This semester, I'm taking my first TEFL class. TEFL stands for Teaching English as A Foreign Language. It's a twelve-credit certificate along with my degree, and it's a requirement to teach English internationally. This has been an ambition of mine for a long time; whether I do it for a year or as a career. Unfortunately, when I tell people this, they look at me like I have a second head. This is a very large job market not many people know about. There are English schools all over the world that want fluent teachers for full immersion.
1. You don't need to speak another language to do it.
This is one of the most common misconceptions about teaching English abroad. When I tell people I want to teach English internationally, they say, "But you don't speak another language." You don't need to. The approach in the international classroom is full immersion.
2. You get to engage with other cultures.
This is one of the most obvious benefits. Living abroad will teach you about other ways of life. You will be expanding your horizons. You will try new foods, and learn about other few points. No matter the environment, you can enjoy all the cultural hotspots of the big city, or live in a small town where you get to engage and become a part of a local community.
3. It's a great job market.
Many college students fear graduating into oversaturated job markets. That's not the case with international teaching market. There are plenty of jobs in plenty of unique, diverse places. Plus, international work experience can give you a leg-up on your competitors.
4. Living abroad looks good on a resume.
Teaching English does not have to be your career. You can do it for a year or two after graduating, and have international work experience on your resume. International work experience can make you stand out from other job applicants in flooded work markets and demonstrates adaptability. This is the same reason students with study abroad experience are more likely to get internships.
5. You are getting paid to travel.
Many students dream of traveling the world, but the high expenses bar them for doing so. There are more ways to travel the world than taking an expensive week-long international trip to Europe or beg-backing through Southeast Asia. You can also work in these countries. Teaching English is the best market to do so. Most contracts are a year at a time, supporting a nomadic lifestyle, and don't require you to speak more than one language. Some contracts even provide airfare and housing (or at least housing assistance).
