Backpacker’s Guide to Become A TEFL Teacher Abroad

Backpacker’s Guide to Become A TEFL Teacher Abroad

TEFL educational profession is one of the fields globally with a high growth rate. There are a lot of TEFL opportunities abroad for people interested in the occupation.


What is TEFL Certification?

The acronym TEFL stands for teaching English as a foreign language. The course allows you to have the opportunity to become an English instructor for non-native speaking people. There are opportunities for TEFL courses and jobs abroad if you are willing to obtain the certification.


A TEFL certification is a certification internationally recognized and accepted for one to teach English. It does not count whether you are a new or experienced applicant. It is a vital requirement you will require when applying for a job abroad. You must meet some basic requirements established by the relevant institutions before qualifying for the certification.


TELF certification gives you an upper hand over the other certifications. To start with, it is an internationally recognized qualification and thus is easy for you to get a job anywhere abroad. It is also easy to stand out from other applicants with different certifications during the application process. The chances are high that you are likely to work in a reputable and desirable institution of learning. Most importantly, you will receive a higher salary.


How to Become a TEFL Teacher?

  1. Make the Decision
    The initial step is to do an internal self-assessment test. It is essential to determine if it’s the type of job you would like to do. Are you passionate about teaching? Would you want to work in a foreign country? These are some of the tough questions you need to consider. The process could be time-consuming. It may also need effort, energy, and finances in obtaining certification. After putting the above into consideration and conclude that you want to commit, you can go ahead.
  2. Seek Professional Expert Advice
    After decision making, you must be having tons of questions and concerns. Seeking expert help in the field is recommended. You will be able to receive knowledge on where to start and how to go about the whole process. You will learn about the basic requirements you need to qualify and how to get a TEFL certification. The advisor will offer a guide with regards to undertaking the course and applying for a job. Additional issues you can ask include the benefits of the post, challenges, salary, resources, and how long the course will take.
  3. Assess Your Options And Review Your Qualifications
    After gaining enough details from an expert, it is more accurate to assess yourself. What requirements do you meet in the stipulated standards? Determine whether you are fluent in English and most importantly if you are above 18 years. Contrary to popular belief, a degree is not compulsory in TEFL certification. However, having a degree gives you an additional advantage. Find out what you are interested in teaching and the cost involved when getting accreditation.
  4. Find The Right Institution For Your Studies
    At this point, you can get into the goal-realization stage. The first step is to window shop for schools that offer the course. Make sure that you search for various options and weigh them. Do not just enrol in any institution; find a reputable place that will give you the exposure you need. Look for the reviews of the preferred institution and refer to recommendations if any. Once you find an established and registered institution, you can then enrol and start learning.
    There are various options of learning that you can analyze to make a wise choice. There are online courses, in-person technique or a mixture of both. Find out which one works best for your schedule. You have an option to choose to study in your home country or opt to study abroad. Based on what is convenient for you, you can make a decision. For those who would want to receive advanced knowledge, you can opt for specialized courses. Such individual courses include business English teaching.
  5. Get Back To Serious Studies
    It is vital to settle down as fast as possible after finding the right institution. Grades are important in attaining the certification. TEFL certification may require hard work and research throughout the course.
  6. Begin Your Job Search
    Getting a job is not a complicated process as long as you have certifications. You can connect with the academy advisers and the international TEFL alumni group to help in the application process. After certification, you can begin working immediately. Apply for job listings immediately after completion. In most cases, there are high chances that you will be enrolled for a job in less than two weeks after completion and application.
  7. Travelling To Your Destination
    Make necessary travelling arrangements such as obtaining a visa early enough and get set to travel. In some cases, an employer can volunteer and handle everything for you. Sometimes you will take care of everything by yourself. After arriving, start doing what you learned to do best, and that is teaching English.

Where can you teach with TEFL certification?


To answer the common question “where can I teach with a TEFL certificate?” Some of the places include:
• China
• South Korea
• Nicaragua
• Cambodia
• Vietnam
• Czech Republic
• Thailand
• Colombia

Can You Get TEFL Jobs Abroad With No Experience


Many people wonder it is possible to get TEFL jobs abroad with no experience. The answer is yes; you can get a job without any prior background in teaching. 90% of the people who get employed abroad usually have no type of experience. Most of the people are generally straight from graduate school. As explained before, you do not need to have done a degree to qualify for a job. The most important requirement is the TEFL certification.


The demand for TEFL professionals is high on the global scene. Many countries are trying to keep up as the world is becoming a global village. Education in speaking English is thus essential. The curriculum you learned will help you get started. You will need to apply the knowledge you learned in lesson planning and classroom management in your teaching.



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