Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
From Japanese businessmen to Spanish schoolchildren, people around the globe want to learn English. This is good news for people wanting to work abroad and, with a little time, money and effort you can put yourself in a position where you are virtually guaranteed some form of job teaching English abroad. Initially you will have to ask yourself:
- Do I want a recognised qualification?
- Do I want to adopt the freelance approach?
The Official Line
In recent years there has been a marked increase in the number of organisations offering TEFL qualifications. These vary greatly in intensity, quality and price. The standard recognized qualification is the Royal Society of Arts (RSA)/ University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) Certificate for Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults. This is an intensive, practical course (four weeks if you undertake it on a full-time basis) and competition for places is stiff. You will have to attend an interview, at which you may be given a short written test dealing with common grammatical and semantic problems that may occur while you are teaching. With this in mind it would be a good idea to take a look at either Rediscover Grammar by D Crystal (Longman) or Discover English by R Bolitho and B Tomlinson (Heinemann).
How Much will it Cost?
Most RSA Certificate courses cost in the region of £700-£1,000. Although this is a large lump sum to pay out it is worth remembering that the Certificate is highly thought of around the world and once you have it you will be able to virtually pick a job in the country of your choosing. Look at it as a valuable investment.
Where Can I do the Course?
RSA Certificate courses are held at centres all over Britain. Four of the major ones are:
International House
106 Piccadilly
London
W1V 7NL
Tel: (020) 7518 6999
International Languages Centres Limited
White Rock
Hastings
East Sussex
TN34 1JY
Tel: (01424) 720100
Sister centre of International House and they have a computerised database which matches applicants with TEFL qualifications to jobs primarily in the Middle or Far East.
Bell School of Languages
1 Redcross Lane
Cambridge
CB2 2QX
Tel: (01223) 278800
Web site: www.bell-school.ac.uk
They run courses in Cambridge , Norwich , Saffron Walden, Bath and London.
Basil Paterson Tutorial College
22 Abercromby Place
Edinburgh
EH3
Tel: (0131) 556 7695
Runs a one month full-time TEFL course for £900, or it can be undertaken as a six month part time course.
Other Qualifications
In addition to the RSA Certificate there are numerous other introductory TEFL courses around the country. Some of these have the advantage of being taught by organisations which have language schools abroad, so once you have gained your qualification you are very likely to be given a job with them.
How do I get a Job?
English as a Foreign Language (EFL) positions around the world are advertised in several publications, including the Times Educational Supplement , the Education Guardian (Tuesdays) and the EFL Gazette (Loop Format Limited, 10 Wright's Lane, London W8 6TA).
If you have an RSA Certificate and some TEFL experience (remember, there are numerous language schools in Britain at which you can teach before you go abroad), then you could apply to the British Council for a teaching job overseas. They are the largest international EFL employer and have 52 teaching centres around the world. Even with the above qualifications they may require a TEFL RSA Diploma, which can be undertaken after the Certificate and two years' teaching experience. For further information contact:
The British Council
ELT Group
10 Spring Gardens
London
SW1A 2BN
Tel: (020) 7389 4167
