How A Student Makes Extra Money By Teaching English
With borders opening up once again, now is the perfect opportunity to start thinking about international travel anew. However, getting around seems to be pricier than ever before, so it is worthwhile having some extra spending money to pay for these increased costs.
Therefore, it makes total sense to start thinking about a career where earning potential is high and flexibility is available at the same time. One such profession is TEFL (or Teaching English as a Foreign Language), a job that can easily fit around study or other personal commitments. Or perhaps, working as an online tutor may work even better for you?
Below is a quick and simple guide to becoming a TEFL teacher, with lots of easy advice for any budding TEFL tutor to follow. A few key questions will follow, along with their responses in a straightforward and direct manner.
What is TEFL?
In a nutshell, TEFL is the ability to help students learn English as a second or other language. These people need to use it for their own education, work, or free time reasons, so if they have a reliable TEFL instructor helping them, they are far more likely to thrive.
An ideal first move for any wannabe TEFL educator is to get certified. Whether the new TEFL tutor wants to earn the highest possible salary in Japan, or give themselves the best chance of landing a flexible online position, a reputable and rigorous TEFL qualification will help any new TEFL teacher find the job they are after.
When can a TEFL teacher start?
In theory, once they get certified, the path is clear to commence a career in teaching TEFL, either in person or through digital means. The great thing about being a TEFL instructor is having some control over when the best time to take lessons is.
For early birds, the opportunity to teach classes in the morning before resting later in the day is one not to miss, and this is easier than ever as a result of the internet. Even for in person classes, some cultures such as Japan like to start their teaching day early, and with more flights than ever to Asia, the time is now to seize the chance to teach in the Land of the Rising Sun.
By contrast, night owls might find that working in a different environment is the best possibility for them. Many online learners live in time zones which are drastically different, making night classes a commodity of high demand. Furthermore, many business English classes in countries like Japan take place after normal working hours, so this is suitable for an evening TEFL teacher too.
Many online learners live in time zones which are drastically different, making night classes a commodity of high demand.
Where can a TEFL teacher go to teach?
Naturally, once a TEFL teacher has narrowed down their search, and done some research on the best ways to travel internationally, then the sky’s the limit for the new TEFL tutor. The main factors to take into account for a new TEFL professional are the location, cost of living, as well as earning potential of the place where they would like to work.
One place that has a fantastic balance between high wage earning capacity and relatively low cost of living, all in a technologically advanced sphere, is Japan. Japanese culture is rewarding for hard workers who are willing to further themselves professionally, and the TEFL teacher field is no exception.
For those who seek a busy city lifestyle, the capital city of Tokyo is the place to be. With millions of potential students to choose from, Tokyo offers opportunities galore for teaching in both conventional educational settings and more modern business setups.
By contrast, smaller cities such as Hokkaido or Nagasaki manage to provide a nice balance between the hustle and bustle of contemporary life with a slightly slower pace of life. This could be ideal for a TEFL tutor who is thinking of setting down some roots in Japanese terrain, as the chances to work are high but with the added bonus of being a touch more sedate for those thinking of starting their own family in the future.
What age group should a TEFL teacher choose?
Another big decision for the new TEFL educator is which age group to work with. For some, the intense energy and fast-paced learning style of younger learners will appeal the most.
On the other hand, there are some TEFL teachers who may prefer to get started with an older age group, relying on the more advanced level of the students to ease the transition into the vocation. This could be a wonderful option too for those who are not quite as comfortable with the hectic speed at which some kindergarten groups can move, instead focusing on improving more complicated language aspects such as grammar or essay writing.
In any event, looking east could be the right decision, with Japan offering the chance for the future TEFL teacher to work with almost any age group and level.
References:
- https://www.gildshire.com/essentials-for-international-travel/
- https://www.gildshire.com/5-advantages-of-morning-rituals/
- https://www.tefl.org/teach-english-abroad/teach-english-in-japan/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/11/more-flights-in-asia-may-cause-airfares-to-fall-but-it-may-take-time-.html
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63003802
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