You probably have at least one teacher among your friends or family. If you’ve ever asked them about their job, then you know how their eyes light up when they start talking about their students. They make a career in teaching English sound like a dream job and the most rewarding profession in the world. They talk about TEFL with so much love, it makes you think about starting a teaching career yourself. You see how enthusiasm can be contagious!
Well, why not? It may come as a pleasant surprise when you discover it’s the right career path for you. If you’re still reluctant, keep reading! We’ll give you plenty of compelling reasons why you should do it.
1. You can work anywhere in the world
Being an EFL teacher gives you the amazing opportunity of working literally anywhere on this planet. English is the global language and it’s spoken and learnt everywhere, so English teachers are wanted worldwide. If English is your first language, you can travel and work abroad or stay in your hometown and teach English to people from elsewhere who come to your country. This job may be just perfect for you if you don’t want to be tied to one spot. The world is your oyster!
2. You can work remotely
Remote work and digital nomads are on the rise nowadays. Working from home is very comfortable and has many benefits, not only for workers, but for businesses as well. Many companies hire remote workers because this way they have access to a wider talent pool. That’s how you can get a job as an EFL teacher and start working from home or in a coworking space if you plan to teach English online. You only need a stable internet connection, a quiet environment, and a good headset!
3. You will have a flexible schedule
Teaching EFL is not a standard 9-to-5 job. Whether you work in a public school, or in a private language learning centre, your schedule will most likely be very flexible. You will change shifts, as your students do. You can have different working hours every day. Your schedule can change every couple of months, as your groups finish their courses. This will make your life more dynamic and give you more free time for your hobbies or additional, part-time jobs.
4. You will meet new people very often
The start of every school term in September will be a new opportunity for a fresh start. Every year, you’ll feel like you’re opening a new book and learning about its characters. Children or adults, they will need your help and guidance, your positive attitude, and the knowledge you’ll share. Some of them will be challenging, but every one of them will change you in a way, and teach you a valuable lesson. Some teacher-student friendships last for years after a course is over.
5. You will learn new things about yourself
Working with people this closely will put your in multiple challenging situations. Some of them will test your patience and your problem-solving skills. Some of them will bring out the best in you – your empathy and understanding for others. This job will teach you that some decisions are very hard to make, but they’re for the best. Maybe you’ll also learn how to be tactful when delivering some bad news. Above all, you’ll learn how to celebrate small milestones, and how big they actually can be.
6. You will develop your creativity
Traditional ways of teaching may not always suit your students’ needs or your personality. Luckily, this job gives you a lot of room for improvisation and creativity. You’ll probably go out of your way trying to come up with new activities, games, and explanations that’ll make everything clear to your students. You’ll discover that your imagination has no limits, and you’ll be able to use it in other aspects of your life as well.
7. It’s dynamic and interesting
As a teacher, you will probably always be on the move. Especially if you work at private language learning centres – you may change locations that you teach at, you’ll periodically get new groups, meet new colleagues, have seminars, start with new textbooks, make up new projects, and so on. Your working hours may also change from time to time, so there won’t be two same days for you. A teaching career guarantees a dynamic lifestyle.
8. Cooperating with your teacher colleagues is an incredible thing
Whether it’s a quick consultation on the hall between lessons, or a nice, long chat over a cup of coffee after work, teacher talk is something magical. You’re each other’s biggest support and when one is completely out of ideas, another on steps in. You’ll exchange experiences, materials, complain to each other, tell teacher stories about your students, prepare projects together, and there’ll be nobody else you can trust more. You know how they say – keep your friends close, but keep your teacher friends closer!
9. You get to influence others and make a difference
This reason may not be practical, but it’s so fulfilling it can’t be compared to anything else. Your students won’t see you just as their English teacher. If they’re children, you get to shape their minds and teach them so much more. How to be kind, how to share, how to cooperate. Your adult students will see you as a motivator and an important part of their support system during their language quest. Teaching is one of few jobs where you’re privileged by being given an opportunity to make a difference.
The reasons on our list are just some of many more. If you want a job where you can give and receive much more in return, this is the one. We can’t deny there’s some stress that comes along with teaching, but isn’t that the case with any other profession nowadays? At least here you’re 100% sure – whatever stress you may face, it’s definitely worth it.
