Why TEFL is Beneficial Later in Life?

Do you have a bucket list? A list of goals you set yourself to accomplish throughout your life, and some things to look forward to. If you Google 'bucket list ideas' you might see activities like learning a new language, visiting a vineyard, bungee jumping, or cage diving with sharks… eek! However, there are also ideas in which TEFL can play a huge role in helping to secure your goals. Examples include exploring a new country, volunteering to give back or moving abroad once the kids have grown up! It is never too late to chase your dreams, go on an adventure and be inspired, all whilst earning money at the same time - bonus!

Age restrictions

There are no age restrictions in obtaining a TEFL certificate and so if this was of concern to you previously, do not let this put you off! There are misconceptions that TEFL is for young adults and this is simply not true. Yes, TEFL often welcomes young adults to teaching, but it is also very accommodating for those in later life who may have retired, are wanting a change in career, or are simply looking for a new adventure. The only thing to look out for is retirement ages within the country you are considering teaching in as there may be a compulsory age to stop working/issues with obtaining a visa due to these requirements. However, do not let this stop you! There are plenty of breathtaking countries offering TEFL opportunities without this being an issue. A TEFL certificate is recognised worldwide and has NO expiry date!

Benefits

You may ask, but why is TEFL beneficial in later life? TEFL is beneficial in all stages of life - however, the opportunities this certification can offer you in later life is definitely something we should explore further.

Your experience may also help in specialised areas such as dealing with young learners or Teaching Business English. It may be that you go on to teach adults and so your previous work experience can help with teaching specific functional language and terminology in business or an office environment. Your knowledge can also help create discussion regarding different industries you have personal experience in and builds a connection with your students.

Your CV

At the time of applying for your TEFL employment, your CV may have a range of work experience, qualifications and awards which shows you have knowledge in a variety of fields and will be sure to enhance your CV and make you stand out from the crowd, compared to those currently building on the same experience you currently hold! This will show the commitment you have and dedication to achieving what you set your mind to.

Already have teaching experience? Brilliant!

This is sure to catch the eyes of potential TEFL employers as you already know how the classroom works and have the ability to manage a class full of students. No teaching experience? Not a problem! This is not essential when applying for TEFL jobs and our courses on offer are there to help build your confidence and prepare you to be ready to teach. All our courses include teaching materials and activities for you to use in the real classroom!

TEFL is recognised worldwide

Deciding where to teach could be a tricky one! However, if you have previously travelled before you may already have your eyes set on a particular location! This is beneficial as it cuts out the process of trawling through jobs on offer globally and you can focus on a particular country and speed up the process of choosing your perfect TEFL career! This will also be a huge help as if you have previously visited the country you know you would like to teach in, adjusting to moving whether it be short or long term should be a smoother transition. Just remember to look into the eligibility criteria for working within that country!

Not so sure about the idea of moving to another country, but intrigued with TEFL and the opportunities this holds? Teaching privately in the UK or teaching online are also brilliant options for you to explore further. Within the comfort of your own home, you are able to teach English as a foreign language. Rather than moving to another country, your bucket list idea may be to try something new and rewarding and TEFL is definitely that!

Next steps

Okay so, you’re feeling inspired and it's time to pursue your new career or part-time job, so what are the next steps? If you haven't got your TEFL certificate yet, don’t worry, we have you covered!

Our online courses can be found here. We recommend our Interactive Online TEFL Course as a great place to start, as employers often require 100+ hours of training. 120 Hour is industry standard and we’d recommend going for at least the Level 2 certificate. However, you will note we also offer a Level 3 and Level 5 course for those wanting to specialise in certain areas. These include Teaching Business English, Teaching with Limited Resources and Teaching Young Learners. 

Once you have completed your chosen course, your homework and graded modules will be marked. Upon passing your course, you will receive your certificate.

Alternatively, you may already have a TEFL certificate but feel a little rusty and need to refresh your mind on the content. Well, we have that covered too! Our online TEFL refresher course can be found here. 

Upon completion of the above, you are now ready to explore our jobs board and see what opportunities await!