Teach English Abroad

A NEW WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES

Becoming a global citizen while earning a living

Many people dream of living and working outside of South Africa. Whether you’re planning on making a permanent move, or just hoping to earn some money while exploring a new country, there are many options available to young South Africans looking to take the leap. English teachers are especially in high demand, writes Dalaine Krige, who has been teaching in South Korea for the last year.

Living overseas as a student can be difficult, as many visas do not allow you to work while you study. However, there are many opportunities for graduates looking to gain international experience by working abroad. Be warned, however, the process can be time-consuming, pricey and filled with red tape. Visiting the immigration office website of the country you want to move to is a good first step in finding out what the specific requirements would be.

Working in your chosen career abroad It is possible to apply for a job overseas and get hired. However, requirements and application process for some countries are more complicated and onerous than others. There are agencies that specialise in helping people make the move to a new country; if you’re hoping to go this route, it is worth considering making use of such a service. A work visa is required in most countries. While some companies may sponsor your work visa, others will not and will require you to apply for it on your own. Be prepared for the hefty fee that accompanies moving abroad.

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REASONS TO STUDY OR WORK ABROAD

01 You experience the local way of living It does not matter how many times you visit a country as a tourist, studying or working there will be different. You will be presented with the local customs, activities, outlooks and culture – getting a whole new perspective on your country of choice.

You will have more time to discover, revisit and learn about landmarks, museums and places. .

03 Top-quality education One of the most common reasons to study abroad is the high standard of education. Some of the world’s highestranking universities are found in Australia, Europe, the USA and UK. The education systems in these countries are highly regarded and their universities offer globally recognised degrees and courses. Teaching or studying there will expose you to this quality education.

05 Make new friends Spending time abroad is a fantastic opportunity to meet new lifelong friends from a variety of different backgrounds. Chances are that your friends will be from all over the world and you will be a part of an organic cultural exchange. While abroad, you will meet new people in all of the different environments you put yourself into. New friends also result in a broadened network, creating new opportunities in itself. 02 Immerse yourself in new cultures One of the biggest benefits of living abroad is the chance to become immersed in a new culture. You’ll get to experience new perspectives, learn about new ways of doing things, and really embrace another country. From new foods and customs to traditional music and games, there will be a lot to learn and explore.

04 Learn a new language It provides a unique opportunity to learn a new language. It is challenging to learn a new language when you do not hear it every day. By immersing yourself in a new country and culture, you will be exposed to your target language daily. Routine functions, such as food shopping or meeting locals while out ordering coffee at your favourite spot, will fast-track your language skills.

An additional language on your CV will increase your career opportunities and add to your unique skill set.

06 Find new interests You will be exposed to new activities and interests while studying or working abroad. You will be able to try new sports, foods and entertainment while exploring with your new friends. Part of these new interests also includes getting to know yourself better.

10 Build a global network Studying or working abroad will introduce you to people from all over the world. This means you will meet likeminded people as well as people that are very different from yourself. You will learn about culture and history, while learning to challenge outdated beliefs you might have.

It’s an exciting opportunity to build a network of people from different corners of the world as you start thinking about your future career goals and ambitions.

07 Personal benefits Living abroad will not only provide career benefits but will also help develop you as a person and prepare you for different obstacles in life. You will quickly become more independent as you are faced with unfamiliar situations and challenges. Chances are that you will also be responsible for yourself, with no parent there to help pick up the slack.

The exposure to a new environment and way of life will likely develop your critical thinking skills. You will be able to think more clearly and rationally. Opening yourself up to new ways of living and learning, and meeting a diverse range of people, will also help you become more open-minded.

Lastly, overcoming daily challenges and fears (like international culture and making new friends) will help grow and mature you as a person.

09 Travel the world You will get to know your host country best but this doesn’t mean you won’t get to explore the surrounding areas. If you choose to work or study in Europe, you will be able to explore new countries during your weekends and holidays. Thanks to the Schengen visa, you can visit 26 European states with ease. Seeing other parts of the world is an essential catalyst for broadening your world view. 08 Career advantages / resilience There are some clear career advantages that come with studying or working abroad. You will improve your communication skills by overcoming language barriers. You will create global connections – a valuable factor when it comes to networking. Living abroad will help boost your self-confidence and develop your resilience to new situations. Navigating the challenges that comes with living in a new country and learning a new language will help develop your ability to plan ahead and think logically – essential skills for project management. Lastly, some countries provide an opportunity to work after you graduate with post-study work visas. The Netherlands is an example of this. Gaining work experience in one country may help you find a job in another, hopefully for more money.

TEFL Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is one of the most popular options for graduates – and even matriculants in some countries – who want to work abroad. Requirements differ from country to country, as does the salary range. It is important to do thorough research before choosing to get a TEFL certificate. I shopped around before choosing my TEFL course and soon realised that the special ‘limited time only!’ sales advertised on many websites never go away. Most TEFL courses will cost between R2 000 and R5 000, depending on the package you choose.

In the end, my TEFL certificate wasn’t necessary to get a teaching job in South Korea, but it did help me to feel more comfortable in the classroom. Some countries only recognise your certificate if it includes a portion of in-person training, while some countries, like South Korea, do not always require a TEFL certificate but do require a degree.

Your options with TEFL are vast. You can teach anywhere from South America to Europe, the Middle East and East Asia. This is a great way to save money after studying, pay off student debt, and give yourself time to figure out what you want to do – all while gaining international work experience. The salary depends on the country you choose but it is usually enough to live very comfortably and save money while doing so.

Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never

leaving.” – Terry Pratchett

TEFL: 6 top tips

For many people, TEFL is a gateway to another country. Teaching English as a foreign language to children (or adults) in other parts of the world has been a popular option for many native English speakers for nearly two decades.

English is considered a global language, with many considering it to be the official language of business, academia and diplomacy. It is for these reasons that qualified TEFL teachers are in high demand worldwide.

Choosing the right TEFL course is the first critical step of your journey to work abroad. This course will provide you with the training, certificate and job placement assistance you’ll need to get hired in your target country or to teach online. There are a huge number of TEFL courses available. Here are a few trusted links to get you started: • Wits Language School – tinyurl.com/WitsTEFL • Go Overseas – tinyurl.com/GOTEFL • i-to-i – tinyurl.com/i2iTEFL • Go Abroad – tinyurl.com/TEFLAbroad • The TEFL Academy – tinyurl.com/JHBTEFL • TEFL South Africa – tefl-southafrica.co.za • UNISA – applyunisa.co.za/tefl-course-unisa. With so many online and offline courses available, how do you know you’re choosing the right one?

Here are the top six things to look out for:

1Course accreditation: Do your homework before purchasing your course. Make sure your course is accredited.

2Read reviews and make sure that this certificate will meet international standards. Look at the requirements listed in TEFL job adverts to help guide you.

3Practicum: It is beneficial if you have some live-practice teaching included in your course. While not all jobs will require this, it will help you to feel more comfortable once you start teaching. It is also a good networking opportunity.

4Cost: Some TEFL courses can be bought on sale. While this shouldn’t disqualify the course as valuable, make sure you read up about the school before purchasing it. It may be wise to spend a bit more money to make sure you are getting a legitimate qualification. 5 Job placement assistance: Courses that provide access to job listings and advice about where to go can prove to be useful upon completion.

Having a network of people to talk to once you complete your course will help provide assurance and guidance when you start.

6Speaking to a representative: Before paying a large sum of money, ask to speak to one of their consultants about the course.

This will help you identify and avoid schemes.

Remember, fortune favours the bold. Be bold, brave and purposeful when setting your goals and pursuing your dreams