itself.

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