English is growing to be one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It’s used internationally for everything from travel to business. Native speakers enthusiastic about sharing their language skills are in demand across the world. If you’re an energetic English speaker with a passion for helping others, you might be drawn to the idea of teaching English abroad.
While there are many opportunities to teach the language abroad both with or without any extra certification, having a high-quality English teaching certificate from a reputable institution introduces you to new opportunities both at home and abroad. Are you wondering if the TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certification is right for your? Read on to explore how the TEFL certification will help you achieve your goals. Working as an English Teacher can let see explore some of the best places to visit in Europe, or live in the most beautiful cities in the world.
Why should you get TEFL certified?
A few decades ago, it was completely common to travel the world and intermittently teach English along the way. Getting these teaching positions was easy, and there weren’t many strict requirements at many institutions other than being a native speaker. Because of English becoming more of a global language, schools and institutions around the world began holding English speakers to higher standards.
Now, a TEFL certification is one of the most common qualifications required of English teachers abroad. Not only is TEFL certification a way to understand your own language to a higher degree, but it also prepares you for the classroom. Most people looking to teach English abroad don’t have experience in helping students in the classroom, and they might not even know how to begin dealing with things like lesson plans and classroom management. The TEFL certification prepares you to be a strong teacher and gives you the confidence you need to keep your classroom under control no matter the level or age of students.
One of the main reasons to get a TEFL certification, other than the valuable teaching experience it offers, is to be more employable. Having a TEFL certification gives you the freedom to be more selective about where you’ll teach English, and those with TEFL certifications qualify for higher paying jobs. Teaching a foreign language isn’t as easy as being a native speaker! You need the right training and experience to really be a successful teacher. That’s why the TEFL is so important!
How do you get TEFL certified?
Employers need to know that you take teaching seriously. You need to have at least 120 hours of teaching time through the TEFL, and that means you need to dedicate time to your certification. There are TEFL certification courses offered by institutions around the world, and they’re not only a great way to learn, but they’re also a way to see if teaching really is for you.
It’s important to choose the best TEFL course for you. Not all of these courses are equal, and that means knowing that you’re getting the best value for your money. While some courses are offered online, these usually don’t offer the same level of hands-on experience. Other courses like those by Maximo Nivel offer TEFL courses in different countries throughout the world. These internationally-based courses give you experience in teaching English to foreign students from around the world so you are prepared to lead your own classroom!
Ultimately, you need to do your research to choose the best program for you. Do you want to earn your certificate at home or abroad? How many weeks do you want to spend completing your course? Finally, how experienced is your program, and do they offer help with things like job placement after the course? Finding the right program can lead to more opportunities after certification!
Will the TEFL certification help you reach your goals?
It’s up to you to decide if you should get TEFL certified. Having this certificate opens doors to more opportunities, higher pay, and more experience. That being said, if you aren’t serious about teaching English abroad, it might not be for you. However, if you are serious about helping students around the world and really excelling in the classroom, you need a TEFL certificate.
TEFL certifications translate to real-world experience that will help you even after you return home. Perhaps you’ll discover a passion for teaching, or you’ll wish to use your newfound cultural awareness to continue to help others. TEFL prepares you to be a global citizen and to gain confidence both inside and outside the classroom.
Transform your life with a TEFL certification!
Those who have a TEFL certification like to rave about how much it helped them not only when they started teaching, but also after they returned home. There are many TEFL certification institutions that really prepare you to succeed as an educator and as a citizen of the world. The days of any native English speaker with a college degree teaching English abroad with no relevant qualifications are gone! Do you want to teach English abroad? Then the TEFL certification is right for you!