Teaching English as a Foreign Language
This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
See also Using your language skills from the Prospects website and our pages Working and Volunteering Abroad.
What is Teaching English as a Foreign Language?
TEFL teachers work in commercial language schools, schools and institutions of further and higher education in the UK and overseas. Any degree subject is acceptable for entry into the profession, although some employers prefer a language, linguistics or English degree. It is advisable (and often necessary) to gain an approved TEFL qualification. A TEFL qualification gives you a knowledge of English grammar and the classroom skills you need to teach effectively. Employers look favourably on graduates who have spent a year teaching abroad.
Prospects
Prospects is a graduate careers website with job profiles, including teaching english as a foreign language and english as a second language teacher.
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/eduteacheng
Target Jobs
Target has information on being a TEFL teacher.
Prospects Education Community
Includes information on TEFL courses www.prospects.ac.uk/education
How do I get into it?
- EF English - First Network of franchise schools in various locations worldwide. The UK office is at 36-38 St Aubyns, Hove.
www.englishfirst.com - The British Council guide to getting qualified
- English as a Second Language Directory - database of schools and programs around the world.
www.esldirectory.com
Look for courses at the University of Brighton
http://courses.brighton.ac.uk/
Finding a job or employer in this sector
There are many language schools along the south coast; most of these are situated between Worthing and Hastings. Some recruit staff all year round but the majority require people for summer work to teach and organise the vast numbers of overseas students who attend English language schools during the summer season.
These schools do not necessarily require TEFL trained staff or even education students and it is possible for graduates and undergraduates to be employed as assistant teachers and/or visit organisers.
EnglishUK
Includes a searchable database of British Council-accredited schools in the UK.
ELT News.com - English teaching jobs in Japan.
EF English First - Teach English in China with EF English First
TESOL – Teachers of English to Speakers of other languages.
TEFL Professional Network - provides English Language Teaching professionals with online career resources.
See our webpages on looking for work
Further Information and Useful Links
See also our pages on Working Abroad
TEFL Uncovered - A comprehensive 143 page guide to all aspects of TEFL teaching. Commissioned by i-to-i.
A Graduate Guide to Travelling and Teaching Abroad - A 76 page guide, commissioned by i-to-i and Prospects.
Cactus TEFL - offers help and advice for internationally recognised TEFL qualifications.
IATEFL - The International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language. Includes a job shop.
The Guardian newspaper TEFL pages for news and information.
The British Council connects people world-wide with learning opportunities and creative ideas from the UK and builds lasting relationships between the UK and other countries.
Council for International Educational Exchange (CIEE) – Teach in China and the JET programme.
JET Programme - Report on Presentation at the Embassy of Japan, April 2010
Includes feedback from JET on recent applicants and information on other Japanese government-sponsored cultural exchange initiatives. Also includes useful background information for anyone planning to apply for this or other opportunities in Japan.