EFL Teacher
What is the work like?
As a teacher of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), you would teach English to people whose first or main language is not English.
You could work in places such as commercial language schools and language centres throughout the UK and overseas. Your students may need to learn English to:
- help with their work
- improve their conversational English
- get into college or university in an English speaking country
- prepare for an exam.
Your work would include:
- preparing and delivering language lessons and activities
- producing resources
- setting and marking tests and exercises
- being involved in social and cultural activities like sports, social events, and trips to other towns and cities.
You could specialise in teaching English for particular areas such as business.
Note: Teaching English as a Foreign Language is widely known as TEFL. The term TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is often used to mean the same thing as TEFL, but is also used for teaching English to people whose first language is not English, but who are living in the UK.
ESOL teachers teach students a level of English which will allow them to fit into everyday life. See the Skills for Life Teacher profile for information on this.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You will need an excellent standard of English. Some employers will expect you to have a degree. This does not need to be in any particular subject, but English, linguistics, modern foreign languages and education can be useful.
As a starting point, you could gain experience as a language assistant. See the 'Language Assistants' section of the British Council website for details.
You may not need a TEFL qualification for all teaching jobs. However, a qualification will:
- give you the skills you need to teach effectively
- improve your chances of finding work
- make a difference to your pay.
The most commonly accepted minimum TEFL qualifications are:
- CELTA (Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults)
- CertTESOL (Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).
Both courses include observed teaching practice, and you can study full- or part-time at centres all over the world. Distance learning courses are also available, but you would need to arrange your own teaching practice if you choose to do one of these.
To be accepted on a course you will usually need to be aged at least 18 (20 in some cases), and have at least two A levels or equivalent qualifications. See the University of Cambridge and Trinity College websites for details of courses and lists of course providers.
What further training and development can I do?
When you have EFL teaching experience you can develop your skills with further TEFL qualifications, including:
- DELTA (Cambridge Diploma in Language Teaching to Adults)
- LTCL Diploma TESOL (Trinity Licentiate Diploma in TESOL).
For these qualificationsYou will usually need to have a TEFL certificate, and at least two years' EFL teaching experience.
You can also complete the following qualifications for working with children:
- Cambridge CELTYL (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners)
- Trinity College Cert TEYL (Teaching English to Young Learners)
- SKOLA Trinity Young Learners Extension course (STYLE).
See the University of Cambridge and Trinity College websites for details.
You could also complete an MA degree in TEFL or TESOL, for which you usually need a first degree. This could be useful if you want to move into management.
Where can I go for more information?
1 Hills RoadCambridge
CB1 2EU
58 Whitworth St
Manchester
M1 6BB
Tel: 0161 957 7755
London
SE1 7TP
Tel: 020 7820 6100
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Full-time teachers in commercial language schools in the UK can earn from £13,000 to £18,000 a year.
- Earnings for experienced or senior teachers can be up to £24,000 a year, and above.
Teachers on short-term or seasonal contracts are often paid by the hour or week.
Salaries in overseas language schools vary widely from country to country. Some offer incentives such as accommodation and the cost of return flights. You should check the cost of living in a country before judging the value of a salary.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working hours will vary depending on your employer or the type of teaching you do. Some jobs involve evening and weekend work. As well as classroom teaching, you would spend time preparing lessons and materials.
You would be based in a classroom for most of your time, but in some jobs (particularly in summer schools) you may also be involved in outings and sporting and social activities.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an excellent knowledge of English
- strong spoken and written communication skills
- good listening skills
- confidence and a lively personality
- patience and a good sense of humour
- the ability to get on well with people of all ages and from different backgrounds and cultures
- the ability to adapt your teaching style to suit your students
- creativity to plan lessons that are both practical and enjoyable.
What opportunities are there?
Most people who train as EFL teachers do so as a means of working and living abroad. You could be employed abroad by commercial language schools, government departments, voluntary organisations, multinational companies and the British Council. Many jobs are on fixed-term contracts of between nine months and two years.
You could also work in the UK in a commercial language school. The highest concentration of these is in London, the south coast of England, Oxford and Cambridge. Many offer short-term contracts, with most seasonal work available during the busy period between Easter and autumn.
With experience, you may be able to progress to a management position in a commercial language school or a college. Other possibilities include private tuition, teacher training, opening a language school or writing EFL learning materials.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
The Guardian
Times Higher Education Supplement
tefl.com
HuntESL
British Council – teacher recruitment
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