TEFL Zorritos: February 2017

Tuesday 28 February 2017

Teaching English in Italy

Get a TEFL Certificate

The first thing you will need is an accredited TEFL certificate to be considered for an English teaching job in Italy. Don't bother showing up without it, you will have a sad trip home a few weeks later as no school will hire you without it.

You Need to Go to Italy to Find a Job

The vast majority of language schools interview and hire new English teachers locally in Italy. Each year, thousands of foreign English teachers across Italy leave their jobs, creating a strong demand for new teachers.

When Do Schools Hire English Teachers

It is highly recommended that you arrive in September. A second major hiring period begins in the second week of January and runs for several weeks.

Getting a Work Visa

A work visa is hard to come by for Americans and other non-EU citizens looking to teach English in Italy, so thousands of Americans and other non-EU citizens simply teach English on tourist visas "under the table." This is not legal, but it is so common as to be routine and in the open. However, it is possible for Americans to work and teach English legally in Italy on a student visa. This typically entails enrolling in language classes or other courses approved by the Italian government. Citizens of the UK, Ireland and other EU countries do not need a work permit or visa to teach English in Italy.

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

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 job placement program in Peru and guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete the course.

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

Monday 27 February 2017

Teaching English in India

India is the third largest English-speaking country in the world, the English language is spoken throughout the nation. There are lots of voluntary positions to be found online but it is surprisingly difficult to locate many well-paid positions from internet searches. Experienced EFL teachers are encouraged to contact the British Council in India as the salaries and conditions are very good. Because of the common use of English in India, teaching opportunities are significantly less than in other Asian nations.

Salaries start as low as $500 USD per month and top out at about $2,500 USD per month at the British Council. Since India prefers British English, native speakers from the UK will have an obvious advantage when job hunting. A degree and TEFL certification with at least two years of experience is typically required for paid teaching positions. It is not typically a wise choice to travel to India in hopes of finding a paid teaching position in country. If you want to work in India as a paid teacher, it is best to arrange a contract in advance with the British Council or an international school. If you would just like to volunteer teach during your stay in India then there are many opportunities for you.

Unless you are working for the British Council or an international school, you will probably have to enter the country on a tourist visa. The process for obtaining a work visa is lengthy and tedious. Few schools will go to the trouble to obtain a work visa for you. The cost of accommodation and food in India is very low. Western food imported from abroad is generally expensive. Salary is paid on a monthly basis. Tax is usually paid by employers.

Cultural differences between the "west" and India can cause significant strain on someone not accustomed to the way things work in India. Patience, flexibility and endurance are qualities that you must possess to survive in this culture. Women are especially advised to take extra care when out alone.

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

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 job placement program in Peru and a guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete the course.

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

Sunday 26 February 2017

Teaching English in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is an exciting place to live and work. An efficient transport network and first-class infrastructure make it one of the most popular destinations in the region for those seeking an orderly and secure place in which to live. Teachers’ salaries in Hong Kong are often very attractive indeed. Unfortunately this is necessary because of the unbelievably high rental prices across the territory. Given that English is supposed to be a national language the level of spoken English in Hong Kong is actually fairly low. There are plenty of opportunities for experienced teachers but many employers prefer to employ those who already have Hong Kong residency as the process is much easier. Sadly a workaholic mentality pervades and stress levels can be high sometimes. If you are looking for a laid-back place to live, then you should definitely give Hong Kong a pass.

Salaries typically start at around $1,500 USD a month and go upwards to $5,000 USD a month at some of the better international schools. There are jobs throughout Hong Kong, with no particular area offering better jobs than another area. Typically Hong Kong schools require a degree, preferably in English or TESOL and a TEFL certification. Hong Kong has a very definite workaholic culture so don't be surprised if long hours and 6 or 7 days a week of working are required by your school. Even if your contract does not call for these hours, you will be pressured to work additional hours well beyond your contractual hours. Experienced teachers are advised to research the Primary or Secondary NET (Native English Teacher) scheme and apply well in advance at the appropriate time. Inexperienced teachers are advised to get some experience elsewhere first!

When searching for accommodation, make sure you negotiate with your agent or landlord. If they know you are a teacher with limited funds they may be willing to lessen their financial demands. Many agents seek two months rent as deposit and half a month as a fee. Given that accommodation is so expensive, this can be a huge sum in total.

If you have not been offered a job before you arrive in Hong Kong then not only will you face a rather tough search for a well-paid position but you will also have to wait many weeks for your work visa to be issued after you have signed a contract. Given that accommodation costs are so high, you will need some savings to help you through this lengthy period. You are advised to secure a position before traveling to Hong Kong. When your visa does arrive, you will normally take a ferry to Macau and back again the same day to re-enter with you work visa.

The cost of accommodations in Hong Kong is incredibly high. Unless you are sharing you will find it very difficult to live on Hong Kong island. The cheapest places to live are Lantau, Lamma and the furthest reaches of the New Territories. Thankfully, electricity, water and gas are all priced rather low. Transport is also very cheap – including taxis. Eating in is cheap but eating and drinking out can be very expensive unless you know of special deals.

Income tax is paid on an annual basis and it is the employee’s responsibility. This means you need to budget and make sure you save enough over the year so you can pay off the hefty bill when it arrives. It also means you need to fill in a tax return form. Don't even consider not paying your income taxes or not filing a tax form. Failure to do so can mean at least deportation and at worst a hefty fine and lengthy jail time.

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

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

Tuesday 21 February 2017

Teaching English in Ecuador

Ecuador Overview

The level of demand for native speakers is rather low but most TEFL-qualified teachers can find jobs in the capital city. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. TEFL in Ecuador is a fun experience for a short period of time but certainly not a serious career option.

Type of Institution	Typical salary (USD/month)	Typical hours	Typical annual leave
Language centres	600 – 1,200	Various split shifts and evenings and weekends	2 weeks plus national holidays
International schools and universities	2,500 upwards	9am – 4pm Monday to Friday plus some weekend work	10 weeks plus national holidays

Main places for jobs

Quito, Cuenca.

Typical requirements

Degree, TEFL, local interview preferred.

Tips

1. It is much better to find a job before arriving in Ecuador but in reality the vast majority of teachers arrive on tourist visas and remain on them due to the cost and bureaucracy and unwillingness of most employers to apply for proper work permits.

2. Given the low salaries, you may need to supplement your income with extra, private one-to-one tuition. Contacts are essential and found via word of mouth and through local adverts and websites.

3. American and Canadian teachers may be at a slight advantage. Those who can speak Spanish will find integration much easier.

Red tape

Your employer is responsible for obtaining your work permit. However, in reality, many work illegally. Despite the flexibility this allows, this is not recommended for obvious reasons. Top employers will actually go through the troublesome process of making your employment legal. Without this, you are always at risk of being deported.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Ecuador is low.

Tax and salary information

You should expect to be paid on a monthly basis. Make sure you actually have a contract or else you may have problems when it comes to payday.

References

http://worldoftefl.com/teaching-english-in-ecuador/

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

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

Friday 17 February 2017

Why Aren't You Traveling?

Too little money, too many responsibilities… everyone’s got some lame excuse for not getting out there to see the world – what’s yours? If you won the lottery tomorrow, you’d probably jet off to some far-flung corner of the planet. But why wait until you win the lottery, or until you retire? What exactly is it that’s holding you back?

Money

So you’re not a millionaire – you don’t need to be! There are over 2 billion people all over the world learning English, meaning fluent English speakers are like gold dust. All you need is to do a TEFL course and you’ll be able to apply for paid work all over the world. You will need to get some money together for you TEFL course, then the flight out to wherever you’ll be calling home for the next 6-12 months, but it’s not going to break the bank.

Your job

Be honest with yourself – is your job something you really want to do, something you’re really passionate about, or just something that pays the bills? Thought so. And if that’s the case, why stick at it for the next 40-odd years until you retire and are too old to enjoy life? Why not enjoy life NOW!

Your friends and family

Who doesn’t love their friends and family? It’s human nature – but with the wonders of the internet, even if you’re on the other side of the world, you’re only ever a Skype call away. Plus, traveling, especially if you’re teaching overseas, is a fantastic way to make lots of wonderful new friends.

Run out of excuses yet?

If you’re ready to start traveling, one of the best ways to do it is to teach abroad – if you’re a fluent English speaker, all you need is a TEFL course and you can start working and living in amazing places all over the world.

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

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

Wednesday 15 February 2017

Before Starting Your TEFL Course

So, you have been accepted into a TEFL course. How are you feeling?

Relaxed because you are a fluent English speaker, or near native,with a good educational background.
Perhaps you feel a little bit worried as one of your friends took the courseand said it was one of the toughest months of her life.
Maybe you’re worried that you’re going to fail the course.

TEFL courses can be tough. What can help is doing a little bit of preparation before the course starts. Here are some things you should do before taking your TEFL course:

Read a book or two, maybe a few articles and do a little research about TEFL and teaching English.
Brush up on your grammar. You don't need to be a grammar expert, but at least know a few grammar basics.
If it is possible, see if you can observe a TEFL class. This will give you an idea of what your class will be like. Seeing a teacher and students in action will give you a better feel of what a TEFL course is all about.
If you are taking your TEFL course abroad in a foreign country, learn some of the basics of the local language as this will help to make your experience more rewarding.
Most important take some time to relax. See your friends and enjoy yourself. TEFL courses can be intense, so don't be surprised if you are very busy, with just a little free time available to enjoy yourself during the course. Being relaxed and rested before you start your TEFL course will be a big bonus for you.

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

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

Sunday 12 February 2017

Attributes Of A Great EFL Teacher

Great EFL teachers are patient at explaining things. Being comfortable with explaining content and context to students is an essential skill for teachers. Do you like to explain how things work, or how events occurred? They have a sense of humor and use humor as part of their teaching methods. Humor, used properly, can be a powerful addition to any lesson. Can you integrate humor into lessons, explanations and stories to help your students learn?

Great teachers like people. EFL student's age ranges from elementary, special education, secondary education, higher education to adults and retirees. Great EFL teachers have a temperament for students in all age ranges.

Great teachers are inherently fair-minded. They assess students on the basis of performance, not on the students' personal qualities, background or culture. Can you measure students’ performance based on an evaluation criteria equally applied?

Great teachers have common sense. They can size up a situation quickly and make an appropriate decision. There is no substitute for common sense. Can you be fair and communicate your decisions clearly?

Great teachers have a complete understanding of the EFL content they teach in sufficient depth to convey the information in meaningful ways to the students. Are you able to re-present information from several perspectives to help students grasp concepts?

Great teachers set high expectations for their students and hold the students to those expectations. If you are thinking about becoming a teacher, can you set high expectations for yourself, and demand excellence not only of yourself, but your students as well?

Great teachers are detail oriented. Teachers must be organized in their professional and teaching duties. EFL teachers cannot take things for granted. This applies to all organizational and instructional duties.

Great teachers are good managers of time. Time is one of the most precious resources a teacher has. Good teachers have learned to use this resource wisely. Can you monitor your time and allocate to priorities and deadlines?

Great teachers can lead or follow. EFL teachers have to shift from "sage on the stage to guide by the side". Sometimes, teachers must be members of teaching teams, committees, groups, councils, and task forces. It is important to have the temperament to function in these capacities. Are you comfortable being a leader or a follower as circumstances require? Can you be constructive with co-workers, team teachers, administrators, and parents?

Great teachers learn to improve their teaching by teaching, by making mistakes, learning from them and improving. Can you be a fair critic of yourself?

Great teachers know that they teach as much from their own actions and behavior as with the content they teach. Do a personal inventory of your own values, personality, preferences and goals. How has your past experience/education prepared you for teaching?

If you complete your TEFL course with TEFL Zorritos, you will be given all the guidance and confidence to be a great EFL teacher! Also you will have our job placement program in Peru and guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete our course.

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!

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

Friday 10 February 2017

Want To Teach Abroad?

While teaching abroad is exciting, challenging and well just pretty awesome, moving to a new job, house and country all at once can be a bit overwhelming. So, if you’re feeling a little nervous about the whole thing, try doing some of these – they’ll help to put your mind at rest:

Do a TEFL course

While doing a TEFL course won’t prepare you for every classroom eventuality, it will prepare you for the realities of life in the classroom, including how to plan lessons and how to prevent all out rebellion against you! Do a TEFL course and, not only will your employment prospects rocket, but it will also help you to feel much more confident about stepping into the classroom for the very first time.

Do your research

There’s nothing more frightening than heading into the unknown, so it’s a great idea to do your research before you accept any job offers. Once you get that all important job offer don’t be tempted to accept in straight away without doing any research. It is a good idea to Google the name of the school you’re thinking of working at and ‘review’ – you may soon find out that there’s a reason why they’re offering such a ‘good’ salary. In addition to this get to know the area you’ll be working – read some guidebooks or simply get on Google Earth for a bird’s eye view. It’ll all help to put your mind at rest.

Have some resources tucked up your sleeve

Any experienced teacher will tell you that, no matter how well thought out your lesson plans, there will always be times when you have to resort to plan B, C or even D! So, before you step foot in the classroom for the first time, make sure you have some tried and tested activities to fall back on if and when things start getting a little hectic.

Network

If you’re feeling nervous about moving to a new country, the best people to talk to are those who are currently living and working there. And with the wonders of the internet it’s now easier than ever to do just that.

Learn a bit of the local language before you go

While you don’t need to know the local language in order to teach overseas, it’s handy to know a few words of the local language so you’re not totally overwhelmed when you touch down.

Keep an open mind

Most major TEFL destinations have cultures that can feel very alien to most westerners: you may be confronted with things that seem frustrating, strange or just plain wrong. The only remedy for this is keeping an open mind and remembering that you decided to go overseas to experience another culture, not make everyone behave in a way that’s acceptable to your own.

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

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