The end of your TEFL course is in sight, and you’re in the home stretch. You’re about to finish one super intensive TEFL course with a certificate in hand. You worked hard, and now you’re ready to get your hands dirty and your feet wet and jump into your first teaching position.
It’s a race to the TEFL course finish-line and the start of your fabulous life as an English teacher abroad!
You can’t wait to get started and embark on your next adventure. The TEFL certificate can take you to places like China, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Saudi Arabia, or even right in your hometown.
With the new skills you just acquired, you’ll be able to teach kids, teens, or adults all about dangling participles and relative pronouns. Ok, maybe you’ll just try to get your students to master “How are you?” Whatever you teach, you know you’ll have loads of fun creating engaging lessons to get your pupils laughing and speaking the language with ease.
But hold your horses, cowboy. Just because you have your certificate doesn’t mean you should jump into any job or next step without considering some crucial tips. You spent a long time researching a quality TEFL program, right?
You know your program meets the internationally recognized standards to make you an ideal candidate for any teaching position both locally or abroad. You’re ripe for the job market, but we have a few ways to get you even further ahead.
We’ve put together a few words of advice for anyone in the last stages of their program. Read on for those last minute tips before you finish your TEFL course.
6 essential TEFL tips for program alumni
1. Ask for a recommendation
While there are a few teaching jobs out there that don’t ask for references, most do. You want to be prepared with both contact information and/or a letter from your teacher or supervisor of the TEFL program.
Before you finish the program ask your TEFL trainer if they’d be willing to write you a letter of recommendation or be your reference for future employers. They are the only people who can speak to your strengths and detail what you accomplished during the program.
A future employee will be able to tie your candidacy directly to your experience. Once you have that recommendation, you can keep it on file for many years to come. Just more evidence for the employer that you’re ready to do the job right!
One chapter closes, but another begins! And the next one includes getting paid to travel. :)
2. Ask your TEFL program for career and networking opportunities
Finding any job can be a daunting and lonely process. Why not ask for help? Sometimes your TEFL certificate program offers job connections. They may have a partnership with schools, universities and language institutes abroad or locally.
This could guarantee you your next job! Even if your program doesn't have direct job connections, they may be able to direct you to some key professional organizations in the TEFL industry. In the world of social media there are so many ways to connect with others who have the same passions and career interests. Ask your program what’s out there.
Or, do a simple google search yourself to find organizations to help you network to make connections or find a job. These groups sometimes hold virtual or face-to-face meetings or they have online forums where people like you are discussing tips for landing the ideal TEFL role.
When you’re searching for jobs outside of your home country, this is especially helpful. You may meet expats or teachers like you who can give you insider information on each country.
Related: 8 Easiest Countries to Teach English
3. Talk to people who have completed the program
Your program could also direct you to other alumni. It’s always helpful to get advice from someone who finished the same program. Ask your program for the contact information of people who have finished the program.
Try to connect with at least three as everyone will have unique experiences and post-TEFL pathways. Generally, people are willing to help and will likely give you advice about how to prepare for a TEFL job. They’ll give you tips and tricks of the trade on where to search, how to search, and who to search!
Don’t discount the alumni; they may steer you in the right direction apart from the path you were thinking about. Who knows? They may actually personally recommend you for a job.
Because you finished the same program, they know first hand how prepared you are to teach English. They understand the rigorous training you underwent and they are confident in your skills. Get a hold of those alumni and consider them a vital resource in your job search.
Now’s definitely not the time to slack off. Finish strong!
4. So many opportunities
The best part about earning a TEFL certificate is that you are typically not bound to one geographic location or type of teaching career. Start thinking (don’t worry, you don’t have to decide now) whether you want to live for a while in another country or stick around locally.
There are 195 countries in the world and several top picks of TEFL graduates for various reasons. United Arab Emirates, Japan, China, and South Korea offer some of the highest paid teaching jobs and many gigs even pay for your flight.
Other people prefer Costa Rica, Ecuador, or other parts of Latin America for warmer climates and a relaxed vibe. Czech Republic appears in many a google search for its central location in Europe and plentiful supply of beer!
Many graduates also find teaching jobs in their home country. Any Newcomer to your city will need English skills to advance, and their children too!
Once you’ve selected a location, think about who you want to teach. You can work with kids in an American school, international school, sometimes even a public school.
You can also teach university students or adult students at a language institute, or try your hand at teaching business English to local professionals. You can even go rogue and advertise yourself online or around town for private tutoring.
Many TEFL graduates manage a combination of all of the above. The most important thing to consider is what you want to do. If you love the little ones, a primary school is right for you. If you’re looking for the more mature learner, universities or business English are definitely up your alley.
But remember that you're early in your career. Try dabbling in a bit of both over time. It’s good to diversify your skills!
5. Research any job prospect thoroughly
Whether you’re in your home country or abroad, you never want to jump into a job full speed ahead. You may be eager to get your feet wet, but there are a lot of scams out there. Heed caution. Do your research. If you’re in that country, give them a call, write an email, or pay a visit before you accept. If you’re not there, have a back up plan.
Rule of thumb: Don’t sign any official contracts until you’ve vetted the school or organization.
Check reviews online. With the ubiquity of the internet, it’s pretty easy to find someone connected to the job or school you’re eyeing.
Also, don’t limit yourself to paid work only. If you went into your program without much teaching experience, you may want to consider a volunteer position first. Many jobs will take you fresh out of your program, but the more competitive ones (or sometimes the ones you really want) may want people with at least 1-3 years of experience.
There are many volunteer opportunities to teach and tutor, and some of them may actually lead to paid positions within that organization.
6. Take a break
The most important of the last minute tips before you finish your TEFL course. Yup, take a break, you deserve it! Most TEFL programs are an intensive trial by fire, sink or swim, or whatever torturous analogy you can think of.
Taking a rest is important to regroup and reflect on the program. Most TEFL programs are a month long, but few offer time to do all the touristy fun stuff. Did you come all this way to...go home? Nah, you didn’t.
Plan a one week break exploring all the places in the country you haven’t visited. Check off your list of the top three or four destinations recommended by your classmates, teachers, or locals.
If you completed a TEFL program in your home city, you can also plan a trip locally or abroad to take a breather. Refresh is always needed in transition!
[Get Hired! Learn the 8 Best Programs for Teaching English Abroad!]
One chapter closes, but another begins!
Which way will you go from here?
Tip number seven should be…..do a little dance! Seriously start planning your happy dance. Those TEFL programs are tough and it’s important to brag a little (at least to yourself) about what you’ve accomplished.
You’ve added another tick to your resume, making you that much more employable whatever path you choose to take. You’ve added another incredible experience to your life—the good, the bad, and the in between. Be proud and don’t be afraid to show it!
We have to say this—please do read those last minute tips before your finish your TEFL course. You’ll be more prepared to enter your dream teaching job. It’s easy to get excited to leave the program without fully considering how to prepare for the next steps.
And remember, those next steps don’t have to be forever. Many people finish a TEFL course only years later to find themselves in a completely different field. But even those people think back fondly on their TEFL course experience and they realize that it was that experience that helped launch them into something that really inspired them.
If you’re a later-in-life professional entering this field, you’ve probably thought long and hard about this decision. We know change is scary, but your depth of experience will be your guiding source.
And hey, the end of your TEFL course is really just the beginning. Whatever your position is in life, and whatever path you choose next, go get ‘em! The world is your oyster, so start swimming….
Read More Articles About Life After Being Abroad →
Look for the Perfect TEFL Certification Program Now
Start Your Search