MyTEFL

5 languages so hard they’ll make you glad you’re a TEFL teacher

Any English speaker who’s traveled the globe will know just how much natives of any tongue love to champion their lingo as the hardest going. But there’s no question that a few of the world’s languages stick out from the rest. These are the ones with labyrinthine grammatical systems, mind-boggling writing runes, unpronounceable alphabets and the like. They might just make you glad you’ve landed…

8 bucket-list things to do while teaching in China

From the winding courses of the Great Wall to the sizzling pork kebabs of Shanghai, the bucket-list treats of the People’s Republic are multitudinous. That’s why we’ve put together this selection of must-do things for all those TEFL-ers teaching in China… “The Great Wall of China” – 长城 | © Marianna/Flickr See the Great Wall (obviously) First thing’s first, as they say. And what could possibly be…

6 great ways to use video in the TEFL classroom

The use of video in the TEFL classroom has become super mainstream in the last couple of years, with more and more schools offering tech like TVs and smart whiteboards. If you’ve got the power of the audio-visual in your teaching domain, why not consider using the following methods to enhance your lessons… Students | © Jeff Peterson/Flickr What happens next scenarios We’ve all heard the famous…

5 foods to enjoy while teaching in Vietnam

Simplicity, freshness, five spice, and influences from as far afield as France are all hallmarks of the Vietnamese kitchen. The result is a medley of amazing flavors that I can barely bring myself to write about for fear of mouthwatering and tummy rumbles. Still, for the benefit of those teaching in Vietnam, I shall do my best… Banh Mi | © Sodanie Chea/Flickr Banh mi No food reveals the long…

5 travel writers to inspire you to get TEFL qualified

It’s a new rear, and that means new year’s resolutions. From cutting down on salty foods to giving up the sauce, there are oodles out there. Our favourite though? Well, that has to be the one that says get TEFL qualified – of course! And just in case you needed the extra push to get that course in motion and spruce up on your grammar before hitting the road and the foreign classrooms, we thought…

7 places to TEFL and ski this season

With the January snows hitting the Northern Hemisphere, and everywhere from the Rockies to the Alps, the Carpathian ranges to the Hohuan Shah of far-flung Taiwan dusted with fresh powder, there’s never been a better time to strap on the salopettes and enter the winter resorts. Thankfully, for teachers traveling the globe, there are also oodles of places to TEFL and ski; ones that allow you to…

10 unusual TEFL destinations for 2017

We’ve busted TEFL myths before about how it’s not all about teaching across Southeast Asia and Spain. And it’s true, the world is filled with interesting and unusual TEFL destinations, from the depths of South America to the dusty wilds of the African plains, all just waiting for the more intrepid English buff to settle down and start that new adventure. Check them out… Calvinia – South africa |…

5 reasons a TEFL qualification is the perfect Christmas gift

So, you’re thinking about giving the gift of a TEFL qualification? Great idea! Offering training in language teaching not only means opening up countless places to work around the globe in the New Year, but also means offering lifelong skills and new buddies to boot. Check out why we think it’s simply the perfect pressie this Christmas… Merry Christmas | © Chad Sparkes/Flickr It offers a lifelong…

Festive teaching: Christmas in TEFL destinations

Being away from home in the big wide world for the festive period can be hard, especially for those newly-qualified TEFL teachers who’ve only just broken out of the comfort zone for a life of grammar lessons and explorations on the road. However, Christmas in TEFL destinations can also be darn fun! Yep, with a kaleidoscope of different traditions and customs to sink your teeth into (sometimes…

There are oodles of temples in Thailand: big ones, small ones, golden ones, marble ones, old ones and new ones. Visiting these cultural gems is one seriously awesome part about any trip to the fabled Land of Smiles, which is why we’ve slung together this top list of the most enchanting shrines in the country. (Hint: they make the perfect TEFL weekend activity!) Enjoy…   Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok The…

6 myths about TEFL teaching busted

Don’t listen to what they say: English teaching abroad is something you’ll only truly understand if you’ve done it! That’s why us helpful folk at myTEFL thought it best to put an end to some of those perpetually-popping-up myths about TEFL teaching…   You have to teach in Thailand ‘Ah, so you’ll be going to Thailand now will you?’ It’s a question that a great number of newly qualified TEFL grads…

7 spots you have to see while TEFL teaching in Colombia

There’s no question about it: TEFL teaching in Colombia promises to be a real adventure. A wild and jungle-dressed country that ranges from the snow-mantled peaks of the high Andes to the roaring rollers of the Pacific Ocean, the sun-kissed sands of the Caribbean to the misty woods of Amazonia, there’s oodles of awesome places to see and do. Here are the top seven that we at myTEFL think should…

5 reasons becoming a TEFL teacher is useful, even if you don’t teach

Who would have thought that simply becoming a TEFL teacher can be a fruitful process, even if you opt not to hit the classrooms and teach once you’ve got that all-important certificate? Yep, from transferable skills that other employers simply adore to adventurous dispositions that are great for would-be travelers, there are oodles of unseen benefits. Check them out… Road Sign Grammar | © Damien…

8 places off the beaten track in Vietnam

From the swells of the  South China Sea to Halong Bay alternatives, this list of places off the beaten track in Vietnam is sure to give you some ideas for escaping the usual tourist trails of Indochina. You know, for those days away from the TEFL classroom… Bai Tu Long| © naturalbornstupid/Flickr Bai Tu Long Yes, yes, Halong Bay is certainly the chart-topper. We know. It’s got to be done and all…

5 ways to teach phrasal verbs

Combining the difficulties of idioms with the treacherous grammar requirements of verb usage, often fusing totally unrelated words together, and eventually coming up with a whole different meaning than you might expect, these bad boys certainly aren’t the easiest aspects of learning English as a second language. No wonder then that there’s typically an audible gasp from the class the moment you…

How to get a TEFL qualification for free (or nearly free)

Clickbait title? Maybe. But before you navigate away with a tut and a roll of the eyes, let’s just get one thing straight: getting a TEFL qualification for free isn’t actually impossible. With so many options for would-be teachers now on the table, there are means and ways to cushion the financial blow of taking the plunge and becoming qualified. We’re talking about loopholes that will guarantee…

7 tips to help you make new friends when TEFL teaching abroad

Opting to change up the rigmarole of your usual nine-to-five and take to the road for a career of TEFL teaching abroad was never going to be an easy decision. With so many things to think about, from where you’ll be living to whether your grammar and gerunds are up to scratch, there’s no question that it’s a stressful experience. But it’s also a fun one; offering you the chance to break away from…