Is America's Fav Teacher Legit

Spain is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for teaching English abroad for many different reasons, including the buoyant job market, laid-back culture, great climate, and fabulous cuisine. Jobs are available year-round in most major towns and cities, but are you eligible to join the many thousands of people teaching English across Spain right now? This is one of the most common questions asked by those who dream of living and working in Spain, and the answer is NO, you do not need a university degree to teach English in Spain. There is no legal requirement for English teachers to have a degree and demand is so high that most employers are also unconcerned about your degree status. Most employers in Spain prefer to hire native English speakers as this is what local students are...  [Read more]

As a result of government restrictions and official requirements for visa applications, there are a variety of countries where it is hard for teachers to find a job without having a 4-year university degree on their CV/resume. However, if you are able to be flexible and are willing to look for employment in areas where the demand is high and restrictions are less rigorous, TEFL qualified teachers without a degree can still have several great destinations to choose from. To increase your chances of landing a position in the country of your choice, it is highly recommended that you first complete an internationally accredited TEFL certification course. Those who are TEFL qualified will find they have a big advantage over non-qualified teachers in most countries worldwide. Cambodia is...  [Read more]

In some countries there is a clear process for foreigners to obtain a work visa that provides full legal status to live and work. In others, the process can be expensive and time consuming or simply nonexistent. However, as the demand for English language teachers is so high in many parts of the world, the necessity of a work visa is sometimes ignored. The fact is many thousands of people work as English language teachers in countries all over the world without a work visa. In countries such as Spain and Italy, both extremely popular destinations, it is common for Americans and other nationalities to enter the country on a tourist visa and immediately start working as an English language teacher. A tourist visa in these countries is typically valid for 90 days and cannot be renewed so...  [Read more]

  Now we'll have a look at the present perfect tense. The form for the present perfect tense is again our subject here, our auxiliary verb, or helping verb, in this case it's 'have'. For subjects 'I,' 'you,' 'we,' 'they', we leave the auxiliary verb as 'have'. For 'he,' 'she' and 'it', our auxiliary verb needs to be conjugated or changed into 'has'. Following these helping verbs, we have our main verb in the past participle form. Here we have the verb 'to play'. 'To play' is a regular verb. So for regular verbs we simply add '-ed'. The result is sentences such as 'I have played football today,' or 'He has played snooker today'. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken...  [Read more]

If you plan on teaching English in Europe you might have come across something known as the Schengen Area. This area is currently comprised of 26 countries with a combined population of over 400 million people. The area was set up in 1985 with the intention of removing border controls to make moving between countries hassle free. The Schengen Area should not be confused with the European Union which is a separate institution. Before its creation you would have to show your passport at every border to receive an entry stamp, while now anyone including TEFL teachers can move freely from one country to another without any restrictions. Essentially, by entering a country that is a member of the Schengen Area you are entering the area as a whole. Regardless of which country you enter first, the...  [Read more]

When researching your options for teaching English abroad, you may come across articles stating that it is difficult or even impossible for Americans to find work in Europe. However, the good news is this is simply not true, as there are plenty of great opportunities for American teachers in many countries throughout Europe. Due to the huge numbers of people learning English in Europe, there simply aren't enough teachers from within the EU to fill all the available positions. To meet this demand, language schools across the continent look towards native English speaking Americans who possess a TEFL qualification. Every year thousands of US citizens find teaching jobs in major cities such as Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Moscow, and Prague. In Western Europe there is a strong preference for...  [Read more]

The birth place of the English language, the UK offers many opportunities to teach English as a second language (TESOL). While the best opportunities are reserved for UK nationals, native speakers from around the Commonwealth and even the US can enjoy employment here. The UK’s open-door policy on immigration means that great opportunities await TESOL teachers. In the last 40 years or more, wave after wave of immigrants have decided to make the UK their home. Presently, the greatest influx is from Eastern Europe, and new arrivals tend to have a lot of motivation to learn the English skills they will need to survive in the UK. Opportunities are best for those who have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or a Post-Graduate Certification in Education (PGCE). If not already certified in TESOL,...  [Read more]

If you plan on heading to Europe to teach English it is important that you are aware of the regulations regarding visas and work permits in your chosen destination. The visa situation varies from one country to the next and may also depend on your own nationality. Because of this, we recommend that you visit the relevant embassy website to get the most up to date information before you make any final travel plans. As Spain is a member of the European Union, teachers from other EU member states do not need a visa to live and work legally in Spain. However, you will still need to apply for a residency permit and a tax number on arrival in the country. The application process should be straightforward and you can usually expect your employer to help you through it. For non-EU citizens,...  [Read more]

The Cultural Ambassadors Program (also known as the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program) is run by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. Every year as many as 2,500 North Americans are placed through the scheme into elementary or secondary schools across the country to work as assistant language teachers. As Spain can be a difficult place for non-Europeans to secure an official work visa, this program provides a great opportunity for Americans and Canadians to legally live and work in one of the world's most popular teaching destinations. The program is open to American and Canadian citizens aged between 21 and 60, although the upper age limit for placement in the Madrid region is 35. If accepted, participants are assigned as assistant English...  [Read more]

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is a rewarding career choice that offers opportunities all over the world, including in the Americas. With a TEFL certificate, you can explore various countries in North, Central, and South America where English language teachers are in demand. Here are some popular destinations where you can teach English with a TEFL certificate in the Americas: In the United States, there is a growing demand for English language teachers in urban areas, especially in states with large immigrant populations such as California, Texas, New York, and Florida. You can find opportunities to teach in public schools, language academies, community colleges, and private language institutes. Canada also offers opportunities for TEFL teachers, particularly in cities like...  [Read more]

For EU citizens looking to teach English in Germany it is relatively straightforward as they are able to work freely without a visa, while others such as Australians, New Zealanders, and Canadians can apply for a working holiday visa. However, for Americans and other non-EU citizens, there are fewer options when looking to live and work in the country. That being said, if you are patient it is definitely possible to obtain a work visa that allows you to fulfill your dream of teaching English in Germany. The application process can take up to two months and must be done from within Germany, so most teachers enter the country on a tourist visa. As the process is quite slow you will need to be able to support yourself financially while you wait for your application to be approved. It will...  [Read more]

If you are interested in applying for overseas teaching jobs, you will almost certainly come across something called Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or TEFL, certification. As a result, you are probably wondering if getting a TEFL certification is a good idea. Regardless of your other qualifications and experience, a TEFL certification is always a valuable addition to your resume. Furthermore, it will set you apart from the competition in the eyes of principals and hiring managers all over the world. Even if a TEFL certificate is not required for a specific position, it is always a huge plus and preference. A TEFL certificate opens doors to exciting opportunities in teaching English as a foreign language in countries all around the world. The most common requirement is 120 hours of...  [Read more]

If you have done some research and made the decision to teach English abroad or online, you will probably have been confronted with a mound of perplexing letters: TEFL, TESOL, and CELTA – what do they all mean, and which is better? Don't worry. We are here to help you understand the differences and lead you into a world of education and international travel. First, let's get the abbreviations out of the way. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and CELTA is an acronym for Certificate in English Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages (until recently, it stood for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults). To put it another way, TEFL and TESOL are generic terms for the field of teaching English...  [Read more]

ITTT offers in-class TEFL certification courses in numerous locations worldwide, and there could be one conveniently located near you. This format is highly sought after, as many participants prefer the interactive, face-to-face instruction provided by experienced teacher trainers over self-paced study. ITTT's in-class TEFL courses have a duration of four weeks, and participants are usually expected to attend from Monday to Friday. Each day encompasses a mix of instructional sessions, with some days also dedicated to practice teaching. Weekends are typically free, allowing participants to explore the local area, engage with classmates, or simply unwind and prepare for the upcoming week of study. The chance to form new connections is a significant advantage of this learning format, as many...  [Read more]

When it comes to accents we all have one no matter where in the world we were brought up. Most of us are familiar with the basic differences between British and American accents, but what about accents from Australia and New Zealand, Canada and South Africa? And within each of these countries there are dozens of regional accents, just to complicate things further. So, we all have an accent, but is it a problem when teaching English as a foreign language? The first thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong accent when it comes to teaching and learning English. When teaching it is fine to speak naturally, just be sure that you always speak clearly and that all your instructions are fully understood by the whole class. Whether there is one accent that is better to teach than others...  [Read more]

People come from all over the world to teach English as a foreign language in Spain, and there are a variety of different visa options depending on your nationality. The following is a brief overview of the current options; however, we recommend that you always conduct your own research to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. As Spain is a member of the European Union, teachers from other EU member states do not need a visa to live and work legally in Spain. However, you will still need to apply for a residency permit and a tax number on arrival in the country. The application process should be straightforward and you can usually expect your employer to help you through it. For non-EU citizens, the most common option is a 90-day tourist visa that is issued on arrival at a...  [Read more]

Before you head to the airport to start your TEFL journey it is important that you are aware of the paperwork required by the country you are planning to work in. The specific type of visa you need to gain entry to your destination country and how you gain the right to work legally there can vary enormously from one place to the next. To ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible, you should visit the relevant embassy website and do a bit of online research well before you plan to leave. Typically, anyone traveling to a foreign country requires a passport that is valid for at least six months. In some situations your passport must be valid for a full year, so the best advice is to ensure your passport has two years or more remaining to allow for an extended teaching contract or...  [Read more]

If you want to teach English in Europe you will find that most jobs are secured following a face to face interview. If you would like to have a teaching job organised before you leave home, a government placement program might be a good option for you. The following are the most popular programs of their kind in Europe. The TAPIF Program, short for Teaching Assistant Program in France, is a government initiative that places applicants into French state schools to work as teaching assistants. The program provides a great opportunity to live and work in a country where long-stay visas can be difficult to secure for non-EU citizens. For those who meet the necessary criteria, the TAPIF Program could be the perfect way to fulfil your dream of living and working in France. The program is...  [Read more]

As it is one of the most visited countries in the world, Spain has a huge tourism industry that has a continually high demand for English language teachers. There are hundreds of privately run language schools located across the country that hire year-round, as well as government sponsored programs that place teachers into the public school system. The majority of positions can be found in large cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, although opportunities can be found in virtually every city, town, and beach resort in the country. The amount you can earn will vary considerably depending on your previous classroom experience, level of qualifications, the location you choose, and the type of employer. Salaries start at around ?700 per month, rising to ?1,800 for higher end...  [Read more]

We should start by acknowledging that there are some countries where a degree is required for certain teaching jobs. However, even within these countries there are often opportunities for teachers without a degree. In such situations you would need to be more flexible in terms of the type of job and conditions. As we will see later, undertaking volunteering or internship programs are examples of such flexibility. The main point here is that you can teach in many countries without a degree, provided you do have some other attributes or qualifications that employers are looking for. One of the most important qualifications worldwide for EFL teachers is the TEFL certificate. If you have a certificate of at least 120 hours then you should be able to find a number of jobs available to you. You...  [Read more]

If you want to have a job in place and all the paperwork sorted out before you leave your home country, a TEFL placement program is certainly worth considering. Several countries across Europe and Asia have government run schemes that recruit foreign teachers to work in their public school system. The following options are long established and respected programs that offer a great opportunity to live and work in some of the most popular teaching destinations. The TAPIF Program, short for Teaching Assistant Program in France, is a government initiative that places applicants into French state schools to work as teaching assistants. The program provides a great opportunity to live and work in a country where long-stay visas can be difficult to secure for non-EU citizens. For those who...  [Read more]

Put simply, language is a verbal expression of culture which means that culture clearly has to be seen as an important part of language learning. Although it is important to learn the vocabulary and grammar of English during lessons, to truly grasp what the language means to native speakers it is vital that EFL students learn as much as possible about the culture of English speaking nations. The good news is that students generally love learning about cultural issues, whether it is music, films, books, and TV, or other things such as food or fashion. So, how can we incorporate culture into our EFL lessons to make them interesting and productive? Authentic materials can be anything that native English speakers might use that can be adapted for use in an EFL classroom. This type of material...  [Read more]

As there is a strong demand for TEFL qualified teachers in many countries worldwide, most course graduates should have little trouble finding a suitable position. However, to maximise your chances of securing the best jobs there are a few things you should be aware of. Where you should look for work, how to apply for jobs, and how to prepare for that all important interview are all covered below. Among the many attractions of teaching English abroad is the fact that you are free to choose not only the region where you would like to work, but also the specific country or even city. For some teachers the history and culture of Europe appeals most, while others are drawn to exotic destinations across Asia or Latin America. However, before you book your plane tickets you need to be aware...  [Read more]

Among the many attractions of teaching English abroad is the fact that you are free to choose not only the region where you would like to work, but also the specific country or even city. For some teachers the history and culture of Europe appeals most, while others are drawn to exotic destinations across Asia or Latin America. However, before you book your plane tickets you need to be aware that the requirements for foreign teachers vary greatly from one country to the next and these may limit your options. You should do plenty of research on whether any of the following issues apply to your chosen destination. In some cases, language schools are restricted to only hiring teachers who hold citizenship of a native English speaking country. These are generally considered to be the USA,...  [Read more]

The majority of people who complete a TEFL certification course will head overseas to live and work in schools and language centers across the world. However, the job hunting process and securing work permits etc can require a range of different documents that varies from one job to the next. To ensure the whole process runs smoothly, you should make sure you have everything you might need as far in advance as possible. Typically, anyone traveling to a foreign country requires a passport that is valid for at least six months. In some situations your passport must be valid for a full year, so the best advice is to ensure your passport has two years or more remaining to allow for an extended teaching contract or further travel once your initial contract is complete. In many cases you...  [Read more]

Although Europe is one of the most popular destinations with TEFL qualified teachers, it is not generally the best region for earning big salaries. However, if you dream of living and working in a country such as France, Italy, Spain, or Greece, you should still be able to earn enough to live a comfortable lifestyle. The amount you can earn will vary considerably depending on your previous classroom experience, level of qualifications, the location you choose, and the type of employer. Salaries start at around 700 euro per month, rising to 1,800 for higher end positions. Teachers who are paid by the hour can expect a rate of around 18 to 20 euro. The majority of teaching jobs in Spain do not include extra benefits that are common in many other popular destinations, such as paid airfare...  [Read more]

Here at ITTT, we will do all we can to ensure your entire TEFL training experience is as straightforward and rewarding as possible. If you have any questions regarding our courses, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below. Our FAQ section should clear up most of your queries but if you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by submitting them via the form provided at the bottom of this page. What does TEFL mean?    The acronym TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It is commonly used to refer to training courses that almost anyone can take to learn the skills and knowledge required to teach English to non-native speakers in countries all over the world. What is the difference between TESOL and...  [Read more]

Every year tens of thousands of people from all backgrounds leave behind their existing life and head overseas in search of fun, travel and adventure. They are able to do this by completing a TEFL certification course that gives them all the qualifications they need to apply for English language teaching jobs in countries all over the world. If you want to join this ever growing number of TEFL qualified teachers, there should be very little that can get in your way. Among the many attractions of teaching English abroad is the fact that you are free to choose not only the region where you would like to work, but also the specific country or even city. For some teachers the history and culture of Europe appeals most, while others are drawn to exotic destinations across Asia or Latin...  [Read more]

TEFL International’s course in Brazil is located in Natal--one of the most amazing cities in the entire country. Natal is easily reached from both North America and Europe, enjoys perfect weather all year round, has been found to have the best air quality in all of the Americas and is blessed with more than 20 spectacular beaches, along with their crystal clear waters and stunning coral reefs. Known as the “City of Sun”, Natal will not disappoint you. Each year, thousands of visitors come to take in the calm ocean, wonderful climate and gorgeous dunes. It even has local water parks that cater to kids and adults of all ages. During the week, you’ll receive some of the best training you’ll find in South America, while over the weekends, you can laze your days away under the...  [Read more]

There are many different reasons why people choose to teach English abroad and the chance to earn good money is certainly one of them. How much you can realistically expect to earn is largely dependent on where in the world you choose to teach. The highest salaries are generally found in the Middle East and East Asia regions where teachers can typically live well and still save a considerable sum each month. In Europe and Latin America it is harder to save money, but you should still earn enough to live comfortably. Although the country's famously laid-back lifestyle attracts large numbers of foreign teachers, the average salary is generally less attractive when compared to other countries in the region. Teachers without experience can expect to earn around $1,000 per month, which...  [Read more]