Completed TEFL And TESOL Certification? How To Get Qualified To Teach English
30th July 2024Do you have a dream of teaching English abroad or online?
Then you are in the right place to get qualified to teach English to speakers of other languages. Whether you're a recent graduate, career changer, or just looking for an exciting new adventure, becoming a certified English teacher opens up a world of opportunities. With the growing demand for English language instruction worldwide, now is the perfect time to start your journey.
Your path to becoming a qualified English teacher begins with obtaining high-quality certification courses like Online TEFL Courses in Thailand.
In this blog post, we will be exploring what are the essential steps you need to take after completing your TEFL/TESOL certifications to achieve success in your teaching English journey.
Secure Your TEFL/TESOL Certification
Now that you've completed your TEFL/TESOL certification by pursuing courses like Online TEFL Courses in Thailand, it's crucial to secure and understand your credentials. This step is essential to get qualified to teach English to speakers of other languages and to teach English online. Let's explore how you can access your certificate, understand digital badges, and verify your certification.
Accessing Your Certificate
Upon completing your TEFL/TESOL course, you'll receive your official certificate. This document is more than just a piece of paper – it's your key to teaching opportunities worldwide.
Here's what you need to know:
- Your certificate is an official and legal document suitable for obtaining work visas for employment abroad.
- It's valid for both offline and international online teaching platforms.
- Each certificate has a unique number for authentication purposes.
- Your certificate includes stamps, holograms, QR codes, and bar codes to ensure its authenticity.
- The certificate comes with a transcription of the course you completed.
- There's no expiry date on your TEFL/TESOL certificate.
- You have the option to order a hard copy of the certificate by post to any location in the world.
Understanding Digital Badges
In addition to your physical certificate, you may also receive digital badges. These are becoming increasingly important in the world of e-learning and professional development. Here's why digital badges matter:
- They're dynamic, 21st-century credentials that tell your whole certification and training story.
- Digital badges allow employers to easily see the full picture of your accomplishments, including verifiable skills and achievements.
- Each badge has a unique URL, allowing employers to view detailed information about your TEFL/TESOL courses.
- You can easily share your badges on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Digital badges can be added to your resume and email signature, making them visible to potential employers.
Verifying Your Certification
Verifying your TEFL/TESOL certificate is becoming increasingly important due to stricter regulations in the field of English language teaching. Here's how to verify your certification:
- Use the unique ID found in the lower left corner of your certificate to verify its authenticity.
- Many TEFL/TESOL providers offer online verification services where you can enter your details to confirm your certification.
- Some countries, particularly China and Vietnam, may have specific verification procedures. Be sure to understand their requirements.
- In some cases, you may need to provide additional details like your name, date of completion, and certificate number for verification.
- For internationally recognized programs, there may be an official verification service or online portal where employers can verify your certificate.
By understanding these aspects of your TEFL/TESOL credentials, you're well-equipped to navigate the job market and start your teaching career with confidence. Remember, your certification is a valuable asset in your journey to teach English to speakers of other languages.
Develop Your TEFL Career Strategy
To get qualified to teach English to speakers of other languages and teach English online, you need a well-thought-out career strategy. This involves creating a targeted resume, setting clear goals, and identifying your teaching preferences. Let's explore these key aspects of developing your TEFL career strategy.
Creating a Targeted Resume
Your resume is your first impression on potential employers, so it's crucial to make it stand out. Here are some tips to create a targeted TEFL resume:
- Have a focused TEFL resume objective that highlights your skills and career aspirations.
- Emphasize your TEFL/TESOL certification near the top of your education section, including the number of hours and accreditation details.
- List your top skills, both hard and soft, that are relevant to teaching English.
- Highlight any teaching experience, whether formal or informal. This can include tutoring, coaching, or working at summer camps.
- Include international experience, language skills, and relevant volunteer work.
- Use keywords from the job description to make your resume stand out to both human readers and automated screening systems.
- Keep your resume professional, honest, and concise, ideally between one and two pages.
Remember to tailor your resume for each application, focusing on the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific teaching position.
Setting Short-term and Long-term Goals
Setting clear goals is essential for your TEFL career development. Consider the following when setting your goals:
Short-term goals
These might include getting your first teaching job, improving specific teaching skills, or adapting to a new cultural environment.
Long-term goals
Think about where you want your TEFL career to take you. Do you want to specialize in a particular area of English teaching, such as Business English or teaching young learners?
Professional development
Plan to continuously improve your skills through additional certifications, workshops, or specialized courses.
Career progression
Consider whether you want to move into roles like curriculum development, teacher training, or school management in the future.
Identifying Teaching Preferences
Understanding your teaching preferences will help you find positions that align with your strengths and interests. Consider the following:
Age groups
Do you prefer teaching children, teenagers, or adults?
Teaching environment
Would you rather teach in a traditional classroom, online, or in a business setting?
Class size
Do you thrive in large group settings or prefer one-on-one tutoring?
Teaching style
Reflect on your teaching philosophy and the methods you find most effective.
Cultural context
Consider which countries or regions you're most interested in teaching in, and research their educational systems and cultural norms.
Engage with the TEFL Community
To enhance your teaching skills and connect with like-minded individuals, it's crucial to engage with the TEFL community. This involvement will provide valuable insights into the world of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and help you grow professionally.
Joining Online Forums
Online TEFL community forums offer a platform for teachers, students, and enthusiasts to share resources, ask questions, and collaborate on ideas. Here are some popular forums you can join:
-TEFL.net
-Dave's ESL Cafe
-Reddit TEFL Subreddit
-i-to-i TEFL Forum
Attending Webinars
Webinars are a flexible and accessible solution for professional development. They help you stay up to date on the latest teaching methods, technologies, and industry trends.
These webinars cover a wide range of topics, including 21st-century teaching, business English, and teaching methodology.
Participating in Professional Development
To further your career and improve your teaching skills, consider these professional development activities:
Organize workshops
Team up with colleagues to identify areas for improvement in your teaching methods. Host monthly or bi-monthly workshops, either in-person or virtually, to address specific skill sets.
Join interactive TEFL/TESOL training courses
Courses like the Online TEFL Courses in Thailand allow you to collaborate with an international cohort of trainees through online forums and projects.
Connect on social media
Join EFL/ESL groups on platforms like Facebook to discuss teaching methods, share ideas, and find job opportunities.
Attend networking events and conferences
Use these opportunities to attend information sessions, share ideas, and learn from industry experts.
Engage in self-reflection
Incorporate peer evaluations or self-reflective practices like journaling into your professional development routine.
By actively engaging with the TEFL community through these various channels, you'll continually enhance your teaching skills, stay current with industry trends, and build a valuable network of peers and mentors in the field.
Navigate the Job Market
To get qualified to teach English to speakers of other languages and teach English online, you need to navigate the job market effectively. This involves researching potential employers, utilizing job boards, and preparing for interviews.
Researching Potential Employers
Before you start applying for jobs, it's crucial to research potential employers thoroughly. This will help you make informed decisions and tailor your applications to each opportunity. Here's how you can approach this:
Visit company websites
Check out the school or organization's website to learn about their courses, student demographics, and company culture.
Read the 'About' page
This will give you insights into the company's history, mission, and values.
Understand the curriculum
Familiarize yourself with the types of courses they offer and the age groups they cater to.
Look for reviews
Search for reviews from current or former employees to get a sense of the work environment.
Consider location preferences
Think about where you want to teach. Some countries in Asia, for example, offer competitive salaries and additional benefits like housing and travel expenses.
Utilizing Job Boards
Job boards are excellent resources for finding teaching opportunities abroad. Here are some popular platforms to consider:
- Teach Away
- ESL Base
- Dave's ESL Cafe
- Go Abroad
- TEFL.com
Preparing for Interviews
Once you've secured an interview, preparation is key. Here are some tips to help you succeed:
Research the employer
Show interest by being informed about the school or organization you're interviewing with.
Highlight relevant experience
Even if you don't have direct teaching experience, relate your previous work experience to the job requirements.
Prepare for common questions
Be ready to discuss your teaching style, how you handle difficult students, and your views on using English in the classroom.
Showcase your personality
Employers often look for reliable, organized, and efficient teachers who are also team players.
Discuss your future plans
Show ambition and a willingness to improve within the ESL world.
Be honest about your intentions
If asked about how long you plan to stay, be truthful to avoid potential issues later.
Prepare Questions
Have a list of questions ready to ask the interviewer about the position and the organization. By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared to navigate the job market and find the right teaching opportunity that aligns with your goals and qualifications.
Final Thoughts
Embarking on a TEFL career opens up a world of opportunities to teach English to speakers of other languages. By securing your TEFL/TESOL certifications, developing a solid career strategy, engaging with the TEFL community, and navigating the job market effectively, you'll be well-equipped to start this exciting journey. By following the above-mentioned steps, you can have a significant impact on your readiness to tackle the challenges and rewards of teaching English abroad or online.
If you still haven’t begun your adventure in the world of English language teaching then start your journey with Online TEFL Courses in Thailand Today!
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