It has long been said that if you can turn your hobby into your job, then you’ll never work a day in your life. But what happens when reading is your favourite pastime?
If your love of literature led to a passion for the English language and you’re seeking a way to turn that passion into a lifelong, rewarding career, then teaching could be the ideal solution for you.
They say that the best leaders are those who enjoy reading, and there is no more crucial form of leadership than helping learners achieve their full potential. So how can you embark on a teaching career that will enable you to put your knowledge to good use?
Why Teach English?
Most people are eager to choose a career path that they find rewarding. While there is a wealth of job choices, not all can offer the same level of life enrichment opportunity. Teaching English, however, is a career that gives you an amazing feeling of achievement every single day. Knowing that you’re making a real difference in the lives of your students is truly inspirational and gives you renewed motivation after each class.
One of the top reasons for choosing English teaching as a career is the sheer variety the role can offer. Unlike many other jobs where every day follows the same old predictable pattern, teaching ensures that no two days will ever be identical. Working with a variety of learners will always keep you on your toes, and you’ll never be able to guarantee the outcome of any lesson. Yes, there will be days when you experience frustration or confusion, but the delight, surprise and the sense of achievement you’ll also feel will far outweigh the challenges you’ll face.
What Kind Of English Classes Can I Teach?
Your first thought when bringing English teaching to mind is probably in a standard school or college. However, that path isn’t for everyone, and thinking outside the box is always a good idea. Becoming a teacher of English as a foreign language could be the ideal choice for you, especially if you value the chance to make the biggest possible difference in the lives of your students.
Working with children and young people may not appeal to you, but you can work with adults when you teach English as a foreign language. Language schools deliver English classes to those who are seeking to develop their language skills so that they can improve their prospects and often boost their quality of life, so if you seek employment with one of these institutions, you can be sure that the work you do will have a crucial impact on your learners and, in turn, their families.
Where Can I Teach English As A Foreign Language?
Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is a career path that offers many options and flexibility. If you’ve always longed to live and work abroad, becoming a TEFL professional can open those doors for you. You can relocate overseas to the country of your choice, delivering in-person classes while immersing yourself in the culture and environment of your chosen destination.
Alternatively, if you’d rather work from home, that’s possible too. There are plenty of virtual language schools that offer English classes over the internet for students all across the globe. You can reap all the benefits of remote working while pursuing this rewarding career, and as an added bonus, there’s virtually no outlay or set-up required to get started. All you’ll require is a laptop, a headset, a wi-fi connection and a comfortable, quiet space to work from. That means, if you wish, you can even combine a love of travel with your remote job, since you can just as easily deliver classes from a hotel room, hostel or campervan as you can from your own dining table at home.
Another advantage of teaching English as a foreign language from home is that you can choose the hours and days that you work. Since learners are logging on from all over the world, there’ll always be someone who wants to take a class when you’re available and fits around your schedule.
How Do I Become A TEFL Teacher?
Becoming a TEFL professional is surprisingly simple. You don’t even need to have a degree or any previous teaching experience. The best way to embark on this career path is to obtain a TEFL certificate. This qualification is recognised worldwide and will give you an advantage when it comes to securing the best-paid jobs with the most prestigious language schools.
Although there are many different TEFL courses to choose from, it’s essential to do your research and choose wisely, as not all are created equal. For a start, you’ll need a course that offers a minimum of 120 hours. You should also ensure that your selected course is accredited by a reputable organisation.
There are TEFL courses that are run in person, so if you prefer, you can attend a class in a location near you, but equally, you’ll find high-quality courses online too. Taking one of these will enable you to fit your study around your commitments and responsibilities while also allowing you to work at a pace that best suits your needs. The best courses will also offer you tutor support, so if you have any questions or problems, you’ll have access to all the help you need to succeed. The TEFL Org is a trusted provider that will offer you all of this and more, getting you off to the best possible start with your English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching career.
Are you ready to start your ESL teaching journey with The TEFL Org? Then it’s time to sign up for a TEFL course. You’ll soon have all the skills and knowledge you need to turn your passion for English into a career that never stops giving!
The Lit Bitch 