How to Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in Spain
Before you take the huge step of moving abroad, you should give some serious thought to what you’re going to do for work. One popular option that gives you the flexibility to work in lots of different countries, as well as online, is Teaching English as a Foreign Language, also known as TEFL.
Here we explain everything you need to know to get started with teaching English as a foreign language…
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What is TEFL?
TEFL is a Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification that is an internationally recognised qualification to teach English abroad or to foreign students online. If you want to teach English as a foreign language then having a TEFL certification will put you in a good position.
Being a TEFL teacher gives you the opportunity to specialise in high-paid niche areas that not only make you more desirable to employers abroad, but also gives you the skill-set needed to become an independent English teacher, and work for yourself.
Who can take a TEFL course?
The great news is that anyone with the good level of English can take a TEFL course!
You don’t need to have previous teaching qualifications or experience, and it doesn’t matter how old you are.
If you want to check if your English is good enough, you can take a quick test here.
What can I do once I am TEFL certified?
Once you are TEFL certified you have so many amazing opportunities in front of you! You can go abroad to teach English, in amazing places like Vietnam, Thailand, China, as well as in Europe. Take a look at some TEFL job opportunities here to give you an idea.
If you’d rather work from home, which is probably what will suit most people moving abroad with their family, then you can earn good money teaching English online.
Teaching English online
If you’re planning a move to Spain and will need to find work, then setting yourself up to teach English online is a fantastic idea. You can work from home, set your own hours, and don’t have to worry about learning enough Spanish to find a job.
Online TEFL opportunities include teaching children, teens or adults, day-to-day conversation and business English. There are lots of online employers offering competitive salaries up to $30 an hour.
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How much can I earn as a TEFL teacher?
Of course, the better your level of English the higher level course you can take, and the more money you have the potential to earn. Generally speaking, native speakers tend to earn more money than those who are just fluent in English.
Another advantage is having a degree. It doesn’t usually matter which subject you degree is in, but it can set you apart from the competition.
However, not being a native English speaker and/or not having a degree doesn’t mean you can’t earn money teaching English.
How much you earn will depend on the company you work for – there are hundreds of companies offering TEFL teaching jobs. Starting rates will depend on many factors including experience, class size and the number of hours you can commit to, and can be anywhere from $10-$30 per hour. Your hourly rate will rise with experience and positive reviews.
Make sure you look out for companies who take a commission of your earnings. Some companies don’t take any commission whilst others will take up to a third of your earnings.
How much does a TEFL course cost?
The price of TEFL courses varies massively, depending on the provider as well as the level of course you want to take.
Premier TEFL have courses starting at €59 to teach English online, up to €839 for the 300 hour Hybrid Master TEFL course which will allow you to teach abroad.
How do I get started?
To get started, why not check out this guide on Getting Started in TEFL which explains everything you need to know.
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Premier TEFL also have tons of resources, FAQs, blog posts, and an online chat to answer any questions you have.