How do I know if TEFL is right for me?
The best way to know if TEFL is right for you is to dive in and take a chance. If travelling, experiencing new cultures, and teaching appeals to you, then the decision will be easier to make. However, if this is a completely new career change or you have never heard of TEFL until now, here are some things to consider that can help you decide if this is a chance worth taking. You have nothing to lose and much to gain.
Self-assessment
Teaching is not as easy as it seems. Patience, the ability to explain concepts in easy-to-understand terms, good communication skills, creativity, humour, being flexible, open to new ideas, culturally sensitive, and empathetic are just a few of the skills you’ll need to succeed at teaching. You may not have all the skills but do not let that discourage you. You’ll develop and learn the skills needed to be a good TEFL teacher during the TEFL course and with the experience you gain teaching.
TEFL is about teaching English. Can you speak English at a Native or near-native level?
Most TEFL jobs prefer a native speaker, but that does not mean you are not qualified if English is not your native language. Your level of English will need to be at a C1 level but again, there are exceptions, and you’ll have to assess whether your level of English is enough to get you through the TEFL course and be able to deliver the techniques and methods of teaching English to a group of learners.
What are language levels?
Language levels are commonly measured using the Common European Framework (CEFR)
Each level describes what a speaker at that level is able to accomplish with the language.
CEFR has 6 levels of ability ranging from A1 to C2. A1 and A2 are considered Basic. B1 and B2 are considered Independent and C1 and C2 are considered Proficient.
At each level, CEFR describes what learners can do with the following 5 skills: Spoken Interaction, Spoken Production, Listening, Reading and Writing. There are a set of detailed ‘Can Do’ statements that describe what the learner can do for all five skills at each level. Review the Can-Do statements and self assess what you can and cannot do to get an idea of where you may fall on the CEFR scale. There are informal exams online that can provide a quick snapshot of your level. Or, for an official exam, you may want to consider the IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC CAE or Michigan ECPE exams.
The TEFL Course
The most important part of taking the leap into TEFL is getting your TEFL Certificate. There are many courses and programs which will be overwhelming for someone who is totally new to TEFL. How do you know if the course is legitimate? You’ll need to do a lot of research. Try joining TEFL groups on Facebook or other social media platforms to meet other TEFL professionals and ask what course they chose. Here is a website that offers reviews of TEFL programs submitted by actual students, https://www.teflcoursereview.com/.
A 120-hour course is the minimum requirement for most teaching jobs.
A TEFL course will provide you with a theoretical and practical foundation for teaching English. If you know your English proficiency is not at the level where you would be able to comprehend academic English and writing, do not give up. Enroll in an English course and self-study to improve your skills.
In addition to language proficiency, you’ll need to ask yourself if you are willing to put in the time and work to earn your certificate. Take a look at the course content for various TEFL programs. Then, do an independent search online for articles or online content related to that topic. If you can understand the concepts and terms being used in the context presented. Don’t look for a quick and easy TEFL certificate program or cut corners during your course. You’ll appreciate the learning process and knowledge you gained during your studies when you enter a real classroom setting and are presented with your very first group of students.
Your comfort zone
Language levels and TEFL courses are logical things to consider in making your decision. However, there are pragmatic considerations too. Many TEFL teachers will make the move abroad. How open are you to stepping outside of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in an environment that speaks a different language, has different customs, ideologies and lifestyles? Are you willing to give up the comforts of your daily life to immerse yourself in the local culture and community? A bad habit to develop is to constantly compare your home country to your new environment. As a guest in your host country, make new friends, learn the language, and be open to new experiences so you become more like a local than a stranger.
Talk to TEFL teachers
Get first-hand information from current or former TEFL professionals. You can find many groups on Facebook and online chat forums where TEFL teachers hang out to discuss teaching tips or jobs abroad. You may discover where you would like to teach based on the experiences of veteran teachers and newly certified teachers who are already working.
Ultimately, only you can determine if TEFL is right for you. Try teaching abroad or locally for a year and see for yourself if TEFL is the right path for you. And remember to keep an open mind, stay positive, work hard and enjoy the journey. Your experience will help someone else who is thinking about taking their first steps toward TEFL.