Suggestions from Skilled Georgie from Trainer’s Buddy

From volunteering on a distant island to engaged on a yacht, there are such a lot of cool methods to reside and work overseas. Simply image your self working as a information in a distant vacation spot, being an au pair jet setting round Europe, or educating English in a rustic you solely examine in books. Educating overseas is just not solely a preferred job for native audio system, but in addition the main target of this put up.

We’ve traveled around the globe for years as digital nomads. On our first around the world journey collectively, Charles labored in Australia in a greenhouse, and I edited tutorial essays and labored remotely as a technical author. Years later, we began this website, and made our residing as journey bloggers but it surely was loads of years within the making and loads of brief and lengthy contract work within the center.

We’ve gotten loads of emails from you everywhere in the years about the way to get a job educating English abroad, however whereas we’ve labored remotely, we’ve by no means taught overseas. So we introduced in Georgie Snape of Teacher’s Friend, who’s an skilled on educating abroad. In our chat, she shares some extremely useful recommendations on every thing you have to know, from the way to get your first educating job, to selecting a TEFL course, to one of the best international locations for educating abroad.

The YouTube video of our interview with Georgie is reside! Make sure you’re subscribed to our channel, and have notifications turned on so that you don’t miss our movies!

Micki: So, how did you get into educating?

Georgie: I don’t truly keep in mind this, however once I ultimately went to show, my buddies had been like, ‘Oh, you’ve been occurring about this because you had been 14.’ And I used to be like, ‘Oh, I’ve?’

So I believe I needed to study to journey from a younger age. I did a level in group drama, so as a substitute of being an actor on stage, I used to be operating workshops inside the group, serving to marginalized teams. I naturally discovered loads of the talents I might have to be a instructor.

I knew educating was a great way to journey, and I like educating as effectively. I graduated and did my dissertation, which was project-based, concurrently doing my TEFL course. In hindsight, that was a horrible concept, but it surely meant I used to be able to go as quickly as I completed my diploma.

Micki: The place have you ever taught English?

I spent three months in Vietnam, touring, after which I got here again to educating once more in Vietnam.

Then I moved to Australia and New Zealand, which lots of people don’t consider as locations for educating English overseas, however there are lots of native individuals who need to go to college overseas or transfer to an English-speaking nation. So there’s truly loads of educating English in Australia and New Zealand as effectively.

I did that, then got here again to Vietnam. Vietnam’s my child. I taught in Vietnam and likewise in Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and now I’m in Indonesia.

Properly, my plan was to go train for six months, and I’m nonetheless right here 11 years later. So I’m probably not certain what occurred, however right here I’m.

Micki: What recommendation would you give to somebody who’s fascinated with educating overseas? How do you get began?

Georgie: Properly, first you have to get certified. You’d want a TEFL certificates. Select a TEFL course that’s going to arrange you as finest as potential.

I’ll maintain it transient for now, however choosing the proper TEFL course is unquestionably my first recommendation. Once I was doing it, I requested myself what I needed from educating overseas. I got here up with 4 standards: to be well-paid, to have a decrease price of residing as a result of it makes it simpler, to have pleasant individuals, and to get pleasure from stunning surroundings. That feels like a reasonably good life.

I used to be a bit old-fashioned, so I purchased the TEFL information, which was an precise guide, and I learn by means of it. It’s also possible to do searches on-line and take a look at all of the international locations, weighing the professionals and cons, and contemplating which international locations supply the very best salaries.

After I did my TEFL, many TEFL suppliers helped with job help, however you may as well pay for somebody that will help you with every thing concerned in shifting overseas. It depends upon what sort of particular person you might be and whether or not you need somebody to information you thru the method.

Micki: By way of TEFL programs, are there any that you’d advocate avoiding or ones which might be higher? Are on-line or in-person programs higher?

Georgie: I at all times say to do an in-person TEFL, even in case you’re already a instructor. Educating English as a overseas language to non-native audio system is just not the identical as educating English to individuals who converse English as their first language.

The largest ‘oh my gosh‘ second that college students have is realizing they didn’t study this in class as a result of it’s a very totally different mind-set and studying. In-person programs offer you entry to the coach and different individuals going by means of the identical scenario. These programs are sometimes overseas, so that you get to fulfill individuals and immerse your self within the tradition, plus you get real-time follow in your friends.

Most face-to-face programs embody educating follow, so that you get to enter a classroom. It’s not the identical if you do one thing together with your friends who perceive you versus actual college students who would possibly battle to grasp you.

Nevertheless, I perceive that not everybody can afford a face-to-face TEFL. These programs are sometimes a month lengthy, and also you want cash to maintain your self. Face-to-face programs additionally price extra. In the event you’re near having the finances, I’d say wait and save up. It’s positively price it. For many who can’t, your TEFL needs to be a minimal of 120 hours and embody some type of noticed educating follow. If not, you are able to do top-up programs overseas, which normally work out cheaper.

Take a look at who’s coaching you. Ideally, you need somebody who has been educating for a big period of time and has additionally skilled lecturers for a big period of time.

Accreditation is one other issue. TEFL isn’t accredited like a level, so many suppliers declare accreditation from varied third events. It’s necessary to decide on a TEFL course that’s at the very least accredited by somebody, however be cautious of tremendous low cost programs.

In case your TEFL prices lower than $250, it’s in all probability not definitely worth the paper it’s written on, and employers gained’t settle for it. Between $250 and $500 is extra acceptable. I’ve taught on each government-accredited TEFLs that weren’t superb and non-accredited TEFLs that had been wonderful. So, focus extra on the standard and worth quite than the accreditation.

Micki: Is a college diploma required to show overseas?

Georgie For lots of jobs, sure. However in case you don’t have a level, you’ll be able to nonetheless train overseas. It sometimes means you’re extra restricted to sure international locations for working legally. Nevertheless, particularly in Southeast Asia, many individuals work money in hand or beneath the desk. So it’s positively not a closed door.

Cambodia, Spain, and Costa Rica are three good international locations in case you don’t have a level. Sadly, in case you don’t have a level and also you’re a non-native speaker, it’s an additional barrier, but it surely doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t do it. There’s additionally the choice to work for your self, the place it doesn’t matter whether or not you will have a level or not.

Micki: That’s attention-grabbing. I hadn’t heard of Costa Rica for educating.

Georgie: Oh, yeah. It’s not a lot on the map as a result of the wages are typically decrease, however you’ll be able to positively reside there. It’s stunning, and for individuals on the alternative facet of the world, it means you don’t should go so removed from residence. There are loads of jobs there, and also you don’t want a level.

Micki: How have issues modified for the reason that pandemic?

Georgie: There’s been a giant rise in individuals getting TEFLs with solely an internet course. It’s a catch-22 as a result of it’s simpler now, however employers are beginning to understand that on-line TEFLs don’t present as a lot sensible coaching. On-line TEFLs make it simpler to get a job, however employers nonetheless favor face-to-face programs.

There are much more on-line jobs obtainable now, but in addition extra individuals educating on-line. In the event you don’t have a level otherwise you’re a non-native speaker, the roles are there, however you must dig deeper to search out them. Typically it’s higher to be within the nation to search out these jobs. The market remains to be rising, and many individuals are doing it yearly. For instance, in Bali, they’re wanting lecturers as a result of there aren’t sufficient.

Micki: What international locations are finest for first time lecturers?

Georgie: Southeast Asia, positively. That’s the place I began. These international locations are very protected and tourist-friendly. Most cities have some English, so the language barrier isn’t as difficult as in locations like the center of China. In comparison with Japan and South Korea, Southeast Asia is constructed on tourism. You’re a little bit of a novelty, and individuals are pleasant with foreigners. In Japan and South Korea, they’re extra ‘take it or depart it’ about foreigners.

Southeast Asia is affordable to reside in, and the wages are fairly good. I in all probability earn lower than loads of my buddies, however I’ve extra disposable revenue as a result of the price of residing is so low. The price of residing in North America has gone by means of the roof recently, so it is smart. In Australia, the US, and the UK, the price of residing is excessive. What I reside off is like their month-to-month payments with out truly consuming something.

Micki: What sort of obstacles do first-time lecturers face?

Georgie: An enormous one is lesson planning. It takes time to get good at it. You both don’t plan and understand within the lesson that you need to have, otherwise you plan an excessive amount of and it takes over your life. Studying to plan the correct quantity is essential, but it surely will get simpler with follow, like studying to drive a automobile.

Culturally, particularly in Southeast Asia, most individuals don’t battle a lot as a result of it’s very foreigner-friendly. Having the correct help community, whether or not from a TEFL supplier, a instructor overseas program, or somebody you already know who has performed it, helps lots. Accepting that it will likely be totally different goes a great distance. Keep in mind why you left residence and check out to not idealize going again.

Classroom administration is one other problem, particularly with babies. Totally different ranges convey totally different points. A high quality TEFL course offers you follow and train you the way to handle a classroom. Non-verbal communication is essential; nobody needs to be the instructor continuously yelling for consideration. We cowl this extensively in our programs.

One other problem might be the meals. It’s very totally different and might be an adjustment.

Micki: . Inform me a bit about Trainer’s Buddy. What do you do?

Georgie: The 2 primary issues I do are serving to individuals get a TEFL course, whether or not on-line or face-to-face, and selecting the most suitable choice for them based mostly on finances, nation, and private circumstances. The second is aiding individuals after they’ve obtained their TEFL. Many individuals get their TEFL and surprise, ‘Now what?’ They don’t know the place to start on the lookout for a job or the way to know if it’s reliable. They fear about shifting to a brand new nation and beginning to reside there.

The Trainer’s Buddy program helps with every thing: logistics, social and cultural adjustment, and tutorial help. As a instructor coach, I assist individuals go the TEFL course, help with assignments, and supply lesson planning help. This bridges the hole between ending TEFL and the primary months of educating once they want additional help.

Micki: As soon as somebody involves you, will get their TEFL, and also you’ve helped them get a place, is there help after that?

Georgie: Sure, I actually give attention to lively help. I’m nonetheless in contact with lecturers from 5 – 6 years in the past. They nonetheless come again to me for assist with getting jobs or normal life recommendation. I attempt to develop into a pal, therefore ‘Trainer’s Buddy.’ I like assembly new individuals.

Particularly, there’s lesson planning help for 2 months after they’ve began educating. I additionally supply assist with profession development. In the event that they need to transfer to a different nation, I help them in relocating.

Micki: How do individuals get in contact with you or study extra about what you do? What’s one of the best ways for them to do this?

Georgie: If you wish to take a look round, you’ll be able to go to my web site at https://teachers-friend.com/.

Try my story the place you’ll be able to examine how I ended up right here. I got here by means of a Educate Overseas program however felt they did the naked minimal after I paid them. I discovered my ft, however I needed to do a greater job, which is likely one of the causes I began Trainer’s Buddy.

On my web site, you’ll discover details about the TEFL programs I supply, particulars about full relocation, and the totally different international locations obtainable. I’m additionally including a listing of on-line choices for individuals who need the cheaper model, although I like to recommend face-to-face programs if potential. I perceive budgets fluctuate.

I additionally supply lesson planning help. Even in case you’ve already performed your TEFL or moved overseas and are struggling, you should buy lesson planning help individually. In the event you need assistance discovering a job and don’t need the total package deal, I’m including choices for that too. All this data might be beneath packages on my web site.

It’s also possible to guide a name with me. I gained’t exhausting promote you or push you to maneuver someplace you don’t need to be. Simply guide a name if you wish to discover out extra data.

You’ll be able to study extra about Georgie Snape and Trainer’s Buddy on her website. It’s also possible to discover her on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.