Fast-Track Your Way to TEFL Success

Entering the TEFL industry is just like entering any other industry. The freshly qualified TEFL teacher starts at the bottom of the career ladder but looks forward to the prospect of promotion and pay increases in the future.

Opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of the TEFL industry and to gain further qualifications will follow, opening doors to other branches of the industry such as academia or tuition.

This is the route which many TEFL teachers choose to take but as with other industries there are also short cuts. Taking a CELTA equivalent course is one such cheat. This is a long course, usually around four weeks in length when taken full-time, that combines TEFL theory with practical teaching experience. You might want to think of it as the degree of the TEFL industry. While a short TEFL course (the A-level of the TEFL world) will give you all the skills you need to get your foot in the door, a CELTA equivalent course will allow you to secure better jobs right off the mark.

Another option is to get some teaching experience before you start applying for jobs. Experience is really important if you want to secure higher paid jobs (which is why the CELTA equivalent course is so effective, because it includes teaching experience with real TEFL students) and in some of the more competitive TEFL markets you will struggle to find work without it. The simple fact is that the more experience you have at the time of your application, the better the jobs you'll be able to secure.

There are a number of specialist courses available that allow you to combine teaching practice with TEFL theory. These have the added bonus of giving you an extra qualification when completed which will add weight to your CV and prove your commitment to potential employers.

Another option is to volunteer with a local language institute. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of this is that it won't cost you a penny (except in travel costs which should be relatively low). Another major bonus is that you can fit it in with your everyday life, so you can gradually build up your teaching experience as you would your theoretical knowledge with an online course.

The final option is to volunteer overseas. This is the most effective option and will impress potential employers significantly more than the other two options. It's not simply the fact that you build up your teaching experience in a real TEFL classroom, but that you have time to adjust to working in a foreign country. This shows employers that you don't have any misconceptions about teaching abroad and that you won't simply drop out when the culture-shock sets in.

Another way to fast-track your TEFL career is to invest in further qualifications. The options available to you range from short add-on courses aimed at specialist skill-sets to full diplomas or MA's that could open doors to the academic side of the business. Add-on courses are the most popular options for first-time tutors. These are relatively cheap, look great on a CV and show your commitment to the industry. Courses in such areas as business English and teaching young learners can help you to specialise your skills so that you can capitalize on the more lucrative sectors of the TEFL industry.

All in all, fast-tracking your career can be an expensive business. It requires a larger initial investment from TEFL students but it could see you earning higher wages from the start and advancing within the field at a much faster pace than before. Each of the options presented above will allow you to increase both your employability and earning potential but whether they will offset the initial investment will depend entirely on your personal situation i.e. if you're only going away for three months you may not have the chance to earn back your investment.

Click here to see our range of Volunteer Teaching Placements.
Click here to view our Specialist Certificates.