We’ve all had a couple of years to think about where we are and what we’re doing, but 2022 promises to be the year when the world opens up and international travel gets easier. Many countries are offering flexible visa options for remote and short-term workers, so why not take advantage of the post-covid changes and get qualified to teach and earn internationally? Here are 5 reasons why language teaching is the ideal way to get back out into the world, and work at the same time.

1. A TEFL qualification can enhance skills that you already have
   

An internationally recognised certificate in language education gives you the foundation skills you need to deliver effective language classes, and work in a range of countries. However, within the TEFL industry, there are many specialisms in different kinds of English-language education where you can apply the skills you already have, to teach English for business, law, medicine, tourism, aviation and a range of other specific purposes that students in other countries have a need for in English.

Coupled with an internationally accredited qualification in language education, any training, qualifications and experience that you have in other fields can be applied to help you to specialise in specific industries where English is used for business and study.

2) An initial certificate can start you on a professional pathway in the industry

Although many people do not know it, the English language teaching industry is more than just a way to finance a trip across Asia, or a way to get part-time work as a teaching assistant. It is a highly developed industry which runs on the demand for effective educators in settings from kindergartens to postgraduate study and business the world over.

As in any mature industry, there is a clear promotional pathway running from teaching assistant through teacher, senior teacher, director of studies, department head, teacher trainer and more, which often reflect the level of qualification that you gain. The initial level 5 CertTESOL, for example, can lead to higher qualifications such as the level 6 Certificate for Practising Teachers, level 7 Diploma in TESOL and higher qualifications such as MATESOL and PhDs in language education or applied linguistics. Far from being a gap-year filler (though it can help travelling students to achieve this), an initial certificate in TESOL never expires, and can be built on in the future if you want to return to the industry later on.

3) The current demand for qualified teachers is greater than ever

With the world having been locked down and restricted for over a year now, the number of teachers travelling to jobs overseas has been cut off for more time than ever before. This means that schools in many regions of the world are crying out for teachers.

There are particular shortfalls in education in EU countries (the pandemic and Brexit having been a double hit to the movement of teachers from the UK to the EU). European education agencies are focusing on Ireland as one of the remaining English-speaking countries in Europe, and offering attractive benefits to Irish teachers getting qualified to teach internationally.

China has been one of the most restricted countries for travel through the pandemic, and having just placed further restrictions on private language education providers in the country and online, Chinese universities are still able to grant work permits and employment to international language teachers, so there is a huge demand for qualified teachers across Asia going into 2022.

4) It’s a rewarding way to earn and travel

The most immediate benefit of getting qualified to teach abroad is that it is rewarding in so many ways. A certificate with international recognition acts like a second passport, giving access to work permits and visas in almost every country in the world, often with the benefits of paid travel and accommodation, and even yearly return flights home.

Working in other countries, you get to engage with cultures in a deeper and more meaningful way than other kinds of travel, and being part of a teaching team working with other educators and students, you can meet new people, share celebrations and see parts of the country that you would not otherwise have time or access to visit. Seeing the world in this way is a rewarding privilege, and a life choice which starts with the first step - applying for an initial certificate course which can open the door to these incredible experiences.

5) You can get qualified online, and study in own time from wherever you are

Many providers have responded to the pandemic and accompanying restrictions by offering totally online, self-timed study modes for qualifications such as the Trinity CertTESOL. This means that you can organise your study and teaching from the comfort of your own home, and manage your study time alongside other work and family commitments. With courses offered over 12 weeks in this way, the costs of travelling to a training centre, accommodation and other living costs are reduced, and the stress of cramming a high-level qualification into a month is reduced.

Online-only qualifications in TESOL carry the same value as face-to-face courses, and for the Trinity CertTESOL, the online mode is not even mentioned on the certificate itself, making it accepted for online and face-to-face teaching positions the world over.

There has never been a better time to get qualified to teach internationally. Get ahead of the world situation and study for an international qualification in English language teaching, to meet the emerging demand in the industry in 2022. If you are interested in getting qualified, contact Language Point to find out how you can apply. Take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity to come out of the last two years stronger and with a flexible, permanent professional qualification under your belt.

Tom Garside is Director of Language Point Teacher Education. Language Point delivers the internationally recognised RQF level 5 Trinity CertTESOL in a totally online mode of study, and the RQF level 6 Trinity College Certificate for Practising Teachers, a contextually-informed teacher development qualification with specific courses which focus on online language education or online methodology.

If you are interested to know more about these qualifications, or you want take your teaching to a new level with our teacher education courses, contact us or visit our CertTESOL FAQ and CertPT FAQ pages for details.