Don't Live A Boring Life

Life doesn't have to be boring! If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut with everything in your life: work, home life and anything else, there is a way out! Due to the massive worldwide demand for native English speakers, it’s really easy to find paid work as an English teacher with just a TEFL certificate. You can get a TEFL certificate  in just a four weeks, after which you can start your exciting new life wherever you want.  Want to know why it’ll be more exciting than life back home? Simply read on:

1) New surroundings

A change is as good as a rest, right? Well if that’s the case, a change to the other side of the globe will do you a world of good. Wake up wherever in the world you choose, you can be sure that it’ll be different and so much more exciting!

2) New challenges

Teaching English abroad isn’t a stroll in the park: even if you do loads of TEFL training, you’ll find you can spend months planning your first lesson but it may or may not actually go to plan. But if everything was easy, getting the hang of it wouldn’t be half as satisfying, right? Once you start understanding life in the classroom, teaching is incredibly rewarding and, because you’ll probably be a conversation teacher tasked with games rather than grammar, pretty fun too.

3) New people

When you head overseas to teach English, one of the mains worries will be whether you’ll meet any friends. Relax. Unless you’re heading to a remote village in outer Mongolia, you’ll most likely end up in a town/city with lots of other foreigners, who usually end up as a close-knit community. Plus, with your new-found English skills will come new-found popularity with local teachers at the school, who will certainly be eager to make you feel welcome so they can improve their English.

4) New experiences

When you think of having lots of money, it’s not the money that counts, it’s the experiences it buys – so what if you could start having those once-in-a-lifetime experiences without shelling out lots of money? That’s what living abroad enables you to do – teaching overseas gives you a shortcut to thousands of incredible experiences. And you’re getting paid to live there.

Want to find out more? To learn more about teaching abroad and whether it’s the escape route for you, please contact TEFL Zorritos and we will give you all the information you need to have a great career teaching EFL abroad.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today! 

Do I Really Need A TEFL Certification?

If you have been considering teaching English abroad and done a little research, especially on some of the online forums, you may be wondering if you really need a TEFL certificate?  Probably a better question to ask yourself would be:  Why would I not want a TEFL certificate?

You can always just start teaching without any preparation and see how well you do. But that’s a pretty scary thought isn’t it? Without a TEFL course how will you know if what you’re doing is right? And just imagine walking into a classroom full of students and having nothing to say – it’d be like that nightmare where you turn up at school naked!

Some hopeful teachers just dismiss it as a really steep learning curve. But remember, it’s difficult to learn from the other teachers if you can’t watch them in action. You’ll certainly learn from your mistakes, but how many will you have to make to equal 160 hours of focused TEFL training?

Perhaps more importantly, starting to teach without TEFL training really isn’t fair on your class. They deserve the best teaching possible and if you aren’t prepared, if you don’t know what to expect, they simply won’t get it. Even if you’re planning to travel to a country that doesn’t demand a TEFL qualification, you should seriously consider getting one.

Many reputable language schools simply won’t employ you without a TEFL qualification. This may mean that you have to accept a job from a less reliable institution – something not really recommended. In more developed countries, finding TEFL jobs without a qualification can be extremely difficult and you’ll probably spend weeks searching for work once you’ve arrived, with no chance of organizing your position before you travel.

A TEFL course ticks important boxes. You’ll get more opportunities to convince schools to hire you and you’ll know exactly what to do during telephone interviews. So even though a TEFL course may not be essential, it is important.

What’s more, a TEFL course will make you stand out from the crowd. Language schools might not ask for them, but you can bet that applicants with a TEFL qualification go in one pile, while those without go in another.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

EFL Teachers & Speaking The Local Language

Do I Need to Speak the Language of the Country Where I Will Be an EFL Teacher?

The short answer is no. You really don’t need to have a full grasp of the local language to be an EFL teacher. In fact it’s actually frowned upon for English teachers to speak the local language when they’re in the classroom. Since you’ll probably be working in a language school or institute, there will be lots of people around who speak English. However, your experience will be greatly enhanced by being able to order a meal or booking a train ticket in the local language and will make your time overseas a lot easier and a lot more rewarding.

So while you don’t need to know the language to be a teacher, you’ll get more out of the experience if you can master a few basics. There will be loads of language schools in the country you go to, so it might be an idea get there a few days early and book yourself in for a beginner’s course.

It's at least a good idea to know a few basic words, so that you can communicate and of course request help in an emergency situation.  Basically the more of the local language you learn the better your experience will be while working abroad.

So pick up a small phrase book and learn a few basics before arriving.  You will be glad you did and have a much happier lifestyle in your home away from home.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

Culture Shock When Teaching EFL

Teaching EFL abroad is a great opportunity to see the world and expand your horizons. But being away from home, family, living in a different culture and always being surrounded by the unfamiliar – well that can take its toll. You might be suffering from culture shock.

It starts with euphoria

The first thing you’ll feel when you get off the plane is euphoria. You’re in a new country, surrounded by new things and it’s simply amazing. But this natural high has its drawbacks – after all, what goes up, must come down.

The full force of culture shock

Everyone’s different and some lucky people don’t even suffer from culture shock. But those who do have reported feelings of unease, negativity and a strong desire to shy away from anything new.

How to deal with it

Dealing with culture shock isn’t as difficult as you’d think. There are just a few simple steps you can take, which can make a big difference:

• Be prepared
  Knowing what to expect goes a long way to helping you deal with new cultures and experiences. So research the countryyou’re going to be heading to before you go.
• Be yourself
  It sounds obvious doesn’t it? But you’d be surprised how many people travel to a new countryand try to become a completely different person at the same time. There’s no denying the fact that taking on a totally new career in a totally new country will change you. Just let it happen naturally, because if you don’t, you’ll feel even more lost.
• Take one day at a time
  If you’re teaching abroad, you’re probably going to be away for a long time. But imagining a whole yearin this new, scary place can be overwhelming. So stay focused on the now and take one day at a time.
• Make friends
  One of the things you’ll miss the most when you’re working abroadis your friends, so make new ones. So if you’re feeling down, tell someone about it – they’ll probably be feeling the same way.
• Explore
  Getting to know your destinationwill help make it more familiar. And that’s the ultimate cure for culture shock. Start by looking for similarities between this new culture and your own.
• Stay in touch
  When you’re feeling homesick, there’s nothing better than talking to someone from home. So make sure you keep in close contact with everyone you’ve left behind to go on your travels.
• Learn the language
  The language barrier can put a real strain on you while you’re abroad. So you might find it useful to take a course before you go or while you’re there. Alternatively, ask the schoolyou’re working for to set up some language lessons for you.

Just remember, your trip will be whole lot better if you embrace new cultures, instead of clashing with them. So if all else fails, just go with the flow.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

Too Old To Be An EFL Teacher?

If you have wanted to be an EFL teacher, but just thought maybe you were too old, well here are some reasons you might want to reconsider.

•  Opportunity to Travel
• Your 9-5 days are over and you have always wanted to travel, well teaching EFL is a great way to enjoy traveling while supplementing your income.  Best of all with demand for EFL teachers global, you can pretty much choose your teaching destination.

• Work Experience
• In many locations, mature experienced EFL teachers are highly desired.  Most employers appreciate someone who can demonstrate professionalism, have maturity in the workplace and lots of real life experience.

• Family Experience
• By far the biggest market in the EFL world is teaching children.  If you have raised a family you will have lots of experience working with children and this is a highly sought out skill in EFL teaching.

So what are you waiting for?  Select a great TEFL course, update your resume and start a new career as an EFL Teacher. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

3 Questions About Your TEFL Course

Before you spend your hard earned money on a TEFL course, do your research, check the schools accreditation, talk to graduates of the course and ask these 3 questions.

1. What is the length of the course?

If you have no previous EFL teaching experience, then you need an onsite course that is at least 120 hours.  In general the more hours the course offers, the better for you.  If you can get a course with 160 hours then even better.  Also make sure the course includes actual observed teaching practice.  Hands on practice teaching of local students will be extremely valuable in your preparation to be a good teacher.  In fact most schools will not hire teachers with a TEFL certificate that does not include at least 6 hours of practice teaching, and they actually prefer if you have 10 or more hours of practice teaching.

2. Is your course accredited and by whom?

TEFL courses are not uniform in either content or quality.  Any person or institution can offer a TEFL training program without regulation or standardization.  Thus one of the best ways to know that you are enrolling in a respectable TEFL course is to check that the institution is externally validated by a reputable accrediting agency.

3. What is the maximum class size?

A course which I saw a video of recently seemed perfectly happy to show the trainer standing in front of a hundred people with a microphone for their one week “Advanced TEFL Certificate”. Reputable courses will have no more than 12 trainees on one course.  A course with too many students will result in some or all of the students "lost in the crowd" and you will not get the personalized attention you need to be a good teacher.  Make sure the TEFL course focuses on the needs of the students and is not just a TEFL mill that cares only about profits.

Of course this is not an exhaustive list of questions, so don't be shy if you have any questions, be sure and ask them.  The TEFL course you are considering should welcome your questions and should make it easy for you to contact them and should provide you with timely answers to your questions.

----------------------------------------------------------------

TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

How to Network in Peru

One of the most important parts of settling into a new place, whether it be for the short or long term, is meeting people and making friends. When it’s a foreign country you’re trying to find your feet in then trying to learn the local language is also a top priority. So let’s take a look at some of the best ways of making friends and connections in Peru, and improving your Spanish along the way.

Meetup

Meetup prides itself as being the world's largest network of local groups, with 24 million members in 180 countries. Its objective is to facilitate the organizing of local groups and to allow people to participate in groups that already exist. So you can create your own group in your local area or join one of the already existing 9,000 groups.

The mission of Meetup is to reinvigorate and in a way, resurrect the idea of local community by allowing people around the world to self-organize and come together based on shared interests. This mission is based on a belief that people can change their personal world, or the whole world, by organizing themselves into groups that are powerful enough to make a difference.

So how exactly does it work? Without the necessity of signing up you can browse the existing groups in your area or search for groups according to their topic, such as book clubs or lovers of photography. Each group has a summary of its objective, the number of members it has, who the organizer is and you can even read reviews of the group provided by members. If you are interested in the group then you can contact them directly, which will require you to sign up and become a Meetup member first.

Mundo Lingo Language Exchange

Mundo Lingo is similar to Meetup in the sense that it connects people, however their mission is focused on promoting stronger links between locals and foreigners through language exchange activities. Priding themselves on diversity, they welcome people of all ages, nationalities and language levels. The process is simple, the events are free and don’t require prior registration and they’re held in the same place at the same time every week.

Mundo Lingo currently runs what they call “language socials” in 13 cities over 5 continents and they are continuing to grow. They aim to expand into more cities so that travelers can start meeting locals from the moment they get off the plane.

Mundo Lingo events are fully staffed and upon arrival at the venue you are provided with flags to stick on your chest, indicating which languages you speak, with your native language starting at the top and the other flags in order of ability. During the event the idea is that by standing up you are indicating your willingness and availability to meet new people, and once you’ve met someone you’d like to have a private conversation with, then you sit down together.

For those of you already in Lima, Mundo Lingo holds their language exchange n Wednesdays in Miraflores at El Patagonia, Bolivar 164 from 8pm until close.

Useful Sites & Pages

If you’re looking at staying in Peru for an extended period of time there are some useful websites, such as Expat Peru, which not only provides lots of useful information but also has forums where people can ask for information, post rental places available and other types of classified listings. The How to Peru website is also worth checking out, it offers interesting articles about travel destinations, useful travel-related information and experiences that you can enjoy in Peru. Facebook is also a good option; there are a number of groups such as Peru for Young Expats, Expatriates in Peru, Living in Lima - Expat Support and Expat Entrepreneurs in Peru. These groups tend to a little dominated by and more focused on expats living in Lima, however there are members living in other parts of Peru. For those looking to network with other expat entrepreneurs this group has a monthly meet up in Miraflores, generally at the Irish bar Houlihans.

Language Exchange with a Local

And last but certainly not least, a wonderful way to improve your Spanish and to get to know locals is through a language exchange. This can be as simple as meeting up with a local and exchanging an hour of language practice with one another, not only does this help with your language skills but it’s a brilliant way of getting to know someone and finding out about what their life here is like. More often than not you’ll be able to learn much more from each other than just some new words.

________________________________________________

About the author: Ellie Ryan is an Aussie expat working and living in Peru. She is the Founder of TEFL Zorritos, a TEFL training institute which trains people to become English language teachers and places them in positions in Peru and abroad. She is also the Founder of TEFL Zorritos English Institute, the first ever English institute in the small northern town of Zorritos. This article was originally published on the Living in Peru website as part of her Expat Ellie blog series.

________________________________________________

TEFL Jobs For Non-Native English Speakers

TEFL Jobs For Non-Native English Speakers

Over the years English has become the international language of business, communications, technology and travel. This global reach means that most people using English around the world are non-native speakers speaking to other non-native speakers (Polish businesspeople speaking to German businesspeople, for example). So sounding like a native speaker is irrelevant to them: they need International English and they want a teacher with good levels of English and teaching skills.

You’ve already learned English, so you can teach English
Another plus is that because you have learned the English language from scratch, you probably understand English grammar on an intellectual level to a much higher level than most of your native counterparts who understand it on a subconscious level having soaked up the language from birth.

And one final part on the back for our non-native speaking friends: being taught by a non-native TEFL teacher can really motivate and inspire your students – if you can learn to speak, write and teach English to such a high level, they can too!

What Are The Challenges of Being a Non-Native TEFLer?
The main challenge that you’ll have is your own worry about being a non-native speaker! But your students know you’re not a native speaker and don’t expect you to be one. You’ve worked hard to learn the language to such a high level, so be confident. All that hard work you’ve put in will help you teach English as a foreign language to your students just as well as a native speaker would.

You may encounter old attitudes from some employers who feel that the native speaker is still the ideal. Don’t worry – there is so much demand for TEFL teachers, you can just choose a different employer. These attitudes are changing rapidly – any good school now is looking for skills, not just someone who is a ‘native-speaker’.

Some countries generally require proof of nationality from an English-speaking country to get a work permit (e.g. Korea). There’s not much you can do about that unfortunately, but these prejudices about what makes a good teacher are changing, and we expect them to disappear in the near future.

Do I Need Specific TEFL Training?
Whatever anyone says, you don’t need any extra TEFL training. You are the equal of the native speakers, and should not put yourself in a separate category.

Obviously, if you’re going to teach English, your English level has to be very high. If you’re not confident about your English, you’ll need to work on it in a targeted way. Get a detailed diagnosis of your speaking and writing from an expert and work on the areas you need to improve: whether that’s fluency, pronunciation, sentence stress and rhythm, use of articles or tenses – a few more hours effort will open up a world of opportunities.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

TEFL Job Tips For Success

Finding EFL work abroad can seem overwhelming with so many different countries, visas, contracts and cultural differences.  Below are a few ideas to increase your chances for success.

Customize your resume for the TEFL job you are applying for
Employers are only interested in your education and experience that directly relates to teaching.   Make sure your resume is concise and precise.  Only cover what the job advertisement asks for in simple, direct language. Focus on skills that schools will value, like leadership, organizational and communication skills and how you have demonstrated that you have them.

Take your TEFL course with a school that provides guaranteed job assistance
Get your TEFL course provider to do the leg work for you! The best TEFL schools have job placement services which will match you with relevant suitable contracts on completion of your course.  If the TEFL school you are researching doesn't have guaranteed job assistance, then look somewhere else.

Always correspond with a real person by name - not a Sir or Madam
Want to know where most of those applications addressed to ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’ end up? That’s right, the trash can! One of the best routes to job success is to build up personal relationships with recruiters to make sure your application ends up in the right person’s hands, rather than the trash can.

Use the internet
The internet’s a marvelous thing so make sure you use it– where before you might have had to traipse around a city handing out your resume, you can now get access to tens of thousands of TEFL jobs by just a click of your mouse. TEFL internet sites list positions from all over the world, which are just waiting for enthusiastic EFL teachers to fill them!

Keep your language simple
Very often the person who will be reading your job application won’t have English as their first language. They won’t want to tackle an application full of academic or arcane language – they will want one that’s simple to read and direct. If they can’t immediately see that you have the skills for the job your application will probably end up in the trash can.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

TEFL - The Scoop

English is the international language of business, politics, science and communications.  It is estimated that over a billion people are learning English worldwide.  About three-quarters of these people live in non-English speaking countries.  In other words every country needs English teachers  every country needs English teachers (there are even foreign TEFL teachers in North Korea).

Most language schools advertise on the internet and many like to arrange a contract in advance. There are hundreds of websites dedicated to TEFL jobs. It’s estimated that there are over 20,000 new TEFL jobs listed each month.  The demand for TEFL is so huge that many schools will employ teachers with no teaching qualification or degree. This does depend on the country – you may need to be qualified to get a work visa in some countries. Also, the question of whether you want to teach without some training needs serious consideration.  In addition the better teaching jobs will require at the least an accredited TEFL certificate, with some observed teaching practice.

Most English language schools are English language environments. You will use English for all interactions at work. However, knowing some basic phrases in the local language shows respect for people and will add considerably to your cultural experience.

You could actually be teaching in one of many countries tomorrow. You will need to decide whether you want to simply arrive in a country and approach schools or arrange a job before you go. This may or may not work out for you and of course it is always best to do your research first, complete an accredited TEFL course and get job guidance from your TEFL provider.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

TEFL - A Recession Proof Job

Despite the current economic crisis sweeping much of the world, there is still one job where the demand continues to increase, with no foreseeable end.  That job is TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language.  In fact there are so many opportunities, that once you have completed an accredited TEFL certification course you can pretty much have your choice of where in the world you want to live and work as an EFL teacher.

If you choose the right TEFL provider, they can even do the legwork for you in regards to finding a teaching job for you when you complete your training.  In fact, the better schools can probably guarantee you employment upon graduation from their course.

In addition to your TEFL certification you will need a resume appropriate for the job you are seeking.  Again, the best TEFL schools will assist you with preparing your resume so it matches the country specific requirements where you want to teach.

Interviewing can be as simple as a brief discussion on Skype or could involve several meetings with different school management over a period of weeks, depending on where you want to work and the type of school where you will be interviewing.  Again, the best TEFL schools will help you prepare for your interview based on the school location where you are applying for a job.

Visa and work permit information about the country where you want to work is also important and can be tedious and complicated if you don't know the procedures.  Again, if you have chosen the right TEFL school they will be able to assist you with all aspects of visa, work permit and other documents to legally work in your chosen country.

Finally, but perhaps most important will be negotiating your contract with your new employer.  If you are not aware of the different cultural aspects of how this process you could end up on the short end of the salary/benefits stick, so to speak.  Again, if you have chosen your TEFL school wisely, they can review your contracts and help you negotiate a deal that is favorable for you.

So, if you are ready for a change, now is the time - get enrolled in a great TEFL school and start your new career as an EFL Teacher.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!