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TEFL courses in Barcelona
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English as a foreign language teacher
Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) involves teaching English, either in the UK or overseas, to students whose first or main language is not English. The term TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) is also used, but only when the students are in the UK.
TEFL teachers work in commercial language schools, schools and institutions of further and higher education throughout the UK and overseas. Some may also teach in industry, whilst others are self-employed. Students may be of all ages and levels and in various class sizes, depending on where you teach. Classes are usually taught in English, even with beginners.
Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), like any other teaching job, is about conveying information to students in an interesting way and communicating a love and passion for the English language. Teachers use a wide range of course books, other materials and a variety of audio-visual aids. There is a strong emphasis on dialogue and role-playing, but more formal exercises, language games and literature are also used.
Students learn English for a variety of reasons: to improve their conversational English; to prepare for examinations; to gain entry to an English-speaking college or university; or to use English in their work, so the content of lessons varies. The level of the students' ability may also vary, depending on the setting where the classes take place. The aim of each lesson is to encourage the students to communicate with each other using the structures and vocabulary they have learnt, and to improve the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Typical work activities include:
Although teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is open to all graduates, the following subjects are particularly useful:
TEFL is increasingly a graduate role and it is now more difficult for those with no formal qualifications to obtain posts, and almost impossible in the UK. If you have a good basic education and an excellent command of English, it is still sometimes possible to find work in the private sector abroad with no training or experience, but a degree is often required. In addition, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is needed for teaching in state schools in the UK, and some countries require Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as well as a recognised TEFL qualification. If you are a qualified TEFL teacher, you will usually be paid a better salary and/or have more favourable terms and conditions, as well as improved chances of finding work and the skills to be an effective teacher.
Many language schools in the UK and abroad offer training courses ranging from short introductions lasting a couple of days to intensive certificate courses lasting four to six weeks. If you are only interested in short-term work rather than a career in TEFL, you may prefer one of the shorter, cheaper courses, although in some countries you need a TEFL certificate in order to get the appropriate visa.
The standard qualification for entry into TEFL and for work in an accredited school in the UK is a certificate-level qualification. Most employers tend to favour courses of a minimum of 100 hours ELT/TESOL input, which include five observed hours of teaching practice and are validated by a reputable examination body or university. If you intend to teach in the UK or spend a year or more teaching abroad, the most commonly accepted minimum training courses are:
Apart from the certTEFL, these courses can be studied full time or part time at centres in the UK and all over the world. Some TESOL/TEFL qualifications are taught by distance learning, but you may need to arrange your own teaching practice, and note also that the most widely recognised and respected qualifications are those taught face to face. For further information about the types of courses available see i-to-i TEFL Courses and the English Language Centre (CIC) .
Pre-entry experience, for example as a language assistant in a summer language school or as a home tutor, is useful but not essential for a teaching post in a private language school. Check vacation jobs advertised by your university careers service, as short-term TEFL jobs are often available even if you have little or no experience. Knowledge of a foreign language can be useful and you will also need to show evidence of the following:
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
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For a basic-level job, the initial training certificated courses are acceptable. However, if you wish to progress, you will need a higher qualification. The options are:
Diploma courses are offered intensively or part time and the DELTA course is modular and can be taken over an extended period. A minimum of two years' relevant experience is normally required for acceptance on these courses.
Information on a wide range of postgraduate and other training courses and events is available from The British Council , EL Gazette and English UK . You can find suggestions about teaching methods, networking opportunities and other help at the British Council site Teaching English .
A higher level qualification (diploma, Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or MA) is usually essential to pursue a long-term career, whether in the UK or abroad. Such qualifications, combined with relevant experience, usually two years minimum, can lead to senior positions such as director of studies or even a principal-level role. However, most UK schools are quite small, so opportunities for career progression and promotion may be limited.
With the growing internationalisation of further and higher education in the UK, there are increasing numbers of college and university posts, which usually offer greater stability and better pay, although competition is stiff.
There is scope for experienced teachers to go freelance, both in the UK and abroad, and to combine some of the following activities:
Successful English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers with business acumen sometimes set up their own schools.
EFL teachers who have worked outside the EU and wish to return to the UK to train as school teachers should contact the Student Loans Company for advice on funding. If you intend to study from 2009 onwards, consult the finance websites for further information on eligibility for postgraduate funding:
Although there are hundreds of language schools throughout the UK, most teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) work takes place overseas. Employers include commercial language schools, education and development organisations, government departments, volunteer organisations, multinational companies and The British Council . The demand for EFL teachers, and the ease of finding work, varies considerably from country to country. However, opportunities to teach EFL outside the UK are very good. Demand is currently very high in China, Japan, the Far East, the Middle East, parts of Eastern Europe, and Spain, Italy and Germany.
In the UK, there is a strong demand for qualified teachers, particularly those with a diploma, in the private sector. Opportunities tend to be with commercial language schools found in most large cities, although there is a concentration in London, the south coast of England, Oxford and Cambridge. Work tends to be seasonal with plenty of temporary posts and short-term contracts between spring and autumn; summer is a particularly busy period. There is strong competition for permanent posts or longer-term contracts.
Other opportunities for EFL teachers in the UK exist in schools to support pupils whose first language is not English, and in colleges of further and higher education and universities to provide English language support for international students. English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers are also often needed in ethnic minority mixed nationality communities. Demand varies according to the proportion of residents whose first language is not English.
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