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!

TEFL - A Practical Approach

Teaching English as a foreign language is a job that encompasses a wide array of people and personalities; from the serious educator to the adventurous backpacker just looking to make a little money so they can continue their travels.  Regardless of your reasons for wanting to become an English teacher there are certain fundamental attributes which you will need to hone in order to be effective in your chosen career.  Realistically, if you can always strive to approach all of your classes with the utmost patience and ensure that your students are having fun while learning you can be a great success as a teacher, while enjoying a wonderful lifestyle.

A TEFL course can give you all the fundamentals that you need to succeed as an English teacher, but unfortunately it cannot give you patience or personality.  If you are the type of person easily frustrated, with little patience or tolerance you will find that teaching English will not be the job for you.  Both you and your students will be extremely unhappy and you will quickly find yourself on a plane back to your home country, wondering what you could possibly have been thinking of to even consider the idea of teaching English.

On the other hand, if you are a person of great patience and tolerance loves to experience new cultures and embraces the concept that both teaching and learning should be fun, then this will be a job that you will love and you will accumulate wonderful experiences and memories.

A TEFL course with a practical approach should prepare you for a real teaching job in the real world and not just bury you in an avalanche of facts, grammar rules and strict procedures. 

The TEFL course should develop not only your teaching skills, but also resume writing, interviewing and practical living advice for your chosen teaching destination.  This will ensure you enjoy all the aspects of your new home and work environment.  Your TEFL course should rely heavily on observed teaching practices and giving you the positive feedback and encouragement to ensure that you are confident for all aspects of the teaching experience.

A primary focus of a TEFL course is also to ensure that you have a good job and a job that you want and are interested in by the time you complete your course.  Training and learning can be fun, but the end goal is to make sure you have profitable employment in the city where you desire to live and work.

A TEFL course with a practical approach is very relaxed and personalized to ensure that each student gets exactly what they need to be successful.  

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

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!

Should I Become An EFL Teacher?

You may have been considering doing TEFL for a while, but have never done anything about it. That sounds like it could be down to just a little bit of fear. If this sounds like you, the best thing you can do to overcome those fears is get a clear idea of what teaching English abroad can be like.

Take the initial low-risk step of researching and contacting a few TEFL course providers, contact some current or former EFL teachers and get an understanding of what teaching English involves.  By the end of it you will have a much clearer idea of just what is involved in teaching English abroad. More importantly, you'll be feeling excited and enthusiastic to get on with TEFL.  Ask practical questions regarding pay, accommodation, teaching staff and students, this will help build a real picture of teaching English abroad.

Finding out about the country you want to teach in is also a good idea. It will not only get you excited with anticipation, but will also help you decide if it's somewhere you want to be. Ask teachers who have been to that country about the culture, lifestyle, cost of living and whether you earn enough to live.

Other concerns some prospective TEFL teachers have are doubts as to whether TEFL can constitute a career. I know a lot of people in TEFL, in a wide variety of different roles. Some are still out teaching, notching up more countries and destinations on their resumes. Others have started their own schools, some are in teacher training, others writing books. TEFL is the same as any industry, there are plenty of opportunities for the right person. The people I know are industrious, show initiative and are professional; qualities that any employer in any field would value.

Saying that, simply because you choose to get into TEFL, doesn't mean that you are tied to it. It can be perfect for taking a career break before starting something else or following a successful career. By teaching English, you'll also find that you gain transferable skills such as presentation, communication and organizational skills.

I have found professionals from different areas teaching abroad for a year or two to gain useful resume experience. 

Many primary and secondary school teachers find that teaching abroad is an effective way to gain practical experience before returning to apply for jobs in their home country.

There are a lot of fears and excuses to prevent you from taking the plunge. And while I meet a large number of people who say they had always meant to do TEFL, but never got round to it, I am not sure I have ever met a TEFL teacher who regrets their time 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 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!

Quit Your Job & Become An EFL Teacher

Are you stuck in a rut? Trapped in a job you don’t like; longing for something more interesting; imagining the day you can hand in your notice; and most importantly – being powerless to do anything about it! Often, when you’re stuck in a rut, you just need a little nudge in the right direction. So, here’s why you should quit your job and become an EFL Teacher.

Your job’s not that great anyway

Let’s face it – unless you’re a professional athlete or a rock star, your job isn’t that great. Yes it pays the bills on time, and yes, you probably enjoy the occasional office party. But let’s be honest – the job itself is pretty dull right?  If you’re looking for something more meaningful then take a look at teaching English abroad.

When else will you have this little responsibility?

Odds on you don’t have any of the following yet: kids, a mortgage, very old parents. Wait a few years and you probably will have one, two or all three. While it feels like a huge risk to leave everything behind now, you probably don’t have that many responsibilities yet – so make sure you make that leap to TEFL before you do!

Teaching EFL will actually help your career

Teaching English abroad doesn't mean just laying on beaches for a year. It’s actually much better than that: you’ll be getting real, on-the-job experience of working in another country and culture, with loads of opportunities to boost your leadership, communication and interpersonal skills – and if that doesn’t impress prospective employers, then what will? Oh, and you’ll probably still get time for those beaches too.

You'll be gaining a job not losing one

Don’t focus on the job you’ll be leaving behind (you know, that rather soul-sucking place you spend 8 hours of your day). Instead focus on the new, exciting TEFL job that you’ll get abroad: complete with new challenges, new colleagues and new experiences.

Don't have regrets 

Imagine sitting in your armchair as an old man/lady and looking back across your life. All the things you did do, and all the things you just didn’t get around to. You’ll probably regret the things you didn’t do the most – all the opportunities that you passed up. Travelling and experiencing life in another culture shouldn’t be one of them.

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

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!

Speaking Spanish in Peru

We live abroad in other countries to actively experience the cultural differences and this usually involves interacting with the local population in their language. Subtle and not so subtle differences between languages are wonderful things to explore, in Peru it’s about learning Spanish and how to speak it like a local. As a basic introduction, let’s take a look at the way Spanish is used in Peru, its slang and the subtle but important differences between Spanish and English.

A Way With Words

Spanish is an expressive language, the latinos that speak it use it expressively and passionately and Peruvians are no exception. From the waitress who calls you mi rey o reyna (my king/queen) to the random stranger who passes you on the street and asks if you’re an angel fallen from heaven, the affectionate way in which they use Spanish is significantly different from English. Being a Latin based romance language Spanish seems to allow for a level of passion, and at times exaggeration, that just doesn’t work in English. Nevertheless, in Spanish it sounds lovely and part of trying to speak like a native is expressing yourself in this affectionate way.

Slang - Long Live Jerga!

To try and pass as a real limeno or peruano, you will need to work on your street Spanish and Peruvian slang is known as jerga. Jerga is widely used and once you’ve dominated Spanish enough to be able to hold a decent conversation, you will want to incorporate these words and expressions to sound more colloquial, and above all more Peruvian. Remember that the use of the diminutive (basically adding an “ito” or “icillo” to the end of words), is very common in Peru particularly in the provinces, and although it may be criticized by traditional linguists it certainly adds an endearing quality to the language. There are plenty of websites and articles which introduce you to jerga and the basic words and expressions so here we will look at a few examples so you can sound like a local and understand them when they’re being thrown at you:

• Chévere, bacán - basically means cool, great, a very common expression with disputed spelling even amongst Peruvians.
• Cerveza - beer is definitely a national drink in Peru and is most commonly known as chela or it’s affectionate diminutive chelita. And be sure to ask for it bien heladita (nice and cold).
• Dinero (money) - soles are known as lucas, and cocos are dollars.
• Amigo - a pata can be a friend or a guy in general (the same word for an animal’s foot, go figure) and a causa is a close friend (not to be confused with the delicious mashed potato & tuna/chicken dish causa).

For a much more comprehensive list of words and phrases in jerga please see the How to Peru website.

Subtle But Important Differences

Because Spanish and English share a lot of words with Latin roots, at times it's easy to understand Spanish words and sentences. However, there are words that appear to have the same connection but have a completely different meaning and these are known as "false friends." Here are some common Spanish-English false friends to watch out for:

• Embarazada – it looks like embarrassed, however it means pregnant. Embarrassed is avergonzado or roche in Peruvian jerga.
• Nudo – it looks like nude, however it means knot. Nude is desnudo o calato (naked) in Peruvian jerga.
• Pariente – it looks like parent, however it means relative. Parent is padre.

Learning Spanish, just like any other language, is a challenge however it’s a rewarding life-long experience which will ultimately enrich your life and open doors to new worlds and cultures.

_______________________________________________________________

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. This article was originally published as part of her blog series "Expat Ellie" for the Living in Peru website.

_______________________________________________________________

Mistakes New EFL Teachers Make

Talking too much

In an EFL class, what is the most common reason students are enrolled? They want to SPEAK English! And what happens when the teacher speaks most of the time? They don't have enough chances to actually practice their speaking skills. Those who are new to EFL teaching often make this very crucial mistake: They take up too much of the talking time, either because they feel uncomfortable around silence or long pauses, or because they are over-enthusiastic to share their knowledge. So clearly, hogging most of the talking time is out of the question. But, how to find the right balance between student talking time and teacher talking time?

As a general rule of thumb, students should speak for 70% of the class time, while teachers speak for the remaining 30%. These percentages could be tweaked in cases where students are absolute beginners (50-50), or at the other end of the spectrum, very advanced learners in need of intensive speaking practice (90-10). This means that in most cases, your participation should be limited to giving instructions and explaining essential points, but above all to eliciting response from students and facilitating all types of speaking activities.

Inconsistent classroom management

This is one of the mistakes that is often made due to a lack of experience. Classroom management is not an exact science; it's not like teaching grammar. Each group of student is different and rules must be set as a group. The problem stems from the fact that new teachers may not have a clearly defined teaching style. So, they either become too strict or too lax. There are plenty of articles you can read on effective classroom management; you may agree with some of the techniques, you may disagree with others and choose to implement your own. It's not about being stricter, but rather being consistent. There's nothing worse for a group of students than empty promises or weak threats. Once you define how you'll manage your class, stick to it!

Forgetting cultural differences

Some teachers are so focused on teaching things about the English culture, they completely ignore their students'. Some gestures EFL teachers commonly use in the classroom, like the gesture for OK, may be very rude in other cultures. In some countries, students may be used to lecturing, and may not react positively when you propose a game. This is a mistake EFL teachers make above all in foreign countries where the culture is very different from Western culture, like Arabic or Oriental cultures. Learn about their customs, especially greetings, and use this information to create a positive learning environment.

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

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!

Love To Travel? Get A TEFL Certificate!

Want to really experience another culture? Now’s the time to say goodbye to that backpack and hello to the amazing experiences offered by teaching EFL.

Here’s why:

Spending time with people like you isn’t experiencing a new culture

Is spending all your time with other travelers who are just like you really making the most of your time abroad? You could have just stayed home!

Instead teach abroad and your working life will be spent surrounded with locals – both students and other staff. Great for getting understanding a country’s culture.

Get paid to be there

Unless you’ve got a big bank balance, spending any length of time in a country is out of the reach of most travelers. That means quick hops here and there, only seeing the ‘don’t miss’ sights that guide books rave about. With TEFL, you’ll be getting paid to be in a country for anywhere from six to 12 months, which means you can experience everything a country has to offer and not feel like you have to cram it into too short a time.

You’ll get to know the locals

While it’s easy to pass through a country and have nothing more than a few brief exchanges with waiters and taxi drivers, teaching abroad forces you to get to know the people you’re teaching, working with, and living with. Sometimes cultural differences can be a bit of a challenge, but you didn’t fly half way around the world to have everything run like it does back home!

You’re already qualified!

If you’re a native English speaker, you’re already qualified to teach English abroad. Yes, you need to do a TEFL course in order to get your hands on the best jobs and not make a total mess of your time in the classroom, but you don’t need any previous teaching experience or the ability to speak another language.

Be in the picture yourself

Go to any major tourist attraction and you’ll see tourist snapping away, trying to peer into a totally alien culture. Want to know the best way to get to know the place you’re visiting? Stop hiding behind your camera and dive in feet first – get to know people and you’ll soon find that you’re not on the outside looking in, you’re in the picture yourself.

You’ll get to really know the town

You’ll make friends with so many locals and long-term expats, you’ll know exactly where’s good to go at the weekend and how to find the really cool stuff.

So, what do you say? If you’re ready to ditch your backpack and grab your TEFL certificate, make sure to contact TEFL Zorritos today and get started on your travel adventures.

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

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!