Teaching English abroad to be in greater demand?

Posted 26 Feb 2010

People with TEFL qualifications could be in greater demand in the future as a greater number of foreigners may want to learn the language, according to an education commentator.

Teresa Tinsley, director of communications at the National Centre for Languages (CILT), explained that the world is becoming much more international, with more individuals from overseas competing with British people by speaking English.

This could mean that there will be more demand for people to teach English abroad, which is an option open to anyone who passes their TEFL or TESOL qualifications.

Ms Tinsley commented: "Languages have as much importance as maths, science and ICT. It’s about understanding the wider world around you and being a rounded person as well."

In her view, some of the languages that people in the UK can learn that will increase their job prospects are Mandarin and Spanish, which travellers are likely to pick up if they decide to teach English in South America or China.

In a survey by CILT, 23 per cent of businesses said that Spanish is the most useful second language for Brits.

Category: Teaching and Learning