Teach English Abroad | How to Become an ESL Teacher
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Certifications | How to Become Certified | Summary
Are you thirsty to explore new and far-away parts of the world? Experience cultures you know nothing about? If you crave to experience the world but aren’t sure how to make it happen, I’ve got three letters for you, E-S-L. You can become an ESL Teacher and teach English abroad in just a matter of weeks.
Can I become a Teacher?
ESL is an acronym for English as a Second Language and this is what I’ve been doing for the last six years, teaching English. First, let me reassure you, growing up I never envisioned myself as a teacher and that doesn't make you any less capable to succeed in this position. Becoming an ESL Teacher just kind of happened and was what best suited me at the given time ( I talk about that more here). Little did I know what doors teaching would open for me, nor how naturally I would fall into this role. And most of all, I couldn’t have predicted just how much teaching ESL would actually give back to me.
Many of us assume the role of ‘Teacher’ often and in our everyday lives. Whether it’s with a friend, sibling, child or coworker, we regularly teach those around us and many times without even realizing it. You may not think of yourself as a ‘Teacher’ and neither did I, but everyone has something to offer and we can all learn so much from each other.
You have so much to offer.
Being a teacher actually teaches you just as much as any student in the classroom. The skills obtained through this position can be applied beyond the classroom and build lasting amounts of confidence. Prior to this experience, I was generally uncomfortable standing in front of a room and nervous in any sort of public speaking. Most of us are right? Teaching rips that straight out of you; you learn how to command a room, how to find ease in being in charge of a space and above all, you learn to think on your toes. Teaching requires adapting, trial and error and problem solving. Being a Teacher offers an opportunity to grow and develop these versatile skills and more.
Now take all of this and throw it into a foreign country, where you don’t know the language and your students’ native tongue differs from yours. Now the classroom becomes more than just your conventional learning environment, it turns into a space for multicultural exchange. This is what makes teaching abroad unique. The content being taught isn’t just focused on language or one subject, now it involves understanding one another’s culture. Your students learn from you and at the same time, you gain insights into their world, you learn from them. Teaching offers the opportunity for a deeper experience abroad.
I can see how it might all seem a bit daunting at first, you are thrust into a classroom with immense language barriers, new cultural norms and you’re the one who’s in charge. There will be uncomfortable moments, exhaustion and a period of adjusting to, well, everything. And that’s okay, you should expect this and try your best to embrace it, this is an integral part of the experience abroad. All this means that the kinds of training and certifications you have are important and can greatly aid in making your transition as smooth as possible.
I promise anyone can do it with the right mindset. The greatest tool you can have in the classroom is a positive attitude. So, if you have an open mind and a curious nature, then teaching abroad could be the right path for you. Let’s get you certified.
Three steps in teaching English abroad.
Choose a Certification
Get Certified
Land a job abroad
CERTIFICATIONS
Teaching ESL is made possible by earning a certification to teach. Lucky for you, these courses rarely last longer than 4 or 5 weeks and you have plenty of options. There are several different certifications that you can obtain and you’ll come across many similar acronyms. Let’s look at each one.
TESOL Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
AND
TESL Teaching English as a Second Language
These two acronyms fall under the same umbrella as all the rest, teaching English to non-native speakers. You will see these terms used more frequently for positions in native English speaking countries, such as the US, UK, Australia or Canada. As an example, I added on a minor at my university in the US and this acronym was used on my transcripts, ‘a minor in TESOL’. Most likely, you would be teaching students who live in an English-speaking country. These students may be immigrants, refugees or exchange students. TESOL and TESL certifications are not exclusive to either children nor adults, but also do not specify an expertise in either. They offer a general education into teaching both sets of students.
TEFL | Teaching English as a Foreign Language
A TEFL certification is the acronym that you will see most frequently and is used most universally. A TEFL certification is most often used when regarding teaching English in a non-native English speaking country. This means you are teaching abroad in a country where English is not the native language.
This does not refer to a specific course, company or certification rather it refers to the broader application of the term ‘teaching English'. A TEFL course can vary greatly in its lengths, content and prices. Most companies and schools look for TEFL certifications that require ‘120 hours’ to complete. This certification will allow you to work in training centers, elementary schools and high schools abroad. A TEFL course will include content focused on teaching children.
I have been teaching abroad with a ‘120 hour TEFL certification’ and most schools and employers abroad look for this as the bare minimum. Any prior experience or formal education such as a degree, is not always necessary but many schools will require a degree and it is definitely preferred.
CELTA | Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
As I’m sure you can tell, this certification and acronym focuses on an older demographic, adults. CELTA is a highly respected certification and is awarded by a Cambridge University accreditation. Many courses will be offered through universities and institutions. Teaching children and adults will of course require different tools and methods in the classroom. While it is possible to work your way up to teaching adults with experience and a TEFL certification, a CELTA will speed up that climb. A CELTA will award you eligibility to teach in higher accredited companies like Universities and International Schools. These positions will offer a higher pay and therefore, require more qualifications and hire requirements.
CELTA certifications will cost more than others on this list and typically take longer to complete. If you want to teach adults and prioritize a higher paying salary, this would be the best certification for you. Depending on your goals, earning a CELTA could be a longer, more expensive option that will look good, but it really may not be necessary. Again, it all depends on what you want out of your teaching experience; a CELTA certainly looks good on a resume.
DELTA | Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults
Just like a CELTA, a DELTA is awarded by a Cambridge University accreditation. This is the only certification that requires prior teaching experience. If you’re focused on teaching adults, already have at least one year of experience and want to further your credentials, then this is the course for you.
To be frank, I have never met another Teacher with this certification and I don’t feel there is much to add in regards to detailing this one out. Like the CELTA, a DELTA would look good on a resume, but it’s without a doubt not necessary to teach English abroad.
IN SUMMARY
In my opinion, the best bang for your buck and time is to enroll in a 120 hour TEFL certification and course. This is the most universally recognized course and will be accepted by the majority of countries and employers. It’s your ticket! Especially, if you’re new to teaching, this will be the best way to dip your toes in. You can always build upon this certification as you gain experience and narrow down the direction you want to take in your teaching experience. If you’re certain you want nothing to do with kids, then it may be worth the time and money to start with a CELTA.
A TEFL certification, a college degree and a great attitude will open numerous career options abroad. Start with a TEFL and see what happens.
HOW DO I GET CERTIFIED?
Certifications can easily be obtained in three ways.
GET CERTIFIED ONLINE
A TEFL certification is widely accepted and sought after which means there will be plenty of options when looking for a course. In recent years, the ESL world has made earning a TEFL certification extremely accessible and I hate to say it, but the easiest it has ever been. You can find cheap, 100% online courses that can be completed on your own time. These courses will most likely use video modules, articles and tests to educate you. Some online courses may require virtual peer mock teaching but many don’t require any real life teaching practice. Once completed, you’ll receive a certificate in an email and there you have it.
GET CERTIFIED IN PERSON
You might know of a company or institution that’s nearby or maybe you have the time to attend in person classes. If while reading the online option, you thought how can I become a teacher without actually teaching? I agree. An online course may be what suits you best and your situation. Maybe you’re already an experienced teacher and want to feel more comfortable with ESL. Which by the way, ESL is not the same as teaching a subject in your home country. It will feel different and you’ll realize it as soon as you’re standing there with 15 blank faces staring back at you. Either way, I really do encourage you to do what’s best for you.
In my opinion, if you want to teach and have never done it before, you need to practice. And it needs to be in front of real live people, even if it’s mock teaching with peers, you need to stand up, in front of a room, and DO IT. You can tell when someone has had absolutely zero classroom experience. Trust me, even a little goes a long way. You’ll just feel more confident when it finally comes to that first day of work.
Some TEFL certifications also offer hybrid courses, where let’s say 70% is online and the other 30% includes in person practice and mock teaching. This is another option.
GET CERTIFIED ABROAD
There are numerous companies that offer a ‘package’ to going abroad and receiving your certification. This is what I did and I used a UK based company called TEFL Heaven. A company like this one will offer a list of countries in which they have built programs and relationships with. You select the country you want to be in and then select your course. Typically these packages will include accommodation, meals, your certification training and job assistance all in one price. These will be more expensive than your average online course but what you get is so worth the extra cost. With these courses, you can expect some cultural and basic language training specific to your location, this will help you hit the ground running once you're off on your own. As I mentioned, companies will have affiliations with schools or language centers in your country of choice. A major advantage is gaining assistance in landing your first job post training. After that, you have your foot in the door and will learn how to navigate the ESL world and job search on your own. An option like this one basically takes the three steps in turns it into one.
One of the most important advantages to training abroad is the community you gain. Right from the get-go you will have a community of like-minded individuals, in the same boat as you. In a foreign new place, this really provides some comfort and let’s be honest, makes it so much more fun. This makes gaining your certification more than just training, it turns it into an experience. An experience where you can make friends that last a lifetime and did I mention you could be training on island? Yeah, that doesn’t suck either.
IN SUMMARY
My recommendation is to enroll in a course that’s at least 120 hours and requires in person practice teaching. If this doesn’t suit your schedule and needs, then at the very least, please be careful when enrolling in an online certification course. The internet is saturated with ‘quick and easy’ courses that may only get you so far. The cheapest and fastest option is not always the best one. Do it the right way and your future self will thank you.
I recommend getting certified abroad with a company that offers job placements
I chose to get certified abroad through a company called TEFL Heaven. This allowed me to earn my certification on Koh Chang, an island in the Gulf of Thailand. I lived on an island for 4 weeks and there I met incredible people, many of them now friends for life and we’ve traveled the world together. As I’m sure you can tell, this is what I recommend. It kickstarted my journey abroad and gave me a solid foundation to jump off of. Take the plunge and get out there, with the guidance of a program you’ll be living a life you didn’t know was possible in a matter of weeks.
Do what feels right for you
At the end of the day, I’m an advocate for doing what feels right to you. Do what suits you best! I can only share my own experiences and what worked for me. You can take it or leave it. That being said, I am a firm believer in putting yourself out there. Just because it’s new, makes you nervous or feels a little out of depth, doesn’t mean it’s the wrong decision. Moving abroad to a foreign country all alone, with no job or idea of where you’ll end up should stir up some nerves! Rest assured, I did it and so many others are - if we can, you can too!