Travel can come in many shapes and sizes, and for some it’s easier to get out into the world by means of a graduate program, volunteer assignment, or job placement. If you’re seeking a job and lifestyle with more excitement, cultural exposure, and travel experiences tied in, teaching English as a foreign language may be a good option to consider.
Everyone has a friend or a friend of a friend who has spent time abroad teaching English, living in a foreign country and living it up. And you can do it too. You don’t need a masters in education, and you don’t even need a totally comprehensive grasp on the language in your destination country (though it wouldn’t hurt).
Teaching English as a foreign language, or TEFL, has countless certification programs across the web where you can purchase courses, get certified, and receive personalized counseling to help find a placement in the location of your dreams. TEFL can also be commonly referred to as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), English Language Teaching (ELT), and teaching ESL or English as a Second Language, according to the International TEFL Academy.
Before you start looking for positions you must fulfill certain standards through your certification. The International TEFL Academy, a recognized TEFL training organization cites these as: at least 100 hours of coursework, 6-20 hours of practicum or live practice teaching with observation with actual students, accreditation from an independent organization, and instructions provided by a qualified instructor with a Master’s Degree in TEFL/TESOL. Once received, TEFL certificates are internationally recognized as a qualifier for travelers to teach English as a foreign language.
Some of the most internationally recognized programs include International TEFL Academy, The TEFL Academy, My TEFL, Beyond TEFL, and more. Some courses are more interactive than others, and though most are offered online, there are some courses offered around the world like this one in Prague.
