How long does it take to get a TEFL qualification?
The amount of time it takes to get a TEFL qualification varies from teacher to teacher. It depends on how much time you can put into the course, how many hours you opt to take and how much teaching experience you already have. We’ve had TEFL graduates complete their course in a matter of days (wow!), while others who may be working or studying full-time and are brand-new to teaching can take a whi...[Read More]
Best Cities to Teach English in Japan
When you’re looking for a job teaching English as a foreign language, one of the factors you need to consider is where to teach. The first step is to decide which continent you’re interested in, then you can do your research and find out which countries suit your interests and qualifications (and your passport!). If … Continue reading “Best Cities to Teach English in Japan” The post B...[Read More]
i-to-i is now officially carbon neutral!
Yes, you read that right! As of October 2019, i-to-i are officially the first TEFL Course provider to become carbon neutral and we’re super excited about it! Over the last 6 months, we’ve been working long and hard to focus all of our efforts on different ways to offset our carbon footprint, look after the amazing place we call home and just be over-all a more eco-friendly company! By off-setting ...[Read More]
What are My TEFL Options without a Degree?
If you’re interested in teaching English abroad you probably know that many TEFL jobs prefer their candidates to have two things: a TEFL certificate from a recognised TEFL provider and a Bachelor’s degree. However, the key word here is prefer. While a TEFL certificate is a non-negotiable, a degree is not essential to getting a … Continue reading “What are My TEFL Options without a Degree?...[Read More]
My first two weeks in Vietnam
On the day of departure from London Heathrow I was surprisingly calm and relaxed. I’d said goodbye to my parents a few days earlier before going up to stay with my girlfriend in London – who is also here in Vietnam as a TEFL teacher! The overriding emotion I was feeling was excitement for what the next five months (at least) could bring. Although neither of us had any classroom experience, the onl...[Read More]
Don’t Teach Grammar — Teach Functions!
Don’t forget to smile during that demo lesson. I recently read a blog written specifically about what is wrong with PPP methodology. And, sadly, the author stated: PPP means that teachers will first present a grammar point While I would agree that PPP has some limitations, I would never agree that PPP must be about teaching grammar. And the writer would not think that if he had been in my train...[Read More]
Demo Your Way to a Great Job
Tips for Acing Demonstration Lessons Don’t forget to smile during that demo lesson. Multiple choice question: To get a job teaching English as a Foreign Language you will need to: a) do an interview b) submit references c) do a demonstration lesson d) possibly all of the above. Did you pick d? (Hint: you should have!) While interviews and references are normal parts of any hiring process, demonstr...[Read More]
How to Prepare a Demonstration Teaching Video
Lights, Camera…TEACH! A question I hear a lot from new teachers of English who want to go abroad is, “How do I find a job?” The answer, of course, is the same for English teaching as it is for many other professions nowadays—you look for job listings on the Internet and through a network of contacts that you build up. But, there’s a larger dimension to this question that I’d like to address in thi...[Read More]
Teaching English in Resorts and Hotels around the World
Do you have Skills in Food and Beverage or Hospitality Settings? This area of ESP is becoming more and more popular, so this is a good opportunity to address how to find those niche jobs. A lot of newbie TEFL teachers are former restaurant and or hospitality workers. They are much more qualified to teach in this area than the other teachers unfamiliar with the ‘service mind’ and those with no with...[Read More]
Staying Healthy While Living Abroad
Don’t Become “The English (Teacher) Patient” The best advice for staying healthy is the same no matter where you’re living: Eat right, sleep well, and get enough exercise. However, when we’re thrown out of our natural element by going to live abroad, at first it might be tricky to maintain your rhythms in the new culture. For example, you may be used to eating dinner around 6 or 7 p.m., but your n...[Read More]
Ten Jobs That Have Transferable Skills
What Do You Know? Many teachers of English as a Second Language transition into teaching from a totally different line of work. Before I began teaching, I was a social worker. I know other people who were business people, stock brokers, marketing agents, scuba divers, military personnel and who held a whole range of other jobs before they decided to live the good life abroad as an English teacher....[Read More]
Using the Internet to Create Awesome Lessons
Teachers of English as a Foreign Language are always looking at ways they can perk up their lesson plans. Even the very best textbooks can get stale now and then, for the teacher even if not for the students, and a good way to inject pizzazz in your class is to bring in something new. Realia is a great way to do this, as is multimedia. But if you’re like most teachers, the very first place you’re ...[Read More]