There are certain things in this life that we will never have enough of. English teachers rank way up there with the most sought-after things.
If ever you were wondering what to do with your life, or if you wanted a vehicle to find your travels, then there is no other profession that can do what an English teacher can do in terms of travel. So here are some tips on applying for an English teacher position.
Get certified
Speaking a language well does not mean that you can teach it. That is why you should start by doing a TEFL or ESL course. The lingua franca or common language of the world is English. Everything from studies to business and commerce is done in English, yet there are millions of people who cannot speak the language.
It is not for lack of trying that they cannot get a grip on the language, but rather that there are not enough qualified TEFL teachers around. These folks who want to speak English will never know the difference between a shake and a malt, and other such basic things. According to writing experts on difference.guru, if good English teachers do not teach them, learning the language perfectly will remain a distant dream.
Finding the right agency
There are hundreds of agencies that place English teachers in posts across the globe. They assist the teachers in everything from flight arrangements to visas and housing. Although there are many agencies, not every one of them specializes in every country.
Some of them focus on European countries and others work exclusively with Asian countries. You have to find one that will cater to your needs and wants. It would be wise to do your research on these companies as some are better than others and provide a more comprehensive service.
Once you have found the right company, it is time to start searching for appropriate jobs. However, once you get started, you will soon find that there are hundreds of posts to choose from.
Taking care of the window dressing
Whether you apply for a job as an accountant or as a teacher, your resume should always be accompanied by a professional cover letter. This is what schools will be looking at before they even open your resume.
Your cover letter should provide an overview of who you are as a person and what you value as a teacher. It is a comprehensive yet concise letter that needs to paint a holistic picture of you. Spending time on your cover letter might be the difference between landing a dream job or settling for the second-best.
Deciding on digital or physical
The world has changed considerably over the last couple of years and so has the teaching landscape. You could be teaching a group of students in China while sipping on a cup of tea from your study in New York, or you could be the one who gets on the plane and goes to China.
Online education has gained a lot of traction and many people are opting to teach remotely due to the convenience of it all. When you apply for an online job, though, decent tech plays a big part in whether you will be hired or not.
Be yourself
The last part of applying for an English position is the interview. The last thing you want to do is to try and be someone you are not. The panel sitting in front of you can see through any facade that you might put up.
Besides, you will always need to keep it up. Rather be yourself and even though it might be stressful, try and present an accurate version of yourself.