You may be thinking of doing your TEFL course and teaching abroad as a ‘gap year’ before starting a career which you studied for at university. Many people will ask you ‘why do you want to teach English abroad? Aside from a so-called year off, how will it benefit you?’
Well, this is what you can tell them:
- You’ll gain confidence
So many parts of this experience will help you to gain confidence – from travelling alone abroad to a new place, to experiencing new cultures, to doing something new, to learning to speak in front of people.
- Your communication skills will improve
Techniques learnt on the course and practiced in the classroom thereafter, will improve your general communication skills. You will be far more aware of whether or not you have been understood, and will adjust the way you speak and listen to people in general. You will also become more confident speaking to large groups of people, as well as on a one-to-one basis.
- Your time management skills will improve
You’ll become the master of checklists! There’s nothing like leaving behind your materials and wasting all your hard work and effort to make you more organised! Carefully planning your lessons according to a time schedule will also be great practice for time management.
- You’ll become more aware of other cultures
As you’ve moved to another country, and are teaching students who are not from your culture, you will become acutely aware of the differences between cultures, and the pitfalls of dealing with people from other cultures. These include misunderstandings, doing things in different ways, and knowing that what is acceptable in one culture, may not be so in another culture. In the corporate workplace one day, this will be a valuable asset to have, particularly jobs where you’ll be dealing with international clients.
- Networking
You will make friends for life – after meeting people you would never have met back home. These could be your fellow classmates on the TEFL course, your fellow teachers while teaching, or neighbours and other locals, as well as your students. Having an international network of friends and past colleagues can also advance your career in ways you may never know – as you never know where the future may take you.
- You’ll mature and grow as a person
All the challenges and hardships of living abroad will give you a tough skin and mature you in ways that staying at home in a familiar environment won’t do. Moving out of your parental home is testing enough for many young adults – but doing so in a different country really challenges you!
- You’ll have a skill you can use to earn money for life
Your TEFL certificate never expires. At any time in the future when you need to earn some extra money, even if you are studying or working in another field, you’ll be able to use your TEFL certificate to teach online. Teaching online offers a good income with a flexible schedule.
- You’ll have a skill and qualification that allows you to become a digital nomad or remote worker.
One thing the pandemic has taught us is the value of being able to work remotely during lockdowns. When many people lost their jobs when lockdowns happened, the TEFL and online teaching industry grew at a rapid pace.
- You’ll have a skill and qualification that allows you to work abroad.
There are so many advantages to working and living abroad. Many people have this ambition, but no idea how to make it happen. Having a TEFL certificate opens up endless possibilities for working abroad. Those who also have a bachelor’s degree have many more options, but even for those who don’t have a degree, there are countries where you can teach abroad, Cambodia being one of them.
- If you are thinking of becoming a full-time teacher, but not sure if this is the right career path for you, TEFL gives you a taster.
The idea of being a teacher appeals to you, but you’re not quite sure if it’s the right career path for you. Doing a TEFL course will soon tell you if this is something you want to do long term before you commit to a 4-year teaching degree.
Well there you have it. There are many more reasons to sail away from familiar shores, but these reasons are ones that you can proudly mention in interviews and cover letters. So what are you waiting for?
Also read out blog about “How Teaching Abroad Builds Grit” and “3 Reasons why RIGHT NOW is the perfect time to teach abroad.”
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