Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Justin Richardson

Careers Adviser

Objectives

To look at:

What TEFL is and where

the opportunities are How to train Qualities needed How to get your first TEFL job Further help and resources

My background in TEFL

• Istanbul, Turkey – Private Language School (1 year)

• Nagoya, Japan – Conversation School (2 years)

• Japanese Boarding School, London (6 months)

• FE College, Nottingham (1 year)

• Highlights New culture, new experiences ! Students Making Friends Opportunity to travel Job is interesting – what you put in is what you get out !

TEFL

English is the language

of international communication 80% of information is in English There is a world-wide demand

for teachers of English TEFL can be UK or overseas TEFL can be year off or

permanent

Careers in TEFL TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

Can be UK or Overseas

ESP (English for Specific Purposes) ESL or E2L (English as a Second Language)

Usually in UK for those whose first language is not English OR overseas where English is official Language

Teaching Posts in UK

Private Sector

Language Schools Colleges

Often Seasonal Often in Tourist areas

Public Sector

Local Education Authorities (usually qualified Teachers)

Colleges of FE Adult Education Home Tutoring

Teaching Posts Abroad

State Schools Private Schools Further Education Higher Education

Salary and conditions vary enormously – although cost of living in areas will often be correspondingly low.

Better paid jobs available in Japan and parts of the Middle East Many teachers often supplement their income by offering one-to-

one tuition after school hours.

What qualities will you need?

Thorough knowledge of English Language

A Clear Speaking Voice

Energy, Imagination and creativity

Patience

The Ability to Listen

A Genuine Interest in People

A Sense of Humour

Willingness to adapt to new Cultures

Good communication skills

Stamina

A foreign language

Commercial Awareness

Training

An EFL qualification is not essential for all posts Depends on the country, the school, the contract

4 main courses: UCLES CELTA (RSA?) - studied in UK or overseas and costs

around £1000 www.cambridgeesol.org/teaching/celta.htm Trinity College Certificate www.trinitycollege.co.uk University Certificate Commercial Language School Certificate Introductory Courses are also available

A PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is needed for teaching ESL in state schools and some countries require QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) as well as a recognised TEFL qualification.

The CELTA Course – entry criteria

A Degree Good Language Awareness Interest in people and other cultures Confidence, resilience, communication (Experience of travel useful)

Pre-Interview Language Awareness Task Individual, paired and/or group interviews Language tests Brief teaching exercise

Course Content

Principles & techniques of English language learning Practical awareness of learning needs and motivation Linguistic form, function and meaning Teaching materials - commercially produced and self-produced Teaching Aids (eg TV, video, computer) Classroom management & lesson planning Teaching the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking Testing and evaluation

8 hours per day! (but can be done part-time)

Methods of Instruction

Intensive sessions of EFL methodology (grammatical terminology)

Observation of lessons taught by experienced teachers

Teaching practice (under supervision)

Detailed analysis and discussion of individual performance

Reading and writing assessments and private study

Continuous assessment of practical and written work

Examples of who recruits ?

Schemes Private Language Voluntary Organisations

JET (Japan) Berlitz

VSO

Central Bureau Linguarama Skillshare Africa

British Council Inlingua Christians Abroad

European Union (europe.eu)

International House

And MANY more………………………….

What to consider…..

Check the school with English UK What if you are unhappy with your job/the country etc? Check your contract…when do you get paid? What are the hours of work? Where is the accommodation? Will you have insurance cover? Read the “Basic Questions Sheet” Call into Careers Service for advice

Things to think about !

• Hours, pay, reputation, responsibilities• Check any contracts closely for details of details of

holiday and sickness pay (www.efl-law.com) is a useful website

• Style of teaching employed and type of school• Area where you will be living• Culture• What do you want to get from the experience ?• What happens after working abroad !

Career Development

• After 2 years: Diploma (DELTA or Trinity) MA Applied Linguistics Senior job Director of Studies Principal

Self-Employment Teacher Training Freelance Writer/Editor/Sales Rep in

publishing Script Writing eg BBC Education Administration eg British Council

or UNESCO

Where to look for vacancies

EFL Gazette Times Educational Supplement The Guardian (Tuesdays) Overseas Jobs Express Careers Service Vacancy Bulletins or

website www.liv.ac.uk/careers TEFL files in Careers Resource Centre ELT Guide Teaching English Abroad Websites

Useful Websites

www.thes.co.uk (The Times Higher Education Supplement) www.tefl.com TEFL.com The Guardian (www.guardian.co.uk) Tuesdays www.overseasjobs.com Overseas jobs www.jet-uk.org (Assistant Language Teacher – Japan) www.britishcouncil.org.uk (info for teachers and jobs) www.languageassistant.co.uk (European, Latin American China and Russia

placements) www.cactusteachers.com (info and applications to courses) www.englishuk.com (addresses of accredited UK schools) www.prospects.ac.uk/links/vcsc (course surveys) www.cambridgeesol.org/teaching/celta.htm (everything! - includes where

to apply) http://www.liv.ac.uk/english/elu/celta.htm EL Gazette www.elgazette.com

Other Opportunities

• JET (Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme)

Have opportunities for Assistant Language Teachers and Coordinator for International Relations

Presentation on Tue, 4th Nov 6pm – 7pm

www.jet-uk.org for further details

• English Language Assistant Scheme – British Council

See www.britishcouncil.org/languageassistants-ela.htm

Good opportunity to enhance language and cultural learning and find out if interested in teaching.

Further Information

Seminars and Employer Presentations

Loan: Teaching English as a Foreign Language and Teaching Abroad

Reference: Teaching English Abroad – Susan Griffiths ELT Guide Teach Abroad Teaching English in the EU Section A4 Yellow files in Careers Resource Centre cnewton@liverpool.ac.uk (University of Liverpool TEFL course) Prospects website www.prospects.ac.uk/links/Occupations Country Profiles www.prospects.ac.uk/link/Countries

What Next?

Attend other seminars / presentations / eventsSee What’s On Programme

HandoutsUse resources in the Careers Resource CentreDiscuss your plans with a Careers Adviser

Quick Query Interview (15-mins)Guidance Interview (40-mins)