Teacher - English as a Foreign Language

Also known as:

English as a Foreign Language Teacher
TEFL

Introduction

Teachers of English as a foreign language (TEFL) teach English to foreign students in the UK or overseas. The emphasis is on reading, speaking, listening and writing.

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Work Activities

Teachers of English as a foreign language (TEFL) teach English to foreign students either in the UK or overseas. They may work with students from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures.

The work ranges from teaching people who are on an informal short course to improve their conversational English, to teaching business people who want to use English in their jobs and teaching overseas students who need to learn English before starting courses in the UK.

English is used as the main language in classrooms and is usually spoken at all times. Teaching methods, such as role-play, group work and audio-visual materials, are used to encourage communication. Teachers use a range of aids and resources in their work, including text books, work sheets, audio-visual aids, computers and materials they have prepared themselves.

Teachers are also involved in a range of other duties, including setting and marking assignments, tests and examinations, maintaining student records and organising relevant and useful activities such as trips to the cinema or theatre.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

The work demands imagination, creativity and the skill to adapt teaching methods to suit the age and ability of the group. As a teacher, you must be a good listener and encourage students to express themselves. You must be able to explain ideas clearly.

Knowledge of a foreign language is useful but not essential. Likewise, when teaching English to people who are working in commerce or industry, it may be useful to have some knowledge of business, medical, legal or technological terminology.

You should have self-confidence, enthusiasm and energy. Good organisational skills are important. Patience and a sense of humour are extremely useful assets.

Good computer and IT skills are important for researching information and preparing lessons.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) vary depending on whether you are employed or self-employed, your role and responsibilities, and whether you teach in the UK or other countries.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Pay rates are in the range of £15,500 - £18,500 a year, rising to around £24,000 - £30,500 a year.

Overseas salaries may be tax free and may attract supplements. Other benefits may include free accommodation, free flights and other allowances.

TEFL teachers often work similar hours to other teaching professionals; 9:00 am to 3:30 pm or 4:00 pm Monday to Friday. However, you may be required to run breakfast lessons and evening classes.

In the UK, work tends to be seasonal with more temporary posts available in the summer.

If you work overseas, your hours may vary. For example, you are more likely to work evenings and often weekends (at least Saturday).

There are a variety of employers and working environments. Courses may be held in an established educational institution, a private college, or adult education centre, in the UK or other countries.

Most opportunities in the UK are with private language schools, and in some education authorities, especially in districts with large minority ethnic communities. Some TEFL teachers in the UK work in colleges of further education (FE) and higher education (HE).

For work in other countries, employers include the British Council, aid and volunteer agencies, missionary societies, embassies and cultural institutes.

The demand for TEFL teachers varies from country to country.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Many new entrants are experienced teachers and trainers who have spent some time overseas.

Many teachers of English as a foreign language have a degree but it's possible to enter the training with fewer qualifications and relevant experience.

Many established employers only take applicants with qualifications in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). TEFL courses can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis at language schools or colleges of further education, both in the UK and abroad.

A number of centres offer TEFL qualifications by distance learning. However, most courses don't offer feedback on teaching practice, and therefore may not be acceptable to many teaching institutions. Check the status of awards with training providers.

A valid teaching course normally includes external validation by a reputable examination body, at least 6 hours of supervised teaching practice and at least 100 hours of ELT (English language teaching) input.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Teaching) could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who haven't followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

They can lead to relevant degree/HND courses.

They sometimes incorporate teaching English as a foreign language as a component; sometimes it is a separate qualification.

Recognised TEFL or other teaching qualifications are required in many countries. However, in some countries formal teaching qualifications are not required and work can be gained with only a fluent competence in the English language, both spoken and written.

• 35% of people in teaching occupations such as teaching English as a foreign language are self-employed.
• 54% work part-time.
• 3% have flexible hours.
• 10% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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