Once you complete a TESOL certification course, you are now ready to explore the teaching world globally or from the comfort of your own home.
Be proud of your achievement and soon you will find endless opportunities for travel, work, teaching online, and earning an extra income. With your TEFL certificate, you will be able to apply for work anywhere in the world, along with creating your own network of students. Once you have decided where and when you want to teach, go for it. Many times people want to find work but they never seem to know where to look for it. It is best that the TEFL job you look for is suitable for your requirements and needs. Don’t be shy to tell people you are looking for work as a TEFL teacher either for private or group students as they might just easily refer you to one of their friends or family members.
As Rome was not built in a day, the same will apply for your career in TEFL – it will not happen overnight. Nonetheless, we all need to start from somewhere, believe in yourself, and reach for the stars. There are no rules as to how one can find work, but the advice is always useful as from where to begin.
Read on, research, and take your time to see which is the best advice for you to begin your journey as a TEFL teacher.
How to Get Started
Start by spreading the news that you are now a certified TEFL teacher (with teaching practice) on your social media and to your connections including updating your LinkedIn profile. You also need to make sure that your resume has no spelling or grammatical mistakes. Having typos on your resume is never a good thing but it’s a lot worse when you are applying for a language teaching position! Ensure that the layout of your resume is clear and easy to read, with your TEFL qualification and any relevant experience clearly visible and at the top.
1. Register with a Recruitment Agency
There are many recruitment agencies that specialize in teaching positions for qualified TEFL instructors. This could be a fast and effective process to distribute your CV or resume online. Make sure it’s up-to-date and includes a copy of your accredited TEFL certificate. Once you have been added onto their mailing lists, these companies will be monitoring all the job postings for teaching vacancies and will keep you updated.
Below are a few of the most popular recruitment agencies which can help you determine which ESL job is most suitable for you.
Footprints Recruiting
Tic Recruitment
World Teachers
Gold Star Teachers
2. Look-Up Job Boards
Some countries can be very competitive when it comes to teaching certificates so it is best you look for job boards that have specific postings for TEFL teachers and do not require university education degrees. If you earned your TEFL certification from Cudoo you will have access to an exclusive TEFL Job board.
Additionally, google TEFL Job Boards to see what else is available. You may find that some jobs are listed on more than one job board. Go through the positions carefully to choose what is suitable for you. If you are planning to travel and work abroad you can research that country’s culture, visa rules, and pay, prior to applying for that particular region. In general, the job market for TEFL teachers is huge, especially in destinations located in Asia and the Middle East.
Check out some of the job boards listed below, and try to acquire some more teaching experience as a volunteer at a local center or by offering free classes to ex-pats prior to any travel.
ESL Jobs Board
IHES – International House Barcelona
TEFL.net
IH World
3. Apply to Online Teaching Companies
With the development of so many teaching tools, online learning has never been more important. Remote learning has become more popular and many companies all over the world are hiring teachers to meet the recent increase in student demand. The best thing about online teaching is that you can work from anywhere in the world, either part-time or full time.
You also have the flexibility to decide on the number of hours you wish to teach by simply posting on the availability chart they provide you with. Langu.ag is a popular online platform to commence your teaching career with real live ESL students along with Cambly which do not require a university degree and accept a TEFL/TESOL qualification.
4. Look up Job Centers
Once you decide about what kind of teacher you want to be, then it will be easier to find work. Companies usually ask if one prefers to work with children or adults. In most cases, job centers usually have a variety of listings for both and can be allocated accordingly. Whatever you decide it’s best to know what kind of students you would like to work with the most.
In addition, TEFL graduates can also apply for jobs that state they require at least one year of experience. If you have a resume that is up to scratch and looks great, then there is a possibility you get lucky and secure your dream job. A great addition to your CV would be to gain some professional skills certificates.
5. Submit your CV to Language Schools
In many cases, language schools will not post their vacancies on job boards or agencies. Consequently, even though there is no posting there just might be an opening for a TEFL teacher.
Therefore, by sending your resume to as many language schools as you can in your own country or the country you wish to work for abroad can eventually pay off. The easiest way to send your details is by contacting the language school directly and asking for the name and email address of the Director of Studies or HR officer. Once you submit your application it’s advisable you give them a call just to confirm receipt and ask for a follow-up.
Conclusion
The possibilities for work are endless and can easily be accessed through online or face to face interviews. Make effective use of social media and send out your CV to as many postings and language schools as possible. Even though some companies may never reply, you can reconnect by email or through a follow-up call. One thing is for sure, your new accredited TEFL qualification will open up a whole new and exciting world of opportunities.
Other Related Articles:
8 Reasons You Need a TEFL Certification
14 Roles and Responsibilities of a Teacher
10 Characteristics of a Good Language Teacher
The Best Free Tools for Teaching English Online
Andrie Steliou
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