Tag Archives: tefl teacher

Should I Become a TEFL Teacher?

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You may have been considering doing TEFL for a while, but have never done anything about it. That sounds like it could be down to just a little bit of fear. If this sounds like you, the best thing you can do to overcome those fears is get a clear idea of what teaching English abroad can be like.

Take the initial low-risk step of researching and contacting a few TEFL course providers, contact some current or former EFL teachers and get an understanding of what teaching English involves.  By the end of it you will have a much clearer idea of just what is involved in teaching English abroad. More importantly, you’ll be feeling excited and enthusiastic to get on with TEFL.  Ask practical questions regarding pay, accommodation, teaching staff and students, this will help build a real picture of teaching English abroad.

Finding out about the country you want to teach in is also a good idea. It will not only get you excited with anticipation, but will also help you decide if it’s somewhere you want to be. Ask teachers who have been to that country about the culture, lifestyle, cost of living and whether you earn enough to live.

Other concerns some prospective TEFL teachers have are doubts as to whether TEFL can constitute a career. I know a lot of people in TEFL, in a wide variety of different roles. Some are still out teaching, notching up more countries and destinations on their resumes. Others have started their own schools, some are in teacher training, others writing books. TEFL is the same as any industry, there are plenty of opportunities for the right person. The people I know are industrious, show initiative and are professional; qualities that any employer in any field would value.

Saying that, simply because you choose to get into TEFL, doesn’t mean that you are tied to it. It can be perfect for taking a career break before starting something else or following a successful career. By teaching English, you’ll also find that you gain transferable skills such as presentation, communication and organizational skills.

I have found professionals from different areas teaching abroad for a year or two to gain useful resume experience.

Many primary and secondary school teachers find that teaching abroad is an effective way to gain practical experience before returning to apply for jobs in their home country.

There are a lot of fears and excuses to prevent you from taking the plunge. And while I meet a large number of people who say they had always meant to do TEFL, but never got round to it, I am not sure I have ever met a TEFL teacher who regrets their time abroad.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a job placement program in Peru and guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today!

Should I Become A TEFL Teacher?

Standard | Posted on by

You may have been considering doing TEFL for a while, but have never done anything about it. That sounds like it could be down to just a little bit of fear. If this sounds like you, the best thing you can do to overcome those fears is get a clear idea of what teaching English abroad can be like.

Take the initial low-risk step of researching and contacting a few TEFL course providers, contact some current or former EFL teachers and get an understanding of what teaching English involves.  By the end of it you will have a much clearer idea of just what is involved in teaching English abroad. More importantly, you’ll be feeling excited and enthusiastic to get on with TEFL.  Ask practical questions regarding pay, accommodation, teaching staff and students, this will help build a real picture of teaching English abroad.

Finding out about the country you want to teach in is also a good idea. It will not only get you excited with anticipation, but will also help you decide if it’s somewhere you want to be. Ask teachers who have been to that country about the culture, lifestyle, cost of living and whether you earn enough to live.

Other concerns some prospective TEFL teachers have are doubts as to whether TEFL can constitute a career. I know a lot of people in TEFL, in a wide variety of different roles. Some are still out teaching, notching up more countries and destinations on their resumes. Others have started their own schools, some are in teacher training, others writing books. TEFL is the same as any industry, there are plenty of opportunities for the right person. The people I know are industrious, show initiative and are professional; qualities that any employer in any field would value.

Saying that, simply because you choose to get into TEFL, doesn’t mean that you are tied to it. It can be perfect for taking a career break before starting something else or following a successful career. By teaching English, you’ll also find that you gain transferable skills such as presentation, communication and organizational skills.

I have found professionals from different areas teaching abroad for a year or two to gain useful resume experience. 

Many primary and secondary school teachers find that teaching abroad is an effective way to gain practical experience before returning to apply for jobs in their home country.

There are a lot of fears and excuses to prevent you from taking the plunge. And while I meet a large number of people who say they had always meant to do TEFL, but never got round to it, I am not sure I have ever met a TEFL teacher who regrets their time abroad.

——————————————————————————————

TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a job placement program in Peru and guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today!

How To Find The Right TEFL Job

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Everyone who wants to teach EFL, wants the “perfect” or “dream” TEFL job, so exactly how is the best way to accomplish this goal.  Below are four key factors to ensure you get a great teaching job.

Adaptability:

One of the most common core skills tested in a TEFL interview is the ability to adapt when faced with something unexpected!  Employers want to know that their new teacher won’t go running for the hills within a week. Any travel experience is a great way to show adaptability, but if you don’t have this, then how about succeeding in any new environment, like work or university.

Work Experience:

As most entry level TEFL jobs will include working with children, include any and all examples of this on your application. Do you have any childcare experience or perhaps you helped out at a school summer camp? If you’ve mentored young people, this will also help to put you at the top of the resume pile. The rule of thumb here is no matter how little experience you have – flaunt it.

Cultural Sensitivity:

One of the best things about living overseas is the opportunity it gives you to experience a country’s culture first hand. Employers want to know that you’ll be sensitive to their ways; whether that’s unusual food or afternoon siesta (we’re sure you could get used to that)! A great way to set yourself apart from other applicants is to talk about how much you want to live in that country. Do a little research about the country and sound extra excited by asking lots of questions about your role, the school and the students.

Accredited TEFL Course:

Not all TEFL courses are the same.  Make sure the course you take is accredited by an international organization and that your certificate is accepted worldwide.  It is critical that you have at least ten hours of observed teaching practice, so that you will know how to actually teach when you find your new job.  Look for a TEFL program that not only provides you training, but also continuing support after you have obtained your certification.

If you completed your TEFL course with TEFL Zorritos, you will be prepared to start your teaching career and will have a guaranteed job waiting for you when you have completed our course.  

What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today! 

TEFL Success Stories – Part 42

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Melissa – Switzerland

A busy day online today. I start at 8.00am, still in my pyjamas and not yet woken up. Thank God webcams aren’t obligatory yet – our kitten is clawing her way up my back and going for my headset. I have 6 hours online today: three 45- minute classes this morning and three from 1.00pm. I must try and complete the reports immediately – I always leave them a day or two and end up with 18 to do and a nasty email from admin.

The students are regulars today, all Japanese, aside from the French bank personnel straight after lunch. I don’t enjoy that one…it’s taken weeks for the majority to ‘learn’ how to greet me. ”How are you Gilbert?” I say, ”I’m fine” Gilbert says. Silence. Every week the same. ”I’m fine thanks” I shout into the mike but the French don’t do irony – or perhaps Gilbert’s not even listening. Hard to tell with online classes. No problems today – no connection problems, no sound problems. Still, I’m glad when I turn the pc off. Gives me a headache sometimes and I swear I’m going boss-eyed.

I take a nap – can’t get through the day without one – then prepare my next class. At 5.00pm, I stroll round the corner to my private student for an hour or so. He only lives 3 minutes away and his parents pay me cash. If only there were more classes like this one. They’re worried about his grades – since the teacher changed his grades have slipped apparently. This new teacher seems fond of worksheets with lists of phrasal verbs. And tests. Seems to love tests. My student wants a lot of speaking practice – he does precious little at school and it shows: at times I haven’t got a clue what he’s saying. Nice kid though and seems to relish the opportunity to express himself. His face always lights up when I take out a bunch of cards or a game – and it’s been while since I had such an effect on an 18-year-old boy.

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Study a TEFL course with TEFL Zorritos in Peru, South America and travel the world, live abroad and enrich people’s lives by teaching them English. A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate is an internationally accredited and accepted qualification to teach English to people from non-English speaking countries. More questions? Head to our What is TEFL? page

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At 7.30pm it’s off to the first evening class after the long summer break. It’s still warm here during the day and not yet dark when I arrive at the school. There’s the usual huddle of cigarette-puffing teenagers outside here for their first aid course – obligatory for all those after their driving licence. They glare at me as I pass and I smile, thinking of them on their knees, jeans straining against large backsides, cheeks reddening as they resuscitate that plastic dummy. They know how silly they look which makes me feel even better. Thankfully my students will be a little older and we get to keep out dignity this evening. I like this building, 19th century, a bit tired in places, wooden floors and relatively light and airy in the best Swiss tradition. In front there’s a huge fountain, the noise of running water can be heard from all of the classrooms. At first I thought it was raining every night. I wave at the centre manager but she is surrounded by new students signing up for their courses, money and books changing hands. She seems flustered.

No teenagers now but older people, looking stressed. Some of these people haven’t learnt anything for ages – though some are perpetual students and they’ll do a course in anything. I hope I don’t get too many of those in my class. They often lack drive and take courses simply to have something to do. I go downstairs to the staff-room – a smelly, dark room with a photocopier and a kettle. Smelly because there seems to be a problem with the drains in the basement and dark because there’s rarely anyone in it and the light is switched off. Tonight is no different. It looks like I’m the only English course tonight. This seems to be the one place in Europe where people apparently don’t want to learn English. There is no reason for me to hang around down here, there is nothing to photocopy and nobody to speak to, so after checking my cubby hole [ never anything in it] I head upstairs to room 7, facing the fountain, to meet my new beginners. The register says tonight there are seven students. A good size and a shame that half won’t last the month. I’m starting to feel hungry and not a little tired: I’ll be glad to get to bed tonight. Still, it’s always nice to be teaching students I can see and touch.

Well, I was wrong. After 5 weeks I’ve lost only one and a half of my beginners – and this week gained two new students. Roger, 31, giggled his way through our first lesson while Willy sweated and gulped for an hour and a half. They were sat next to each other like Laurel and Hardy. Willy was in his late 50s, a large, ugly man with a red face and a bulbous nose. He had never studied English in his life and was clearly suffering. He blinked at me repeatedly, licked his lips, and had trouble writing as his pencil slipped through his large, clammy fingers. In a mixture of Italian, Swiss-German and gestures he explained that he had a lady friend who spoke English. Willy valiantly stuck with it for an hour and half before bidding me good-night. We haven’t seen him since. Perhaps he decided that long-distance relationships weren’t for him. Or that the lady friend should learn Swiss German. Poor Willy – I did what I could. Roger comes every other week, though I would be happy if he didn’t come at all as he seems to enjoy talking to my chest. When he learns that the two new students are female and under the age of 25 I imagine his attendance will improve. Nothing like the opposite sex to motivate, especially when the opposite sex are wearing jeans so tight they should carry a health warning. One of the new students tells me she is learning English because her boyfriend’s from Ebbw Vale and will soon be moving here to be with her. Crikey. She tells me the Welsh accent is horrible. I then tell her I was born near Ebbw and that my father’s family hail from the Valleys. It’s not entirely true of course. I teach ”I’m very sorry.”

I don’t understand the other new girl easily – she’s very young, speaks rapidly, and seems to enjoy the confusion it brings. She is clearly nervous but noisily so. The other students also seem to have trouble following her or maybe they’re faking it to make me feel better. When she excitedly starts correcting my Italian pronunciation I emit a laugh that’s a little too loud and a cross between Basil Brush and Courtney Love. I catch some raised eyebrows and sympathetic glances from the older students – though who they’re sympathising with is not immediately clear. Do these kids KNOW that entire books are written on correction techniques?? No. Of course they don’t – and we’ve all met teachers who didn’t know either. Thankfully the rest of the group are great and there’s a very friendly vibe in the classroom. It never ceases to amaze me how a group of people, thrown together fairly arbitrarily, can form a workable, co-operative unit within a very short period of time. This group no-longer panic when I give instructions in English, they don’t correct my Italian unless I ask, immediately ask for help when they’re confused, understand what pairwork means and they’re making very good progress. We ended this week’s class with a sure-fire winner: the mini- presentation on ‘My home’. 10 hours into the course they have sufficient language to use I’ve got…it’s got…it hasn’t got…I haven’t got… my…his…bedroom…bathroom…big…small…flat…house etc, and there are always those who want to personalise with plunge pool, double garage, spiral staircase and the like. They applaud each other politely, they take mental notes on size and potential value of each other’s property and leave the class looking very pleased with themselves. As well they should.

My online teaching has been without incident this month. A couple of classes I clean forgot about (I admitted my memory lapse and have been forgiven), no oddballs, one fanatic and one very tedious individual, some thoroughly enjoyable conversations and two moments of pure joy: when Takashi produced ‘Well I wouldn’t say Bush was handsome but…Kerry is pretty ugly don’t you think?’ and when Mamoru bid me adieu with ‘Bye for now – thanks again’. Maintaining motivation is often a problem with all kinds of teaching but I wonder whether this is magnified with online work. I have taught some of these students for 18 months but with some I have never so much as seen their photo. Add to this the fact that many are speaking to me at ungodly hours, after a 15-hour day in some cases. I used to have one lady who spoke to me at 5.00 am before fixing breakfast for her family, running the kids to school and going on to her full time job. I am always impressed by the will power and the determination that some of these students show. Clock changes mess things up quite a bit however– all the Japanese students have moved forward an hour and the favourite times – from 13.00 through to 16.00 my time – are much in demand.

I wish my other ‘real’ group was as straightforward. Six intermediate students all signed up for a course that’s marketed as ‘Grammar Revision’ though in my needs analysis session I discover that they all want anything but: ‘My pronunciation is poor’; ‘I need Telephone English– I’m a secretary’; ‘I’m going to Australia next year’; ‘I just want to speak!’  They’ve all purchased the recommended grammar reference guide which was presented to me as ‘the course book’. Sigh. The result is of course that I spend an inordinate amount of time developing the course, sourcing material for a group of people who, if truth be told, don’t really know what they want. This wouldn’t be quite so bad if the school had any resources. One monolingual dictionary would be nice, (I did put in a request a year ago for some but the request was denied) but there is, as hard as it is to believe, virtually NOTHING in the way of resources. No books, no listening material, two videos (20 years old and for beginners), no worksheets, no games, no nothing. I am not at my best in this situation – and it is soon clear that the 20-stone diva with the inferiority complex is competing with me for the class’s attention. By the time I’ve finished massaging egos, boosting confidence, drawing people out, and attempting to meet needs [voiced and unvoiced] it’s time to go home. Perhaps we’ll get round to some English next week eh?

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today!

Is Teaching EFL Right For Me?

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So you have been seriously thinking about starting a new life abroad as an EFL teacher – one filled with exciting new experiences, new friends and weekends relaxing on the beach. Before you make the leap here is the type of person who is most successful at teaching EFL:

Willing to try new things

The people who have the best time when teaching abroad are those who never turn down an invitation. You’re there to experience a new culture, so embrace the unexpected and the unusual!

Patient & Calm

Teaching English abroad, especially if you’re teaching kids, can be pretty frustrating at times. Wherever in the world you are, kids are kids, and can lose interest and start playing very quickly. The good news is that a calm and orderly teacher usually makes for calm and orderly students. So as long as you can keep calm and carry on you’ll be fine! 

Open-minded

When you start teaching English, you won’t just be starting a new job, you’ll probably have just arrived in a totally new, alien country too. It’s important to keep an open mind about any cultural differences you encounter, including crazy new foods, initially strange-seeming etiquette and nonsensical bureaucracy.

Willing to make mistakes

Good teaching is all about trial and error – no one gets it right the first time! So, even if you’ve done loads of TEFL study, when you first start teaching lots of your classes will feel like total disasters. Don’t be disheartened – you’ll soon find that for every couple of activities or lessons that flop, you’ll hit on one that’s a rip-roaring success. And once you’ve got a good idea of what flops and what flies, you’ll be set.

Enthusiastic

You do need to be enthusiastic about the idea of teaching and ready to get stuck in and start helping your students, otherwise you’ll soon find your time abroad feels very long indeed.

A good listener

Being a good listener separates a mediocre teacher from a fantastic one – a good teacher will keep an ear out for the mistakes his/her students make and work out how they can correct them in subsequent classes. A bad one will just ignore their students’ efforts to talk – which do you want to be?

Flexible

No matter where you’re teaching, things in the TEFL world have a pesky habit of changing at the last minute: working hours changing and timetables being overhauled are just some of the most common issues, while schools dropping contracts at the last minute are at the more irritating end of the spectrum. As a teacher there’s not much you can do to avoid these last-minute changes, so it’s important to be flexible and embrace the unpredictability of things!

Friendly and approachable

No one wants a grumpy teacher – while it’s important to maintain a degree of professional distance between yourself and your students, you’ll find them much more willing to cooperate in class if you’re fair, friendly and approachable.

So, you’re cut out for the world of teaching EFL – if you haven’t started one already, your next step is an accredited TEFL course.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today!

Improve Your Life & See The World

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Teaching English as a Foreign Language can improve your life and give you many transferable skills that are in demand in the domestic jobs market. So, even if you’re not thinking of teaching as a long-term career, spending time teaching abroad can be really beneficial to your future career.

Improve your communication skills

When you teach abroad you’ll spend much of your time standing in front of a class or preparing lessons. This will improve your communication skills and your confidence in presenting to a group, both of which are really useful in all forms of business. And because you’ll probably be teaching in a non-English speaking country, you’ll also learn to communicate effectively with people who don’t speak your language.

A challenge you want forget

From the second you step off your outbound flight until the moment you say a tearful goodbye to your students, you’ll be challenged almost constantly. You’ll need to learn how to function in a foreign country, how to navigate your way around a new city, how to build new working relationships and how to function outside of your comfort zone. If you write your resume properly, future employers can’t help but be impressed.

International networking

While you’re overseas you’ll cross paths with people from all walks of life: from foreign tourists and backpackers to local businessmen and university professors to government officials. If you make the effort to stay in touch, there’s every possibility that something may come of it. Life throws up all sorts of opportunities, it’s just a question of recognizing them and using them to your advantage.

Open new doors and broaden your horizons

Many people head off to teach for six months or a year and never come back: they find new opportunities and follow a new path in life. You never know where TEFL may take you until you take that all important first step!

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today!

A Successful EFL Teaching Adventure

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So, your suitcase is packed, and you are ready for new adventures, ready for new challenges, ready to teach English abroad!  Here’s how to make the most out of your EFL teaching adventure:

1) Be open minded

The whole world is not a chain of McDonalds and Starbucks. Foreign countries are foreign! Unless you’re teaching in your home country, you will encounter many things that just seem strange.  So, it’s important to keep an open mind. Remember that you’re there to experience an entirely new culture and way of doing things, not to impose your beliefs on your new home.

2) Take an accredited TEFL course

You might be able to speak English, but that doesn’t mean that you are able to teach it. A TEFL course gives you a really good grip on all the classroom essentials such as controlling your class, planning your lessons and corrected your students errors – so you’ll be a lot better prepared for life in the classroom. Plus with a TEFL qualification, you can usually earn more money and find jobs at more reputable schools.

3) Accept invitations

You’ll probably be inundated with invitations for everything from karaoke to weddings. When you first arrive in-country you might suffer from a bit of a culture shock and you might just want to lock yourself in your room and speak to your family and friends on Skype. As tempting as that is, though, don’t do it! Get yourself out there.. yes it may be really scary (e.g. going to a party on your own in a city you don’t know), but the locals will go out of their way to make you feel welcome so just enjoy yourself and make the most of it!

4) Remain calm and flexible

Life as an English teacher is amazing, but it can also be infuriating. Timetables change, contracts change, expectations change… you can have the world promised in your contract, only to turn up to find a tiny apartment with bad plumbing. That’s a worst case scenario, and many teachers don’t have any mishaps at all. But, it’s important to have low expectations before you arrive and to remain calm and flexible once you do get in-country. Don’t stress the little things.

5) Speak up!

Your school has invested a lot of money in hiring you and they’ll want to keep you happy so you finish your contract. They’re not mind readers though, so if you’re ever unhappy with anything, from your accommodation to your hours, say something ASAP (and not just to your friends and family, they can’t do anything about it but your school can)!

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today!

How To Find The Right TEFL Job For You

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Everyone who wants to teach EFL, wants the “perfect” or “dream” TEFL job, so exactly how is the best way to accomplish this goal.  Below are four key factors to ensure you get a great teaching job.

 

Adaptability:
One of the most common core skills tested in a TEFL interview is the ability to adapt when faced with something unexpected!  Employers want to know that their new teacher won’t go running for the hills within a week. Any travel experience is a great way to show adaptability, but if you don’t have this, then how about succeeding in any new environment, like work or university.

Work Experience:

As most entry level TEFL jobs will include working with children, include any and all examples of this on your application. Do you have any childcare experience or perhaps you helped out at a school summer camp? If you’ve mentored young people, this will also help to put you at the top of the resume pile. The rule of thumb here is no matter how little experience you have – flaunt it.

Cultural Sensitivity:

One of the best things about living overseas is the opportunity it gives you to experience a country’s culture first hand. Employers want to know that you’ll be sensitive to their ways; whether that’s unusual food or afternoon siesta (we’re sure you could get used to that)! A great way to set yourself apart from other applicants is to talk about how much you want to live in that country. Do a little research about the country and sound extra excited by asking lots of questions about your role, the school and the students.

Accredited TEFL Course:

Not all TEFL courses are the same.  Make sure the course you take is accredited by an international organization and that your certificate is accepted worldwide.  It is critical that you have at least ten hours of observed teaching practice, so that you will know how to actually teach when you find your new job.  Look for a TEFL program that not only provides you training, but also continuing support after you have obtained your certification.

 

If you completed your TEFL course with TEFL Zorritos, you will be prepared to start your teaching career and will have a guaranteed job waiting for you when you have completed our course.  

 

What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today! 

How To Be An Effective EFL Teacher

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Happy students make happy teachers!  Here are some tips that will help you be an effective EFL teacher.

 

  1. Speak clearly, slowly and distinctly.

 

  1. Manage your class effectively. It’s important to establish and enforce classroom rules, but remember that it’s also important to have fun with your students. If you’re having fun, they’re having fun. My students are much more responsive and willing to participate when they are having a little bit of fun in class. Try not to be too strict and remember to smile.

 

  1. Talk about yourself. Tell your students about your family and friends. Bring in photos from home. Share personal stories with them.

 

  1. Be funny. Students will really enjoy your class if you make them laugh. Don’t be afraid to play the fool or make fun of yourself.

 

  1. Use lots of energy when you’re teaching. Move around your classroom. Use gestures and noises to describe things. Make lots of faces and draw pictures. Why? Providing some light entertainment keeps their attention focused on you.

 

  1. Games are always successful, even with older students. Never underestimate what you can teach with a simple game.

 

  1. When you are giving instructions on how to play a game, repeat your instructions and demonstrate how to play.

 

  1. Positive reinforcement is important to new language learners of every age. Compliment your students, even if they make mistakes.

 

  1. Music makes learning interesting and fun. There are loads of activities you can use music with. I’ve captured and held the attention of all my classes with a little music. Music takes away feelings of self-consciousness and it encourages students to open their mouths and let loose.

 

  1. Repetition is a key tool in the ESL classroom. There are lots of games and activities that you can use in the classroom to encourage students to speak out. Make sure you teach the answer to the entire class and have them repeat it out loud before asking each students separately.

 

  1. Introduce and teach new vocabulary every lesson.

 

  1. Use some favorite slang terms and sayings in the classroom. People get sick of hearing the same standard responses taught throughout the public school system. “How are you? and “I’m fine, thank you. And you?” are typical examples. I find that students who have had these responses drilled into them often sound dull, monotonous and insincere. If a student asks me, “What’s up?” or answers with, “I’m OK!” or “Not much,” I’m usually pretty happy about it.

 

  1. Try to get every student in each class to speak. Remember that pronunciation is really important. Often, students get instruction from their public school English teachers, but these teachers generally lack the ability to teach pronunciation effectively because they aren’t native English speakers.

 

  1. Traditional school systems do not encourage students to ask questions. Encourage your students to ask you questions. Once they know it’s OK to ask or say they don’t understand, it makes for an easier learning environment.

 

  1. Encourage your students to speak out as much as they can and never belittle their ability or correct their mistakes by saying, “You’re wrong.” Just correct the student by repeating the answer correctly. If the student is still struggling, teach it to the class again as a whole.

 

  1. Pointing is rude. Extend your hand out with the palm up when asking a student to answer.

 

  1. Make sure you know and understand your students learning ability.

 

  1. Be adaptable. If a lesson or activity isn’t working, there’s nothing wrong with scrapping it quickly and trying something else.

 

  1. Always have backup games and activities, especially if you’re introducing new material. Don’t be afraid to use your ‘tried and true golden oldies’ if you feel you’re bombing a lesson.

 

  1. Remember that a good teacher also learns from his/her students. The lessons always work both ways.

When you complete your TEFL course with TEFL Zorritos, you will learn these effective EFL teacher tips and gain the confidence to be an effective EFL teacher!  Also you will have a guaranteed job waiting for you when you have completed our course.  

 

What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today! 

Finding A Good TEFL Job In Country

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Finding teaching work in country, when you are already living abroad is becoming more and more popular, and with more than 1 billion English learners worldwide it’s certainly a viable option.

 

The Resume. Put together a professional resume before leaving and make lots of copies. You don’t want to be printing out your resume on low grade paper in a new country’s internet cafe if you can help it. In case you do run out, save a copy in your email folder for easy access. You’ll also want your degree certificate (if you have one) and a print-out of professional references with contact details. If you don’t have any teaching experience former employers and University professors make the best references.  Finally, don’t forget to make copies of your accredited TEFL Certificate.  Most employers require a minimum level of 120 hours, that includes some classroom practice too.  Also remember the more hours of training you have, the better chance you have of finding a quality job.  Consider a course that offer 160 hours and some advanced certification as well as the basic TEFL certificate.

 

Dress to Impress! Just because your interview is in Peru, that doesn’t mean that you should turn up in your joggers and a t-shirt that says ‘Beer Chang’.  If you’re short on backpack space then a pair of black trousers and a smart long sleeved shirt should cover all bases.

 

Get Connected. Let’s say you come across a school that’s hiring. You make a great impression and leave your resume for them to get back in touch with you. The next thing you’re going to need is a contact number. Save yourself some effort by picking up a ‘cheap pay as you go’ model back home and buying a local SIM in country.

 

Keep Smiling.  Always be cheerful and show enthusiasm. Particularly in smaller cities it’s surprising how often TEFL teachers are offered a position on the spot, in someone’s Auntie’s friends’ English school.

 

Consider Private Tuition. In countries without an established TEFL scene you can often find opportunities teaching private students. This type of teaching can be really rewarding as you get to choose how much you work and what sort of students you want to teach. Generally the highest paying tuition gigs tend to be skills based; ‘Ski Lessons in English anyone?’ or Business English.

 

Job Offer Time. Just because you’re accepting a job in country, you should still review your contract carefully. Things to think about include:

 

  • How many hours you are willing to teach -make sure you factor in time for lesson planning.
  • Whether your employer will sponsor your working visa.
  • Your accommodation – can your school help out with this?

And….once you’ve got the job…Congratulations! Got any more questions? Give us a shout!

 

If you completed your TEFL course with TEFL Zorritos, you will be prepared to start your teaching career and will have a guaranteed job waiting for you when you have completed our course.  

 

What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

 

Class sizes are limited, so don’t wait, make your reservation today!