TEFL Kingman Park District Of Columbia

Many university graduates are currently facing an excruciatingly difficult job market; few if any actually find employment in the field they received their bachelor of arts in. As a recent graduate I too was faced with a bleak realization that I was either going to have to immediately apply to graduate school, take a low paying job that I am over qualified for and continue looking for work in my field, or complete my certification as a tefl teacher which would allow me to teach, travel and gain life experience. I opted for the latter. tefl, or Teaching english as a Foreign Language refers to teaching english to students whose first language is not english. A native english-speaker will have different reasons for undertaking this course, all of which are valid. First, the teacher can acquire new skills that will allow him/her to live and work in another country that normally would be difficult to obtain employment if he/she has not been certified. tefl certification is a solid foundation upon which to build a thriving teaching career abroad; many schools look favorably upon certified teachers because the schools know that the individual completed a rigorous program and he/she is qualified to teach english. tefl is a widely recognized and respected certification that not only enhances the chances of gaining employment but also looks good on a resume; be it job or graduate school. Graduate schools and some of their programs are highly competitive and applicants need to find a way to set themselves apart from the rest; tefl certification reveals that the applicant has spent additional time outside of the university setting, acquiring further knowledge and expertise in the english language and applying them in the field. The student has become the teacher. Secondly, by living abroad, one has the opportunity to experience a foreign culture; total immersion in language and customs. Because of advancement in technology, i.e. social networking (Facebook) and Skype people are able to connect with each other from the comfort of their own homes. The adventure and excitement of travel is eliminated in favor of accessibility, which comes in the form of an Internet connection and a laptop. Being physically present in the foreign country opens up opportunities to meet new people, not only the students you will be teaching but their family, friends, other teachers and new acquaintances that you would never have met if you didn't complete the tefl course and find employment abroad. Thirdly, the possibility of personal growth and fulfillment are added benefits of teaching abroad with a tefl certification. Removing oneself from the comfort and familiarity of home takes courage and a big leap of faith. Moving to a foreign country where everything is, well, foreign can be a humbling experience; particularly if one is going to a less developed country. One will find that although the country maybe poor, the process of learning still continues regardless of the state of decay that the classroom is in or the lack of markers, paper and crayons. Just know that by being present and communicating with the students, you are making a difference. You are touching the lives and the minds of individuals who may not have been exposed to a classroom environment prior. As a teacher, you are educating and shaping the minds of students; there is nothing more fulfilling than that. References: 1) www.teflonline.net 2) www. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teaching_english_as_a_foreign_language 3) http://www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-chalkboard/travel-guides/categories/10-tefl-Advice