TEFL Jobs Worldwide
English is considered to be the globally accepted means of communication. It
throws open a wide spectrum of job opportunities in the field of
communications, business, as well as teaching. English language has
introduced new age English Teaching Jobs world across thus uplifting the ESL
(English as Second Language) or TEFL (Teaching English as Foreign Language)
jobs to a new status.
The world-wide expansion of English language teaching opportunities has
added enormously to the popularity of English Language, which was originally
limited to British Isles. It has spread beyond the confinements of British
Empire to other parts of the world. A working knowledge of English has
become a prerequisite in a number of fields and professions and as a result
over a billion people speak at least a basic level of English. In the
present competitive world people are realizing the value of English and how
it equips them with knowledge and skills required in their chosen
profession.
The ESL teachers are much in demand in Asia, South America, Africa and
Europe. In Asia, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea are the countries where ESL
teachers are in high demand. Latin America and Europe are also hot spots of
ESL teachers. The teachers thus get the wonderful opportunity to travel to
beautiful locations and at the same time earn money by teaching English.
What is teaching English as a second language around the world?
Nowadays it’s trendy to get English Teaching assignments abroad. Traveling
around the world and teaching English is a great way to see various foreign
countries. There has been a steep increase in the number of native and
non-native students preparing themselves to teach this International
Language by attending the numerous English Teachers’ Training Institutes,
which pledge to place the trained teachers in ESL assignments abroad.
The ESL teachers travel to different locations where they spend long
stretches of time immersing themselves in the local culture, taste
indigenous food and observe different customs and habit, develop a new
perspective on life and broaden their horizon.
There are a plenty of ESL jobs around the world. The maximum demands for
English teachers are in Europe, Asia and Latin America. The native English
speakers, mainly the residents of USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
and South Africa are much sought after and usually land the best ESL jobs.
Each year Asia, Europe and Latin America are packed with teachers from these
countries who go there for teaching English. At the same time they can
travel all over the continent.
ELT: English Language Training
English Language training or ELT is usually referred as TESOL or TEFL. TEFL
is the abbreviated form of Teaching English as a Foreign Language and TESOL
is the acronym for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. English
is the universal language of communication in every field from business to
information technology. It is the language of trade and commerce between
English speaking and non English speaking countries. The demand for learning
the language is at an all time high and so is the demand for certified
English teachers.
TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Teaching English as Foreign Language is for countries like Brazil, Mexico,
China, Thailand and others, where English is not in everyday use. The
inhabitants of these countries consider it to be a foreign language since it
is not used in daily communication. These countries too now realize the need
for learning English to be at par with the rest of the world.
English has emerged as the main second language or foreign language because
of the political and economic supremacy of the English speaking countries.
It is the bridge language for carrying on diplomatic activity and trade, in
recent times.
It is the language which is essential for trade and commerce. Since today
Companies and industries have realized the importance of English, they have
made it mandatory for their employees to have a fair understanding of this
global language. It is now usual for companies to either get their employees
trained outside in English or to arrange for English language training
programs on their premises.
The recent statistics is that each week ten million people, adults, teens
and young children learn English for hours. The language is being taught in
universities, , elementary schools and high schools and private language
schools.
What creates English teaching job opportunities?
English language teachers are in constant demand in both the developed and
the developing countries. Every metropolis and big city houses around 30 to
100 language schools. Besides these institutes private schools also recruit
10 -50 teachers each year. It is assumed that around 300, 000 native English
teachers are needed for 40, 000 language schools worldwide. The teaching
contracts are generally limited to 6 to 12 months as the usual lot of native
English speakers prefer a short term employment. Thus there is a constant
demand for teachers. The process of employing teachers is easy and
uncomplicated it is usually done over the phone or internet.
Types of students: An ESL teacher is expected to teach a diverse
category of students: from college goers, to school and pre-school children,
to housewives, to corporate employees. Good command over English is required
for better career prospects. The popularity of internet, text message,
emails etc. has further enhanced the need for English. Fluency in spoken
English is lacking in most students, even in those who had English in junior
classes.
Teaching jobs in private schools: The ESL teachers can find
employment in the different language schools that are rapidly growing in
counties around the world. Conversational English is the prime focus in
these language institutes. These private schools organize English camps in
summer and for adults in corporate offices. English instructors have to
spend between 100 to 120 hours a month in these institutes.
Public schools: The native English speakers find steady employment in
the public schools. The teaching jobs in the schools are limited between 22
to 30 hours.
Universities: TEFL teachers are also needed to teach at the
university level.
Volunteer teaching: Native English teachers are recruited by
organizations like Peace Corps, Volunteer Service Overseas in the UK and
other NGOs. Many church and religious organizations also sponsor ESL
teachers to teach the poor destitute children.
Some popular ESL Job destinations: Some of the most popular ESL
destinations are Spain, Russia, Italy, Poland, Romania, Germany, Slovakia,
Greece, Czech Republic, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia,
Thailand, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.
Teachers of English: A native speaker belonging to the countries like
US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa is much desired as
an English language teacher by non English speaking countries. All that the
native speaker needs, to be an ESL teacher, is to have a TEFL certificate, a
degree in any discipline from any accredited university, a valid passport
and permit to work in foreign soil. Some schools and institutions in certain
countries may overlook the lack of degree in an ESL teacher but TEFL
certification is an essential pre requisite for recruiting a teacher. The
TEFL certification will transfer within a short time a native speaker into a
qualified English teacher. The typical contract is for six to twelve months.
The notable advantage of Teaching English abroad being the brevity of the
assignment which allows one to work while on a holiday in the foreign
country or during a gap year or to find a placement as a Summer Job and earn
an International Teaching experience which in the long-run benefits a first
time English teacher. Facilities like accommodation and food allowances are
at times inclusive as supplementary facilities for an English teacher; it’s
definitely an advantage of Teaching English Abroad.
