Idioms - Part 6

Idioms: Sleep

It is said that humans spend a third of their lives asleep. The fact that sleep occupies such a large part of our existence might explain why there are so many idioms and expressions containing the word sleep.

If you are able to enjoy a good night's sleep, you might say the next morning that you slept like a log. If, on the other hand, you spent an uncomfortable night tossing and turning, you might complain the next day that you didn't sleep a wink. If there is a problem or decision that you wish to put off till later, you can say you will sleep on it, and if there is a problem or situation that others might regard as important, but which you regard as trivial, you could say that you won't lose any sleep over it. If, on the other hand, there isn't a problem with a particular aspect of your life or job, it's probably better to let sleeping dogs lie, rather than resurrect an old problem or create one where there wasn't one. Some things are so easy that you can do them in your sleep, while others are so difficult that they can give you sleepless nights.

If you want to remain healthy and attractive you should make sure you get your beauty sleep every night (in other words, enough sleep). If, on the other hand, you overindulge at a party and drink too much, you might have to go to bed to sleep it off (get over the effects). Make sure though that when you talk about sleep you don't translate directly from some other languages and say you slept like a baby. We don't normally say this in English as babies do things in their sleep which adults probably shouldn't.

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Idioms: Stuff

'You ought to listen to Pete. He really knows his stuff', means that he knows a lot about a particular subject and is able to use that knowledge. If you do your stuff, you do what you have prepared to do, as in 'Now get out on that stage and do your stuff!'

If something is described as hot stuff, it is particularly good or popular at the moment, as in 'Have you heard this new band? They're really hot stuff'. The hard stuff, on the other hand, is strong alcohol such as whisky or vodka, as in 'I'll have the odd beer from time to time but I never touch the hard stuff'.

The expression the stuff of dreams can be used to refer to the type of things usually found in dreams, as in 'Sixteen-year-old Johnson came on as a substitute and scored the winning goal with his first touch. It was the stuff of dreams for the young man'. The expressions the stuff of legends and the stuff of nightmares can be used in much the same way, as in 'The pictures of the massacre were the stuff of nightmares'.

If you stuff yourself or stuff your face, you fill yourself with food until you are no longer hungry or you fill ill, as in 'He just sat there stuffing his face with pizza'.

Finally, if you tell someone to stuff it, you let them know that you are angry and that you are not interested in them or their suggestions, as in 'When she told me what the job involved, I told her to stuff it'.

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Idioms: Teeth

The recent decision to award the contract to build new British trains to a foreign company has been described as a kick in the teeth for workers in the city of Derby (a huge disappointment at a time when they were trying hard to achieve success). The decision was made in the teeth of (in spite of) fierce opposition.

One member of the workforce said that the company that won the contract had only done so by the skin of their teeth (succeeded but only narrowly). Another warned that it was time for trade unionists to show their teeth (show that they have power and that they intend to use it) because they were fed up to the back teeth (extremely annoyed) with politicians who failed to keep their promises. In the current situation, however, his colleagues would now simply have to grit their teeth (show determination in a difficult situation) and move on.

In various industries and professions, people cut their teeth (gain their first experience) in a particular job or activity, as in 'Many famous actors cut their teeth in regional theatre before moving on to television or film'.

If you put a lot of time and energy into something that is interesting because it requires a lot of effort and skill, you can be said to get your teeth into it, as in 'I'd like a project that I can really get my teeth into'.

If a sound sets your teeth on edge, it is very unpleasant or annoying, as in 'That whining voice of his always sets my teeth on edge'.

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Idioms: The moon and the stars

Opponents of the recent austerity measures introduced by the British government were described by one politician as 'living on a different planet', meaning that they were either out of touch with reality or had ideas that were neither reasonable nor practical. Perhaps such people were asking for the moon (wanting something that is impossible to get or achieve) or living in cloud-cuckoo land (believing naively that there was no problem).

Of course, the sky is the limit for some people (meaning that there is no limit to what they can do or achieve), although others may simply have stars in their eyes (be hopeful and enthusiastic about what may happen to them in the future, even though this is not a practical or sensible way to behave).

If they do succeed in achieving their aims they will probably be over the moon about it (extremely happy). Their fate may be written in the stars, in other words certain to happen, as in 'It was written in the stars that we would never see each other again'.

One thing that is certain is that sooner or later they will depart for that great … in the sky, an adaptable euphemism as the chosen noun can reflect a particular idiosyncratic aspect of the life of the person you are talking about, as in 'I'm afraid Patrick has gone to that great pub in the sky'. He's dead, of course, but he obviously enjoyed a drink or two while he was alive.

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Idioms - Part 4

Idioms: Laugh

In a recent report on the UK fishing quotas, it was claimed that if proposed changes were implemented, foreign-based multi-nationals would be laughing all the way to the bank, in other words making a lot of money very easily.

To be laughing means to be in a very good situation, especially as a result of something you have received, as in 'If this deal goes through, we'll be laughing'. On the other hand, if you don't know whether to laugh or cry, you feel confused and uncertain about what to do when something bad has just happened, and when other people fail to treat something seriously enough, you can tell them that it is no laughing matter.

If a person is always good for a laugh, they are fun to be with, and if something is a good laugh, it is an activity, situation or experience that is fun. However, if you say that someone is not exactly a laugh a minute, you mean that you think that the person is not funny or enjoyable at all and may be very serious or boring, as in 'I'm not looking forward to spending six hours on the train with him. He's not exactly a laugh a minute, is he?'

If you have the last laugh, you end up being more successful than someone who did something bad to you, especially if they laughed when you failed before, as in 'United thought they'd got the three points but City had the last laugh with two goals in injury time'.

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Idioms: Love

A scientific study carried out in 2004 claimed to prove that love at first sight is a true phenomenon and that many people decide what kind of relationship they want within minutes of meeting someone. Apparently, in some cases, it can only take a few seconds for a person to decide that someone is going to be the love of their life.

One wonders whether this feeling will last, whether love will blossom (continue to grow) and whether people who meet in these circumstances will remain madly in love or head over heels in love for long periods of time. Perhaps they have a love nest where they can conduct a love affair, although this will clearly mean that they are not married, at least to each other. Sometimes such affairs are conducted in public and it can be embarrassing for other people to watch lovebirds who are all lovey-dovey (excessively and demonstrably affectionate) in public.

Occasionally a third person may be involved and a love triangle may develop, which may end in tears for all concerned. Years later there may be no love lost between the former lovers (they can't stand each other). Of course there are many people who would not contemplate an illicit relationship for love nor money (not under any circumstances) and even if they have a love-hate relationship with their partner, they remain together. Shakespeare observed that "the course of true love never did run smooth" and it seems to be the case that people can fall out of love just as quickly as they can fall in love with someone.

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Idioms: Mind

As the human mind is so central to our existence, it is hardly surprising that the word mind is used in a wide range of idioms. You often need to make up your mind (make a decision) and having done so you might change your mind (change your decision). Sometimes you may find it necessary to speak your mind(say exactly what you think even though it might upset someone) or give someone a piece of your mind(tell them exactly what you think, especially when you are angry with them).

Remembering and forgetting are clearly associated with the mind, so we have bear in mind and keep in mind (as in, 'Thanks, I'll bear that in mind' and 'Keep that in mind when you come to make your decision') and slip one's mind (as in, 'I meant to invite him but it completely slipped my mind').

Sometimes you might have a lot on your mind (be worried about something). In such cases, you might need something to take your mind off it (make you stop thinking or worrying about it). If you stop worrying, you can say that something is a load off your mind, as in 'Knowing that you'll be here to help is a load off my mind'. If you are in two minds about something, you are not sure what to think about it or not sure what decision to make, but if you set your mind on doing something, you are determined to do it. The last thing on your mind is something that is not important enough to worry about, especially when you have more serious problems, as in 'Cleaning the house is the last thing on my mind at the moment'.

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Idioms: Mountain

After their 3-0 defeat in the first leg, they will have a mountain to climb in the second'. If you have amountain to climb, you have a very hard, if not impossible, task to fulfil. If you have a mountain of work to do, this also suggests an arduous task, as in 'He was buried under a mountain of paperwork'.

To move mountains means to do something so difficult that it seems almost impossible or to make strenuous efforts to achieve something difficult, as in 'They called on the international community to move mountains to help the flood victims'. If you make a mountain out of a molehill, you treat a minor problem as if it were a really serious problem, as in 'Some people believe that the so-called swine flu epidemic was a fuss about nothing and that the authorities were making a mountain out of a molehill'.

If you are on the slippery slope, you are in a situation that is getting worse and will become extremely bad unless it is stopped, as in 'There is a widespread belief that these policies will put us on the slippery slopeto government control of the internet'.

To be over the hill means to be no longer young and therefore no longer able to do the things you could do in the past, as in 'At 35, he is regarded by some people as over the hill but he is still capable of doing a good job for the team'. By contrast, if you are at the peak of your powers, you are at the time when you are your most successful, as in 'Beethoven was 19 and at the peak of his powers when Napoleon's army occupied Vienna'.

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Idioms - Part 3

Idioms: Foot

The word literally is often misused both in speech and writing. If we say that something happened literally, then we mean that it actually did happen and that our statement is not exaggerated in any way. So, if there were literally thousands of people at the meeting, the statement means just that and not simply that there were a lot of people there. An often quoted example of the misuse of literally is 'Every time he opens his mouth he literally puts his foot in it'. Well, no he doesn't - unless he happens to be a contortionist that is. The use of literally here removes the idiomatic meaning from the idiom to put one's foot in it (to accidentally say something that is embarrassing or that upsets or annoys someone). It is difficult to imagine a situation in which you were so busy that you were literally rushed off your feet (very busy) and likewise literally having one foot in the grave (being very ill and likely to die soon) would present quite a graphic image. If you have cold feet about something (feel nervous about something you have planned or agreed to do), your nervousness would probably manifest itself in other ways than in the temperature of your feet, and if your children are under your feet (in the way and annoying you), they are unlikely to be literally under your feet. But if you put your feet up (sit down and relax), this might conceivably be with your feet raised off the ground. Similarly, if you are back on your feet (well again) after an illness, this could mean that you are once again able to stand up. Most of the time, however, it is advisable to avoid the use of literally, especially with idioms. Otherwise, you might repeat the error of the English football manager who famously said of a player 'He literally has two left feet'.

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Idioms: Hand

This week sees the emergency economic summit meeting of the G20 countries in London. Numerous organizations and groups have said they will be protesting on the streets of London and it is very likely that the police will have their hands full (be extremely busy with a difficult job). Several thousand police will be on duty at the event and reinforcements will be on hand (available to help if needed) should the need arise. The police are confident that they have the situation in hand (under control) and say that they are working hand in glove (cooperating very closely) with the local authorities to make sure the event passes off peacefully.

Many of the protesters are angry that governments have been spending money hand over fist (spending a lot of money) on bailing out the banks and other financial institutions. Some politicians, on the other hand, insist that the whole situation is out of their hands (beyond their control), is caused by global factors they cannot influence and that their hands are tied by legislation (they cannot take the action they want to take because laws or rules prevent them from doing so). They argue that anyone protesting in London on a weekday has too much time on their hands (more time available than they need) and they are hoping that things don't get out of hand (become uncontrollable). The growing numbers of unemployed are hoping that the summit produces results because economic growth and job creation go hand in hand (happen or exist together).

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Idioms: Heaven

A US government spokesperson recently remarked that President Obama would 'move heaven and earth to avoid sending American troops to another foreign country', meaning that he would do everything possible to prevent this happening.

A marriage or relationship made in heaven is very happy and successful, as in 'The merger of the two companies wasn't exactly a match made in heaven'.

If you enjoyed something very much, you can say I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, as in 'A two-week all expenses paid holiday in Mauritius! I thought I'd died and gone to heaven'.

If the heavens open, it starts raining very heavily, as in 'We were just walking home from the pub when the heavens opened and we got absolutely soaked to the skin'.

The expression heaven help us (or them, him, etc.) can be used in two ways. It can be used for saying that you hope something will not happen, as in 'There's no fire escape in the building. Heaven help us if there's a fire'. It can also be used for saying that if something bad happens, the result will be very bad for the person or persons mentioned, as in 'They are armed and dangerous. Heaven help anyone who tries to stop them'.

The expression heaven only knows is used for saying that you do not know something or you cannot imagine it, as in 'They've not only stolen the car, they've taken our credit cards and money too. Heaven only knows how we're going to get home'.

Finally, if something stinks to high heaven, it smells very, very bad.

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Idioms: In sickness and in health

How are you feeling today? Perhaps you're feeling a bit under the weather (not feeling well) or maybe you're not quite yourself today (not in your normal mental or physical state). You might be coming down with something (about to get a less serious illness like a cold or flu), especially if there's something going round(an illness like flu or a stomach upset that a lot of people are catching and giving to each other). In any event, you're going to have to call in sick (phone someone at your workplace to tell them you are too ill to come to work).

If you are genuinely ill (or have a hangover), you might feel a bit rough (not very well), or, in more serious cases, you might feel like death warmed up (feel absolutely awful). If a hangover was the cause of your troubles, the hair of the dog (an alcoholic drink taken in the morning) could be one solution. It might make matters worse but it could be just what the doctor ordered (exactly what you need or want).

Whatever has happened, you will simply have to take your medicine (accept the situation without complaining). Within a short period you will probably be on the road to recovery (starting to feel better) and in no time at all you might be feeling as right as rain (healthy again after an illness) and feel as fit as a fiddle (in very good shape).

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Idioms - Part 2

Idioms: crime and the law.

A radio reporter recently described her car journey on the notorious M25 (Britain's busiest motorway) as 'murder'. If you say something is murder, it is very difficult, unpleasant or uncomfortable, as in 'The traffic out there is murder' and ' All this gardening is murder on my back'.

If you get away with murder, you do whatever you want without being stopped or punished, as in 'Young people get away with murder these days'. If you are feeling particularly thirsty, you might say 'I could murder a cold drink', meaning that you want one very much. Murder can be used with food in the same way, e.g. 'I could murder a hamburger right now'.

If you steal someone's thunder, you get attention and praise instead of them, as in 'Mr Sarkozy was asked if he was worried that his wife was stealing his thunder'. If something is described as a steal, it is very cheap, e.g. 'Those shoes are a steal at that price'.

Of course, if you commit a real crime, you have to make sure that you keep well away from the long arm of the law (the police), otherwise known as the boys in blue or the Old Bill, or you might end up behind bars(in prison).

Some people are a law unto themselves (refusing to behave like everyone else or believing they can do whatever they want to do), while others take the law into their own hands (punish someone in their own way without involving the police or the courts), perhaps because they feel that they are above the law (not affected by it or subject to it).

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Idioms: Drunk

The word drunk is often said to be the English word with the most synonyms. Certainly there are a large number of different ways of saying that someone is drunk, ranging from the euphemistic (e.g. he's rather the worse for wear), to the direct or graphic (e.g. she's absolutely paralytic), to some which are downright strange (e.g. he's three sheets to the wind).

Euphemistic terms for drunk include examples such as She's had a few, He's had one too many, She's had a drop too much and the term tired and emotional, first skilfully applied by the press in the 1960s to describe a politician with a fondness for the bottle without directly accusing him of being drunk. More examples of direct expressions include legless, plastered, hammered, wasted, wrecked, loaded, trashed and tanked up. One of the most common is pissed, which can cause misunderstandings in conversations between British and American speakers of English as it has a different meaning in American English, where it means 'angry'. The British English equivalent for 'angry' is pissed off.

Among the odder ways of saying drunk are half cut (the origin of which is as yet unexplained), the entertaining lit up like a Christmas tree, and Brahms and Liszt, the latter being an example of Cockney rhyming slang. Sometimes the simplest words are the most effective, however. A particular favourite in this context is full, as in 'Sorry. I don't want any more. I'm a bit full'.

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Idioms: Eye

Parts of the body are a rich source of idioms but the one that seems to feature most frequently is eye, probably because it can act as a synonym for the very common verbs look, watch and see. Someone may ask you to run (or cast) your eye(s) over something (meaning to read or look at it very quickly) or they make ask you to keep an eye on someone or something (look after a person or a thing). You might have your eye on something (to have seen it and want to have it or buy it) or you might have an eye for something (have a natural ability for seeing or finding something, as in 'She has a good eye for detail').

You could go into some situations with your eyes open (knowing there could be many problems, as in 'I went into the job with my eyes open') and, in others, you might be able to do things with your eyes closed(very easily). Of course there is often more to something than meets the eye (it is more complicated than it seems) and, in some situations, you may need eyes in the back of your head (to be able to notice everything that is happening around you). If you are very busy, you are up to your eyes in work, even though you might have one eye on the clock (keep looking at or paying attention to something while you are doing something else).

One day someone might catch your eye (attract your attention) and you might find that you can't take your eyes off them (you are unable to stop looking at them), especially if you only have eyes for them (like or love them and no-one else).

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Idioms: Fire

The events of early August in London and other British cities have seen buildings on fire and young people setting fire to cars and looting shops.

The police have come under fire (been severely criticized) for their handling of the riots and have drawn fire(attracted criticism) from a number of political leaders, in particular. However, senior police officers have hit back and fought fire with fire (criticized their critics) and it is likely that some senior politicians will be next in the line of fire (likely to be criticized for their words or actions).

Sometimes, of course, it is better to hang fire or hold fire (wait before taking action) and opening fire(starting to shoot at) on the rioters would probably have added fuel to the fire (made a bad situation worse) and would surely have had disastrous consequences.

The police have said that they have several irons in the fire (a number of different plans) for dealing with any repetition of this behaviour and that anyone contemplating doing so would be playing with fire (doing something dangerous or risky that could bring them problems).

Clearly, the images of the riots on television fired the imagination of a number of young people (made them extremely excited) and fired with enthusiasm (full of enthusiasm) they joined in the looting and burning. In fact, it seemed that many of the rioters were firing on all cylinders (putting in a lot of energy and effort) as they grabbed armfuls of designer clothes and trainers from the burnt-out shops.

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Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in the USA

There are innumerable slices of the American pie and the country’s most visited destinations, like New York and Florida, only go some way towards characterizing this world superpower. Covering 6 times zones, 50 states and all the major climate zones from tropical to polar, America feels like several countries rolled into one. The thrill of seeing such iconic imagery as New York yellow taxis and the Hollywood sign up close is matched by discovering parts of the country and its people that are among its best kept secrets.

• Lots of jobs IF you're able to work here
• Vast country with lots to see and do
• Huge variety of students
• Easy to get around
• Less of a culture shock

Things you might not know about Teaching English in the United States

• It is estimated that a quarter of all Americans have appeared on television!
• Tomatoes were once thought to be poisonous and were 'put on trial' in 1820’s New Jersey when a man had to eat a whole basket of tomatoes to prove they were safe!
• The middle name of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president, is simply 'S'! His parents couldn’t decide between Shippe and Solomon, so they plumped for the single letter!
• The original London Bridge actually stands over Lake Havasu in Arizona.

Summary

There is huge demand for TEFL teachers here, but the market is competitive and it's very difficult to get a visa

Main TEFL regions

All major cities - particularly New York, Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Miami.

Types of teaching

ESL private language institutes: General English, Business English, TOEFL, ECCE

University language programs: General English, TOEFL, English for Specific Purposes

Migrant English programs: General English, TOEFL, English for Specific Purposes

Accommodation

You will usually have to organize your own apartment, which can be very expensive in the big cities. For example, a one-bedroom place in San Francisco will cost around $1000 per month!

Flight reimbursement

Not likely, as there are so many qualified American teachers to choose from.

Salary

$15-40 per hour. Newly qualified teachers shouldn’t accept less than US$18 per hour.

Taxes

Novice teachers will pay about 13% of their wages as tax, at the higher end of the salary range, it’ll be more like 17%.

Cost of living

The cost of living is high, but cheaper than much of Western Europe. A beer in a bar will cost about $5, a cheap fast food meal is about $3, while a loaf of bread is about $1.50.

Potential to save money

You’re unlikely to save any money unless you’re well-qualified and thus well-paid, or you’re able to get free accommodation (e.g. living at your parents’ house if you’re hail from the US)/

How much TEFL training is recommended?

As there is so much competition, you should get as much training as possible. TEFL Zorritos 160 Hour Onsite Course will provide you with the training you need to find a great job in the USA.

Common teaching conditions

A full-time position will involve about 25 contact hours per week. If you’re working for private language institutes, you’ll probably only be able to get part time hours, so you’ll have to work for multiple schools

Be aware…

Despite what you hear on the news, the USA is a safe place to visit. Just take the usual precautions when out late at night or on your own. Visas

How do I find work?

There are plenty of jobs advertised on the main TEFL job sites, as well as general job websites such as monster.com and postmeup.com.

Can I find work while in-country?

Absolutely. Obviously you can search via the internet, or you could simply look in the local Yellow Pages. There are more than 150 language institutes in New York alone!

What is the usual hiring process?

Simply send off your CV and if the school likes you, they’ll arrange an interview.

Is a work visa required to find paid work in?

Yes, but it is extremely difficult for teachers who are not citizens of the USA to find teaching work here.

Work visa requirements:

• Offer of job in a specialized area where there’s a lack of native workers (i.e. not English teaching!)

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Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in South Africa

English is one of South Africa’s main official languages and is the most commonly used language in public and commercial areas of life. All of which means that you’ll probably need a high level of TEFL certification and some previous experience if you want to teach English in South Africa.

Historically, South African TEFL employers used to hire people on the spot, but increasingly they have begun to widen the net and hire people through jobs boards and overseas recruitment agencies. There aren’t huge numbers of opportunities to teach English in South Africa, but there are a growing number of language institutes across the country, and while the majority of positions go to South Africans with native English skills there are opportunities for well qualified foreign TEFL teachers too. 

Neither the wages nor the cost of living in South Africa is particularly high, so the average TEFL job salary of around 10,000 Rand (US$1,400) should allow you to live relatively comfortably. If you get involved teaching English as a volunteer, the school should be able to arrange your accommodation and cover the most basic living costs.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town, free surfing lessons, great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 160 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 5 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!​

Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in Canada

From fairy tale landscapes to cosmopolitan cities, there’s much more to Canada than maple leafs and Mounties. It’s long been overshadowed by its North American neighbor but it stands proud as a diverse country that’s packed full of experiences to tell your grandchildren about - whether it be getting drenched at Niagara Falls or spotting black bears in the Rockies.

The clinch is that there’s also a lot of leg room. It’s the world’s second largest country, but with a fraction of the population at around half that of the United Kingdom. It even has national parks bigger than some European countries.

• Well-paid jobs for the well-qualified
• Easy to get a working holiday visa if your country is part of the scheme
• Newfoundland & Labrador – rarely visited, but beautiful. And it’s the best place in the world to see the Northern Lights
• Montréal – brilliantly cosmopolitan city with a fantastic variety of food.
• Dawson City – beautiful town set amongst some of Canada’s most stunning scenery

 Things you might not know about Teaching English in Canada

• The jail in Creemore, Ontario is considered to be one of the smallest in the world, measuring only 4.5m x 6m!
• According to the UN, Canada has one of the best qualities of life in the world.
• Newfoundland in Canada has some very bizarre place names, such as Blow-me-down, Nancy Oh, Run-by-guess and, er... Dildo!
• Canada is just a huge as it seems – it’s the second largest country in the world with an area of almost 10 million square kilometres!

Summary

There are lots of teaching jobs in Canada, but there are also lots of TEFL schools, so you’ll have to compete with the thousands of locals who graduate as teachers each year.

Main TEFL regions

Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Winnipeg

Types of teaching

Private language schools: General English, Business English, TOEFL

In-company: General English, Business English 

Government-sponsored immigrant programs: General English, English for Academic Purpose

Accommodation

You’ll usually be left to your own devices when it comes to finding accommodation. A small apartment in Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver will cost about Cn$600 per month. Look in local newspapers or on craiglist if you’re trying to find a place.

Flight reimbursement

Not common

Salary

Cn$25-50 per hour in Public Sector Schools, but you will have to be very well qualified to work here.

Cn$12-40 per hour in Private Language Schools. Most newly-qualified TEFL teachers will earn around Cn$20 per hour.

Taxes

Most teachers will pay about 15% of their salary as tax.

Cost of living

Costs are slightly lower than in the USA’s big cities, and much lower than most of Western Europe. A cheap restaurant meal starts at Cn$10, going to see a movie will be about Cn$8.50, while a beer in a bar will set you back about Cn$5

Potential to save money

Unless you’re very well-qualified and thus well paid, you’re unlikely to be able to save any money.

How much TEFL training is recommended?

You will need a degree and a TEFL certificate at the very least. The job market in Canada is very competitive, so you should take comprehensive training - such as that provided in the 160-hour TEFL Zorritos onsite course, that includes 5 advanced TEFL certifications.  If you want to work in the public sector, you’ll either need a TESL Canada approved course or you’ll have to pay TESL Canada to confirm that your MA course is sufficient (approx Cn$300).

Common teaching conditions

A full-time position will see you working for 25 hours per week. However, it can be difficult to find these positions, so many teachers end up working for more than one school. This will involve a fair bit of travelling between classes.

How do I find work?

If you want to find a job before you arrive, have a look at the main TEFL job sites. Employers will usually only take on well-qualified teachers before they leave their home country.

Can I find work while in-country?

If you qualify for a working holiday visa, this is the best option. Simply look for language schools in the Yellow Pages or ask around once you’ve arrived.

What is the usual hiring process?

It’s the usual process of applying for jobs and going for interviews.

Is a work visa required to find paid work?

Yes. If you’re from one of the scheme’s participating countries, your best option is a 12-month Working Holiday Visa.  If you’re not from one of these countries, it will be very difficult to obtain a visa.  Working holiday visa requirements:

• From Austria, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa, Ukraine or the United States
• Aged 30 or under
• Have no children
• Proof of funds (approx Cn$4,000)
• Adequate travel insurance

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town, free surfing lessons, great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 160 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 5 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!