Make TEFL Your New Year’s Resolution

Hey, you – put down that chocolate and listen up. Now, it’s the time of year when everyone’s casting around wildly for a decent New Year’s resolution that’s going to stand the test of, well, more than three days. You could go for the oldies, but goldies – losing weight, exercising more, being a ‘better person’...

Or you could go for a radical New Year’s resolution that covers off all those pesky smaller resolutions in one go – ladies and gentlemen, here’s what teaching English abroad will enable you to do:

1) Learn something new

Doing a TEFL course and teaching abroad will open your eyes to something you’ve probably taken totally for granted – English. And if that doesn’t particularly appeal, the actual experience of teaching abroad, of surviving thousands of miles from home, of immersing yourself in a new culture – well that should teach you a few new tricks.

2) Help others

Who doesn’t feel like a bit of a spoilt brat at this time of year? If you’re looking for a way to give something back, teaching English could be just the thing. Great English is key to getting ahead in almost all countries around the world; by helping your students improve theirs you’ll be giving them a skill that will last a lifetime, and you the knowledge that you’ve made a real difference to their prospects.

3) Make new friends

Unless you’re going to teach English to monks in the Himalayas who’ve taken a vow of silence, you’ll be pretty hard pressed not to make a few new friends during your time abroad. Most large towns and cities have decent expat populations and your English skills will make you very popular with the locals indeed. If you’re really keen on making new friends, try one of i-to-i’s Teaching Internships. You’ll head out to teach with hundreds of other interns and you’re always guaranteed to be placed with at least one other person at your school.

4) Lose weight

Now, this just depends where you end up, but odds on, if you’re a new teacher you’ll be heading to Asia. That means less chocolate and chips, more lean meat, rice and veggies. It’s hardly going to have you piling on the pounds is it?

Photo: (wyscan)

5) Get a new job

Let me guess, you’re absolutely dreading going back to work after the Christmas break? Well, heading overseas to teach is obviously a brand new start in a brand new job, not to mention a great way to build on your communication, leadership and interpersonal skills – perfect for getting that edge when you eventually do decide to come home.

So, what do you say? If you’re ready to make teaching abroad your New Year’s resolution, check out i-to-i’s TEFL courses here.

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