7 Reasons to Teach Abroad in 2011

Forget losing weight, forget eating healthily, forget all that toning nonsense – here’s why teaching English abroad should be number one on your must-do list for 2011!

1.      You’ll get paid to travel

We’ve all been there – nose pressed up against the window, dreaming of somewhere a little more exciting, but alas, the festive period has drained all available funds! The good news is that TEFL is a great alternative to remortgaging your house, selling your body on the street and/or begging your parents (delete as applicable) to fund adventures abroad – it might not be a free ride (you’ll still need to get a bit of cash together for your TEFL course and flights), but because you’ll be earning as you go, you’ll soon be able to make back that initial outlay – and still have some change left over to explore the country you’re living in.

2.      You’ll meet new people

Let’s be honest now – you can never really have enough friends (unless you’re some kind of global superstar with an entourage that would put P Diddy to shame – then you’re probably sorted). And TEFL’s a fantastic way to meet new people from all over the world who you wouldn’t have crossed paths with if you’d stayed home – fellow teachers, students, other expats, neighbours. Hey, you might even meet the love of your life!

3.      You’ll really experience another culture

A lot of people go traveling to experience another culture, but just end up visiting tourist traps and lounging around in youth hostels with the same kind of people they hang out with back home. Not so with TEFL– because you’re living and working with local people, you won’t be on the outside taking snapshots to post on Facebook, you’ll be part of the picture yourself.

That could be you - in the picture...! (Photo: Roberts121)

4.      You’ll gather a lifetime’s worth of awesome stories

Feel like you’re always telling the same old stories? If you feel like your life needs a bit of extra spice, TEFL could be just the seasoning you need – just check out these tales of exploding toilets, propositioning members of the Korean army and mid-afternoon karaoke. It might not always be beaches and Pina Coladas, but it’ll certainly be an experience!

5.      You’ll get valuable work experience

Silliness aside, teaching English abroad can be pretty handy in the long-run. You’ll boost your leadership, organisational and communication skills, plus get loads of lovely work experience to put on your CV. So, when you get home, you won’t just be another bum who’s spent the last year or two loafing around the world, you’ll be a bum who’s spent the last year or two doing something useful around the world.

6.      You’ll give something back

Because having good spoken English carries such a high premium across the world, you’ll really be giving your students a boost in life by helping them improve their English. Plus, as most TEFL jobs last from 6 months to a year, you’ll (hopefully!) be able to see your students flourish under your tuition, safe in the knowledge that you’ll be helping their chances in life.

7.      You’ll have the chance to learn a new language

You don’t have to speak another language to teach English abroad, but it’s certainly a great opportunity if you do want to brush up on your existing language skills, or even get to grips with a totally new language. Try a language swap, or wangle free language lessons as part of your contract.

What’s your reason for teaching English abroad? Share it below!

• teach abroad
• TEFL
• TEFL course
• teach English abroad
• teach english overseas