How To Get Work-From-Home Opportunity After Being TEFL Certified?

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All About TEFL

Do you own a laptop? Would you like to earn money working online from the comfort of your home? Do you want to make a decent salary?

A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification can open the door for you to get all this and more. The certification qualifies you to teach the English language to non-native speakers. There is a huge demand to learn the English language in most of the Asian countries, and hence, there is a particular need for online TEFL teachers.

A standard TEFL course that lasts for 120 hours would teach you the following:-

1. What are the methods of teaching?

2. What is your role as a teacher?

3. What are the motivations for the students?

4. How do you connect your job role with the goals of the learner?

You also learn the four types of teaching skills, that is, reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and about how to manage the classroom. 

I would now like to put forth key takeaways from a panel discussion of a group of experienced individuals who are providing a TEFL Certification online and from their institutes. Goabroad.com, which is a website specifically for individuals who are planning to go abroad for work or study, has arranged the discussion.

The panelists, who have vast experience in TEFL training, discuss various topics related to the certification. Some questions they answered are as follows: 

1. What is TEFL Certification? How does it help in working from home?

2. Who is eligible to get a TEFL Certification?

3. What is the standard duration of a TEFL Course?

4. What is the importance of TEFL Certification for teaching English?

5. Types of online jobs available for a TEFL certified individual

The panelist members are as follows:

1. Ms. Rose Mansfield from Premier TEFL. Ms. Mansfield is the Managing Director of Premier TEFL, an Ireland based institute. They have customers from all over the world who are interested in getting a TEFL certificate online. Ms. Mansfield has been managing in the TEFL field for more than 14 years.

2. Mr. Joe Hallwood is the founder of The TEFL Org. He has been an English teacher for 27 years and assisted people in finding their dream job of working abroad or working from the comfort of their home by helping them achieve a TEFL Certification.

3. Mr. Kent Jones is the founding director of Maximo Nivel, an institute based in Latin America. They are a leading educational travel and study abroad organization offering a variety of programs, TEFL Certification being one of them.

4. Ms. Elspeth Chalmers is from Teach Away, a TEFL Certificate providing institution. Ms. Elspeth has been in the international teaching profession for a decade. She has been a TEFL teacher overseas, and now she is engaged in teaching the TEFL Certification course to aspirants from across the world.

5. Mr. Sean Murtagh is the TEFL course Director for Teacher Link. It is the professional teaching brand of Teaching Nomad, their recruitment agency. They are a Shanghai-based organization having started its operations in the year 2011.

How does a TEFL Certificate Help in Working from Home?

Getting TEFL-certified is your first step for becoming a teacher or an instructor in the English language for a non-native English speaker. The certification is quite popular with schools, colleges, and universities for getting qualified English teachers or instructors.

This program is also known as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages or TESOL in countries such as the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa.

The TEFL certification allows you to do work-from-home by teaching the English language to students online. If you like teaching in a classroom setup, you can find a lot of online English schools that offer group English classes around the world. You can also take a one-on-one online class for children.

With a TEFL certificate, your client base goes beyond a particular set of students. Many business clienteles too enroll in English language courses. A TEFL teacher, who has the competency to develop well-structured lessons for business instructional clients, is always in demand.

Alternatively, you can create and sell your online TEFL course with your material. There are plenty of platforms available online that offer software to develop your content and market it online.

So, a top-quality best TEFL Certification course is your gateway for an online paid work-from-home opportunity. You can teach English to all- right from kids to adults to organizations- from all over the world. Whether you are trying to create your course or teach a predetermined one, a TEFL certification will assist you in stepping into the world of English teaching.

Who is Eligible to Get a TEFL Certification?

The TEFL course is open for all. This certification does not require any particular eligibility criteria. Any graduate of any discipline or a person with basic knowledge in English can consider getting a professional TEFL course.

TEFL courses are also an excellent option for people who want to make a career switch and explore new avenues. In most cases, people back-off from changing their jobs because of financial security. A TEFL course is the right option for such individuals. It can give you global access to a new career along with financial security.  

What is the Standard Duration of a TEFL Course?

On average, it takes around 10 to 12 weeks to complete the most popular 120 hours of TEFL course. Depending on the other commitments of the learner, the TEFL course may take less or more time.

As most of the TEFL courses are self-paced, the time it would take to complete can vary due to many factors. A learner who is a full-time student can complete a course within 30 days, while a learner who is busy with other commitments might take six months or more to complete the course. 

Why is TEFL Certification Important?

Mr. Joe Hallwood says that the demand for English is going to double in the next seven years. It is the right time to get into e-teaching as more than 60% of the population is online. Teaching online is a natural progression from the classroom setup. 

There is a bot that says that around one and a half billion people are learning English by the minute. The number would rise to two and a half billion people, which is nearly double. The English language is steadily growing in terms of popularity to become the business language of the world. 

Mr. Sean Murtagh shares his experience of being a teacher for a year before securing his TEFL Certification. He managed to go to South Korea just on his native language-speaking abilities with really no idea how to teach. He was given a classroom to teach but failed to figure out how to go about the subject and teach.

Then he decided to secure the TEFL certification. Post-certification, he understood the correct way to impart the English language. He realized that a lot of teachers were teaching the lessons by speaking way too much or way too fast, which can be quite difficult for a learner to understand. He acknowledges that his TEFL certification shaped and fine-tuned his skills to be an effective teacher.

Ms. Elspeth feels that a TEFL certification puts you in touch with students from different communities around the world whom you may never have access to as a native English speaker. It is an enriching experience since you are empowering people by teaching the English language that would help them secure jobs and become financially secure.

The training also brings intrinsic changes within you. You learn how to lead a classroom and hone the skills to speak in front of a group. It is not just an opportunity for you as a teacher but an opportunity for you as a person to explore a whole new side of yourself.

Ms. Rose adds that a native English speaker just gets pulled in off a street.  Even if they have a native English speaking accent, around the world, they would be such a hot property.

Some employers would not look for certification right up front, and they may allow you to start on conventional teaching. You might even get hired in this space provided you have some teaching background or experience.

Otherwise, it would be a hard slog for you to try and work out how to structure a conversation where the learner wins. That is why you can never underestimate the importance of getting the foundational knowledge. Else, it is going to be tough for you in the class and not enjoyable for your learners. A TEFL certificate helps to professionalize the individual and the entire industry.

Types of Online Teaching Jobs

Teaching English online can take various forms. You either work for an English tutoring company or as a freelancer, among other options. Let us explore a few of them.

1. Work for a company

Many new ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers work for online language companies or institutes. The companies assign students and curriculum or lessons to the teachers. It is a good option if you prefer to work for a few hours a day.

2. Post your profile on an online tutoring marketplace

You could also take classes via online teacher marketplaces such as Verbling. They only act as a facilitator between you and the prospective students by providing a base for interactions and processing payments. Rest everything, such as your fee, the number of teaching hours, etc. is up to you to decide.

3. Work as a freelance English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor

With this option, you can be your boss. All aspects, such as designing your curriculum, deciding on the fee, marketing your classes, etc., will be in your hands. While this requires more dedication, it also increases your potential to earn more.

What is Practicum in TEFL Certification?

The term Practicum implies a practical application of the acquired knowledge. Many institutes provide along with their TEFL courses an additional 17-20 hours of hands-on practical teaching experiences to their students and give an idea of the teaching methodology. Practicum provides students a first-hand experience to teach real ESL students. Typically, a practicum would be a minimum of 1 week to a maximum of 4 weeks.

Explore the Online TEFL Job Market

With the new set of skills that you have acquired through the TEFL course, you can teach kids, teenagers, and adults of all ages about the basics of the English language. Whatever you teach about the English language, you can make it easy, engaging, and enjoyable for your pupils to speak the language.

Mr. Joe Hallwood says that the easiest way of finding a job is to register yourself with an online platform, such as the Online English Teaching Jobs (oetjobs.com). Such online platforms can put you in touch with those students who are looking to get trained in the English language.

The remuneration is variable and could range from USD 10 to USD 20 an hour, depending on your experience. Money-wise, a lot depends on where that student is coming from and how much she/he can pay. They can be from a country where the cost of living is a lot lower than in other countries. The fees paid by such students would be comparatively lower than others. So one should bear this in mind before deciding on the payment front.

For getting an online job, the teachers should try 2 to 3 different platforms and develop a network of students at their end. They can then bypass these online platforms and teach the students directly, hence reducing the cost of the commission that the online platforms charge, thereby increasing their revenue.

To prepare further, start looking at articles related to topics such as 

1. top interview questions for teaching online
2. how to prepare your resume for teaching online
3. how to ace a self-recorded 5-minutes demo video online, etc.

Ms. Rose believes that it is a great time to explore the online TEFL job market. Post the COVID-outbreak, an exodus of teachers from China took place. They wanted to move out of the country as early as possible and be in safer locations.

Now that the schools are opening up in China, they do not have many native speakers as compared to the demand. Data shows that there are over 300 million English learners, and only around 340 native English speakers are available to teach English in China. The math doesn’t add up as there will never be enough teachers. 

Things to do Post-Certification

Here are a few tips you can consider to do right after getting certified:

1. Ask for a Recommendation Letter from your teacher
2. Ask the TEFL Academy for career and networking opportunities
3. Get more information and help from people who have already completed the TEFL course
4. There are so many job opportunities for a TEFL Certified Teacher. 
5. Research any job prospects thoroughly before deciding to join one
6. The most important thing that you need to consider after your TEFL course is to take a break

These points are described in detail below:

Ask for a Recommendation Letter

Many of the teaching jobs would ask you for a recommendation or a reference letter from a person who knows you and who can let them know about you. For this reason, you must get yourself equipped with a reference letter beforehand.

Before you finish your TEFL program, check with your teacher or trainer whether they would like to be your reference for your future employers. Your trainer would be the best person to speak about you as he/she knows your strengths based on how you performed during the TEFL course.

You can keep a recommendation letter for years to come. It works as authorization of your employers that you are the right candidate for the job.

Ask the TEFL Academy for Career and Networking Opportunities

Finding a job can be intimidating and a long process. Why not ask for help from your TEFL institute since they may have a list of contacts or job connections? They may have tie-ups with educational institutes, schools, language institutes, and universities abroad or locally who may be looking for certified teachers. 

You can do a simple Google search and find organizations or platforms that can provide jobs or help you connect with people in the field of English language tutoring. These organizations conduct online meetings or have online forums where people, like you, can post questions and get answers related to landing an ideal TEFL job.

Get More Information from TEFL-Certified Professionals

Your TEFL Certification program can direct you to the alumni placed successfully. They can give you tips and show you the tricks of the trade on how, where, and whom to search for to find the ideal job. They can even recommend your name to the organizations with whom they are working. So, consider these alumni as a great resource in your job search. 

Research Your Job Prospects Thoroughly Before Accepting              

Research a job opportunity extensively before giving your acceptance to any offer. Verify the background of the company by going through the company’s website, reviews posted about them, etc.

Also, don’t limit yourself to a paid job. Since you are just starting your career, you may consider volunteering for an organization or institutes where they require people to teach for free. Give a shot to such opportunities as they can give you the necessary exposure. And who knows, the volunteering opportunity might convert into a paid job!

Take a Break!

The TEFL program is undoubtedly quite intensive. So, one needs to take a breather before embarking on the next journey of job search. 

Also Read: Top 15  TEFL Certification Online Free in 2021

Few Tips to Secure a Job after TEFL Certification

1. Always be very proactive in looking for a job opening. Be ready with a professional resume and put yourself out there in terms of photos, videos, etc. For getting a job, try reaching out to 100 different employers. That is how you are going to end up having multiple job opportunities.

2. Are you looking for a job on any of the Chinese platforms? The hiring manager out there is looking for an outgoing, bubbly personality. It is very tactile for the students as they respond well to that. So, when creating a demo video, you need to make sure you are full of energy, bubbly, and creative to impress the hirers.

3. Follow-up and do not sit back by applying on just one platform. A TEFL job is not just going to roll up into your lap. Be proactive and follow-up with the applications and platforms you are applying in.

While creating your video, you need to get all your energy up for it. You do not need to have the best of technologies to go and teach online, but at least you need to have a good processor speed and a guaranteed internet speed.

Never underestimate the value of the TEFL Certificate. There are a lot of students who are skeptical about having to undergo training before going online. It is essential to have a certificate to help you get a job and also with your interview process.

With the TEFL certification, you can be confident, assertive, energetic, and passionate about doing the demo videos. The training will only make you well prepared for the job interviews.

Career Progression for an Experienced TEFL Professional

Once you gain enough experience in the field of teaching post-certification, you step into a world of exciting opportunities. Here are some of the roles and responsibilities you can aspire for:

1. Become a Senior Teacher or Academic Coordinator

Many schools offer the position of Senior Teacher or Academic Coordinator to an experienced TEFL teacher. At this position, you may act as an advisor to junior teachers or plan and run TEFL programs, etc.

2. Become a Director of Studies

Most language schools offer this position of authority to seasoned TEFL teachers. It is more of a management role involving responsibilities such as the following:

(i) Planning and developing curriculum

(ii) Conducting teacher-development workshops

(iii) Acting as an advisor to the teachers

(iv) Recruiting new teachers

(v) Liaising between school management and sales team

The position of a DoS (Director of Studies) is quite challenging and requires wearing different hats. By showing your skills and expertise, you can grab this coveted role.

3. Become a TEFL teacher trainer

If you are passionate about imparting your skills and share them with other teachers, you would love working in the capacity of a TEFL-trainer. Of course, you would need some additional training and advanced certification like the Delta or Trinity DipTESOL.

4. Work with Publishers

English Language Teaching (ELT) publishers love to work with experienced TEFL-certified teachers since they bring their vast experience and knowledge to their publications. Explore the opportunity of developing content or work with the Sales team to create a targeted customer base for their products, which could be books, journals, magazines, etc.

Conclusion

To begin a teaching journey, although TEFL is not mandatory, it can certainly help you in paving your way into the teaching sector more seamlessly. The benefits of the certification are clear: not only do you stand to benefit monetarily and professionally, but it also equips the students to enter the job market with confidence.

Also Check this Video

TEFL FAQ’s

Q-1. I’m not a native English speaker. Can I still teach English?

Yes, being a non-native English speaker, you probably have a better understanding of the difficulties that the non-English speaking students face. Also, since you have learned the language from scratch, you would know how to impart the teaching from scratch. Schools generally prefer native English speakers, but if you have high proficiency, you can have an edge above others.

Q-2. What is a typical background for an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher?

English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers come from varied backgrounds. The only thing common would be their proficiency in teaching the English language. Other than that, there is nothing like a typical EFL background. You will find teachers from varied age groups and ethnicities.

Q-3. I am bad at grammar. Can I still think of pursuing TEFL?

Yes, this is why you must opt for the TEFL program. Grammar is a separate subject in itself- even an experienced TEFL teacher cannot claim to be proficient in this area. Learning grammar is a continuous process-the TEFL program could be the first step to get the fundamentals right.

Q-4. What equipment and Internet speed do I need to teach online?

1. You should have a reliable internet connection. The speed requirement for the internet varies from company to company, which they indicate in their candidate requirements. In any case, 10-15 Mbps should be enough to conduct an online class smoothly.
2. You would also need a good webcam, mic, and headset with noise-canceling headphones.
3. In case you plan to work as a freelancer, you would also need to choose a videoconferencing platform such as Skype, Zoom, etc.

Q-5.  How much do online English teachers make?

The salary varies depending on experience and credentials. Online language schools usually pay between $12 to $21 per hour. If you work through online tutor marketplaces, the range hovers somewhere between $20 to $25 per hour. If you are working full time, spending about 30 hours a week, you can earn anywhere between $1,000 to $3,000 a month.

Q-6. Any previous teaching experience required to get a TEFL Certificate?

It is always a plus point if you have previous experience of teaching online. It will help you gain confidence before you start, but it is not mandatory. A TEFL Certification can be earned by anyone who has a good command over the English language and is interested in teaching the language to other non-English speaking people. 
 

Recommended Read:
– What is TEFL Certification
– Top 10 TEFL Certification Program in 2021
– Top 5 Programs to Get Your TEFL Certification in South Africa
– Top 50 Best TEFL Certification Courses
– TEFL Vs. TESOL

 

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