Qualifications

• In an increasingly competitive English language teaching market, TEFL qualifications are an asset. Month-long TEFL certificate courses are the first step in gaining English language teaching credentials. Beyond the certificate, some teachers train for a diploma in TEFL, which requires a longer course and some EFL teaching experience. Many universities also offer a Master of Arts in TEFL, which will help those seeking to establish a career in the English language teaching field.
  
  

Types

• An assortment of English language schools exist for the EFL teacher abroad. The most prevalent type is the language center, which offers a variety of courses for all student levels throughout the day. Some language schools serve specific purposes, such as teaching conversation, business English or young learners. Local school districts often employ a non-native EFL instructor to help the English teaching staff, and universities do the same to complement the English faculty.
  
  

Features

• An EFL teacher's schedule can be extremely varied. At a language center, an instructor could teach homemakers in the morning, schoolchildren in the afternoon and business people in the evenings. EFL teachers who work for a school district or university may have a more traditional daytime schedule. Some language centers require teachers to use a specific textbook, while schools and colleges may want instructors to create their own teaching materials or use supplementary resources.
  
  

Considerations

• Finding suitable accommodation and establishing social relationships when abroad is important. Some language schools offer subsidized housing, usually shared with other teachers. EFL teachers working for a school district may have to find their own rental, either sharing with locals or other foreigners. Universities have their own staff quarters available to overseas EFL instructors. Many EFL teachers socialize together and form friendships with their students to help them feel more connected to their new environment.
  
  

Pay

• Most EFL jobs are not high-paying yet allow for a comfortable lifestyle in the country the teacher is in. Some language centers offer a second-year bonus for instructors who successfully complete an initial contract. EFL teachers at school districts and universities will often enjoy a more lucrative salary than those at a language school. Many teachers can supplement their income with private teaching work.
  
  

Benefits

• Working as an EFL teacher can help further a career in education and other careers that require an excellent command of the English language. Experiencing another culture can help with adapting to new situations, understanding alternative perspectives and thinking in a more expansive way. It is also an opportunity to travel and enjoy a different way of living.