Essential Travel Hacks for TEFL Teachers
Starting a career in Teaching English (TEFL) is an exciting time. Not only does it provide you with the opportunity to connect with and teach students all over the world, it opens up the door to travel and see the world too! There is demand for TEFL teachers in many countries so depending on what you are looking for, there are many options to explore! Keep reading our blog if you want to find out more about out travel hacks.
Travelling is a fantastic experience that can teach you things you never knew about yourself. Combine this with teaching, and it can really blow your mind! It’s not always easy. As with any adventure, there may be lows and challenges, but getting through them is part of the journey. In today’s blog, we’ll look at some essential travel hacks for TEFL teachers.
1. Do your research
As much as spontaneity is often the spice of life, it doesn’t work well for when you want to take the plunge professionally and move abroad to teach TEFL. It’s very important to take the time to research various aspects of the country you want to move to.
What’s the cost of living like compared to the average TEFL salary?
It can be a shock if you are moving to a country with salaries lower than where you are from, but you need to consider everything in perspective. The salary might be lower but then rental prices could be much lower too. Or a cup of coffee might be half the price than in your country. Research average apartment costs, public transport and local food prices. You can also ask other teachers how far they feel their salary reaches.
Do you have the right to work in that country?
This should be high on the research list. If you don’t meet the necessary visa requirements then you won’t get very far (with your search or geographically!). Look into what is needed before you make any big plans. This could be a key deciding factor in your search.
Is it right for you?
There are some amazing countries in the world but not everyone has to like them and want to live in them. Think about your priorities in terms of the lifestyle you want to live. If you want to live in a city and then apply for a job in a small town, will you really be happy there? If you want to return home to Ireland a few times a year to visit family, can you afford these flights from Japan? Make a list of your ideal living situation and surroundings and try to align these with your job search.
2. Be prepared and be qualified!
Getting your online TEFL certification is now easier than ever. You can be qualified within a matter of weeks online and teaching in no time! It’s always good to undertake a course before you start job hunting so you can boost this on your CV. If you have time before you intend to move abroad, you can also obtain further qualifications in different TEFL specialities such as Business English, Young Learners, Exams, and more!
3. What to pack?
So you’ve chosen your dream destination, you’ve got your job secured and your flight booked! What’s next? Packing! Packing for a week-long holiday is quite different to packing to move abroad. It can be overwhelming. Depending on where you live, you will need to address different things.
What sort of climate are you moving to?
Check the typical weather and pack sensibly for this. Are you moving to somewhere with cold, snowy winters? Are you moving to a tropical climate? Don’t forget that tropical climates may be very warm but they also have rainy seasons so you will need appropriate clothing for that too!
Do you need to dress smartly for work?
This will often depend on the culture and etiquette of the country you are moving to. For example, in South Korea, teachers tend to dress more formally, whereas teachers in Spain are fine to wear jeans to work. This can also affect your packing and what you’ll need. If you’re not sure, ask your school or company what the dress code is.
What will you have access to when you arrive?
If you are going to a rural town in Vietnam, you might not be able to buy everything you’re used to buying if you’re in a city. This means you’re likely to bring extra amenities with you. However, if you’re moving to a big city somewhere, you will have access to shops. Things like towels and bedding can be left and bought when you arrive if you know they are easy to find in your new host city or town.
4. Look after yourself
Travelling for longer periods of time can be more challenging and it’s more than okay if you need a break. If you need to book a few days at a nicer hotel for some luxury and can afford to, then do it! If you need a day of movies, go for it! It’s about looking after yourself, and your mental health especially. You don’t have to live that perfect Instrgram live every day.
Ensure that you have the means and access to medical care. Research travel insurance that will provide you with coverage in the case of an emergency. Most people don’t need to use it which often makes people feel that they don’t need it. If something happens to you while travelling then you will be very happy to have taken insurance out!
Working online by nature can be solitary, especially teaching online, where you might not have coworkers to chat to. Often in companies, there are teams of teachers but many don’t actually interact with each other. Think about how you can meet people and have some social time. This might be joining social media groups for meet-ups or joining a language school or a sports club.
It’s good to stay active, especially if you’re working at a screen all day. You don’t have to play a sport, even just going for a walk in your new area can make all the difference to your day. If you lead a busy lifestyle, try to think of ways to incorporate walking into your daily life. It could be something as simple as taking the stairs instead of the lift or walking to meet a friend rather than getting the metro!
5. Be open to new cultures
Even if you’re not moving far from home, there are always aspects of a new culture you might find hard to get used to. It doesn’t have to be as big a change as food for example, it could be something as simple as mannerisms or punctuality! If you are living in a new country, you need to respect that things might be done differently there and often…go with the flow!
Learn some local phrases or take some language classes to make an effort with the locals. It will always be appreciated! Taking language classes is also a good way to meet new people who have often just arrived in the city/country and are in the same boat as you, wanting to learn some phrases and make some new friends!
If you’re planning on travelling and teaching online, don’t miss out on these top tips!
1 . Always check there is reliable internet wherever you stay. You can ask any hostel or apartment owner for the speed of the wifi. Remember you need it to be good as you are conducting video calls to teach your TEFL classes and your camera image should be of a good quality.
2 . You’ll need a quiet area. Staying in a hostel is great for your social life and finances but it won’t be easy to deliver classes in a quiet environment. If there are people shouting or playing music constantly in the background, your students won’t stay long or leave you good reviews. Consider where you can actually do your TEFL classes – check out local co-working spaces or rent a private room or apartment.
3 . Be ready with your backup internet! Even if the play you are staying in has great wifi speed, things happen. It might cut out or not be as good as claimed. Think about how you’ll still do your class if this happens – do you have phone data you can connect to? Do you have another route or wifi nearby? Students and companies understand that things do happen every once in a while but if it happens on a regular basis, you might not have continued employment.
4 . If you’re travelling far and wide, it can be very easy to get confused with your schedule. Make sure you clearly note down in your local time when you have class and remember to check your students’ timezone. Watch out for any daylight savings switches as these can catch you out! You can also warn your students not in daylight saving observing countries that the time might be different for them -this will save you a headache down the line!
Travelling as a TEFL teacher might be one of the best decisions you make in your life. You’ll have a lot of new experiences, meet people from all over the world and always have stories to tell! Making a big change can be scary and it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous as you go through the process. However, it’s worth all the shakey feelings to get to the other side (of the world!). You will come out feeling like a new person, eager to explore even more!
