Teaching English in Mexico: A Roundup of Possibilities

English Language Teaching professionals with CELTA Certification

English Language Teaching (ELT) professionals with CELTA certification are constantly in demand worldwide. A key world market for English EFL teachers who are native or near-native level is Mexico. The need for teachers there is virtually insatiable. Here is a sampling of the types of English language teaching positions that are available throughout Mexico almost at any particular time of the year.

PICTURE YOURSELF WORKING IN MEXICO:


What’s on tap from Mexico City, Torreón, Puebla, Chiapas, and Oaxaca




LSET Mexico
104 Gorriones
Mexico city, DF 55720

Telephone: 865 - 6468
Fax: 865 - 6468

Contact: Director

An EFL teacher for teaching at companies to adult learners is needed. A communicative dynamic approach is absolutely necessary for this position. Also some experience is required. There are excellent bonuses and salary available. For more details and immediate consideration, write, call or fax a cover letter and resume / CV to Catalina Soria Ramirez at LSET Mexico.

Colegio Alemán
Calle Mar #675
Col. Torreón Residencial
Torreón, Coahuila 27240

Telephone: (871) 720 - 4660
Fax: (871) 720 - 4660
Contact: English Program Director

An experienced Biology / Health Teacher preferably with a science background is being sought by this colegio. Although a Canadian national is preferred all strongly qualified candidates will be considered. The person would teach grades seven through nine. Class hours are from 7:45am - 2:30pm from Monday to Friday. Salary offered is $670 US dollars per month plus bonuses with free housing and insurance. Some travel expenses would also be paid. The contract will run from January 7th to June 30th.

Berlitz Puebla
Av. 39 Pte. # 3302, Loc. 36,37 and 38 (Entrance on 33 Sur)
Las Ánimas
Puebla, Puebla 72400

Phone: 249 - 8838
Fax: 249 - 8475

Website: http://www.berlitz.com/
E-mails: NorthAmerica.careers@berlitz.com or
LatinAmerica.careers@berlitz.com

For more than a century, people from around the world have looked to Berlitz for business, pleasure, and travel language and cultural training. They know Berlitz will teach them any language quickly, enjoyably, and effectively, in just about any location. Berlitz's expertise is based on 125 years of experience. Though Berlitz is headquartered in Princeton, N.J., they have more than 400 locations all around the world, so their job opportunities can vary from one country to the next. If you would like to learn more about specific positions available in Mexico, use the navigation bar on the left of their webpage to select the Mexico homepage, then click on the employment button to access local opportunities.

A spokesman for Berlitz says that they’re always looking for qualified candidates to lead their language and cross-cultural programs, and for positions at their corporate headquarters. Please e-mail your resume and position of interest to the appropriate address for your desired geographic area.

Universidad de la Sierra AC Av. de los Tecnicos s/n
Fracionamento El Paraiso
Huauchinango, Puebla 73160

Telephone: (7) 7622 - 4888
Fax: (7) 7622 - 4888


The USAC Huauchinango is looking for an English Coordinator. The person hired would be in charge of organizing programs and managing the other EFL teachers. Both EFL teaching and administrative experience would be helpful, as would an advanced degree in TOEFL or a related field. Huauchinango is in a flower-growing region located approximately midway between Pachuca and Poza Rica on a direct route from Mexico City. The area has a high percentage of Totonac and Nahua Indians. Although the region is quite scenic, it tends to be foggy at times due to the high altitude. There’s a flower festival in the spring and plenty of locally-produced fruit wine.

North Pacific English
Arroyo Ch. No. 105
Col. Alameda
Celaya, Guanajuato 38050

Telephone: 011 52 461 608 - 0301
Fax: 011 52 461 608 - 0301


Are you a fast-on-your-feet thinker? Do you have a CELTA or TEFL certificate? Looking for adventure? Apply today, two English Motivator positions are available. One is for working with kids. Any experience with children and teacher certification would be an asset. Celaya is located on the road between Irapuato and Queretaro and is near San Miguel de Allende.

English Center Crescencio Rosas 15
Centro
San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas 29250

Telephone: (967) 678 - 8468
Fax: (967) 678 - 8468
Contact: Director

Two English teacher Positions are still currently available for teaching in their 6 week long level programs that run up to 16 levels. Program makes use of a text book, work book, CD audios, VHS videos. Classes are for one hour per day from Monday through Friday or four hours on Saturdays. Extensive experience is helpful but not absolutely essential. A TEFL certificate would be a useful qualification, however.

Universidad del Mar
Kilometro 1.5 Carretera Zipolite
Puerto Angel, Oaxaca 70902

Telephone: 52 958 584 - 3049
Fax: 52 958 584 - 3049
Contact: Coordinadora de Idiomas

This small university on the coast of southern Mexico near Puerto Escondido still seeks an experienced ESL teacher with at least BA degree (in any field). Some experience is also required. Salary information is available on request. The town is a fairly small (population around 15,000) fishing village with a laid-back atmosphere near a number of good beaches. The popular lay-back-and-do-nothing beach area of Zipolite is only a couple of kilometers away.

Numerous possibilities for English Language Teaching abound throughout Mexico all times of the year with demand being especially heavy in January, July and August. Consider the possibilities and picture yourself living, teaching English and enjoying the vast cultural richness of the USA’s grand neighbor to the south.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, prolific writer, author and public speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

The Trinity College London Licentiate Diploma

Years ago, when I was asked to state why I wanted to do the Trinity College London Licentiate Diploma Course, here's what I wrote:

There are several reasons why I wish to successfully complete the Trinity College Licentiate Diploma course. Briefly they are as follows :

The Trinity College Licentiate Diploma
The DELTA, Trinity College Licentiate Diploma or other certified advanced diploma credential is widely recognized and accepted as an advanced qualification in teaching English as a foreign language. In my current place of employment as an EFL professional, there are no courses or programs available for the advancement of English teachers whether native or non-native speakers of English. So, acquiring to higher level work or studies in the field are limited at best, non-existent at worst. As a native English-speaking English teacher with more than 14 years of EFL / ESL teaching experience, one of the few options I have of improving my value here at the Santiago de Cali University would be to complete a certified, recognized DELTA, Trinity College Licentiate Diploma or another advanced ELT diploma program outside of Colombia.

The British Council
I have worked briefly with the British Council here in Cali, Colombia as a substitute CELTA-level Teacher Trainer and wish to improve my qualifications formally with the option of applying for a Teacher Trainer position full time. This would require an advanced English teaching credential such as the DELTA, Trinity College Licentiate Diploma or other diploma level program since I presently meet most other requisites based on previous education and English teaching experience.

Problems in Colombia
Social, political and living conditions here in Colombia where I currently live and work, continue to deteriorate, violence against civilians is rapidly escalating, and having an advanced credential such as a DELTA or the Trinity College Licentiate Diploma would greatly improve my chances of obtaining a Senior EFL teaching position, an EFL Teacher Trainer position or an ELT Administrative position in another country when I exercise the option of moving to another location.

I am interested in exploring EFL teaching possibilities in Europe (Spain), if possible, or another Spanish-speaking country, North Africa (Morocco) or Asia (India). The diploma combined with my extensive EFL teaching and ELT topic presentation experience, publication of more than 100 articles, papers, reports, academic texts and student practice workshops would be an invaluable asset in supporting my bid for an upper-level ELT position in another foreign country.

A CELTA-level TEFL Certificate
Currently, I hold a CELTA-level TEFL certificate from TransWorld Teachers Institute in San Francisco, California (1993) and a TBE (Teaching of Business English) certificate from the Teacher’s Development Institute in Boston, Massachusetts (2002). An Trinity College Licentiate Diploma added to these in addition to my 14 years of EFL teaching experience would be an additional springboard for improving my knowledge of English language teaching and learning, ELT level, position and options for a continued career in teaching English as a Foreign Language or moving up permanently to available Teacher Trainer or ELT Administrative positions in countries worldwide.


Be sure to check out “An Interview with Prof. Larry M. Lynch” online at:
http://www.e1-network.com/professor_larry_lynch.html


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, prolific writer, author and public speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

If You’re NOT a Native English-Speaking EFL Teacher, Please Read This

A Non-Native ESOL English Teacher Asks

Among the hundreds of monthly visitors and readers of this EFL teaching blog, I sometimes get e-mails from non-native EFL teachers who’d like to parlay their English language communicative skills into a teaching position outside their native country. While I certainly agree it can be a challenge to do so, it is in fact possible. Many of the e-mails I receive are similar in content to this one in which I have omitted or altered names and specifics to protect the person(s) involved.


Dear Prof. Lynch,

“I am a non-native English-speaking teacher. I hold a Bachelor's degree in English from a state university in my country. I have been teaching English for five years. Currently I am teaching English to speakers of other languages (Spanish speaking students) I would like to teach English abroad, but I have noticed that it is difficult for non-native English speaking teachers to work abroad.

Recently, I requested information from hundreds of schools in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America without having success because when most of them replied to me they told me that they only hire native speakers of English and that those interested in working as English teachers must be from countries like UK, USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, etc.

Besides this, most of the employers ask for certificates like TEFL, TESOL or CELTA. Unfortunately, here in my country there aren't any institutions that offer the courses or programs mentioned above.

I feel deeply discouraged. Aren't there any opportunities in any countries where they take candidates from non-English speaking countries for teaching English?

I want to teach English abroad for two reasons. The first is to get a lot of experience working with students from different cultures and to improve my English and my teaching.”


No TESOL Certification, No ELT Job Offers

The first and main problem here is actually NOT having a CELTA, TEFL or other TESOL certification. You'll need to contact the nearest British Council office for locations where you might take an intensive CELTA course. Other options include Oxford TEFL training centers, Cambridge TEFL centers or TESOL centers in the country or region where you live. If there are none available locally or regionally, as is the case with this teacher, you might want to consider an online TEFL certificate course. Note that, without a TEFL certificate virtually NO school abroad would consider you at all. Also, the institution where you take your TEFL certificate course will help you get an overseas position. A search on Google or Yahoo for online CELTA courses or online TEFL certificate programs should yield you dozens of possibilities.

Check, Double and Triple Check ALL Correspondence

Another problem with this teacher was a number of English language spelling, punctuation and grammar errors in his e-mail. If you send an inquiry or cover letter to a school, institution or university by snail mail or e-mail and it contains ANY errors in English at all, you’ve just ruined your own chances of any further dealings with them. It is absolutely paramount that you spell check, grammar check, review and judiciously proof read and edit any correspondence you send out by mail in any form. Perhaps you’ll let an error or two slip by in spoken conversation or oral discourse, but there’s absolutely, positively NO EXCUSE for doing so with a written communication. Find a native or near-native speaker to proof read your correspondence before you send it out. No native English speakers handy? Okay, then e-mail ME and I’ll be happy to check it for you if need be – quickly and at no charge, of course.

Varieties of English

Another problem which might crop up is the variety of English you may use or speak. Alas, this is not a perfect world we live in and certain forms of English are preferred in certain regions and countries of the world. Your age, nationality and background also may factor in, they really shouldn’t most of the time, but unfortunately they often do. Don’t despair though, if you’re experienced, dynamic and certified, you will get ELT job offers from broad if you keep trying. Try applying at different times of the year, to different regions of the world, to different types of schools and institutions that have different English language learner profiles. Persistence can be a crucial key. Just don’t give up and you’ll get there.

Good Luck.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Part 2 of Teaching English Abroad: Three More Important Things You Didn’t Know About

Letters to the Author
According to many of the letters to the author that I regularly receive, there are more than a few misconceptions about what life is or is not supposed to be like when living abroad. In keeping with the increasing trend towards people moving abroad to retire, change their lifestyle, experience new cultures, get closer to their “roots”, and in general to improve their overall living conditions. As mentioned previously, such a move, while having a number of benefits, can be the proverbial double-edged sword. These are more of a few “Caveat Emptors” to be reckoned with.

5. Don’t Expect a Perfect World Abroad
Don’t expect a perfect world abroad because we don’t live in one. You shouldn’t need me to tell you that, but just in case, there it is in black and white. In many countries you would expect to have well-provided services, you’re in for a surprise. Power fails and stays off for days. Water outages can occur. Water that is available may not always be potable with additional steps on your part. Phone service may be sporadic or unavailable. Also expect it to be more expensive than you’re accustomed to. Traffic as illustrated in the video of Panama City in Panama below, may be a nightmare most of the day with transit and vehicle insurance laws usually being unenforceable.

6. If You’re a Minority, You WILL Be Discriminated Against
As I mentioned earlier, as if you didn’t already know, we don’t live in a perfect world.
Blacks, women, nationalities from certain countries, religious and ethnic group members and “senior citizens can all experience discrimination in some form or other. You can however, prepare for it and take steps to circumvent or avoid it. It’s much harder (but not impossible) to get an EFL teaching position if you’re over 50 or so, are black or of certain religious groups. The importance of having good, well-recognized credentials cannot be over-emphasized in this regard.

7. Start Learning the Local Language
Start learning the local language NOW, even before you get any further along towards your prospective destination or new home. Use dictionaries, language guides, a community college or language institute short course. Try video and audio tape series and whatever else you can dig up. Practice something in the language everyday from now on. Listen to local radio stations from your target country on the internet if need be. Get a private tutor for a short intensive series of practical language lessons. Make no mistake, you WILL need it. If you need to learn a foreign language really quickly and easily, check out my eBook HERE.

This is Not to Discourage You
This is not to discourage you from considering, then acting upon a deep-seated desire to live, work or travel abroad. You should be as well-informed as possible before the move. Take a short “pilot trip” if you can. Sniff around, meet people, check out the local and regional newspapers and telephone directories for leads and information. Get a local cell phone number. Don’t give up, just don’t be anymore of a “victim” than you might have to be otherwise. Have fun, enjoy and good luck in your new destination, wherever that might be.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 80 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title you want at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Teaching English Abroad: Seven Important Things You Didn’t Know About

Caveat Emptor
There has been an increasing trend towards people moving abroad to retire, change their lifestyle, experience new cultures, get closer to their “roots”, and in general to improve their overall living conditions. But such a move while having numerous benefits, can be the proverbial double-edged sword, cutting both ways. There are a few “Caveat Emptors” to be reckoned with. Just take a look at these …

1. Your TESOL Employment Options Can Triple, Quadruple or More with a Recognized TEFL Certificate
Just a couple of days ago I talked with a woman who still believes that “being a native speaker is enough to teach your language to others”. WRONG. It’s not and you can’t – at least not effectively enough to make a consistent stream of income from it. Schools, language institutes and government education departments are “wising up”; you may not even be able to get a legal, paying job teaching English without some recognized credentials. A CELTA or other well-recognized TEFL certificate is a minimum requirement to get at least a reasonably-well-paid job. You legal residence and working status could well be impacted too. And, trust me on this one, you DON’T want to go where that may lead.

2. A “Lower” Salary Doesn’t Mean a “Lesser” Life Style
“You’re only going to pay me WHAT!” You should see their faces when they first get the news. “I can’t possibly live off that!” Well actually, yes you can – and often quite well too. I also like the one when they hear, “We’ll pay you a million pesos!” Oh man. Great, they quip, eyes beaming. Then the other shoe drops when they find out that one million pesos is only five hundred dollars a month. What is said next is not repeatable here. When you get a salary offer, you need not necessarily cringe. Consider what you’ll be paid in light of the local cost of living. More often though, you’ll get a seemingly low sounding salary which is more than ample to enjoy living, traveling and enjoying life in your new digs.

3. Laws and Legal Proceedings Can Be Radically Different Abroad
The terms “justice” and “what’s right” can vary widely from one country to another. Legal systems are often directly related to the type of government a country is currently under. This too can change if there is a coupe d’etat, civil war, election, impeachment, death of a head of state or other form of governmental change. The ole U.S. of A, Canada, the UK, Australia and other major countries have centuries-old, well-established (and complicated) legal codes and systems which are enforced. Many countries world-wide do not, and may rely on a system of “justice” which does not favor you, the expatriate or foreigner.

4. “Culture Shock” is a Fact of Life Abroad
“Culture Shock” is a fact of life abroad so prepare yourself for it. No matter how well you live (or don’t live) now, relocating to a foreign country can be one of the most traumatic experiences of your life if you don’t properly prepare yourself for major change. Get several guidebooks on the country you’re considering. Then read them from cover to cover. Check out websites, government and tourist information web pages, history books, literature and almanac or yearbook data from as many sources as you can. Be an informed, knowledgeable expatriate BEFORE you go anywhere.

More Information Coming Up Soon
In the second of this two-part article post, we’ll consider three more important considerations for teaching English as a foreign language abroad that “you didn’t know about”. So “Don’t Expect a Perfect World”, “If you’re a Minority …” and “Start Learning the Local Language” will be briefly addressed. See you then.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 80 countries. Get your FREE E-books,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title you want at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

More Tips For Taking a CELTA or TEFL Certificate Course

Some Reader Questions:

What is the best way I can ensure a pass on the CELTA or TEFL certificate course with an A? I have to admit that I am bit nervous. Is it really that demanding? Do you foresee any trouble with me passing the course for teaching English as a Foreign or Second language?

Any additional advice or recommendations you have would be greatly appreciated.

My Responses:

The tips I've provided in the articles should help you.

Teach English Abroad - Online TEFL Programs

If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know

Advice for Becoming Certified to Teach English Before You Leave for A Foreign Country

12 Helpful Tips to Pass the CELTA or TEFL Teaching Preparation Course

How to Expand Your Recognition and Become Known as an Expert in Your Field


Yes, it's that intensive when given at a CELTA authorized certifying center. Here are some additional points to consider in preparing for and taking a CELTA course.

Yes, you should pass if you pay rapt attention during input sessions, take copious notes,
study regularly and keep up with assignments. Further things that might help you include:

Taking a selection of clipped photos, office supplies, newspapers, guidebooks, flyers and post cards from your hometown.

Learning where the local department store, "Five and Dime" or "Dollar" store is nearest your CELTA program site. You’ll be there a lot to pick up cheap materials.

And while you’re at it - don't plan on "partying" during the course.

Having a good grammar book reference and a good dictionary will also be helpful. Take your laptop PC along with you on the course too, if you have one.

During the course don't ever hesitate to ask ANY question you might have no matter how insignificant or "trivial" you think it might be. If you want to know or aren't sure, others likely are too so you'll be helping not only yourself, but your classmates.

Be sure to mentally prepare for an intense, high-input experience. That's what it's designed to be. That's what you're paying the big bucks for. So take advantage of it, don't fear it.

You definitely should plan on scheduling your time and getting needed rest regularly.

Again, don't plan on "partying" during the course.

This is an all-too-common error on the part of CELTA program attendees that usually gets them into "serious Guacamole" before they realize what's happening. The "tears and anguish" we CELTA trainers see during the last week or so of the course almost always come from the “cutesy-poo” and hunk "party animals" of the group. By then it may be too late to "pull it out" and pass which is what you're on the course to do.

Focus

Focus - what are you here for? To “see the sights and party”? I think not. (and, I hope not!)

Did I mention, don't plan on "partying" during the CELTA or TEFL certificate course?

Hey, actually you can "party" when it's over - so you might consider staying over an extra few days just for that and "seeing the sights". That's usually the best idea if you can manage it.

That all being said, you should do fine and pass your CELTA or TEFL certificate course with flying colors.

Good luck and let me know if I can help you in any way.

About the Author

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. Live your dreams in paradise, find romance, high adventure and get paid while you travel for free. For more information on entering into or advancing in the fascinating field of teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language send for the no-cost pdf Ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know”, by sending an e-mail with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject line. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Teach English Abroad: Getting Your Second English Teaching Position

Question: Do you have any advice? With my TEFL and technical degree, I can't get a teaching position at a bilingual school. It's depressing!

Thanks for any help at all!!

When several readers sent in “generically similar” questions like this and the ones below, my response was similar to each. It helped them. Perhaps it will help you too. Sooner or later, we all leave our first ELT position for “greener pastures”. Sometimes we stay. Sometimes we don’t. Often we simply want a better salary or income to help support the better life we were originally looking for. Here are the situations, questions and my response.

“About teaching English abroad; I wanted to ask you a couple of questions.”

“I have a technical degree and years of successful experience but I find myself with a desire to do something different. I visited my dream country on vacation and I fell in love with the country. Now I am giving up a good job in the USA and moving to abroad to teach English.”

“I took the TEFL and have my certification but I am finding that most schools want an Education-related degree and my technical degree seems to be hurting me despite the TEFL. I have found work with private students but I am having a hard time finding full-time teaching jobs in one of my more desired cities. For me it's not only about the money. I just want to teach at a high-level school or university.”

Here’s What to Do

My response: I'm a little surprised at the "difficulty" you seem to be having, but I'd like to suggest a slightly different approach. You're obviously not marketing to target markets that could most benefit from your multiple expertise. If I may be a bit blunt, you need to get off your duff and do some marketing research. Then market to the target markets you find.

- First, write a cover letter which highlights your technical background with your teaching skills. Show how one complements the other. Focus on trade / technical schools and / or technical career faculties in universities.

- Second, write proposals for teaching ESP, that is technical English to businesses and companies in your target areas. Intensive English courses of from one week to one month might work best at first. Use the phone book, chamber of commerce and periodicals for leads on companies to target.

- Third, advertise in large local newspapers using a small but highly targeted ad for teaching business / technical English to high-tech companies and business professionals. Get some decent business cards too - with your full contact information on one side and your services / expertise on the other. I'll bet you don't have good business cards at the moment, do you?

- Finally, you're causing your own problem in part, which is good in that you can then provide your own solutions. Get to work. If you really get stuck and genuinely require additional help, let me know and I'll try to prod you in the right directions again.

"I hope I've helped. What happens to you is up to you - not me or anybody else for that matter."

One final point: Don't give up.
Keep plugging away. If it takes a couple of months or more to saturate the market sufficiently to start getting relevant feedback, so be it.

Do what it takes to succeed.

The opportunities are out there.

Now you just go out and get them.



Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. For more information on entering into or advancing in the fascinating field of ELT send an e-mail with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject heading for his no-cost pdf Ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know”. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know

How to Qualify

There are essentially two "tracks" for qualifying as an English as a Foreign Language teaching professional (ELT). One is the Certification track, which requires you to study and pass a series of certification program in conjunction with observed, critiqued teaching. There are three levels to this track - I have all three. Each of the “levels” is higher and more difficult than the previous one. The CELTA or TEFL certificates are the first and lowest levels of this route. Next is an INSET or practicing CELTA often conducted in conjunction with your employment at a school or language institute. It could also be a Business English teaching certification frequently called a “Cert. TBE”. Finally there is the Trinity College Licentiate Diploma (LTCL Diploma in TESOL) or DELTA for those who aspire to the higher levels of knowledge and English language teaching application – and are also a bit suicidal. CELTA is an acronym for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. TEFL is an acronym for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. TESOL is an acronym for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Get used to the jargon, you’re going to need it.

The Academic Track

The second track is an academic one. That is the person gets a teaching or language / linguistics - related degree, then proceeds to an MA or MS degree and perhaps finally to a PhD or other terminal studies degree. This track can be done with little and sometimes no actual in-class teaching. This used to be favored but now is in more of a decline due to its impracticality in North America and Europe. You could have an advanced teaching degree without workable teaching and class room management skills, you see. So it's very difficult now to get a teaching position without actual class room teaching experience. This is one of the reasons you should attend a TEFL program in person, intensive or not.

My Strongest Piece of Advice

My strongest piece of advice is this: You MUST get a CELTA or a TEFL teaching certificate. Without it - with no teaching degree and no experience you can't work. A CELTA intensive program will take only about 5 weeks full time but will pay for itself in less than a semester. Look around in your state or local area, there should be an available program. Be sure to get your English language teaching certification in the USA, the UK or Canada, etc., not in a non-English-speaking country if you can help it. Some countries “frown on” TEFL certificates from programs in non-English speaking countries.

Online TEFL Programs

First, many online TEFL programs are not internationally accredited so you may have problems in many countries if this will be your only teaching credential. An online program may also not have as stringent requisite for observed and graded teaching. As a matter of fact, some may not even have an observed class room teaching requirement at all. You simply won’t be prepared to walk into a class room to teach a group of learners whom you can’t talk to in their native language. Not only will you be (rightfully) scared to death, but may fall completely flat on your whatchamacallit. Any good CELTA or TEFL certificate program will provide you with immediate "hands on" experience in working directly with EFL learners.

Second, online TEFL certifications are NOT accepted in several Latin American, Asian and European countries. For example, the Colombian Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and most high-level schools, institutes and universities WILL check this out thoroughly. You very likely won't be able to work legally with only an online TEFL certificate. Be sure to inquire about this first, before you plunk down hundreds, or thousands, of your hard-won dollars.

Think carefully on this. Otherwise you may well be wasting your time and money.

You MUST Be Properly Certified

If you're going to teach English as a Foreign Language, you MUST be properly certified to get a decent job with a good salary. Without proper certification, you will be exploited by unscrupulous school and institute owners who know you can`t do better than their $2 or $3 per hour salary offers. You can't live off of this unless you work 50 to 60 hours per week in many countries, likely working six days a week too.

Your standard of living will be the lowest.

Forget any travel, you’ll be more worried about eating everyday.

And please, don’t you dare get sick.

Benefits? Are you kidding?

Want More No-Nonsense Information?

In this article I can barely scratch the surface. You can get some additional information by going to www.ezinearticles.com and doing a search there for my name, “Larry M. Lynch”. You will then be taken to my free article postings on English teaching. Finally, don’t get me wrong, I’m not “knocking” any organization’s TEFL program. You just need to scrupulously check and compare what you’ll be getting and if it’ll be accepted where you’re planning to teach. With more than 17 years in the field working on both sides of the interview table, I’ve seen far too many things go wrong which could have been avoided by a more careful scrutiny of TEFL training programs. Yes, most internationally certified CELTA or TEFL certificate programs cost more and are far more difficult to successfully complete to boot, but, as the saying goes, you usually get what you pay for.

Most good CELTA and TEFL programs also provide job
placement assistance.

But that’s a topic for another article.

Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with. Good luck.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. For more information on entering into or advancing in the fascinating field of ELT send for his no-cost pdf Ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need To Know” send an e-mail to the author with "free ELT Ebook" in the heading. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

English Teaching Tips from Sponge Bob Square Pants

Practical wisdom can be found in some of the most unexpected places. Today, wisdom bubbled up from a pineapple under the sea. I suddenly realized that everything you’d want to know about English language teaching for your EFL learners can be taught by Sponge Bob SquarePants and his friends. When you teach your young learners, secondary school, adult or university student classes, which of these characters are you most like?

Mr. Krabs:
This crustacean is focused on one thing and one thing only, making more and more and more money. Only a cartoon could actually have dollar signs drawn in his eyes. He thinks of no one, only how he can benefit. Is your teaching focused on you or on the learners? Are you providing guidance and practice or do you have blinders on, thinking only about how you can benefit or get through an English class session? If your classes are like a sales commercial, are teacher-centered or full of course book exercises, you just might teach English like Mr. Krabs.

Plankton:
The smallest creature in the sea is also one of the sneakiest. He’ll do anything and hurt anyone to steal someone else’s work (the Krabby Pattie secret formula). Write your own English class materials. Prepare your own lessons. Don’t be like Plankton. Don’t copy and paste someone else’s work, edit it, and try to pass it off as your own. You will be caught, and it just isn’t worth it. Take the same amount of effort and work on your own thoughts and ideas. Plankton never gets away with his schemes, either. He’s on Plan “Z” and is still pathetically failing at his attempts to steal the secret formula.

Patrick:
Sponge Bob’s best friend, the starfish, has a good heart, but isn't the brightest creature in the sea. Does your teaching make you sound like an expert? Are you providing valuable lessons or just pushing out from the book exercises and activities as fast as you can? Always double check for student interest and interaction. If you're challenged by limited experience or teaching skills and knowledge, start attending English language teaching (ELT) seminars and workshops to get new insights. Or slow down, get some good reference materials then read them before you start the next week’s classes. Consider going for some advanced training in ELT like a CELTA, or TEFL postgraduate studies.

Squidward:
Squidward is B-O-R-I-N-G. When teaching classes, are you a Squidward? Do you just give what’s “in the book” or are you finding a fun twist to make your classes more dynamic and keep learners willingly coming back for more? Take time to make your classes stand out from the many other dry, boring classes out there that your learners must attend by injecting your personality into your classes or just having some fun while teaching.

Sponge Bob:
This little guy always tries to do the right thing, and is a hard worker. He may not always end up getting the results he hoped for, but he bounces back and tackles his work with a renewed vigor. Sponge Bob works very hard, he's a good friend, he always thinks of others, and tries to have fun no matter what he is faced with. Hardworking, friendly Sponge Bob is the guy to be when teaching English classes.Although this is a sort of silly lesson in English as a foreign language teaching (EFL), I hope you'll remember the important messages our underwater cartoon friends have taught us.

1. Teach your classes to help your learners, not only with dollar signs (paycheck) on your mind.

2. Prepare your own classes. Don’t just copy others’ lessons or only “follow the book”.

3. Prepare your class lessons carefully, and provide valuable learning experiences.

4. Be interesting and dynamic in your teaching, not boring.

5. Be a “Sponge Bob”! Hard work and persistence genuinely pay off.

Follow these English teaching tips and before you know it, you'll develop a reputation for having informative and dynamic classes and you too will be a King or Queen of the sea.

*Article concept adapted from “Article Writing Tips from SpongeBob SquarePants” by Nicole Dean at EasyArticleMarketing.com