Did you know that teaching English in Saudi Arabia commands some of the best paid TEFL jobs in the business? It's a country many of us may overlook in our quest to find a great teaching position abroad, but look a little closer because working in Saudi Arabia can offer a great deal of professional fulfilment and financial reward.

What Saudi Arabia can offer the TEFL teacher

While Saudi Arabia is a very conservative country which may put off some English teachers, employers are known for their high regard of the TEFL teaching profession. Consequently pay is usually high and benefit packages second to none. Most employers are from the university sector and you'll be teaching adults, many of whom will be university graduates. Other major employers include the Saudi oil industry and military, such as the air force.

Much of the teaching will cover basic levels of English and grammar; and TEFL teachers can potentially work full time over a contract period of at least 12 months. Other benefits usually include paid return flights and visa, medical and health insurance and free TV and Internet. All you need is a good BA degree and a 100-hour TEFL England certificate to get started.

TEFL teaching jobs in Saudi Arabia are found in the country's major cities, such as Dammam, Al Khobar, Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Baha, Medina and Jubail – all major population centres with good ex-pat communities.

Living and teaching in Saudi Arabia

One thing is for certain, you'll escape the UK's rain and cold working in Saudi Arabia, but be warned it's very hot here during the summer months with temperatures regularly topping 40C. That said, spring and autumns here are very pleasant with average temperatures of 29C. Whatever the season, you'll be living and working in air-conditioned surroundings, so the heat, while intense in summer months, can be avoided.

Your working week will usually be between 20 and 30 hours teaching and pay ranges, depending upon what qualification you have, between $2,700 and $3,500 per month. TEFL teachers with a Masters degree or PhD can command salaries upwards of $4,000.

Teaching benefits

The prospect of working and living in Saudi Arabia may be daunting at first, but remember you'll be joining a group of teachers from a similar background to yourself. What's more, most of the TEFL teaching contracts include fully furnished accommodation .

While you won't be required to speak Arabic, however any knowledge you have of the language will be welcomed by your employers and will make your life in Saudi Arabia much easier.

In your free time you'll discover a very well established ex-pat community and will have plenty of opportunities to make friends. There's also no shortage of things to do in a country that is steeped in history and culture. Whether it be a trip to the cosmopolitan city of Jeddah on the Red Sea or hiking and camping in the desert, there's something for everyone. Football fans will also find a home here since it's Saudi Arabia's most popular sport.

An essentially safe country in which to live and work, Saudi Arabia follows a strict Islamic culture of respect, modesty and self control. These are certainly factors to bear in mind for those intending working here, but don't mistake this way of life as being overly restrictive to the TEFL teacher. Working here can be a rich and enlightening experience, and one where your talents as an English teacher will be both recognised and well rewarded.

Find out more about teaching English in Saudi Arabia.

This feed was drawn from the TEFL England website

Fit your course around you

The online TEFL course is flexible and designed to fit around you. You have a full six months to complete any of our online courses. On average it takes between six to eight weeks to complete the course so you will have plenty of time to get TEFL qualified! If you do however find you need some extra time to complete your online TEFL course you can extend your enrolment for up to three months at an additional fee. There are no deadlines for assignments to be completed so the pressure is off! This is ideal if you are in full time work or education or generally have a busy lifestyle.

Access from anywhere

You can access your online TEFL course from anywhere in the world – all you need is a computer and an internet connection. This is particularly useful for those already living abroad or for those who have decided to get TEFL qualified after setting off to travel.

A reputable TEFL qualification

You will not be penalised when looking for jobs if your TEFL training has been completed online. A minimum of 100 hours of TEFL training will make you eligible for the widest range of TEFL jobs and our 100-hour Online TEFL Course will provide you with a reputable qualification. The online TEFL course includes practice lessons and goes further in depth into the theory and methodology behind TEFL so you won’t be missing out on anything you would cover in the classroom.

Social Interaction

With the online TEFL course every student is assigned an experienced and qualified personal tutor. They will be marking your assessments and giving you feedback as you progress through the course. You will also have access to course forums where you can chat to other students about your TEFL experience, so although you will not be in a classroom of people you will not be alone!

For more information order a free info pack now.

This feed was drawn from the TEFL England website

No degree? No problem - you can still become a brilliant TEFL teacher!

Being a great teacher doesn't depend on passing exams – TEFL England's courses are suitable even if you don’t have any prior educational qualifications and can give you all the skills you need to teach English as a foreign language. If you can speak English fluently, our accredited TEFL courses can train you to teach English abroad - we’ve done that for people from all sorts of backgrounds, from waitresses to engineers. Best of all, having a TEFL qualification will make you incredibly employable - even if you don’t have a university degree.

Flora, a student from Ross-shire, had little trouble finding work abroad without a degree. She says: “I had a fantastic time teaching English in Vietnam on my gap year. Even without a degree there were many teaching opportunities available with a TEFL England certificate and I managed to secure paid work in a kindergarten. It was a life-changing experience which I would recommend to anyone.”

And if you're concerned about returning to study after a break, there's no need to worry. Our tutors offer you support all the way through your course, whether you're learning in a classroom, online or in a mixture of the two.

Even without a degree, there are plenty of TEFL jobs available to you around the world. If there’s a particular country you want to work in, check their visa requirements before booking your flight there. Sometimes countries specify that a degree is required in order to issue a working visa; this is usually the case in Europe and North America as well as Japan and South Korea.

On the other hand, as a general rule, you’ll find that most of China, Central America, South America and Indonesia welcome qualified TEFL teachers without a degree - there are so many people eager to learn English that being able to teach is more important than a degree certification. (Sometimes an employer may advertise for a person with a degree, but, with the massive demand for English teachers, they may be willing to compromise if you meet the rest of their requirements!) Do check the terms on which they want to employ you, though; it’ll be fraught with legal complications if they’re expecting you to work while on a tourist-only visa.

A TEFL course can open doors you thought were closed to you without a degree - so if you want to change your career, get your free information pack to find out more.

This feed was drawn from the TEFL England website

My name is Abigael Gough. I am 22 years old and I come from Dumfries.
I did the 120 hour TEFL course and did the 20hour weekend portion in Dundee where I was studying at the time. I was nearing the end of my studies at Abertay University studying Behavioural Science and was wanting to travel and work once I had graduated.

I had always wanted to take a year out after being at University for 4 years straight after finishing high school and thought that what better way to see the world than work and live abroad while I do it. I had been in contact with a school in China and had built up a rapport and having the TEFL qualification as well as a degree would allow me to fit the requirements needed for this post.

I am currently teaching at that particular school. I am living and working in Cangzhou which is in the Hebei Province and is an hour from Beijing on the bullet train. The school I am teaching at is an English training school for children between the ages of 3-12.

The TEFL course helped me by first allowing me to get to grips with the English language myself before even beginning to think about teaching it to others. I learnt so much about my native language that I never knew previously and it gave me a new appreciation of it through fresh eyes. The weekend course allowed me to have a taste of lesson planning and being in front of a class which can be quite daunting at first. Every day in class brings a new interesting experience. The school I work at has viewing windows so that parents can watch the class- it is a bit like being in a fish bowl. And since some of the children are extremely young it is not unusual for there to be some tears and tantrums so it is paramount to try and keep the kids engaged.

Coming to China to live and work was certainly a culture shock but that is what I craved and the main reason why I chose to come to this country. There are 4 of us foreign English teachers in the city of 4 million- so we are literally 1 in a million here. My preferred mode of transport is a little red push bike and you soon get over a fear of horrid drivers and get used to the constant honking of horns. And the little kids I teach are adorable and there is a wonderful sense of joy when you start a class and you know that all the English they know, they have learnt from you.

I am contracted to work at the school until October next year then I am continuing my travels to New Zealand. After which I will return to Scotland and I plan on applying to do a post graduate teaching qualification as my experience teaching English has given me a taste of working in a school and I really enjoy it. Who knows where in the world I will end up when I qualify and perhaps I will return to TEFL later on... It is such a good thing to have in your personal "toolbox".

My experience as a TEFL teacher has been a positive one. I am working with like minded people and we all have a passion for travelling. We are seeing as much of the country as we can in our time off and are able to save a lot of money too as the cost of living is so cheap as well. My advice for anyone thinking about teaching English abroad would be go with an open mind. You will see things that surprise you, but that is all part of the experience. Just go with it and you will be able to look back on it in years to come and be able to think wow- I had a great time.

Abigael

This feed was drawn from the TEFL England website

TEFL teachers in Japan need to make sure that they make the effort to learn about and get used to the different practices of etiquette. Good manners are incredibly important in Japan and can be very different to what we’re used to, so here is a list of just a few things to be aware of:

• When using chopsticks don’t stick them directly into your food – particularly not into a bowl of rice as this is done at funerals
• In restaurants you don’t pour your own drink. Your companions will pour you a drink and you will pour for them.
• Slurping isn’t considered rude like it is here.
• In shops there will usually be a tray where you put money, rather than handing it to the cashier directly. If there isn’t a tray then hand the money over using both hands.
• When picking food off other plates use the opposite end of your chopsticks.
• It is customary to give gifts when visiting someone’s house.
• Sitting in the ‘seiza’ position (legs folded under your body) is the most formal way of sitting, but this can be difficult for foreigners, so usually you wouldn’t be expected to maintain this position for an extended period of time.
• The number four is pronounced the same way as the word for ‘death’, so don’t give anyone a present with the number four written on it!
• Do not point your chopsticks at people.
• Similar to here, don’t put your hands in your pockets when talking to others, particularly in a business scenario.
• Don’t write letters in red ink – writing someone’s name in red suggests a wish for them to die.

You can get books about Japanese etiquette so you can try and get a grasp of their customs before you even start looking for TEFL jobs in Japan, and when you do make the life-changing move out there make sure to be attentive to their practices and make the effort to understand their culture.

To find out more about TEFL jobs in Japan and all around the world, visit our page about the jobs we offer our graduates: TEFL jobs
 

This feed was drawn from the TEFL England website

I need to speak a foreign language

This is something we’re always asked about and the very straight-forward and simple answer is – no, you don’t! In the classroom you don’t need to – and shouldn’t – be using your student’s native language because the idea is to immerse them completely in English. Your value as a teacher is being a native speaker of English and that’s the only language you will need for your job! Outside of the classroom some teachers like to pick up the language of the country they're staying in.

I need to have teaching experience/be a teacher

Teaching experience will certainly benefit anyone applying for a job, but it’s by no means a requirement for a lot of positions. Taking our TEFL courses will prepare you for your first teaching job and you will be armed with materials and lesson plans to get you started.

I need a degree?

In some parts of the world, yes, you will need a degree, but there are many, many jobs out there for EFL teachers without one! To teach in Japan or South Korea, for example, you need a degree in order to get your visa – the degree can be in anything at all, not just in English Literature or Language. Most EU countries, however, won’t require you to have a degree to teach there and jobs can certainly be found further afield in countries like China where the demand for EFL teachers is huge.

There aren’t many TEFL jobs out there

You couldn’t be more wrong! The demand for TEFL teachers is huge – more so in some countries than others, but there is work out there for you if you want it. Some people apply for jobs without even having a basic TEFL qualification, so with a TEFL England certificate and enthusiasm you will be well equipped to find work abroad.

TEFL is for students taking a gap-year

Teaching English abroad can be a great option for students looking for some adventure and a means to pay off their student loan after they’ve finished their degree, but there are plenty of people who make a career out of TEFL. TEFL is absolutely not just an option for students – our graduates have come from all sorts of different backgrounds and all sort of age groups.

Got another question? Feel free to speak to one of our TEFL advisors by calling 0800 9 888 20 or drop us an email at info@teflengland.co.uk

For more information you can order a free info-pack.

Or Book your TEFL Course now.

This feed was drawn from the TEFL England website

It comes as no great surprise to hear that France is the most visited country on the planet and a very desirable location for our TEFL graduates.

Living in France

France is a country of great art, culture, fashion and cheese. Also home to a vibrant arts scene, world famous architecture and, of course, an unmistakable chic style, you will never be short of things to do and see in France. As an EU national you have an automatic legal right to work in the country and there are always good opportunities for teaching, especially in the larger cities of Paris, Lyon and Nice.

TEFL in France – What you need

In order to teach English in France it is not entirely necessary that you have high qualifications or experience, which is rare in service industries! You will however need to take a TEFL course. With France being such a popular destination we would recommend that you take at least 100 hours of training to put you in the best position possible for finding work. Employers will typically be looking to recruit English speakers who appear enthusiastic and who are interested in teaching. Many employers will also like to meet you before offering a job. Finding work should be relatively easy as the demand for TEFL teachers remains high. With business increasing in Europe, English in often the main language used to communicate with clients. Parents with children’s futures in mind are keen to see it taught in school and usually make it their first choice.

TEFL Jobs in France

As for TEFL jobs in France, they vary from working with groups of toddlers all the way up to tutoring students at university level or business English with company employers. An increasingly popular form of teaching is by telephone or Skype which can be done from home (wherever that may be) although many would argue the best thing about teaching English in France is living in France! Another possibility would be to set up informal private lessons, which would be an ideal way to earn some extra pocket money. Private lessons are in high demand from students looking to brush up on their grammar and typically you can ask for 20-25 euros per hour of tuition.

Before You Go

Before you make the decision to hop over the channel and teach English in France it would be a good idea to learn some basic French. Locals always appreciate attempts to speak in French and it will open many doors for you. The added confidence will aid you on your cultural excursion and allow you to live and work in France with a real joie de vivre!

For more information about TEFL England order a free Info Pack.

This feed was drawn from the TEFL England website

Some TEFL teachers may be spending Christmas teaching English abroad and finding out that Christmas is celebrated a little differently!

Here are some interesting facts about different countries and their Christmas traditions:

• Roller-skating to early-morning church services in the run-up to Christmas is customary in Venezuela.
• During the first 25 days of December, Christian Iranians fast from animal produce and then feast on plenty of meat on Christmas day.
• In India, a mango or banana tree is decorated instead of a fir tree.
• St. Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors in Greece
• According to Russian folklore, Babouschka was an old Russian woman who didn’t provide shelter and food for the three wise men and later regretted it so much she travelled the country leaving presents for children in the hope that one of them was Jesus and she would be forgiven.
• The French believe in Le Père Fouettard, a rather sinister companion of Santa. The story goes that Père Fouettard killed, cut up and stewed three children and St. Nick happened upon the scene, resurrected the children and forced him to become his companion as punishment. Scary!
• In Poland, Christmas is celebrated with a 12 course meal – one course for each of the apostles.
• A special rice pudding is eaten in Denmark and one almond is hidden in it – whoever finds it will supposedly have good luck for the coming year.
• The pope gives a blessing to a huge amount of people in Vatican Square on Christmas day at noon.

If you are teaching English abroad this festive season let us know how you’ll be celebrating it! Email info@teflscotland.co.uk

Would you like to experience a different way of celebrating Christmas in 2012?
Take one of our accredited TEFL courses and get paid to see the world!
 

This feed was drawn from the TEFL England website

Christmas and New Year Opening Hours

TEFL England will be closed on the following days:

December 26/27th
January 2nd

With these exceptions, we are open as usual over the festive period.

If you are currently completing an online TEFL course, the above dates are considered to be bank holidays and are not included in the 48 working hours for assignment marking.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at TEFL England - Let us help you make 2012 the year you take on the world!

Book your TEFL course for 2012

View our current TEFL jobs

This feed was drawn from the TEFL England website

TEFL in Switzerland – At A Glance

Where do you want to teach English? Need some ideas on the perfect TEFL destination for you?
Let our At A Glance articles tempt you with the essential facts about teaching English as a foreign language in countries around the world.

With scenery that will take your breath away, lots of opportunities for outdoor activities, scrumptious food, fascinating culture and a great pace of life, Switzerland is a truly amazing country right at the heart of Europe. Its position makes it a great base to explore the rest of the continent, but there is so much to do here you may not want to leave Switzerland! It is a harder destination to find work in, due to the high standard of English and cost of living, but TEFL graduates have had success here in the past. Certainly, it is worth a bit of extra effort!

About Switzerland

•Famous for cowbells, chocolate, cuckoo clocks, cheese, Antonio Cesaro and other things beginning with C!
• 4 official languages – French, German, Italian and Romansh
• Bordered by Germany, France, Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein
• Very safe and clean, though high cost of living
• Made up of 26 cantons, each with their own laws and governing bodies
• A great cuisine with influences from neighbouring countries – make sure you try rosti, schnitzel, fondue and plenty of chocolate!

Don’t miss:

• Ski at famous resorts such as St Moritz
• Visit the Montreux Jazz Festival
• Take the railway up the majestic Jungfrau
• Swim in Lake Geneva
• Try real Swiss fondue

Teaching English in Switzerland

• More difficult to find work in country
• Competitive market for teachers
• Suggested qualification – 120-hour TEFL Certificate

Common sources for TEFL jobs in Switzerland:

• Summer camps
• Private tuition
• Private language schools

Paperwork

• Work permit, requiring an offer of employment
• Agreement with EU – EU citizens can work without a permit for 3 months

TEFL in Switzerland - The bottom line

Teaching English in Switzerland is perfect if you would like: Stunning scenery, winter sports, living in the middle of Europe, fondue!

Your next step

Take a TEFL course with TEFL England and learn how to teach English as a foreign language.

Already qualified? Check out the TEFL Job Placement Service to find out how we can help you find work.

This feed was drawn from the TEFL England website