Do you like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain? Just kidding, wrong kind of profile. But how do you decide whether or not teaching English abroad is right for you? If you like to stretch yourself and you’re looking for a change of pace, teaching around the world might be a great fit for you. Teaching English internationally gives you the opportunity to teach and travel at the same time, combining adventure and opportunity with a rewarding career path.
From picarones to pupusas, the Latin American lifestyle has a lot to offer. Day to day, you’ll get to enjoy a more laid back way of life. People stop to talk to each other in the street and close their tiendas to take a break or eat with their families. Time is slower. The colors are brighter. The parties are longer and livelier. But this doesn’t mean you won’t be doing your share of work. Teaching in another country is a great way to see more of the world in a sustainable way. You’ll be benefiting the community you live in.
Teaching English abroad is a form of sustainable tourism. It gives teachers the opportunity to get paid for what they love while making a positive impact on the world around them. Learning English is one of the most important things a disadvantaged person can do to break the poverty cycle, and as a TEFL instructor, you are a valuable part of that process. You have the opportunity to be an encouraging mentor in the lives of your students. Let them know they can do it!
When you become an ESL teacher, being paid to travel and making a positive impact go hand in hand. And the first step to becoming a professional ESL teacher is enrolling in a TEFL/TESOL certification program. TESOL and TEFL stand for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Teaching English as a Foreign Language, respectively. This certification gives you the knowledge, instructional tools and resources necessary to find paid employment teaching English abroad. Once you are certified, anywhere in the world could become your classroom.
Your TEFL certification will make you a competitive applicant for ESL teaching jobs in Latin America and the world at large. If you choose to complete your TEFL certification at one of our Latin American locations, you will begin your journey with an intensive four week training and certification course on location. This includes 150 hours of classroom time, including 35 hours of practical teaching practice with real local students, not to mention complimentary salsa classes and guacamole. After you finish the course, you will be qualified for paid teaching positions internationally. Finding job opportunities after you graduate will be easy with the assistance of our on-site staff and extensive resources.
But don’t forget to have fun throughout your training! Whether you choose the mountains of Cusco, Peru in the historic heart of the Incan Empire; the crystal clear beaches of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica; or the sleepy town of Antigua, Guatemala, which rests in the shadow of an incredible volcano, you’ll want to take advantage of your surroundings. And if you love it here, you can stay! Máximo’s staff would be happy to help you find employment wherever you would like, from Hong Kong or Taipei to our own backyard.
Teaching English around the globe attracts individuals from all walks of life. Nervous that you don’t have the right background? You do. Worried that everyone else will have more experience than you do? It doesn’t matter. As long as you are willing to learn and be patient and flexible with yourself and others, a TEFL Certification would be the perfect next move for you. Your training will equip you with all the knowledge and teaching strategies necessary to make you a successful English teacher.
However, international education jobs are perfect for former teachers as well. Many of the skills necessary to effectively teach English as a second language are inherent in a great teacher. Patience, passion and motivation will go a long way, and it’s a particularly easy transition for a seasoned teacher. But no matter what your professional background is like, teaching English abroad is great for those looking to gain experience in an educational career while learning about other cultures and traveling the world.
There are only a few requirements that make you eligible for our TEFL program. You must be 18 years or older and up for an academic challenge. A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required. You also have to be a proficient English speaker and writer. Many companies prefer to only hire native speakers. And particularly in a post-pandemic world, technological skills are very valuable. You should be able to use the internet and word processors, as well as platforms similar to Zoom.
If you’re still reading and nothing has scared you away yet, I think we’re a match! If you’re looking for a way to grow as an individual and professional, and you don’t want to be tied to one place, check out our affordable certification options and locations. Ready to apply? It’s your move. There’s not much standing in between you and a new career, a new world of opportunity.