language schools
The TEFL Explanation
Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), is a term used to describe the teaching of English to non-native speakers in a country where English is not the first language (see ESL/ESOL/EFL/ELT, which explains the differences between the many acronyms you are likely to encounter in English language teaching). It is possible for TEFL to happen within English speaking countries, in language schools for example, but teaching tends to takes place in a student’s native country. There, TEFL is used within state school systems, private language schools and even by freelance teachers. Teachers can be either native or non-native speakers.
Qualifications
There are institutions that provide TEFL certification across the globe, but there is no internationally recognised independent accrediting organisation that overlooks the issuing of these qualifications. TEFL providers tend to get their certificates accredited by organisations within their region that are able to approve teaching qualifications.
Language Teaching For Backpackers in Asia
Teaching languages as a foreigner in Asia is really popular these days. Many backpackers from Europe really fall in love with Asia and ends up spending many years there, often doing jobs like language teaching. There is something special with Asia that makes you really not want to go back to work in boring Europe or the US again.
Anyways, most of these young backpackers end up becoming English teachers. There are several countries in Asia that you can teach English in, Thailand, Korea and Japan being the most common. I have also met people teaching English in Cambodia, Laos and Singapore on my travels in Asia however, and almost all of them seem to enjoy their job. There is a high demand for English teachers in Asia as it is often very hard to find local people that speak English well enough to be able to teach it.
How to Succeed in Getting Your TEFL Certification
I took my ESL training from TEFL International in Ban Phe, Thailand, back in 2003. Prior to that I had been in the entertainment field, as well as broadcast journalism. I had no background in teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) but wanted to travel and earn my way around the world instead of depending on my paltry savings. Teaching English overseas looked like a good bet. The reason I chose TEFL International was because the school had been around for seven years already and had a world-class teacher trainer, David Hopkins, as their lead trainer. Also, I just plain wanted to live in Thailand! I’d been there before in the early 70′s and found the people to be friendly and helpful and the food was so good I couldn’t stop salivating when I remembered the coconut curries and green papaya salads I’d had al fresco under the palm trees by the beach. And no more winter! What’s not to like?
I passed the TEFL International 4-week course successfully and was awarded a TEFL certificate, allowing me to teach English anywhere in Asia, Africa, South America, and parts of Europe. I stayed in Bangkok for two years teaching at language schools and doing some private tutoring on the side. I made enough to afford a decent apartment, good food, and plenty of in-country travel.