Tuesday, 20 September 2016

TEFL Success Stories - Part 5

Australia - Steve

I really enjoyed teaching English in Australia and found it a great way to experience a truly massive and amazing country. I'd recommend it to anyone who (like me) can't afford to fund an extended trip around the place but is willing to juggle work and play over the course of a year.

Work can be found in private language schools, teaching a mix of Asian, European, South American, and occasionally African students. These schools are similar to those operating in other English speaking countries, and generally consist of young adult students hoping to improve their English whilst having a good time in Oz. This means that motivation levels can vary widely. Classes range from hard working Cambridge groups and IELTS/EAP students desperate to get into Australian colleges, right through to easy going general English groups with more interest in surf reports than reported speech.

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Study a TEFL course with TEFL Zorritos in Peru, South America and travel the world, live abroad and enrich people's lives by teaching them English. A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate is an internationally accredited and accepted qualification to teach English to people from non-English speaking countries. More questions? Head to our website

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If you're wondering about access to work there's bad and good news depending on your age! Visas are tricky to get, and sponsorship (by employers) is not easily obtainable in the TEFL industry unless you have something special to offer. BUT, if you're under 30 and from a signatory country (including the UK, Ireland, Canada and many others) you can qualify for a 'Working Holiday Visa' (See the Australian Government Website in your country for details). This bit of wallpaper for your passport isn't too expensive and entitles you to work for 1 year (up to 3 months for each employer you can find).

When armed with a visa, blast all prospective schools with emails and CVs offering your services, and providing you've got a TEFL qualification you should get some positive responses. An invaluable resource is the list of accredited language schools which can be found at www.neasaustralia.com. Schools are listed by state and if they don't supply an email address you'll have to do a few searches by name to dig out the contact details.

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Pay is usually enough to live on comfortably though definitely not extravagantly. I managed to save up travel money during my work stints without starving or staying home every night. The usual rules apply regarding employers - get a contract, check the pay, but remember that there's a steady supply of teachers in the bigger cities so your bargaining power is limited.

I found that some of the bigger schools in particular weren't overly concerned with real teacher development (revolving door employment policies to keep wage costs down) but always paid on time and had good resources. Also, some places only recognise Australian or British Council school teaching experience when it comes to remuneration, but are happy to ask such 'unproven' staff to teach Cambridge or other more demanding classes.

Accommodation is cheap if you're prepared to share a house - check the classified adverts in the local papers. Private residences can also be rented and tend to be of varying quality but uniformly expensive.

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When it comes to spending your earnings, you can start to enjoy the benefits the 'lucky country' has to offer: great food, the great outdoors, surf, loads of sports facilities, modern shops etc. Supermarkets are reasonably priced but eating out in Australia is deservedly popular and many places let you BYO (bring your own) alcohol. Loads of pubs and clubs; outgoing people; and a lively, original arts scene all mean plenty to see and do.

My own experience was of nice classes and fun school activities (like being paid to take surfing lessons or play beach volleyball with the students). Management varied from friendly and enthusiastic to bureaucratic and dishonest. The bits of independent travel in between work were fantastic, and I even got to know a few Aussies amongst all my fellow tourists. The locals are easy to talk to but speak their minds, so don't always expect polite banter or five-star customer service. On the other hand, they value their leisure time and like to show guests a good time.

As for travelling around and seeing the sights, you've all read the guidebooks, so get out there - if your school runs a social activities programme you might even get paid to do it!

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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 & guaranteed lifetime job assistance worldwide job when you complete the course.

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Monday, 19 September 2016

TEFL Success Stories - Part 4

Cameroon - David

When I first told people I was going to work in Cameroon, the most common reaction was: 'Why?'. The second was: 'It's in Africa, you'll die!'. The third: 'Where is that?'

So let's give some answers. I was offered a job that looked interesting in a part of the world I'd never been to before. I'd also long had an interest in Africa, if in a rather vague way, so decided it was time to find out the reality.

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Second, a small amount of research showed that in more than 40 years since gaining independence, Cameroon has been a peaceful country with no wars. Of course it has had political repression and the occasional flare-up, but this country hardly falls into the Africa stereotype of wars and famine. Not only were there no wars, but Cameroon is a food exporter to the region.

Now, after three years, I can say that these have been the healthiest years of my life! No malaria, typhoid, cholera or any of the other frightening diseases you read about when Africa is mentioned. The worst thing that ever happened to me was a bout of food poisoning - once.

And for those with poor geographical knowledge, Cameroon is situated in the west of Africa, next to Nigeria and surrounded by Equatorial Guinea, Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon and Congo Brazzaville.

So what is it like to teach here? Well surprisingly not so different from teaching anywhere else: prepare a duff lesson and the lesson will be dull. Prepare a good one, relevant to your class and things will be good.

Most students come to us with a bit of English in their heads. Cameroon is a bi-lingual country with French and English as official languages, while there are also close to 200 local ethnic languages in a country of 16 million people. French is the dominant language, spoken by about 80% of the population, while the English speakers often prefer Pidgin. This rich mix of languages creates its own learning problems: 'Was that first, second, third or fourth language interference?'.

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It does take time to persuade students to take part in an interactive EFL lesson. It's just not what they're used to. The local school system is very traditional and somewhat strict. Perhaps not surprisingly when there can be up to 150 students in the classroom (of which maybe 30 have the book, and there are probably seats for 70) - try organising and monitoring pair work in that environment. However, give them a bit of time, coax them a bit, explain why you want them to do it your way and soon they'll open up and you'll be wishing they'd shut up.

Like anywhere, students appreciate it if you know a bit about their country, and not just Roger Milla (top scorer of the 1990 World Cup, in case you're wondering). It helps if you know the names of the ten provinces, know who the first president was, can say a word in a local language (I only have mandingwawhich means 'I love you' in Ewondo, the language of the capital city Yaoundé) and know that Yannick Noah isn't French.

So in conclusion: Cameroon isn't just football. Nor is it war, poverty and disease. It's just life and people, like anywhere else.

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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 when you complete the course.

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Thursday, 25 August 2016

TEFL Success Stories - Part 2

Teaching in South Korea - Jeffrey

After spending two years as an ESL teacher of Grades 3-6 (ages 10 to 13 in Korea, compared to 8 to 12 in Canada), Jeffrey is back home for a short time, he is planning to go back to Korea next term.

What do you do as an ESL teacher?

Jeffrey: According to my contract, my duties are to assist the reigning Korean teachers. Just what "assist" means is not written in stone. I've taught alongside a number of teachers during my time here, and just how active of a role I take in a given lesson has varied with each one (although "pretty active" is generally the norm). I teach at a public school, so we have a curriculum to follow, but it's a little flexible itself.

As far as planning goes, I usually prepare some sort of interactive PowerPoint presentation as well as a fun game that helps the students practice speaking, reading, or writing the lesson material. This probably isn't indicative of every public school, though.

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What does an average day for you consist of?

Jeffrey: Four or five hours of teaching in the morning and early afternoon. Classes are 40 minutes each followed by a break. I always have a Korean co-teacher by my side – sometimes it's necessary to explain things such as game instructions and grammar rules in Korean.

How did you get used to teaching without having major experience before you left?

Jeffrey: At a public school, they generally won't just throw you into the deep end and tell you to start swimming. I observed for a few days, and was afterward able to ease into the role. Having a co-teacher is pivotal at that stage.

Before you left, you cited culture shock, homesickness and the language barrier being major obstacles you would have to overcome. How did you tackle them?

Jeffrey: Having an open mind is essential for overcoming culture shock. I've just kind of taken everything in stride. There are quite a few foreigners here, so you're never going it alone, either. As for homesickness, there's always Skype.

The language barrier isn't a problem as often as you think it is. Even if mastering the spoken language is a different story, the written alphabet is very easy to learn, which makes things such as reading menus much easier. English signs are everywhere, especially when you take public transport. And even if you only learn the Korean equivalents of "hello," "thank you" and "how much," you'll be OK in most situations.

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What skills have you developed through your teaching experience?

Jeffrey: OK, you got me. The language barrier is a bit more pronounced when you're teaching eight-year-olds. Overcoming it has been a big challenge, but I feel very comfortable teaching them these days. I've gotten to know what kinds of language I can use to get points across, both oral and visual.

You've also been able to do some travelling within and outside Korea. Has this been a perk of working abroad?

Jeffrey: Yes, yes, 100% yes. Asia is beautiful. Go there.

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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 participate in our job placement program in Peru when you complete the course.

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

Wednesday, 24 August 2016

TEFL Success Stories - Part 1

Teaching in Taiwan

By Derick Lourens

The island of Formosa grabbed my attention 11 years ago when I came here for a holiday, visiting friends for ten days. I immediately fell in love with the country and its people.

So I went back to South Africa, quit my job at a law firm, and came to teach English in Taiwan. I have always wanted to be an English teacher. To date, I have been living here for 10+ years, and do not intend to ever leave, except for holidays.

What is so special about Taiwan that prompted such drastic changes in my life?

Much can be written about life here, and a lot can be learned about Taiwan and its culture, people, food, scenery, etc. just by watching the Discovery Channel on television, as well as the National Geographic and the Travel and Living Channel. Taiwan is famous baby!

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What grabbed my attention the most is the lack of crime here, the availability of jobs for EFL/ESL teachers, and the friendly people. There are also lots of societies and sports clubs run by foreigners, which makes it easier to settle in once you get here for the first time. Foreigners come from all the English speaking countries in the world, and if you are looking for assistance and help, just join a club.

Things have changed since I first came here, and the process for applying for a work permit and "green card" is more streamlined and transparent than a few years ago. You also get National Health Insurance and Labour and Pension Insurance, although you do not have to take the latter.

Taipei City runs 24/7. If you want to eat at 3am, no problem! The infrastructure is also super. You have a choice of travelling to work by train, bullet train, subway, taxi, bus, scooter, bicycle, or on foot. The cost of living here is affordable, and when you compare it to your income, it is even better. Big apartments are available to rent for cheap outside the city, where you can escape the sounds of traffic and breathe in fresh mountain air. You can travel to your school within 20 minutes. The technology and internet speed is amazing here. The price of a 24/7 fiber optics high speed internet connection is about US$ 33 per month!

The variety of jobs available is endless. Depending on your qualifications, you can teach any level from Beginners through to Senior High school and University. Most foreigners opt for the private franchise schools. The reason is that they will hire you without a teaching degree, as long as you have any other degree and a TESOL or TEFL diploma or certificate. Most schools offer a ready-made package of lesson plans and a syllabus.

Of course there are things in Taiwan that are not so good, but I have forgotten what they are, because they tend to pale in comparison when looking at the myriad of positive things on offer here. Coming here has been amazing, and I have made numerous friends, travelled Asia while earning money, and also found a safe place to raise my children.

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You can also learn to speak Chinese here, for free. Many universities offer free tuition to foreigners who want to study here. My friend completed his MBA degree in Taiwan, and worked part-time as well. The people of Taiwan are friendly and very helpful. Strangers will help you with anything, and they get things done in a flash.

So come on over and see for yourself. It's an adventure!

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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!

Monday, 22 August 2016

Teaching English in Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the best places in Asia for teaching English. An interesting culture, stunning natural scenery and huge demand for English tuition make it one of the most popular destinations. Most jobs are in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and it is worth reading up on the different characteristics of the two cities in order to be able to focus on vacancies in your preferred location. Salaries are perhaps the best in the Mekong region and there is a lively expat scene in both main cities.

Salaries start at $1,200 USD per month and go up to $2,000 USD per month, sometimes a bit higher at international schools. Most jobs are found in the cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Haiphong. Hiring schools prefer for you to have a degree, TEFL certification and over 1 year of teaching experience. If you do not have a degree but have over 5 years of teaching experience then it is still possible to obtain a work permit. There is a lot of work available, so if you are not getting enough hours from your full time employer you can always teach part time for a second school or language center.

Normally teachers arrive on a tourist visa and then convert it into a business visa with the help of their employer. Unlike neighbouring countries, you do not have to leave Vietnam and return on the new visa. However, a work permit also requires a health check and a criminal records check from your country of origin. If possible, obtain a criminal records check before arriving in Vietnam because it costs more and takes longer if you try to get one once you have arrived. The work permit is valid for 3 years and allows you annual business visas sponsored by your employer.

Transport, food and accommodation are all quite cheap in Vietnam but bear in mind that you will probably be charged more for many goods because you are a foreigner. Salary tax should be taken care of by your employer. Normally you should expect to receive your salary on a monthly basis.

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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!

Tuesday, 16 August 2016

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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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!

Monday, 1 August 2016

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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!