A lot of people have asked me how I, a shy little eighteen-year-old Aussie, ended up teaching English in a foreign country. Well, let me tell you, it has been a wild ride.
So, there I was – serving customers, procrastinating university, daydreaming about better things – when suddenly, a thought popped into my head: why am I wasting my time here when I could be turning those daydreams into reality? Maybe because daydreams aren’t easy to chase? Because I have a stable job? Because I’m on track to gaining a university qualification? I mean, yeah, those are all excellent reasons. However, logic can only go so far. If you’re unhappy with something, you go out of your way to change it.
So, I did some researching, decided I needed to explore another country ASAP, and booked a teaching internship in China. One helpful online course later, and I was qualified to teach English overseas. Now, I’m living in China, teaching wonderful kindergarteners how to speak English.
To teach English in a foreign country, there are no limits. You can be eighteen years old, or you can be fifty. You can be qualified with a university degree, or you can be straight out of high school. The teaching world is your oyster. With a bit of basic research, determination, the ability to speak fluent English, and enthusiasm, you could be teaching tiny, medium, or big kids how to speak English.
And here’s how:
1. Become qualified. Yes, being a native English speaker will definitely make you desirable in a country determined to learn English, but you’re not likely to get hired without some form of qualification. Most companies will require a high school diploma and a TEFL certification at least. Becoming qualified is the easy bit. There are hundreds of online and practical TEFL courses throughout the world.
I did my course through i-to-i TEFL. They are a worldwide recognised company and offer internships across the world for all different backgrounds. Their online courses cover everything from your first day teaching, to online resources and teaching methodologies. They provided guidance for my path into teaching. Their internships also offer included TEFL courses, so you can book your trip and online course all in one.
2. Decide where you want to teach. You can teach all over the world. Popular TEFL locations include:
- China
- South Korea
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Africa
- Spain
As mentioned beforehand, I am currently teaching in China. And from my experience so far, I can tell you that it is incredibly easy to gain a teaching position here without a university degree.
For countries such as Vietnam and South Korea, a university degree is likely to be crucial in obtaining work.
Here in China, a lot of schools provide accommodation for their teachers. Our accommodation is located directly across from the kindergarten, so making the daily commute is effortless and quick. Our apartments came fully furnished with hot water, electricity, and wifi provided. The school also provides daily meals for all teachers. It really just depends on where you placed, but you are likely to have accommodation provided at least.
When interning with i-to-i TEFL, each internship will involve different partner companies. I have personally embarked on the five month Paid China TEFL Internship. This internship involved the partnership of Immerqi, a China-based internship company. Their help and assistance during these five months has been incredible. If you had any problems, they were always there to help.
Accommodation not up to scratch? Call Immerqi.
School not correctly following the contract? Call Immerqi.
Uncertain about anything and everything? Call Immerqi.
Their assistance has been greatly appreciated during these five months, and I highly recommend their services. If you’re a first time TEFL teacher (like me), going through a company is likely to be the easiest, safest option. While it’s not going to make you rich, it will bring you a lot of new experiences.
3. Do your research. Yes, booking your trip is all well and good. That is until you end up in a foreign country, not knowing the local language, and not knowing basic customs.
Here in China, research beforehand is crucial. For one, popular sites like Google and Facebook are blocked by the Great Firewall of China. So, without a VPN, you will be lost.
If you do not know the local language, a translation app will be your saviour. Though I am receiving weekly mandarin lessons, my skills are absolutely hopeless. I use my translation app in restaurants, cinemas, and even just navigating street signs. In China, Pleco and Google Translate are my go-to apps.
There’s also the food. Every country’s meals are different. If you have dietary needs, do some research first and make sure your needs will be satiable in whichever country you decide on. In China, rice and noodles are staple dishes. If either of these meals are unsuitable for your dietary requirements, let your adviser know beforehand so they can do their best to make sure your needs are met.
4. Be prepared. Teaching overseas is not as easy as booking a plane ticket and starting a new, exciting job. There’s a lot of preparation involved.
You will need:
A police check. Not overly expensive, but the schools want to know they’re getting someone reliable without any criminal record. It’s a fair enough requirement.
A Visa. Obviously. When working overseas, you need a Visa. This is not an unknown fact. Do your research beforehand. Different Visas cost different amounts. Not overly expensive. However, you will need spare passport photos that meet the specific Visa requirements. In my case, I had to get new passport photos taken specifically for my Chinese student/working Visa. And they had specific requirements as well: no jewellery, hair tucked behind ears, that sort of thing.
In my case, I also realised this on my way to the Chinese Embassy, and had to stop by the post office in a mad rush to get these new photos taken. So, do your research beforehand.
Travel Insurance. Crucial. Don’t even consider not getting it. It’s important. Things can happen and you will feel safer knowing you’re protected by your insurance.
Immunisations. Depending on where you go, make sure you get all the relevant shots. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
5. Get excited. Once you’ve booked your plane tickets, got all your TEFL related documents sorted out, and organised your new job and accommodation, start getting excited. The students will absolutely adore you. There is no doubt about it. Having the privilege to be taught English by a foreign teacher is an exciting concept. Your kids will give you hugs, high fives, blow you kisses. They will go home and tell their parents all about how much fun they had in class with you, and eagerly talk about how amazing their new teacher is.
Get excited because you’re giving these children a unique opportunity, and they’re giving you a unique opportunity as well. You will grow together, learn from each other, and depend on each other. Your students will become a part of your happiness. And you will become a part of theirs. Of course, you will have days when you wish you could just quit your job and move back to your home country where things were so much simpler. But then you’ll see your kids again, and you’ll realise that life isn’t so bad after all. That these kids are truly going to miss you when you’re gone.
Obviously I’m not the most reliable of sources to educate this topic. I mean, I have only been a TEFL teacher for four months in China. However, this is what I have learnt from my experience so far. And if I can help others to achieve their dreams of teaching overseas, then great, I’m glad.
So, if you’re tired of living the same old 9-5 routine, consider TEFL. It will change your outlook on life completely.
