Travelling is a dream for so many Canadians, though it is no secret that it can seem expensive and untimely when you are just starting to get your career off the ground, or you have big student loans to pay. At the same time, there may never be a better time in your life to travel. When else will you have this much time to invest in your own life experiences? What could be stronger than the allure of exploring new places, meeting new people, experiencing different ways of life, and trying new foods?
If you have just finished secondary school, college, or university, you may be wondering exactly how you can see the world while still gaining work experience and earning money. This is where teaching English as a second language (ESL) abroad can be an excellent solution to your conundrum.
Have you been considering whether or not teaching English abroad is the right path for you? You are reading the right article. We will explore the best reasons to teach ESL and possibly even pursue training as an educator. We will also take a closer look at what you can expect as an ESL teacher at home or abroad. Let’s get started!
What are The Top Reasons to Start Teaching English as a Second Language?
Gain Real Life Work Experience as an ESL Teacher
When you just finish school, getting meaningful work experience isn’t easy. Working for an international school or English school abroad is the perfect way to add something unique to your resume while also enjoying independent travel. Those that are considering a longer career in education can use teaching abroad as an opportunity to see if they enjoy teaching, or gain essential teaching experience for applying to bachelor of Education degree programs.
If you are not interested in a career in education, work/travel opportunities are still valuable experiences to have because they will enable you to broaden and enrich your understanding of the world.
Newcomers to Canada come from a variety of linguistic backgrounds, and many are eager to learn English when they arrive. For this reason, there are many exciting opportunities for English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers to work.
Earn Money Teaching English Abroad While Travelling
While you may not earn significant amounts of money teaching abroad, you should be able to earn enough to offset your expenses while travelling. Many teach abroad programs can connect you with low cost or reasonable housing while working. Travelling can be a costly pursuit, so if you can earn enough money to pay for a single thing such as food or accommodation, you will be doing well.
Learn a new Skillset by Teaching ESL Classes
Teaching is a job that will help you learn a range of skill sets you can continue applying in the field of education or in other fields like business or wellness. For example, as a teacher, you will learn the importance of being professional and cultivating strong habits like arriving to work on time or living independently. You will also hone your creative problem solving skills, as you will need to design innovative approaches to engaging students to learn new content and communication skills in English.
Starting a career as an ESL teacher is an excellent way to spend a gap year, diversify your background of work experience, and possibly even travel abroad. Learn all about becoming an ESL or ESOL teacher.
How Do I Become an ESL Instructor in Canada?
Becoming an ESL teacher in Canada can happen in a few different ways. If your goal is simply to teach ESL, you can earn your qualification through a TESL course. These courses can vary in length, and there are different course providers that offer certification. With TESL or TESOL certification, you can start applying for teaching jobs abroad.
Are you interested in becoming a teacher in a publicly funded school board or a private school in Canada? Your best bet will be to complete an undergraduate degree and then apply to a faculty of education for a teaching degree. Though this option can be rather time consuming, you will have a lot of versatility as an educator to work in different contexts. Once you have a teaching degree and are licensed to teach in the province you want to work in, you can complete additional qualifications in ESL that will enable you to teach ESL in Canada or possibly even abroad.
Being an ESL teacher takes much more than simply being able to speak the language. Your work involves planning instruction for students who may be at different phases of their language learning. You must create language-rich experiences where students can build their vocabulary and build the capacity to converse spontaneously with others.
Is it Better to Teach ESL Lessons for Adults or Children?
Many prospective educators wonder whether or not they should teach adults or children. The reality is that one isn’t necessarily better than the other - what matters most is your preference. Let’s take a quick look at both options.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Teaching Adults
Adults are a wonderful group of students to work with. You don’t have to manage their behaviour, they are usually more mature and motivated to learn than kids, and you can teach with content that is intriguing and appropriate for older students. In most cases you will not have any difficulty working with this group.
In terms of disadvantages, sometimes adults are more reluctant to engage in learning activities such as games and role play. They may have competing priorities, resulting in situations where they may have difficulty finishing assignments.
Overall, if you like the possibility of working with a more mature group, adults may be a great group for you to teach!
The Pros and Cons of working with Children
Children are an incredible group to work with. Kids bring a level of enthusiasm and engagement that is hard to top, and when it comes to learning English you will notice that they adapt quickly to learning new vocabulary and taking risks with speaking. Depending on the age group you work with, you may find lesson planning more fun than planning for adults. For example, young children learn best with games and singing, which is perfect for those who like to be interactive and creative while teaching.
In terms of cons, children may sometimes challenge your patience and you may find yourself working harder to manage their behaviour. Another possible difficulty is that kids are usually also learning foundational literacy skills, so you will want to be prepared to scaffold for unique learning needs.
Becoming an ESL, or English as a Second Language Teacher is a career that attracts many Canadians. ESL teachers can work in a variety of contexts: abroad, online, as a tutor, as a classroom teacher, or in a private language school.
Is Teaching English Online or Working as an ESL Coach Challenging?
Prospective ESL teachers that want to lead a digital nomad lifestyle may be intrigued by the possibility of working online as a tutor or ESL coach. This option is not without its challenges. Virtual teaching or coaching is excellent if you are adept with technology, and understand how to plan a virtual class to keep it fun and engaging. For example, if you are using a textbook or a specific curriculum, you will want to have an online version readily available so you are not constantly switching your camera. It is also important that your students be able to see your face while learning English, for learning pronunciation and understanding the connection between facial expression and language.
ESL coaching is most often associated with test preparation for proficiency exams required to enter university or college. To be an ESL coach, you will need to understand the assessments and the way points are awarded. This way, you can offer students the best feedback and insights that will help them when taking the test.
Whether you want to work as an ESL coach, instructor, or both, you can certainly do so online. Increasingly, students are preferring virtual options because it enables them to learn without having to plan for a commute. Work with you clients to identify specific learning goals, so you can plan sessions accordingly.
So how do you find clients to work with virtually? We will explore this option next!
English is an international language, and people from all over the world are always trying to learn. To meet the needs of students and drive engagement, you will want to make sure your lessons are responsive and relevant to the needs and interests of your learners.
How do I Find Jobs Teaching ESL Lessons?
To find work in ESL education, you will need to either find an employer or clients to work with. There are many employers, such as school boards, private schools, English language schools, and government subsidized organizations that hire ESL teachers. In many cases, they will not only want teachers with qualifications but experience on the job.
Another possibility for finding work is offering your services as a private ESL tutor or test preparation coach. There are many advantages to taking this option. First of all, you can work as much or as little as you want to, which is perfect if you are attending school or working part or full time. There is no formal requirement to have teacher training, though it will certainly help you to get clients if you do have a background working with students or teaching English. Finally, you can work with clients online, or safely in person - whatever it is that you feel most comfortable with.
Becoming a private ESL coach is easy with Superprof Canada. With Superprof, you can set up a profile page to advertise yourself and the services you offer. Provide a photo of yourself, a brief bio about your educational background and educational experience, and the rate of pay you are willing to work at. Once your profile is set up, prospective students can find your profile, and contact you directly if they are interested.
Start your teaching career on Superprof today!
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