This video debunks five common myths about teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) abroad.
Here’s a summary of the key points:
Why Teach Abroad? The speaker, Carl, shares his positive experiences teaching EFL abroad for over a decade, highlighting it as a great way to travel, meet fantastic colleagues and students, and immerse oneself in local cultures.
Myth 1: You Need to Be a Native Speaker English is a global language, and the majority of English lessons worldwide are taught by non-native speakers. Certification (like a TEFL qualification) is more important than native speaker status for securing jobs.
Myth 2: You’ll Get Rich EFL teachers generally earn enough to live comfortably and have money left at the end of the month. Salaries vary widely, and many jobs offer perks like free flights, accommodation, or health insurance.
Myth 3: It’s a Long Vacation Teaching EFL is a serious profession involving educating students who often need English for important life goals. There’s significant work beyond classroom hours, and living abroad presents challenges.
Myth 4: You Need to Speak the Local Language Many schools prefer teachers who don’t speak the local language to encourage English immersion in the classroom.
Myth 5: Teaching Abroad is for Young People This is untrue; many countries, especially in the Middle East, prefer older professionals due to perceived respect and gravitas. Older teachers can bring valuable life and work experience to the classroom.
Bonus Myth: You Need a Degree You do not need a degree for most EFL teaching jobs; a TEFL or similar training course provides the necessary skills.
The speaker advises viewers to be wary of misinformation online, choose good quality training courses, develop strong application skills, maintain a positive attitude, show a willingness to improve, and focus on the positives of EFL teaching.