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5 top tips to Teaching English as a Foreign Language for beginners

Tips

Do you wish to travel and finance your trip by using your English skills? Or is teaching something you have always been interested in and you would like to give it a go? Whether your mind is made up or not or if you don’t know where to start, TEFL UK is here to help by providing you with a helpful beginner’s guide to Teaching English as a Foreign Language:
 

1. Find out where you can teach and think about where you would like to go.
 

Are you craving sunny days and walks on fine sandy beaches? Do you want to be able to come back regularly to visit family and friends? Are you after a complete culture shock?
 

Whatever adventure you want to embark on, you will need to decide what you are after and you might want to take into account details such as distance, culture, climate etc...


The world is your oyster but you will need to check which qualifications are required to teach in your dream destination. Most employers will require you to have completed at least 120 hours of training, although this can vary from country to country and employer to employer. You might also need a visa to travel to the country of your choice.

If travelling isn’t your thing, you also have the possibility to train to TEFL online and fulfill your teaching aspirations in the comfort of your own home!
 

2. Do I need teaching experience? Do I need a qualification in a foreign language?
 

The answer to both these questions is no. Our training will provide you with the skills you need to teach English as a foreign language. As long as you have good English skills, you can consider a career in TEFL. You are not required to know the native language of the country you wish to travel to. One of the advantages of travelling with TEFL is to be able to learn a new language in an immersive environment. This isn’t only a teaching experience but a great learning opportunity too!
 

3. Book on a course
 

Once you have worked out what the minimum requirements are for your desired destinations, you will need to book on a course. We are fully accredited and a member of the UK Register of Learning Providers. Our courses allow you to teach anywhere in the world. Whether you wish to train online (at your own pace and from anywhere), get more practical classroom training or a bit of both, TEFL UK has a course for you with online support available to accompany you every step of the way!
 

4. TEFL job or internship ?
 

With your qualification complete, the time then comes to apply for a job as a TEFL teacher. The choice can be confusing and it might be difficult to know the differences between the various options on offer. A TEFL internship is ideal for whoever feels like they might need a bit more support and extra training at the beginning of their TEFL journey. Make sure you check out our website for a range of job opportunities!
 

5. Prepare for your interview
 

Plan ahead and try to pre empt the questions you will be asked at the interview such as “why do you want to TEFL?” or “why are you the best person for the job? “.


Reflect back on what you have learnt during your course. Which aspects of teaching were dealt with? Have answers ready to explain every topic you have learnt and give examples to demonstrate your strengths!
 

Interview time is your chance to be confident. Sell yourself. Put your best qualities forward and be personable. Teaching will require excellent social skills and an interview is a perfect way to demonstrate you have what it takes!
 

You will probably have a lot of questions. Make sure you take some time prior to your interview to collate all the questions you may have (such as resources, professional development opportunities as well as advice for accommodation, start dates etc…)
 

Finally, be yourself. Once you are qualified, you will have all the skills required to start your TEFL adventure!
 

For more information on our TEFL courses and job vacancies visit www.tefluk.com