Case studies : Teaching English as a foreign language: Jess Watson

Jess Watson gained her degree from Franklin Pierce University in the US. She was then bitten by the travel bug, but wanted to travel and work whilst being in a professional setting. She was introduced to Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), found a job in Thailand and she hasn't looked back since.

I started my TEFL course about six months after I graduated. I did it because I was itching to travel, but also to work in a professional setting, gain skills and make a decent salary. I came across TEFL and i-to-i while browsing the internet one day and the rest was is history! I signed up, completed the certificate in a month and jetted off to start my first job a month later.

I headed out for my first teaching job in Bangkok, Thailand, before heading out to teach in Cambodia and then Burma.

My experience was everything I could have hoped for and more! I worked for a great language company that provided ample training and during my first year there I was really able to build my teaching foundation and philosophy. Living abroad was enriching, challenging and life-changing and the opportunities I have gotten to travel have been the best experiences of my life.

If I had to rate my experience, I would give it a ten, hands down, without a doubt. If I could go back in time and change one thing, it would have been signing up to do my TEFL course sooner.

TEFL is becoming increasingly popular for graduates like me, as the struggle to find work in the UK after university continues. What's good is that no experience is necessary and you don't need to speak another language to become a TEFL teacher. All it takes is a TEFL course, which gives you all the skills and training you need to find paid jobs all over the world.

My advice for other people considering TEFL would be to think of a place that you have always wanted to go and commit. It can be something as frivolous as the weather, but you have to make sure there is something that is drawing you to the country you want to teach in (other than money). It's also a great idea to find someone who has been to your chosen destination and just ask them tons of questions. I did and if it wasn't for that person's guidance and support, I probably wouldn't have accepted my first job. I guarantee the person you are contacting has been in the same shoes before and would love a bit of good karma, so don't be shy and drop them an email!