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TEFL jobs glossary

“Enthusiastic” = Will work split shifts without complaint

“Energetic” = Won’t get sick just because of a lot of work and lack of holidays

“Passionate” = Will act like a clown in kids’ classes to make up for a complete lack of training in actually teaching them anything

“CELTA or equivalent” = We really want the CELTA, but why would anyone with a well known qualification apply for this job??/ We only employ people with the CELTA, but we offer a different qualification in our teacher training section, so we have to write that to pretend that it’s okay

“Can work as a team”  = Will be fooled by management attempts to pretend they are listening and will accept all decision/ Won’t get pissed off at having to cover lessons for teacher who is hung over

Anyone spotted any others?

7 Responses to “TEFL jobs glossary”

  1. Teflista Says:

    Guaranteed job = a job that most wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole

    Competitive salary = the same that we always pay

  2. Alex Case Says:

    I would go for

    Competitive salary = seems good until you get here and realise what the other schools are paying

  3. Sandy Says:

    “Friendly family-run school” = Mafia-inspired outfit run by dysfunctional family who actually hate each other – and you even more!

  4. Teflista Says:

    Guaranteed job = teaching 60 kids per class in Cambodia or Thailand (with a blackboard and no air conditioning! )

    Stable location = no earthquakes in Japan this year

    Able to pass physical = having a pulse and a passport

    No criminal records = something only applied to teachers; TEFL management may do as they wish

    Patient and creative individuals who love working with children = mime and tap dance

  5. Alex Case Says:

    Like it. I’d only amend the first, to read

    Guaranteed job = guaranteed that an experienced teacher wouldn’t take it

  6. Andy Mallory Says:

    Creative = you have to make/write/buy all your own resources cos we have none. (or none you’d want to use at least)

  7. David V. Says:

    Back to ‘competitive salary’, which I’ve always taken to mean that a cartel of dodgy schools have gotten together and agreed to keep their pay somewhere floating around poverty line levels.

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