What is TEFL?

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is your key to living and working around the globe or here in Spain. As the name suggests, it involves teaching English to those whose first language is not English. Be aware that it can also be referred to as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or English Language Teaching (ELT).

Basically, a TEFL certificate will get you a job teaching English with most academies around the world. It shows you are committed to knowing what you're doing in the classroom and not just a native speaker that decided teaching English could be a way to make a quick buck.

TEFL teachers work in language schools, state schools, and most importantly in companies. Some teachers are on contracts, whilst others are self-employed. Teaching takes place within small groups or one-to-one private classes, and knowledge of the students' mother tongue is not required.

What does it involve?

Teaching English as a foreign language is, like any other teaching job, all about conveying information to students in an informative and interesting manner.

Students want to learn English for many reasons:

• to improve their conversational English;
• to prepare for University or exams;
• to improve their career prospects;
• to communicate more effectively at work, etc.

The aim of each lesson is to encourage the students to communicate with each other using the structures and vocabulary they have learnt, and to improve the four basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Teachers will use a wide range of course books, audio-visual aids, and other materials. There is a lot of emphasis on dialogue and role-playing, but more formal exercises, language games and literature will also be used.

Typical activities include:

• planning, preparing and delivering lessons to a range of classes and levels;
• marking/providing appropriate feedback on oral and written work;
• devising and writing new materials;

Name: Tamara Cook
Age: 23
Where are you from? Scotland
Quote: "I may be Scottish but thanks to TT I am now a phonetics guru and I can take on the world!"