Take a working holiday with a TEFL internship:
Final year university students will be heading into their last proper holiday before they enter the workforce. For those looking to get international experience, an internship teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is the perfect way to combine a passion for travel and teaching, with the added benefit of receiving significant support along the way.
“Between knowing which visa you need, and navigating a completely new city, moving abroad to start a new job can be incredibly daunting for someone fresh out of university. A teaching English internship offers a safe way to test the waters. From setting up bank accounts, to telling you about the best supermarket to shop at, they’re there to support you in any way they can,” says Rhyan O’Sullivan, Managing Director at The TEFL Academy, South Africa’s leading provider of TEFL courses and qualifications.
The only strict requirement is a university degree and a TEFL qualification from a reputable provider. Unlike other jobs, previous work experience is not a prerequisite. An added benefit with a TEFL internship is that you still earn decent money – which can be hard to come by in other industries. The average monthly stipend is around R20 000, which often includes free accommodation – a great combination or a first-time graduate.
“Some providers will have free accommodation for teachers, while others will facilitate the process of finding a host family or an apartment, which takes another huge weight off. This means teachers have more time and money to spend on new experiences in the country, like a trip to the Great Wall of China, or a dinner out on the Italian coastline. All applicants have to do, is make sure they meet the basic requirements to apply and move abroad,” says O’Sullivan.
Different countries also have different intake periods, which means that people need to find out when their country of choice is recruiting. The likes of Vietnam recruit year-round, whereas Spain run their programme per semester, with intakes in February and July. If university students complete a TEFL course during the holiday, they could be in a new country early next year.
Fundamentally, internships are designed to give teachers a TEFL experience for three to six months with comprehensive support. “At The TEFL Academy, we can help newly qualified teachers find the internship that is right for them, and help them navigate the application process – from supplying all the correct documents, to crafting the perfect introductory video. If you have any questions, whether it’s about the application process, or about the cuisine in your country of choice, our consultants are here to help,” says O’Sullivan.
The TEFL Academy offer affordable and accessible ways to get TEFL qualified. They are offering 60% off on their level 5 TEFL qualification for Black Friday. For more information, visit www.theteflacademy.com/za/.
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