It happens to the best of us, the dreaded ‘getting-stuck-in-a-rut-itis’. Symptoms: being 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 jack it all in and jet off on a TEFL adventure:
1. Your job’s not that great anyway
Let’s face it – unless you’re a professional footballer or a rock star, your job isn’t that fantastic. Yes it’s comfortable and pays the bills on time, and yes, you probably enjoy the banter and intra-office flirting. But let’s be honest – the job itself is pretty dull right?
If you’re looking for something a little more meaningful than sneaking on Facebook when your boss isn’t looking and counting down the hours until 5pm, take a look at teaching English abroad.
Welcome to your new office...
2. 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 massive wrench 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!
3. TEFL will actually help your career
Teaching English abroad isn’t a chance to swan around and laze 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 impressive prospective employers, then what will? Oh, and you’ll probably still get time for those beaches too…
4. You won’t be losing a job, you’ll be gaining 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.
5. You’ll always regret the things you DIDN’T do
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 round to. While you might regret that drunken fumble at so-and-so’s 21st birthday party, or all the time you wasted on Xbox Live, you’ll probably regret the things you didn’t do the most – all the opportunities that you passed up. We reckon travelling and experiencing life in another culture shouldn’t be one of them. As H Jackson Brown, Jr said: "Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did."
Are you planning to quit your job to travel the world and TEFL? Tell me all about it!
Loading recent content...
What do you think?
Add Your Comment!
Log in to leave a comment or Create an account
Hey,
Congratulations on deciding to do your TEFL course! Your age and lack of experience shouldn't be a major hurdle in finding TEFL work abroad as long as you're TEFL certified, however unless you're a child progidy, I take it you don't have a degree, right? If you don't, you'll have real difficulty finding work legally in Thailand, as you need a degree in order to get your visa.
However, it's not the end of the world - there's loads of other awesome countries, such as Indonesia, where you can find TEFL jobs without a degree. There's a list here: http://www.tefl-chalkboard.com/travel-guides/135-Do-I-Need-a-Degree-to-TEFL-
You might also want to chat to Robert Clarke, who doesn't have a degree, but it hasn't held him back - he taught in Indonesia for a year and is now teaching in China: http://www.tefl-chalkboard.com/robertclarke
Good luck and if you have any other questions get in touch!
I am looking to take a TEFL course to teach English in Thailand. I have just recently got back from there and I had the best time of my life :). It would be a dream come true to work and live over there. I am just a bit unsure at the moment though as I am only 19 years of age and think that with not having any experience in a classroom that I will not be able to get a job. What are your thoughts on my situation.
Thanks Rin!
Karen - best of luck in Peru and congratulations on passing your course - your best bet is just chatting to a few employers over there to see what it is they're after in teachers - you may find they're just waiting for a qualified teacher like you to show up!
Great post!! Its all so exciting isn't it!!
Hi, I have just finished my TEFL course and passed with flying colours. I'm not quite sure yet where I want to go but Peru is looking favourable as I have a nephew living in Lima who I haven't seen for almost 3 years. I would dearly love to teach the poorer kids English over there, but as you say it is taking that first step which is the hardest. I will get there eventually - but maybe need to learn a little conversational spanish first.
» Comments RSS