How to Jumpstart Your Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Career

Thinking about the future? Have an impending graduation on the horizon and no idea what to do next? Do you just want to escape your country and become one of those travel bloggers you see on Instagram?

(In the voice of Barney Stinson) … have you tried teaching English?

Teaching English overseas has become one of the most rewarding ways to earn money while travelling and immersing yourself in a new culture. Better yet, most companies (English 1 included) offer a supportive network of teachers who will guide you in becoming a fantastic English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor. In this article, you'll find tips and tricks of the trade to help you make the most of your TEFL certification.

Whether you've just graduated from university or are still in high school, there’s no time like the present to start planning.

Look at the courses offered at your school for the next semester – can you take an extra English class? How about creative writing? Having a strong grasp of grammar and spelling will only benefit you in your future ESL career.

Buy a grammar book. As native speakers, we know English so well that sometimes it's difficult to explain why you need that second ‘had’ in a sentence (`If I had had an umbrella…'). Doing a few pages of exercises will familiarise you with the rules, making teaching a breeze. We recommend Raymond Murphy’s Essential Grammar in Use: Intermediate. It might even help you get an A on your next test (WINNING).

Pay attention to the teachers in your current classes. Observe how they speak, move around, write on the board, and answer questions. Every teacher has a different style, and now is the time to figure out yours. Start developing a style that you’d like to emulate in your future classes.

Pick a grammar exercise and teach it. You can start by yourself, but teaching a friend (or several!) will skyrocket your speaking, delivery, and presentation skills. Plus, it’ll open your eyes to how much fun teaching can be!

Record yourself. One of the fastest ways to improve your teaching and speaking skills is to record yourself. Seeing how you look, stand, and speak can help you decide where you want to improve. Don’t forget to look into the lens (don’t watch yourself) and smile!

Already in university? Great! There are plenty of ways to prepare yourself for teaching while you're on campus.

Pop into your student and career services offices and book an appointment with a professional. It's their job to help you find a job, and they'll be happy to show you where and how to get started.

Keep an eye out for your campus's next Job Fair. You’ll often find one or two teaching English stands, most staffed by volunteers who have taught abroad themselves.

Ask your friends if they know someone who has taught abroad. Perhaps a family friend or an older sibling has experience. Offer to buy them a coffee and ask all your burning questions. Personal stories can spark excitement and ease anxiety, so be sure to ask what they loved most about their time abroad!

Check out online discussion boards. We love sites like BBC English and The Guardian, but you can also find informal conversation boards where teachers are happy to answer any questions about teaching overseas. These sites will be really useful when you start your TEFL course! Simply plug your keywords into your browser’s search bar and see what pops up.