Why You Should Consider Teaching English After Graduation

The few months before and after graduation involve a whirlwind of emotions as you figure out what your next steps are. This time is often spent coming to terms with completing one very significant life-chapter and how you’re going to transition to the next. It’s of course a much less anxious time for those with a plan – perhaps travelling all summer-long before starting a two-year long graduate scheme in the autumn. 

For those not quite so fortunate to have some job security immediately after university (let’s face it, a lot of us) sometimes you just need an in-between job as you work out what you want to do and how you’ll do it. You don’t need to have everything worked out right away so, in the meantime, why not travel somewhere new, build on your skills, and improve your CV? There are options that allow you to do all of this, all while having a character-shaping and rewarding experience. 

You’re thinking that sounds ideal, but how do you do it? If you TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) then you can spend your time after graduation traveling without compromising earning an income or gaining valuable work experience. 

How to get started with TEFL

When you take a 120-hour TEFL course with a quality, accredited provider such as tefl.org, you’ll be surprised just how many job opportunities are within your grasp. TEFL job openings are continuously advertised all over the world and a degree gives you the luxury to have your pick of TEFL destinations as it’s often a visa requirement for many countries.

Earn a living while experiencing the world!

It’s easy to understand why teaching English abroad is a job that appeals to many. You could check off places on your bucket list that you thought you wouldn’t ever visit until years from now once you’re settled down in a long-term job.

Living and working abroad will undoubtedly offer you an incomparable cultural experience compared to any holiday you could ever go on. Your free time abroad can be used to improve your own foreign language skills, sampling different cuisines, making life-long friends, visiting local treasures or traveling to neighboring countries. 

As you have these unforgettable experiences you’ll be making a living to support it. Entry-level TEFL jobs aren’t necessarily highly paid but are usually well-enough paid to allow you a pretty comfortable standard of living in your destination country. Ultimately, if you’re conscious of your cash, you will be capable of travelling and saving at the same time.

Abundance of work

According to the British Council there are 1.5 billion English language learners around the world, and this figure is growing. It’s no wonder that this has created a huge demand for trained English teachers.

While competition exists for some TEFL positions that doesn’t mean to say there aren’t plenty of jobs out there. Plus, having a university degree will not only open more doors for you but it also has the potential to put you ahead of those who don’t have one, which’ll be especially helpful if you’re after a more sought-after role. 

The TEFL job market is thriving. If you’re flexible about where you’re willing to work, you don’t have to worry about lack of opportunity – which is a fear for a lot of grads who don’t have any work experience. Teaching English abroad doesn’t necessarily mean that you must have experience teaching. Although a bonus, it’s often not a requirement for employers and even less often a visa requirement.

Flexibility

Whatever university degree you’ve achieved is usually unimportant in terms of a visa. When a degree is asked for, any discipline tends to suffice. 

There’s nothing stopping you turning TEFL into a lifelong career if you want to. A TEFL job is what you make of it. Depending on whether you’re looking at it as a long or short-term career plan, you aren’t bound to work any longer than your contract states. 

Contract lengths vary depending on the type of teaching you’re doing. Typically, contracts in schools and language centers will be reviewed and renewed on a yearly basis. 

Online teaching offers the most flexibility for EFL teachers. You choose when you work, where you work, and the type of teaching you do, all whilst managing your own schedule. The Tefl Org compares the 20 Best Teaching English Online Companies.

Build on your skills and character

Teaching English to keen learners will be a very rewarding way to spend your days. You’ll feel a regular sense of accomplishment as you witness your students’ language abilities growing because of both your hard work and dedication, and their willingness to learn.

Besides the incredible feeling of achievement, you’ll be refining your skills at the same time as learning new ones. All of which will be transferable to whatever job you do next. You’ll learn to work with different abilities and personalities, and how to adapt accordingly. You’ll learn presentation skills and consolidate them on a daily basis as you engage with students. You’ll learn patience as you recognize that everyone works at their own pace, and you’ll develop communication skills to be rivalled with as you overcome language barriers.

Your character will constantly grow. An increased feeling of self-confidence will push you to excel in your professional life whether that’s continuing as an English teacher or in any other field. 

So, wherever you see yourself in 10 years from now – a job as an English language teacher definitely won’t be looked back on as a waste of your time. You’ll learn responsibility, confidence and a whole set of transferable skills that you can carry with you into all aspects of life.