One of the most common questions that we get asked at i-to-i is, ‘Can I teach English abroad if English isn’t my first language?’
The answer is yes! Lots of non-native English speakers have trained with us and they’ve gone on to find work teaching English all over the world. In fact, as a bilingual teacher, you have so much more to offer!
Who counts as a native English speaker?
In general, employers abroad will only consider candidates from the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand to be native English speakers. We know there are loads more countries that speak English as their primary language but unfortunately, TEFL employers abroad won’t consider you to be a native English speaker unless you’re from one of these countries. Don’t let that dishearten you though – you can still teach abroad as a non-native speaker!
Where can I teach abroad as a non-native English speaker?
There are heaps of job opportunities all over the world for non-native English speakers and generally, the only thing that might hold you back from a certain country depends less upon your native language and more upon the passport you hold. For example, strict visa regulations in the UAE, South Korea and Japan, require teaching candidates to hold a passport from one of the seven countries above. But countries such as Thailand, China, Singapore, Central and South America countries like Mexico and Brazil and countries in Europe (among many others), all welcome applications from non-native English speakers. Hurray!
How can I boost my chances of being hired as a non-native English speaker?
While being a non-native speaker definitely isn’t a barrier when applying for TEFL jobs, as with any job application, you need to show you’re the best person for the job. So, when it comes to applying for TEFL jobs abroad, it helps to go the extra mile.
Step 1. Get the best TEFL training
Research your TEFL training provider to ensure you’re getting the best level of TEFL training. You need to make sure the course you’re taking is accredited and recognised globally, just like ours. It’s also a good idea to get as many hours training under your belt as possible. If you’re a near-native English speaker, a Level 5 Diploma will give your CV the boost it needs to stand out from the crowd.
Step 2. Showcase your strengths as a non-native speaker
Non-native speakers have more strengths in the TEFL world than you might initially think – use these to market yourself and get better TEFL jobs. For example, having learnt English yourself, you’re likely to understand the typical struggles your students might be going through. It’s a good idea to mention how – as a non-native speaker – you could be the perfect role model for your students. Or, how being a successful language learner allows you to better help your students. Plus, if they want, you can also teach them your native language too!
Step 3. Write the best CV
Making sure you have the best CV that showcases all of your skills, strengths and experience is absolutely crucial to landing a good TEFL job! Try tailoring your CV to the jobs you’re applying for. Using one CV to apply for all jobs might be the easy option but it’s not necessarily the best. Look at the job requirements and responsibilities and tailor your CV to match them. Need some help perfecting your CV? Sign up to LoveTEFL’s learning hub for a full in-depth guide to CV writing.
Step 4. Boost your chances with a cover letter
Writing a cover letter can boost your chances of getting through to interview stage by over 50%! Writing a cover letter gives you the opportunity to showcase your skills and experience to your potential TEFL employer. This is where you really need to tailor to the job advertisement and include all of the reasons why you’d be perfect for the role!
Step 5. Stay positive!
Keeping a positive mindset is very important! If you’re constantly applying for jobs and not hearing back, or you can only find jobs that require a native-English speaker, it’s easy to become frustrated – but that’s not going to help at all! So, next time you apply for a job, put that frustration and negativity aside. Focus on what YOU can do to show the recruiter you’re the right candidate. Focus on your strengths as a teacher and highlight how your ‘non-nativeness’ can actually give you advantages in class – you’ve got this!
The post Can non-native English speakers TEFL? appeared first on i-to-i TEFL.
