How to Find a Good TEFL Employer/School

So you're thinking about getting TEFL certified (or maybe you already are!), but once you've completed your TEFL course, what are you going to do with that crisp new certificate? Get a job and sail off into the sunset, that's what! However, with thousands of teaching jobs abroad all over the world, choosing a good one can be tricky. So, to help you in your job hunt, here are just a few ways to snaffle that dream TEFL job.

Planning ahead - going with a company

You’ll often find that your TEFL course provider will offer a free TEFL job placement service on completion. This is usually hassle-free, but researching your employer is always a good idea. You can use the internet to research the local area and culture, while travel guides such as Lonely Planet also offer handy tips. The organization you opt for should be able to give you information about the school and may even offer contact details for their in-country coordinators. If you can get hold of a phone number, ask to speak to any TEFL teachers currently in the school to get a true idea of what it’s like to work there.

Going it alone

If you’re arranging your own teaching job abroad the most important thing is to network. Most schools depend on local advertising and word-of-mouth, long before considering using online adverts. The TEFL community is vast, so the sooner you start making contact with both schools and other teachers, the better. Employers are looking for people who have a genuine enthusiasm for teaching so make sure your bubbly personality and love of working with children come across in your application and your resume. Your resume itself should be packed full of TEFL-related skills, up to date references and lots of experience.

Be tenacious with your applications, get back to schools you hear from and try to arrange phone interviews at schools that are far away. Large language schools will often have offices in several countries, so you may be able to talk to someone in person without having to get on a plane. Establishing contact with the school beforehand will also help you to make a much more informed decision.

Travelling first

If forward planning isn’t really your thing, then it is possible to find a TEFL job in-country. It can be risky as you're not guaranteed to find a position as soon as you step off the plane, but it depends where you want to go. Schools in popular countries such as China, Thailand and Japan offer good standards for English teachers and recruit locally due to their popularity as travel destinations. Networking is still important though, as is establishing contact with the local schools: internet forums are a good place to start, as they often have plenty of experienced teachers as members. Being in-country is a big advantage as you meet with the school director and actually visit your prospective work place and make a decision based on your own impressions, rather than those of someone else.

You will, however, still need to have a good resume, references and, of course, your TEFL certificate (we’re hoping you’ll already have your passport!) You’ll also need to carefully consider your budget, especially if you're arriving in Europe. Make sure you arrive at the best time for recruitment, usually a month or so before the start of the academic year. This will be more important in popular destinations in Asia or Europe, but less so if you plan to teach in off the beaten track.

Checklist

A few things for to consider before setting off on your TEFL adventure:

• What will living in my chosen country be like?
• Do my qualifications meet the standards of the country I’m going to?
• Do I have all the correct documentation: visas, passport, TEFL certificate?
• Where will I be living?
• What is the average pay in my chosen country?
• What hours should I expect to work?
• What sort of materials will be available?
• What support will there be before and during the placement?
• How big is the school I will be teaching in, in actual size and class size?
• What level of English will my students already have?
• What will my pupils' average age be?
• What will my non-teaching duties be?

Here are a few useful websites to help you start your research:

TEFL.net Jobs Abroad

i-to-i Jobs Abroad

ESLbase.com

Dave's ESL Cafe