Getting
certified for TEFL or ‘Teaching English as a Foreign Language’ is not only a
requirement for teaching English abroad—it also allows you to forge a new
career that provides plenty of travel opportunities. Earning a TEFL
certification will give you the credentials to pack a suitcase and live in a
country that is completely different from yours. Whether you are interested in
pursuing a nomadic lifestyle or simply want to go on a paid adventure, getting a TEFL
certification course should be your first step. Below are just some of the
many benefits of being a certified English teacher:
1. Get access to more job opportunities: It’s
easier to get a teaching gig when you have a TEFL certification, especially if
the course includes job placement assistance. Most English schools—especially
in China—now require their teachers to possess TEFL certifications to prove
their skills and competence. Without proof that you have the skills needed to
teach English to foreigners, you will find it hard to even apply for teaching
positions.
2. Travel while earning a good living: You
will get paid relatively well as an English teacher abroad—certainly enough to
support yourself while you’re exploring new cities. If you are from the US, the
Internal Revenue Service offers tax-free eligibility for the money you earn
overseas. This tax exemption helps you save more of your income, so you can
clear your student loans, travel the world, or even save up for whatever you
hope to buy when you come back home.
3. Experience new cultures and meet new people:
Having a TEFL certificate gives you the freedom to live and work in other
countries and immerse yourself in a culture that is different from yours. Other
professions don’t provide the luxury of being able to visit new places and meet
new friends. If your goal is to get out of your comfort zone, teaching English aboard
is certainly for you.
