Greenheart Travel

Category: TEFL – Online

  • Which TEFL Course Should I Take to Teach in Korea for EPIK?

    Which TEFL Course Should I Take to Teach in Korea for EPIK?

    Unless you have a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Education OR a teaching license you will need to become TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certified to qualify for the Teach in Korea program. On the EPIK (English Program in Korea) application you will be asked about your TEFL certification, and as you will find out, not all certifications are created equal. Below is what the TEFL part of the EPIK application looks like, and as you can see they will ask you how many of your hours are “in-class” and how many are “online.”

    Doc2EPIK requires that you take a course of at least 100 hours total, but they HIGHLY prefer that you have some “in-class” hours to list on the application. They are looking for those who have at least 20 hours of “in-class” hours listed on their application. Positions in Seoul and Gyeognam require at least 20 hours and positions in Busan require at least 50 hours.

    Those with in-class hours are considered to have stronger applications and are likely to have better chances at acceptance to the program.

    This past round, 90% of applicants were asked to make major revisions on their lesson plans which immensely slowed down their application. Many applicants were told that they should wait to make a new lesson plan until after they had completed their TEFL certification to ensure a fun, interactive and well-organized lesson. The reason that EPIK has now put the lesson plans under a microscope is because the local Ministry of Education offices around the country are mostly concentrating on how well a teacher can make a lesson plan when deciding if they want to hire a teacher or not.

    It is highly encouraged that you start a TEFL course now if you are even thinking about teaching in Korea so that you have the skills and knowledge to put together an amazing lesson plan! Enter your information here for a guideline of what EPIK is now expecting of lesson plans.

    What should you be looking for when signing up for a course? Here are the best options, in order:

    1. In-person TEFL course

    If you can take a course in-person and not online, this is considered the best kind of TEFL certification by EPIK (and around the world), for many reasons. You will be learning in an actual classroom, instead of behind a computer and you will have actual teaching experience as part of your course. These certifications are typically the strongest and prepare teachers the most for teaching ESL.

    You can check out all of Greenheart Travel’s in-country TEFL program destinations here.

    These courses are full time, usually for 1 full month abroad, so if you have a full-time job they can be impossible to complete before you go. If that’s the case, your next best option is…

    2. Online course with “practicum” or “in-class” hours included 

    Many online courses have begun to include practicum hours in their certifications, to give their students experience in the classroom or tutoring ESL in person. The majority of your study hours will be online, but you will also tutor or teach for 20 hours during your course. These hours can be done in your hometown (or wherever you live) but must be done as a part of your online course. You will have a supervisor sign off on your hours, and your course will certify you for them.

    Greenheart Travel offers an online TEFL course that will certify you for a total of 170 hours, 150 online and 20 in-person. This online course takes 11 weeks and will meet all of the requirements to teach with EPIK and give you the best shot at being accepted if you do a course online.

    3. Completely online course

    An online course would be considered the least attractive choice when it comes to TEFL courses and will not set you apart from other applicants. More and more provinces are now requiring applicants to have at least 20 in-class hours included in their certification, so not having any hours drastically reduces your marketability and narrows your options for placement preferences. Currently, 20 practicum/in-class hours are needed for Seoul and Gyeongnam and 50 hours are needed for Busan but it’s possible that more provinces will decide to require this as well for this round.

    A completely online course also does not prepare you as well as the courses mentioned above, which is something EPIK realizes. We really recommend taking a course with at least some in-person hours, and for this reason, we don’t offer any fully online TEFL certifications.

    What are my next steps?

    If you want to teach in South Korea, Greenheart Travel will need your proof of a TEFL certification by your assigned application deadline. Please keep in mind that hiring Offices of Education highly prefer applicants with completed TEFL certifications and well-organized lesson plans over those who are still taking the course. Our advice would be to aim to finish your course as soon as possible. Our online course runs 11 weeks, so get started now if you can.

    Here are the upcoming dates to qualify you for the program on our 170 hour online + 20 hour practicum course:

    July 22, 2024 Open 
    August 5, 2024 Open 
    August 16, 2024 Open 
    September 2, 2024 Open
    September 16, 2024 Open 
    September 30, 2024 Open
    October 14, 2024 Open 
    October 28, 2024 Open 
    November 11, 2024 Open 
    November 25, 2024 Open 
    December 9, 2024 Open 
    December 23, 2024 Open 
    January 6, 2025 Open 
    January 20, 2025 Open 
    February 3, 2025 Open 
    February 17, 2025 Open 

    The best thing you can do to increase your chances of being accepted for this very competitive teaching opportunity in South Korea is to apply early. By focusing on each stage of the application and getting TEFL certified by a reputable program you are on your way to living and working in South Korea!

     

    Photo provided by Jennifer Meunier who taught in Daegu.

  • Where are Greenheart Travelers Going in 2021?

    Where are Greenheart Travelers Going in 2021?

    Welcome to 2021, everyone! Even though we’ve made it through 2020, travel still looks a bit different in this COVID-19 world (hello, self-quarantines upon arrival!).  Luckily, we get to work with some brave Greenheart Travelers who are still fulfilling their dreams of living abroad, learning a language and immersing themselves in a new culture.

    So, where are Greenheart Travelers headed in 2021? Well, the answer to that question is constantly changing (we’ll keep you as updated as possible), but here’s what’s planned so far.

    High School Abroad Programs in Europe

    Although U.S. tourists are not currently permitted to enter the E.U., high school abroad students applying for student visas (applicable to semester and academic year programs) are eligible for entry! From plans of strengthening language skills, to being a bridge between cultures in a time when our world needs it the most, Greenheart Travel students will be traveling to destinations across Europe in 2021.

    Sabine, a high school student planning to travel to the Netherlands starting in August can’t wait to go on program and understand what impact it will have on her: “Travel is a wonderful adventure,” she says. “The outcome of which you don’t really know until it’s over.”

    Sabine at
    Delft University of Technology.

    Even though any student going abroad in this pandemic world knows there will be a lot of changes and new situations beyond what a pre-COVID exchange student might have encountered, Sabine knows this means “travel will simply become a more unpredictable adventure.”

    “I visited the Netherlands once, and the Dutch language and culture have a beauty that I believe even a pandemic couldn’t change. I am eager to understand the Dutch way of life on a more personal level, and I believe that a year of truly immersing myself into the culture will allow me to achieve that,” says Sabine.

    While Sabine plans to immerse herself in the Netherlands, another student, Claire, will spend a semester in Spain solidifying her Spanish skills as well as her self confidence and individuality, she explains. And COVID-19 isn’t going to get in the way of that!

    “My goal is to truly make the most out of every single moment during those four and a half months that I am abroad. In hindsight, that time is really not that much, but with the right intentions and actions, it can feel like an entire life has been lived, which all again depends on what you make of it. In regards to that, another goal I have is to create authentic and genuine connections with those around me, as well as my surroundings and atmosphere, and even further, traveling as much as I can in light of COVID-19,” says Claire.

    Another student, Piper, plans to travel to Norway to study for a year starting in August 2021. The pandemic didn’t incite fear in this adventure seeker but instead gave her more motivation.

    Piper on a recent yurt trip in Colorado.

    “I’m super exited to go on exchange in 2021 because covid-19 has made me eager to go on adventures and try new things. While on exchange, I hope to gain more cultural understanding, learn more about Norway’s history, and form international relationships,” she says.

    We can’t wait to see what these incredible students accomplish on their programs!

    Costa Rica

    As a high school student, you can study in Costa Rica for a trimester, semester, or academic year, and you’ve even got three ways you can spend your summer in this tropical Central American country. Costa Rica opened for tourists in November 2020 and is ready to welcome you!

    Our in person TEFL Certificate course in Heredia has resumed courses since January 2021. Therefore, if you are planning to get TEFL certified and have been waiting for the in-person course options, this is your time! We have a start date almost every month.

    Teach Abroad in Thailand, South Korea, and Vietnam

    Meghan is our teacher in Thailand who is exploring when she is not busy teaching at her school!

    We are happy to report that currently we have three destinations who are open for Teach Abroad travelers. For all these programs we are able to offer TESOL/TEFL certification plus guaranteed placement program option as well as placement only program option for teachers that are already certified.

    Thailand has remained open throughout 2020 and is staying open for teachers in 2021 as well. The country has maintained a safe environment for travelers by imposing a 14-day mandatory quarantine for anyone entering Thailand. The earliest intake for Thailand available now if March 29, 2021.

    South Korea also remains open for teachers. We are able to guarantee private school placement for qualified candidates. Similarly to Thailand, South Korea is also asking travelers to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. The earliest program intake for South Korea is April 26, 2021.

    Vietnam currently has no COVID-19  cases and is one of the safest countries in the world in that regard. To ensure their safe environment, they are asking travelers to go though a 14 day-mandatory quarantine upon arrival. The earliest intake date is May 3, 2021.

    Bonus destination: ONLINE!

    Some Greenheart Travelers are simply excited to continue their cultural exchange experience online.

    Greenheart Travel offers online Japanese courses for complete beginners with start dates every week. One Teen Language Camp Spain alum wanted to take advantage.

    “I had been learning Japanese on my own since the beginning of quarantine, so I was excited to further my learning with the online classes,” says Eli, one of the 2019 First Time Traveler Scholarship winners.

    Eli learns Japanese online.

    “I really liked how my classes were taught in Spain, so I immediately took up the opportunity to learn Japanese in a similar way. I hope to travel to Japan in the future, but for now I am so grateful for the chance to be learning from a teacher all the way in Japan while I am here in the US,” says Eli.

    If language teaching, rather than language learning is more your thing, the Online TEFL certification is a way for you to hone your instructing skills before teaching abroad.

  • 5 Reasons You Should Get TEFL Certified This Spring

    5 Reasons You Should Get TEFL Certified This Spring

    Teaching English overseas allows travelers to get paid to explore the world. Knowing how to speak English as a second language can provide that extra bump in university applications, lead to future job opportunities, or it might just be a goal to become bilingual. No matter the reason, the awesome thing is that as an English teacher, you have the ability to help them gain this valuable skill!

    Why You Should get TEFL Certified

    While it is relatively straight-forward, with minimal eligibility requirements to apply for many English teaching positions, it shouldn’t downplay the fact that you are preparing for a paying teaching job that takes at least 4 years of university study to be an educator in a classroom the United States.

    TEFL course students studying

    Not all teach abroad programs will require a TEFL certification, even if you don’t have a teaching license. Don’t use this as an excuse not to be prepared. Even if you are not required to obtain a TEFL certification, you should, and here’s why.

    Although part of your motivation for going abroad should be for fun and personal growth (and there’s nothing wrong with that), you will still be stepping foot into a classroom, with 30-40 pairs of eyes gleaming up at you, and that can be intimidating.

    What’s not going to be featured on those inspiring Instagram photos or travel blogs you are following are the additional challenges of:

    • misbehaving students
    • low-to-no language abilities
    • 50 whole minutes to fill of classroom instruction and lesson planning

    If you have zero hours of training for this job, it will become glaringly apparent very fast.

    To get you motivated to take the important step in preparing for your teaching position, we’ve listed a few more reasons why you should consider getting your TEFL certification.

    Adult students in a classroom in Prague.
    Students taking a TEFL certification course in Prague.

    1. Respect for Your Future Students

    When you get wrapped up in the excitement of moving abroad, it’s easy to forget the reason there is such a huge demand for native English teachers worldwide. As an educator in your school, you will have the ability to have a real impact on your students’ lives. You’re being given the amazing opportunity to support yourself while living abroad. Pay back the favor by making sure you’re properly qualified and prepared to improve your students’ English level.

    2. Set Yourself Up for Success

    Just like you wouldn’t apply for a job you don’t feel prepared to step into, you shouldn’t apply for a teaching job without the proper training.

    3. Eliminate Unnecessary Stress

    Moving abroad and getting acclimated to a new culture is stressful enough. Don’t create even more stress for yourself by frantically scrambling to learn how to create lessons every Sunday. Teaching is HARD. You earned that day off!

    4. You’ll be prepared when your classroom turns into chaos.

    Getting a TEFL certification isn’t just about learning how to plan lessons and teach English, it is also a chance to learn tips for classroom management.

    5. Make the most of your travels and get TEFL Certified while abroad.

    Taking a TEFL course while traveling is a chance to live and experience life in a new country. It’s also a great way to learn about the culture where you plan to teach English and help you bridge the cultural gap in the classroom. You’ll not only be learning how to teach English, you’ll also learn how your students will learn and how you should behave as a foreigner at your school.

    IMG_4159
    The extra training that a quality TEFL certification provides you is paramount to your success in the classroom, but it also opens up a world of opportunities, literally. Having a TEFL certification allows you access to teaching jobs in most countries around the globe, especially if your course offers alumni lifetime job placement services, (like Greenheart Travel’s programs), to help you find a job independent of a structured program.

    Most first-time English teachers will stay abroad for a couple years, even if they had only planned for one semester. A TEFL certification will give you the freedom to stay abroad, teach in different countries and be able to give all your students the quality teacher that they deserve.

    Have a few questions about how you can get started or which program might be the best fit for your travel goals? 

  • Which TEFL Course Should I Take to Teach in Korea for EPIK?

    Which TEFL Course Should I Take to Teach in Korea for EPIK?

    Unless you have a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Education OR a teaching license you will need to become TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certified to qualify for the Teach in Korea program. On the EPIK (English Program in Korea) application you will be asked about your TEFL certification, and as you will find out, not all certifications are created equal. Below is what the TEFL part of the EPIK application looks like, and as you can see they will ask you how many of your hours are “in-class” and how many are “online.”

    EPIK requires that you take a course of at least 100 hours total, but they HIGHLY prefer that you have some “in-class” hours to list on the application. They are looking for those who have at least 20 hours of “in-class” hours listed on their application. Positions in Seoul and Gyeognam require at least 20 hours and positions in Busan require at least 50 hours.

    Those with in-class hours are considered to have stronger applications and are likely to have better chances at acceptance to the program.

    This past round, 90% of applicants were asked to make major revisions on their lesson plans which immensely slowed down their application. Many applicants were told that they should wait to make a new lesson plan until after they had completed their TEFL certification to ensure a fun, interactive and well-organized lesson. The reason that EPIK has now put the lesson plans under a microscope is because the local Ministry of Education offices around the country are mostly concentrating on how well a teacher can make a lesson plan when deciding if they want to hire a teacher or not.

    It is highly encouraged that you start a TEFL course now if you are even thinking about teaching in Korea so that you have the skills and knowledge to put together an amazing lesson plan! Enter your information here for a guideline of what EPIK is now expecting of lesson plans.

    What should you be looking for when signing up for a course? Here are the best options, in order:

    1. In-person TEFL course

    If you can take a course in-person and not online, this is considered the best kind of TEFL certification by EPIK (and around the world), for many reasons. You will be learning in an actual classroom, instead of behind a computer and you will have actual teaching experience as part of your course. These certifications are typically the strongest and prepare teachers the most for teaching ESL.

    You can check out all of Greenheart Travel’s in-country TEFL program destinations here.

    These courses are full time, usually for 1 full month abroad, so if you have a full-time job they can be impossible to complete before you go. If that’s the case, your next best option is…

    2. Online course with “practicum” or “in-class” hours included 

    Many online courses have begun to include practicum hours in their certifications, to give their students experience in the classroom or tutoring ESL in person. The majority of your study hours will be online, but you will also tutor or teach for 20 hours during your course. These hours can be done in your hometown (or wherever you live) but must be done as a part of your online course. You will have a supervisor sign off on your hours, and your course will certify you for them.

    Greenheart Travel offers an online TEFL course that will certify you for a total of 170 hours, 150 online and 20 in-person. This online course takes 11 weeks and will meet all of the requirements to teach with EPIK and give you the best shot at being accepted if you do a course online.

    3. Completely online course

    An online course would be considered the least attractive choice when it comes to TEFL courses and will not set you apart from other applicants. More and more provinces are now requiring applicants to have at least 20 in-class hours included in their certification, so not having any hours drastically reduces your marketability and narrows your options for placement preferences. Currently, 20 practicum/in-class hours are needed for Seoul and Gyeongnam and 50 hours are needed for Busan but it’s possible that more provinces will decide to require this as well for this round.

    A completely online course also does not prepare you as well as the courses mentioned above, which is something EPIK realizes. We really recommend taking a course with at least some in-person hours, and for this reason, we don’t offer any fully online TEFL certifications.

    What are my next steps?

    If you want to teach in South Korea, Greenheart Travel will need your proof of a TEFL certification by your assigned application deadline. Please keep in mind that hiring Offices of Education highly prefer applicants with completed TEFL certifications and well-organized lesson plans over those who are still taking the course. Our advice would be to aim to finish your course as soon as possible. Our online course runs 11 weeks, so get started now if you can.

    Here are the upcoming dates to qualify you for the program on our 170 hour online + 20 hour practicum course:

    2020 Courses  Availability 
    January 13, 2020 10 spots left
    January 27, 2020 21 spots left
    February 10, 2020 34 spots left
    February 24, 2020 Open
    March 9, 2020 Open
    March 23, 2020 Open
    April 6, 2020 Open
    April 20, 2020 Open
    May 4, 2020 Ideal for EPIK Spring 2021
    May 18, 2020 Last date for EPIK Fall 2020
    June 1, 2020 Open
    June 15, 2020 Open
    July 1, 2019 Open
    July 15, 2019 Open
    July 27, 2020 Open
    August 10, 2020 Open
    August 24, 22020 Open
    September 7, 2020 Open
    September 21, 2020 Open
    October 5, 2020 Open
    October 19, 2020 Open
    November 2, 2020 Open
    November 16, 2020 Last date for EPIK Spring 2021
    November 30, 2020 Open
    December 14, 2020 Open
    December 28, 2020 Open

    Applying as early as possible is the best thing you can do to increase your chances of being accepted for this very competitive teaching opportunity in South Korea. By focusing on each stage of the application and getting TEFL certified by a reputable program you are on your way to living and working in South Korea!

    Photo provided by Jennifer Meunier who taught in Daegu.

  • What is a TEFL Certification and Why is it Important for Preparing to Teach Abroad?

    What is a TEFL Certification and Why is it Important for Preparing to Teach Abroad?

    A simple question that a lot of people are afraid to ask is, “What is TEFL?”. This acronym shows up over and over again when researching how to teach abroad for an extensive amount of time, and it can be a process to figure out what it is, if it’s really needed, and how different ones compare to each other.

    What is TEFL?

    TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and refers to a course that you can take, either online or in-country, to learn how to teach English to those who want to learn.

    What’s the difference between TEFL, TESOL and CELTA?

    The biggest difference is that they are simply different acronyms that refer to the same basic thing: a certification to teach English to those who want to learn.

    Here’s what each one stands for:

    • TEFL = Teaching English as a Foreign Language
    • TESOL = Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
    • CELTA = Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults

    One main difference between the three is that a CELTA certification is specifically designed for teaching adults, while a TESOL or TEFL curriculum will cater to teaching both kids and adults. So, unless you’re only interested in teaching adults, you should look more at TEFL and TESOL courses.

    Why are some courses really expensive and others are cheap?

    The short answer is because you get what you pay for.

    The medium answer is because different courses offer various types of curriculum. Some courses are self-directed and online-only, some are intensive and in-person only, and some are structured online with student teaching, etc. Doing extensive research to make sure you pick a course that is right for what you want is important. If you’re just looking for a piece of paper that gives you the credentials to be hired, then an inexpensive online course is what you should get. If you want to gain concrete teaching skills so you’ll know what to do when you start working, you should look at courses that offer student teaching with real ESL students.

    The long answer is here.

    What is accreditation and is it important?

    Accreditation refers to the rigorous process that a TEFL school or course goes through to ensure that it is offering quality instruction to its students and it is very important!

    During accreditation process, an independent third party looks at the curriculum and examines it according to a rubric. On top of verifying the validity of the materials, content, and instructors leading the course, the international standards for accreditation dictate that a TEFL course must have:

    • At least 100 hours of academics*
    • 6-20 hours of live practice teaching (called a practicum)
    • A practicum that targets ESL students, not class peers

    *Many potential employers require at least 120 hours of academics and at least 10 hours of practicum. All of Greenheart Travel’s TEFL programs meet international accreditation standards and are taught by university professors with Master’s Degrees and/or PhD’s.

    There is no one single organization that is universally regarded as the official accrediting body for TEFL or TESOL certifications. However, reputable accrediting bodies, language institutes, ministries of education and recognized bodies within the field require that accredited TEFL certifications meet certain standards.

    TEFL class in Hua Hin, Thailand.

    Do I need a TEFL to teach abroad?

    Yes and no, depending on what you want to get out of your teaching abroad experience. There are plenty of schools that will hire you without one just because you’re a native English speaker, but keep in mind that in most instances you are going to be hired as a full-time English instructor, and the sole responsibility for your classes and the lesson planning. Teaching is not an easy job and going into it without any training is doing a disservice to your students because they will have an unprepared and stressed out teacher instead of an organized, enthusiastic and useful teacher who can actually help them improve their English skills.

    Do you have any other questions about TEFL? Comment below!

  • The Reality of Getting Paid Work Abroad as a North American in Europe

    The Reality of Getting Paid Work Abroad as a North American in Europe

    So you dream of a life teaching English in Europe. You imagine sitting at a sidewalk cafe in Paris after teaching a class, or walking past the Colosseum on your way to work, or meeting friends at a tapas bar in downtown Madrid to kick off your weekend.

    Unfortunately, if you are an American or Canadian citizen, it’s not that easy. Most ESL markets demand large numbers of native English speakers from all over the world, but Western Europe is a special case.

    With EU labor laws allowing the free flow of workers among the European countries, employers can hire English-speaking teachers from places like Ireland or Scandinavia (where most people speak English fluently) without the hassle and expense of sponsoring a visa, for now at least. This means that there’s not many incentives for a school in continental Europe to hire an American or Canadian teacher.

    So how do you, as a North American, get to that sidewalk cafe? Here are your next steps!

    Mikaela drinking espresso and having a cornetto at a cafe in Naples, Italy.

    1. Let go of your notions of making a lot of money.

    High-paying ESL jobs are just not readily available for you in Europe. The businesses that pay the big bucks are almost always going to hire someone who doesn’t need a visa.

    2. Expand your definition of teaching English.

    In Asia or South America, you’d likely be in a school, teaching your own class; in Europe, teaching might instead take the form of conversation practice at the dining room table with your host family.

    In some countries there are government-sponsored programs which place North Americans in public schools. These programs, however, have limited placements, are competitive, and require a full school year commitment.

    People also work under the table across Europe. This means no visa, so if you stay for more than 90 days, you are illegally in the EU and you run the risk of being fined (or, in rare cases, banned from reentry) for overstaying your tourist visa. These jobs usually take the form of private tutoring or part-time work for private language academies. People who do this successfully are outgoing, hard-working, self-starters; it’s not easy to piece together a living on freelance teaching, especially if you don’t speak the local language. The business is mostly referral-based, so you have to work hard to network and get your name out there.

    3. Consider investing in an organized program

    As you’ve seen, moving to Europe to teach English just isn’t simple. The government programs are very limited. The freelance, go-it-alone method is highly risky–you won’t be able to line up any work until after you’ve already arrived in Europe, and you’ll probably spend several weeks living in a hostel, while you try to patch together enough private classes to pay for an apartment.

    Ultimately, this is a very expensive and stressful way to kick off your life abroad, and even if you get your business off the ground, you’re living illegally in a foreign country, always running the risk of getting caught. Going through an organized program, while requiring an initial investment and program fee, eliminates that stress and uncertainty and sets you up for a positive, productive experience.

    4. Do your research on your program options! 

    Greenheart Travel has many organized program options for teaching English in Europe. Our programs usually always include things like airport pick-up, insurance coverage for the duration of your program, pre-departure orientation & cultural training before you leave, and most important – an experienced program manager to guide you through the process and answer any and every question you might have. Here are your options for teaching in Europe with Greenheart Travel.

    TEFL Certification Courses

    Earn your TEFL certificate in the Czech Republic. Getting TEFL certified in Prague, Czech Republic gives you the option to find paid jobs in private and public schools with a legal EU work visa, allowing for long-term contracts in a European country! This is an intensive 4-week course with job placement assistance for graduates to find paid teaching jobs within Prague after successful completion of the course, as well as aid in acquiring a legal work visa.

    If you’re interested in making a career of teaching English but not interested in Prague in particular, you could complete your TEFL certification online and use the job placement assistance to help you find work anywhere in Europe. Job placement assistance is included in the program fee!

    Prague!

    Teach English in Italy or France

    Really want some classroom experience? Teaching English in Italy or France is the way to go. You’ll spend 3 months living with a host family and working as a volunteer teaching assistant (15-18 hours/week) at a local school. Again, your lodging and meals are covered, and the job is only part-time, so you’ll have plenty of time to travel, study the language, and immerse yourself in Italian or French culture.

    Teach English in Italy alum, Mercedes!

    Teach English in a Homestay 

    More interested in cultural exchange? Teaching English in a Homestay is a great option if you really want to immerse yourself. You’ll live for 1 to 3 months with a local family in country destinations like Italy, France, or Spain. You’ll spend 15 hours a week tutoring the family in English–the rest of the time you’re free to explore! Your program fee covers your lodging and your meals, so no worrying about rent or groceries.

    in-the-plaza-de-espana
    Dawn exploring Madrid during her homestay program.

    While the program fee for your chosen program may seem high at first glance, think about what it would cost you to backpack Europe for 3 months, or to pay for a hostel for weeks while you get that tutoring business going. Western Europe is expensive. You’d go through that money in a month (having run out of money and lived on stale baguettes in the last week of a backpacking trip, I’m speaking from experience).

    Ready to kick off your European adventure? Learn more here:

  • You’re TEFL Certified – Now What?! Six Steps to Help You Get Started on Finding Your First Teaching Job

    You’re TEFL Certified – Now What?! Six Steps to Help You Get Started on Finding Your First Teaching Job

    You did it! You’re done with 11 weeks of TEFL certification coursework and you have logged over 20 hours of student teaching. Over the last few weeks of the course, you’ve caught yourself daydreaming more and more about where you could teach, who your students will be and how much your life is going to change once you get on that first plane. But first, you need to send out some applications – where do you start?

    Step #1. Get Familiar with Your Job Search Guidance Manual!

    The lifetime job placement assistance is a great place to start for alumni of the Greenheart Travel Online TEFL Certification Course. You receive your job search guidance manual after you’ve started the course and it’s a good idea to read through some of the important information like: how to format your resume and cover letter for ESL jobs, how to contact prospective employers, and what to expect for an interview. But, by far the most useful section of the manual is the country by country job profile.

    Stencils spelling teach over a world map.

    The job profile separates the global teaching market into four section overviews:

    • Europe
    • Latin America
    • The Caribbean
    • Asia, The Middle East and Northern Africa

    Each one of those sections offers an array of information about each individual country’s teaching market. From general information about the country and what you can expect to make, to advice on obtaining a visa and a list of preferred programs and job websites – these country profiles are ideal whether you’re unsure about where you want to teach or if you’ve already settled on where you want to go.

    Step #2. Talk to your advisor.

    Graduating TESOL class in Hua Hin, Thailand.

    The job search manual can be a bit overwhelming with all the information it offers, and sometimes it’s easier to have someone walk you through your questions. Your advisor has taught or lived abroad themselves, and is available to talk over the phone, Skype or email to help you decide which country will be the best fit for what you want to accomplish abroad.

    Or, if you know where’d you’d like to end up, your advisor is a great resource to talk through the little details; the pros and cons of public and private school positions, salary versus cost of living, as well as the culture and what challenges you can expect to run into as you adjust to life in that country.

    Step #3. Join all the Facebook groups.

    All Greenheart Travel TEFL alumni are able (and encouraged) to join as many country-specific Facebook groups as they’d like. Each Facebook group is filled with hundreds of alumni who are currently teaching English and are more than willing to offer advice about living and working abroad, or let prospective teachers like you know about job openings at their schools. Once you’ve accepted a job, the Facebook group will be a great way to connect with teachers before you arrive and arrange some meet-ups!

    Some of Greenheart Travel’s most popular Facebook groups are as follows:

    Step #4. Apply for those jobs.

    You’ve finished your resume, talked to your advisor, narrowed down your job search to one or two countries, joined the necessary Facebook groups, and had a few private message conversations with alumni who are already teaching where you’d like to be. You have a strong grasp on the job markets of these countries, and you have a solid idea of how much you should expect to get paid. So, now you can start filling out those applications!

    Depending on whether you apply for jobs directly or with a structured program, the application process could take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months. But, with some persistence and some patience, you’ll soon have multiple opportunities to chose from.

    Step #5. Figure out the logistics.

    Packing a suitcase for a Greenheart Travel program.

    Depending on where you’re going, your arrival logistics and housing may already be set up for you. But, if they’re not, you’ll need to plan for your arrival.

    How will you get from the airport into town? Can you find an apartment ahead of time, or will you need to book a hostel first and then hunt for apartments in person? Is there an orientation to help you get acclimated to the country, or do you start working right away? Google can only get you so far, so don’t forget to reach out to your advisor and the Facebook groups again for more tips and advice.

    Step #6. Get on that plane!

    Buy a ticket, throw yourself a going-away party, and pack your bags because you’re only a plane ride away from your new life as an English teacher abroad! There may be some bumps in the road when you first arrive, but once you get the hang of your school and your new job, you’ll find that this was one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.

    Oh, wait. You still need your TEFL certification? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered!

  • How to Find a Quality TEFL Certification Course to Teach Abroad

    How to Find a Quality TEFL Certification Course to Teach Abroad

    Anyone who has made the big decision to pick up and move abroad to teach English has also had to decide what TEFL certification they should get to prepare for their new job.

    With a deluge of options in your face the second you hit “search” on Google, it’s hard to differentiate which one will be the best choice. It’s like not knowing the answer on a multiple-choice question: sometimes the best bet is to close your eyes and pick a random one because it’s better than not picking one at all, right?

    Not when it comes to picking a TEFL course.

    As program manager for Greenheart Travel’s TEFL courses, a question I hear again and again is:

    “I was interested in Greenheart Travel’s course but I did some research and found courses for half the price. Why would I spend more money for the same certification?”

    It’s a valid question. In short, it’s because although the certification you get at the end of any course may look the same, the quality of the course is definitely not. Not all TEFL courses are created equal.

    I know this to be true because I chose my TEFL course based on price alone before teaching abroad in Thailand.

    Reading About Teaching Does Not Actually Prepare You for the Classroom

    My cheap online TEFL course was $150 and I was sent 13 units. I basically read about teaching, emailed the company when I was done reading and they sent me a “final test” which I had 8 hours to complete. I had the 13 units on hand and pretty much copied and pasted my answers for the entire thing and then I got my certificate in the mail a few weeks later.

    Fast forward 6 months to my first week in the classroom in Thailand where I was an unprepared, unqualified and a frightened teacher. I had no idea how to manage my class, how to interact with 40+ students at once or how to deal with a lesson that was completely over my students’ heads. I cried and contemplated leaving constantly.

    A foreign English teacher with students in Thailand.
    Kara with some of her students in Thailand.

    Did this discount TEFL course get me the certification I needed to get a job overseas? Yea.

    Did it actually give me the resources and knowledge to step into a classroom and be a successful teacher? Not even a little.

    One of the worst feelings I had while teaching abroad was not homesickness, but the sense that I was failing my students because I didn’t feel like I knew what I was doing.

    Teaching is really hard, and just because you are an expert at speaking English doesn’t mean you know diddly squat about teaching it. A lot of people look at a TEFL certification as an inconvenience more than anything.

    The first step is to look at a TEFL certificate in a different light: not as a hindrance to your timeline or bank account but as a necessity to be a successful teacher. You owe it to yourself and, more importantly, your future students deserve to have a competent English teacher in their classroom.

    Here are a few things to keep in mind when evaluating a TEFL course:

    Greenheart Travel alumni graduating from their TEFL course in Costa Rica.

    Make sure the course meets international accreditation standards. 

    These standards ensure the course is legitimate and come from accrediting bodies like:

    • TQUK
    • ACCET
    • ALTE
    • English Profile
    • University of Cambridge
    • Trinity College

    Be wary of courses that state they are “internationally recognized” or “independently accredited” as opposed to internationally accredited by one of the aforementioned accrediting bodies.

    Research how the course is taught.

    Adult students in a classroom in Argentina.
    Students taking the TEFL course in Argentina.

    Cheaper online courses often do not come with any instruction or they offer “tutors” to grade your work. A quality online course will actually be taught by an actual educator.

    For in-country TEFL certification programs it is important to make sure it is accredited, has class sizes that offer personal attention and gives you a chance for practicum experience.

    Confirm that the course meets the requirements for the country or program where you will be teaching.

    Some countries don’t require teachers to have any sort of certification, and some countries (like South Korea) require at least a 120-hour class as well as 20 hours of practicum. Most online courses do not offer any practicum.

    However, Greenheart Travel’s courses exceed the above standards and they are fully accredited. As an added bonus, the online TEFL course is taught by a professor who you get to interact with (virtually) and offers 20 hours of practicum that will set you apart from other teachers applying to teach abroad.

    Check if the company offers alumni support and job search support.

    Greenheart Travel classmates in Nicaragua
    TEFL students hang out during their course in Leon, Nicaragua.

    Does the company have the resources or knowledge of how to get a teaching position in different countries? Will they offer resume-building resources or a network for you to use?

     

    There is a TON of information out there and, while it might seem easier to play TEFL-roulette and buy the next course that comes up at the cheapest price, resist this urge to commit to anything without doing your research. Investing your time and finding the right course will make your transition into teaching English a lot smoother in the long run. Not to mention, help you make a greater impact in the global classroom.

  • How Trial and Error, Pep Talks and My Online TEFL Course Helped Me Become a Confident English Teacher

    How Trial and Error, Pep Talks and My Online TEFL Course Helped Me Become a Confident English Teacher

    Like a cliché movie scene, I walked into my first class wringing my hands and trying to keep myself from hyperventilating. My heart was pumping at what seemed like maximum capacity, and I started pacing back and forth in front of the whiteboard as I waited to meet the first of many Thai students I would slowly get to know throughout my time teaching English in Thailand at King’s College.

    There wasn’t an air conditioner in the room, it was 8:00 AM and already 90 degrees, and I was dressed conservatively (read; covered head to toe), so my nerves were really starting to show in my sweaty, crinkled, cotton clothes. Before arriving to teach English, I had taken a cheap TEFL course that taught me next to nothing—which became glaringly clear at this moment in my life.

    An empty classroom in Thailand.
    An empty classroom of Kara’s school in Thailand.

    Fast-forward three years later…

    Despite my experience teaching in a classroom halfway around the world, those same nerves struck again as I prepared for my first tutoring lesson back home in Chicago.

    Unlike the first TEFL course I took prior to teaching in Thailand, the online TEFL certification course I’m currently taking requires that I log 20 hours of teaching, tutoring and/or observing real ESL students in order to receive my completed certification.

    The student affairs department provided me with a list of organizations past students had volunteered with in my city, and I reached out to a local community center. I was soon matched with a middle-aged, Chinese woman who was at about a pre-beginner level of English proficiency.

    A teacher writing on a chalkboard.
    Kara writing on a chalkboard to prepare for an English lesson.

    The night before my first session with her, I sat and stared at my computer screen, Googling lesson plans and looking over my course materials trying to come up with an intro lesson. Anxiety and doubt came rushing back in flashbacks of my first day of teaching in Thailand.

    • How much did she study with the other tutor?
    • What if I don’t do a good job?
    • What if I just call in sick tomorrow and then blow off practicum forever and never get my certification?  

    But, then I realized how silly I was being—I had submitted no less than five full lesson plans already as part of my Online TEFL course homework, and the feedback from my instructor was always positive and encouraging.

    I also realized that although my first memories of teaching in Thailand weren’t necessarily my favorite, I remembered that it got easier. And the first day of trying anything new is always scary.

    A teacher holding up English flashcards.
    Kara holding up flashcards she made for her student.

    Putting My TEFL Lessons into Practice

    I decided against calling in sick, and the next day I met my student, Qixia. The first two hours we had together flew by. I had Qixia teach me some Chinese words, and we had a few miscommunication issues as well as a few laughs.

    Because of the TEFL course work, I was 100% more prepared for my time with Qixia than I was for my Thai students, and I’m actually looking forward to more lessons with her. Taking a quality TEFL certification course with a student teaching practicum is one of the best things you can do to prepare yourself as a teacher abroad.

    No matter how much preparation you’ve had, going into a new class is intimidating. You don’t know the students’ learning style, you likely won’t even know their level of English, the students won’t know you, and the first couple of lessons might be a little awkward. But, any new job comes with it’s first day jitters. The good news is that they will eventually go away.

    Along with the day-to-day teaching experience, and trial and error, pep talks always help.

    A hallway of a school in Thailand.
    A hallway of a school in Thailand.

    Here are 5 mantras to give you confidence in the classroom:

    1. You can do it!

    You’ve done the research, you’ve taken the TEFL course, you’ve done everything you can do to prepare for this experience, and you are going to be an amazing teacher! The first couple of weeks will be challenging, and you probably won’t give the best lessons. But, you have to start somewhere, and what better place to start than right where you are?

    2. Fake it ‘til you make it!

    Seriously, if I’ve learned one thing from teaching abroad and working in the professional world back home, it’s that no one knows what they’re doing at first, no matter how confident they may seem. Stop comparing yourself to other people. Put that energy into figuring out what the heck you should do for your English classes instead!

    3. It WILL get easier!

    Piggy-backing on the second mantra, you will start to get the hang of teaching. As you get to know your students, your co-teachers and what’s expected of you, your job will start to feel more comfortable and familiar. You’ll become more efficient with lesson planning and therefore spend less time doing it. You’ll become more familiar with your town and where things are, and you’ll start to make a routine of your life abroad.

    4. You won’t regret it!

    But, I guarantee what you will regret is not doing it. Sometimes your nerves get the best of you, and you find yourself deciding between quitting and not quitting. Sure, quitting is usually easier, but you will probably find yourself wondering “what if?” eventually, and that’s a harder weight to bear than stumbling awkwardly through a couple of lessons.

    A foreign English teacher with students in Thailand.
    Kara with some of her students in Thailand.

    One of the reasons you probably decided to get TEFL certified and teach English abroad was to get out of your comfort zone and grow as a person, and neither of those goals will be attained without some struggle.

    The struggle will be real, but it will be worth it—please see mantra three and then re-read mantra one. You got this!

  • Time Management When Getting TEFL Certified Online

    Time Management When Getting TEFL Certified Online

    I have to admit – I’m not the most organized or timely person that I know. I consider being 15 minutes late legitimately good timing. Although my job as a program manager at Greenheart Travel requires me to be the most organized I’ve ever been, my academic “m.o.” of doing assignments at the last minute decided to rear it’s ugly head almost as soon as I started my Online TEFL certification course.

    Time management may not be the most glamorous of topics when you are focused on getting certified as a future English teacher, but it is crucial to understand its importance. If you want to successfully complete an online TEFL program while holding down a job, additional studies, and/or a social life—organization is key.

    I’m in week seven of the 11-week course, which means I’m over halfway done and it’s been both extremely informative and, to be honest, a bit challenging.

    Here’s a typical week of my Online  TEFL certification course workload:

    • Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday night:
      • Read the week’s unit (1-2 hours)
      • Take reading comprehension quiz (1-30 minutes)
    • Thursday or Friday night:
      • Participate in online group discussion (20-40 minutes)
    • Saturday or Sunday afternoon:
      • Complete the week’s activity like an essay or lesson plan (1-3 hours)

    This workload is in addition to a full-time day job AND evening and weekend shifts as a server. So after work, I want nothing more than to go home, sit on my couch, eat macaroni and cheese and binge on whatever show I’m currently obsessed with.

    Unfortunately, I’m an adult and I have responsibilities like laundry, not eating mac and cheese everyday, being social, and committing to this course. Because I made a conscious decision to take this course, I’ve learned a few ways to keep myself on track so I can get the most out of the program without getting burned out.

    A table with a laptop, mac and cheese, list and smartphone to depict the difficulty in finding a balance.
    Trying to balance a job, life, and taking an online TEFL certification course at the same time.

    Here are a few time management tips to help you stay focused during your Online TEFL course:

    Set a schedule.

    This is easier if you have a regular 9-5 or the same class schedule every week, but anyone taking this course should have a loose weekly plan to get your assignments done on time.

    There are two deadlines every week (Fridays and Sundays) and you will be spending anywhere from 6-12 hours a week getting all of your work done, so don’t expect to be able to get it all done in one sitting.

    Stick to it.

    The week has a nice habit of sneaking up on you and if you evade your reading assignment until Friday, you’ll find yourself up late reading, taking a quiz, participating in the group discussion and periodically checking your Instagram feed to see what your friends are up to when you’d probably rather be out socializing with them IRL.

    Give “weekend you” the opportunity to have some free time away from work, school and/or this course because, don’t forget, you have another assignment to work on that’s due on Sunday.

    Plan ahead.

    I had the wonderful pleasure of attending our Marketing Director’s wedding a few weekends ago in Iowa with some of my equally wonderful colleagues. What wasn’t wonderful was that I put off finishing my assignments all week, and ended up having to bring my laptop with me and try to find time to get all my assignments done in between traveling and celebrating. I ended up spending all night the Monday after completing the previous week’s assignment (for late credit) just in time to get started on the next week’s reading.

    The structure of the course allows you to work ahead as far as you’d like, so if you know you have plans one weekend, do yourself a favor and get everything done beforehand.

    Post-it notes on a calendar.
    Notes of tasks to do on a weekly basis while taking the TEFL course.

    Keep your future in mind.

    The whole reason you’re putting this extra task on your plate is because you’re actively working toward your goal of living and working in another country. The weeks when you’re just not feelin’ it, know that the extra effort of finishing whatever reading/quiz/assignment in front of you is bringing you one step closer to teaching English in another country.

    When Greenheart Travel says this Online TEFL program is a collegiate-level course, we’re not kidding. But, the good news is that it’s totally doable and was designed specifically for people who work or go to school full time. The course is a big commitment, but it’s also an investment in your future career as an educator abroad, which is just one of many reasons why did I decided to take this online TEFL course.

    If I can do it, you can do it! Eleven weeks of coursework is nothing if it leads to a life-changing experience of getting paid to teach abroad.

     

    Are you ready to get paid to teach and travel abroad? Get TEFL certified!