How to Qualify to Teach English in China

Do you dream of travelling the world; of experiencing new cultures and learning about how other people live their lives in different parts of the world? How about visiting China and finding your way around places like Beijing, Chengdu, and Foshan; wouldn't that be great?

Well the simple fact of the matter is that anyone can do it – anyone can; anyone who is "footloose and fancy free", has a bachelor's degree (in any subject), who is independent, and who enjoys a challenge. You will need to be a British citizen, or an American, an Australian, a New Zealander, or an Irishman or woman purely, from the point of obtaining a Visa, but you've not heard the best thing of all yet; not only can you do it, but you can do it for free!

What's the catch? There is none - you just have to be willing to become a teacher of English language as a second language, to students across a wide range of ages in a foreign country. "What me a teacher?" I hear you ask, "I have no language or teaching qualifications and it will take ages to get them", you'd probably explain. But when we are talking about teaching English as a second language, and providing you are native English, or that you speak perfect, fluent, English; you already have 90% of the qualifications that you need. Yes of course you will have to learn how to format lessons, and how to lead a class of students. But it is not exactly rocket science, and there are TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) courses that you can enrol on all over the UK, whereby you can gain the necessary practical qualification in a matter of days. You can even sign on for an online course.

The most basic TEFL qualification requires about 20 hours of teaching and qualifies you on classroom performance and etiquette. There are also courses with lengths of 40 hours, 60 hours, 120 hours, and the top course - a 140 hour course. Apart from the 20 hour course all others are combined courses teaching the mechanics and principles of TEFL, and also giving you practical experience in front of a class of students.

Learning to teach English in China is a very rewarding experience. You may be teaching students between the ages of 15 and 35, all of whom will be eager to learn and understand what has become the world's number one language in terms of commerce - English!

Deciding to teach English in China, or any other countries that use TEFL's teachers is a monumental decision, one which will change and enrich your life forever. To find out more about teaching ESL (English as a second language), simply type "Teach ESL in China" into your browser window, and follow the links provided. You will find a wealth of information telling you everything that you need to know. Good luck!

Teach English Abroad and Contribute Towards Global Understanding

We actually spend more time working, following our chosen professions, than we do anything else. It's therefore undeniably important that you should gain as much job satisfaction from your work as possible. Being tied down to a job that you neither look forward to doing at the beginning of each day, and you can't wait until the clock works its way round to 5 PM (or whatever time it is that you may finish), is sheer Purgatory. But if you're lucky enough to have a job that offers you complete job satisfaction, you always feel that the job is worth doing, and you'll enjoy carrying it out too.

Undoubtedly the most satisfying jobs are those whereby you interact with other people and help them to achieve things that will improve the quality of their lives. In this sense, teaching is one of the most beneficial jobs, one that significantly improves all of our lives. With the English language now being spoken so widely in the world, most countries accept it as their second language. In order to educate their population in how to speak English, several countries now employ TEFL qualified teachers (TEFL stands for 'teach English as a foreign language'), and is the industry standard qualification for those who wish to travel to foreign countries  searching for ESL jobs (English as a second language).

Helping people to learn a second language that will enable them to join in and communicate with the rest of the world is an immensely satisfying role. Not only that but you'll also have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and to cement new friendships with them. As an ESL teacher you will be immersed in the local community giving you a wonderful opportunity to become part of that community, to learn new values, and to understand the wants, the needs, and the achievements of others in their local environments.

If you are a British national, and you hold a bachelor's degree in any subject, then you are eligible to apply to teach English abroad. The TEFL qualification that you need, to become an ESL teacher, can be taken at many learning establishments across the UK, or, if you prefer, or it is more convenient, you can take the course online. The most basic of the courses offers a 20 hour training period in front of a class of real foreign students. There are several other courses available, the most comprehensive of which is a 140 hour course and involves learning TEFL doctrine as well as being given practical classroom experience. Any one of these courses will give you a qualification that will entitle you to teach English broad, but obviously the better the qualification, the better the post you are likely to be offered.

Once one contract is completed you are totally free to request another in that same country, or another country if you prefer. You can find out more by carrying out some online research, there are many helpful websites. So if you're looking for a job with a maximum of job satisfaction, and travel to other parts of the world, signing up to teach English abroad an ESL teacher, is for you. Not only will you be making a valuable contribution to other people's lives, it's also a great way of seeing the world!