Benefits of Learning to Teach English as a Foreign Language

There are few job markets today that can offer the type of flexibility, job assurances, and career prospects as Teaching English as a Foreign Language. The booming international economy and globalization have made communication more important than ever, and most business and politics is being conducted in English, making it essential for non-native speakers to learn it. If you're interested in teaching and traveling abroad, here is how to become a certified teacher, and some of the many benefits you'll receive.

How can I get certified?

There are a wide variety of English language teaching credentials and degrees, and depending on where you want to teach and how much money you want to earn, you can invest varying amounts of academic study.

TEFL, or CELTA Certificate: These certifications usually require the least amount of work, but alongside an undergraduate university degree can get you jobs in most countries that don't require an official credential or Masters Degree.

Teaching Credential: These are usually acquired through the study of education at an undergraduate degree level, but can also be obtained by doing a postgraduate certification. Teachers with official credentials from their home countries are often offered the most lucrative jobs in English language teaching.

MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: The graduate degree in TESOL provides its students with academic knowledge in the fields of language acquisition, teaching methodologies, and testing. These degrees provide teachers with opportunities to teach in virtually all institution, including many universities.

What are the potential careers?

Obtaining your certification or degree in teaching English will not only allow you to work and travel throughout the world as a teacher, but it will also open up numerous potential career paths. These careers include:

Primary school and secondary school English teacher

University lecturer in English language teaching and learning

Business language teacher

Communications facilitator

Language school and program's consultant

There are also many other opportunities that can arise from having worked and traveled abroad, getting to know the various intricacies of foreign culture's and businesses.

What is the pay like?

Most TESL jobs pay very well in comparison to the cost of living of the home country, allowing teachers to live very comfortable lifestyles and explore their local regions through holiday vacations. Many institutes and schools will also provide housing for teachers, or include a stipend designated for housing. In Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE salaries can reach as high as $4,000 USD/month, and in Asian countries like Japan up to $3,000 USD/month.

Whether teaching is a long term career plan or just a way to tour the world, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is a great way to open doors for your future.