Is TEFL For You?

[John V55]

As western economies decline and the minimum wage for a twelve hour shift in some corporate factory becomes the norm, TEFL begins to sound inviting, but is it for you?

Let’s dispel some of the fallacies and myths around TEFL.

First, forget about the adverts offering mouth-watering salaries in far flung exotic places where you will spend your time sun-bathing and having parties. They don’t exist. Teaching is hard work and you will spend most of your spare time doing lesson plans. Developing countries are not renowned for high salaries, or an easy working life especially in Asia.

Second, the TEFL certificate is not a professional qualification. It’s a certificate of competence to show a school director you know what a noun is and that an adjective isn’t a type of vegetable! It shows you have the basic ability of being able to speak publicly without freezing and that you can put across your point in a manner that is understood.

Third, there’s a reason many schools ask for native English speakers (NES), plus experience and a degree. Try getting a teaching position in your own country with a two week TEFL certificate and no degree. Why would a foreign country be any different? If you’re young and have a degree, get a professional teaching qualification from a western university and don’t waste your time at the bottom end of the TEFL ladder. If you’re not a NES, a professional western qualification will hopefully cancel that out and you can apply to state schools and not the private businesses masquerading as ‘schools’ often run by two legged sharks who will spot you a mile off!

All this doesn’t mean you won’t get a job if you don’t meet the job requirements, but you’ll struggle and the chances of you getting scammed or ending up in a deportation centre will greatly increase. Your salary will also reflect your lack of meeting teaching requirements.

Whilst writing this I don’t mean to put you off, but if you’re going to travel to far flung places outside the west where the law is often interpreted rather differently shall we say than to what we’re used to, think carefully before you plunge in at the deep end. I’m retired now, but over my years of TEFL in Thailand and China I met so many who were scammed or deported. My advice is that if you don’t meet the basic requirements for a work visa/permit of the country you want to work in, don’t risk it.