Assistant Teacher Courses

  Mary is an assistant English language teacher in Tokyo, Japan, and she recently completed the 120-hour online TEFL/TESOL course with ITTT. She enjoyed the course a lot and had fun completing all 20 units. In her TEFL review, she also says that she enjoyed the flexibility the course gave her to complete the course in her leisure time. She recommends the course to anyone interested in teaching English and finds the course to be great value for money. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section...  [Read more]

The Cultural Ambassadors Program (also known as the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program) is run by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. Every year as many as 2,500 North Americans are placed through the scheme into elementary or secondary schools across the country to work as assistant language teachers. As Spain can be a difficult place for non-Europeans to secure an official work visa, this program provides a great opportunity for Americans and Canadians to legally live and work in one of the world's most popular teaching destinations. The program is open to American and Canadian citizens aged between 21 and 60, although the upper age limit for placement in the Madrid region is 35. If accepted, participants are assigned as assistant English...  [Read more]

If you want to teach English in Europe you will find that most jobs are secured following a face to face interview. If you would like to have a teaching job organised before you leave home, a government placement program might be a good option for you. The following are the most popular programs of their kind in Europe. The TAPIF Program, short for Teaching Assistant Program in France, is a government initiative that places applicants into French state schools to work as teaching assistants. The program provides a great opportunity to live and work in a country where long-stay visas can be difficult to secure for non-EU citizens. For those who meet the necessary criteria, the TAPIF Program could be the perfect way to fulfil your dream of living and working in France. The program is...  [Read more]

I'd like to write about my experience in volunteer teaching with an ALT, Assistant Language Teacher, at the local elementary school.Through this experience, the following important points that were covered by the TEFL course have been re-confirmed.1. Planning and preparation before lessons.2. Usage of the whiteboard/blackboard, flash cards, and the CD player.4. Facilities: classroom or gym'3. Body language: gestures and eye contact4. Voice control: volume, pronunciation, and accent5. DisciplineChiba prefecture, north east of Tokyo, where I live has been employing ALTs from all over the world for a number of years. Most of them are just out of college. Some of them have lived in Japan as exchange students in the past. ALT stands for assistant language teacher and therefore they...  [Read more]

Do you want to teach English abroad, but are not sure if a TEFL certificate is going to get you there? The good news is that, as most countries and individual employers do not require an advanced teaching license, a TEFL certificate is usually enough to land a job in many areas. In some countries a bachelor's degree is also required, but there are still plenty of others where having a TEFL certificate is all you need. It is estimated that over a billion individuals are learning English around the world. This, paired with an English teacher shortage in many countries, is fantastic news for TEFL teachers because it demonstrates that TEFL jobs are widely available all around the world. Teachers who take a TEFL course will have a wide range of choices in the international job market. They can...  [Read more]

When choosing the right TEFL course to suit your future plans, it is important to understand the different levels of study involved so you are able to pick the right option that provides the qualifications you really need. While a level 3 course can be completed quite quickly and at a very affordable price, it might not give you the level of qualification that employers are looking for in your chosen destination. Equally, if you plan to volunteer as a teacher or work as a teaching assistant, a level 8 Master’s degree in TEFL will involve a bit more time, effort, and money than you really need to be investing. Check out our course levels page for more details. At ITTT we have a course-level framework that has been designed to make it easy for our trainees to compare our different course...  [Read more]

If you want to have a job in place and all the paperwork sorted out before you leave your home country, a TEFL placement program is certainly worth considering. Several countries across Europe and Asia have government run schemes that recruit foreign teachers to work in their public school system. The following options are long established and respected programs that offer a great opportunity to live and work in some of the most popular teaching destinations. The TAPIF Program, short for Teaching Assistant Program in France, is a government initiative that places applicants into French state schools to work as teaching assistants. The program provides a great opportunity to live and work in a country where long-stay visas can be difficult to secure for non-EU citizens. For those who...  [Read more]

Japan has been a popular destination amongst English language teachers for many years due to its widespread job opportunities, good salaries and fascinating culture. Whilst there are other countries in the region where the cost of living may be lower and the wages a little higher, nowhere provides such an incredible mix of modern development and ancient traditions as you will find in this extraordinary country. If you are looking for excitement and adventure, look no further than Japan. In order to work legally you will need to be eligible for a work visa. The good news is the criteria is not as tough as many other countries as you simply need to possess a degree in any subject. The only other qualifications you need are a fluency in the English language, a professional approach and a...  [Read more]

If you have already done some research into TEFL courses you might have noticed that they are usually given a level that places it somewhere on the hierarchy of available courses. This type of organization makes it much easier for teachers to compare different courses and to choose the best options to suit their own situation. However, the first thing to make clear about TEFL course levels is that there is not just one framework, as many countries and individual teaching organizations have developed their own versions. Despite this, the vast majority of frameworks are designed using the same type of criteria, which means that most are very similar in design. Although each framework might vary slightly, most are constructed based on the type of study, the hours involved, whether they are...  [Read more]

When researching teacher training courses it can be difficult to compare the many options available, which is why EFL course levels can be a great help. All TEFL courses can be put into certain levels that reflect their content and the level of qualification you will receive at the end of the training. This organization of courses can be a real benefit when it comes to choosing the right type of course to suit your individual situation. However, it is also important to know that there is not a single ranking system that is adopted by the whole EFL world. May individual countries and teaching organizations have their own set of course levels. Despite this, most systems are developed using similar criteria such as the type of study involved, the number of study hours, whether it is part-time...  [Read more]

Although the market for TEFL qualified teachers is very strong in many countries, you might find that there is a lot of competition for each available job in the more sought after locations. If your plan is to head to a popular destination overseas, then you might want to consider completing a higher level of TEFL certification before you start applying for jobs. When it comes to the different levels of TEFL certification, it is important to understand that there is no one framework that encompasses the whole EFL teaching world. Some countries such as the USA, the UK, and Australia have their own system, as do other regions, teaching organizations, and some course providers. However, most course level frameworks are based on the same common factors such as the type of certification, the...  [Read more]

Classroom success for teachers and students encompasses classroom management, classroom discipline and seating arrangements; which are all dependent upon seating arrangement styles. In order to determine which seating arrangement style (SAS) is best for a class one must look at the reasons or the importance of a particular SAS.SAS are important for classroom control and management, student security, student interaction and socialization, ease of teaching, special needs of students such as seeing or hearing, and are a good way of memorizing students' names in the beginning. There are many factors in determining a SAS.Prior to selecting a specific SAS a teacher must determine how the class will be taught and which subject. Will there be a math class where every...  [Read more]

When researching TEFL courses you will probably come across courses at various different levels, ranging from level 1 to level 8. These levels can cover everything from a 10-hour introductory course, right through to a master’s degree in TEFL. However, as this course framework covers such a wide range of qualifications it is important to have a broad understanding of the levels to ensure you take the right courses to suit your personal situation. Take a look at our course levels page for more details. At ITTT we have developed our own course level framework to ensure it is easy for everyone to compare all our different courses options. Our framework is based on the same criteria as most other recognized systems and it runs from level 3 to level 7. The basic criteria used to build our...  [Read more]

Teaching grammar can be one of the most frustrating aspects of an English teacher’s job description. Teaching grammar can be divided into two categories, declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge. Declarative knowledge can be summed up as knowledge about a thing such as the rules of grammar whereas procedural knowledge is being able to apply the knowledge to communicate effectively. To illustrate the difference declarative knowledge would be being able to understand the instruction manual on how to assemble a bicycle where as procedural knowledge would be what you demonstrate when you actually put the bicycle together. Being good at one does not necessarily make one good at the other. Many of us native English speakers can use our native tongue correctly but...  [Read more]

Throughout the ITTT course, the main suggestion for finding supplemental materials is to search through the school's resource library. There are obvious benefits to this: the staff may be able to direct you easily to what you are looking for, the materials can easily be photocopied (if that is an option), and the materials can be chosen as the need arises during the class. However, there is a whole other world of materials available on-line as well. While there are many places where Internet access is impossible, the teacher will probably be aware of this before arriving and could do some preparation and bring ideas and materials with them. For an isolated school, the teacher can also then cheaply and easily provide the resource library with new and updated activities, ...  [Read more]

If you are interested in applying for overseas teaching jobs, you will almost certainly come across something called Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or TEFL, certification. As a result, you are probably wondering if getting a TEFL certification is a good idea. Regardless of your other qualifications and experience, a TEFL certification is always a valuable addition to your resume. Furthermore, it will set you apart from the competition in the eyes of principals and hiring managers all over the world. Even if a TEFL certificate is not required for a specific position, it is always a huge plus and preference. A TEFL certificate opens doors to exciting opportunities in teaching English as a foreign language in countries all around the world. The most common requirement is 120 hours of...  [Read more]

Teaching grammar can be one of the most frustrating aspects of an English teacher?s job description. Teaching grammar can be divided into two categories, declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge. Declarative knowledge can be summed up as knowledge about a thing such as the rules of grammar whereas procedural knowledge is being able to apply the knowledge to communicate effectively. To illustrate the difference declarative knowledge would be being able to understand the instruction manual on how to assemble a bicycle where as procedural knowledge would be what you demonstrate when you actually put the bicycle together. Being good at one does not necessarily make one good at the other. Many of us native English speakers can use our native tongue correctly but...  [Read more]

Among the many attractions of teaching English abroad is the fact that you are free to choose not only the region where you would like to work, but also the specific country or even city. For some teachers the history and culture of Europe appeals most, while others are drawn to exotic destinations across Asia or Latin America. However, before you book your plane tickets you need to be aware that the requirements for foreign teachers vary greatly from one country to the next and these may limit your options. You should do plenty of research on whether any of the following issues apply to your chosen destination. In some cases, language schools are restricted to only hiring teachers who hold citizenship of a native English speaking country. These are generally considered to be the USA,...  [Read more]

There is something about Volunteer Teaching that is very appealing. I have always been interested in it. Now I have undertaken the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course, it is actually a possibility, not just a thought. You can get invaluable experience using TEFL in schools from Monterrey to Mombassa. There are also some amazing volunteer projects available and opportunities for TEFL graduates to pursue. If you have the time and the desire, there is no better way to experience a country's culture than to live and work with their people. In many circumstances, you are helping some of the world's most underprivileged people to learn language skills that could make a real difference to their lives, not to mention the future prosperity of their...  [Read more]

France is the most popular tourist destination in the world by visitor numbers, and it is equally popular with those looking to teach English abroad. With so much to offer, from history and culture to fashion and cuisine, France is the dream destination for thousands of ESL teachers every year. If you want to join this number, take a look at the following guide to teaching English in France. As with most countries in Western Europe, employers in France expect their prospective employees to possess a TEFL certificate. If you arrive without one, you are likely to have a tough time in the job market as most of your competitors will be TEFL certified. If you apply for a position offered by the government-run teaching assistant recruitment program, it is possible to make all the necessary...  [Read more]

There is something about Volunteer Teaching that is very appealing. I have always been interested in it. Now I have undertaken the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course, it is actually a possibility, not just a thought. You can get invaluable experience using TEFL in schools from Monterrey to Mombassa. There are also some amazing volunteer projects available and opportunities for TEFL graduates to pursue. If you have the time and the desire, there is no better way to experience a country?s culture than to live and work with their people. In many circumstances, you are helping some of the world?s most underprivileged people to learn language skills that could make a real difference to their lives, not to mention the future prosperity ...  [Read more]

Although teaching jobs can be arranged in Asia once you arrive in your destination of choice, in many countries it is common for jobs to be arranged in advance from within your own country. One area where this is certainly true is if you join a government run placement program. The following are the most popular programs of their kind in Asia. EPIK stands for the English Program in Korea, a scheme run by the South Korean government that places foreign teachers into schools across the country to work as English language instructors. EPIK is one of the largest and most popular schemes of its kind as it offers a competitive salary, a good range of extra benefits, and the chance to experience living and working in a unique cultural environment. If you meet the specified criteria then you...  [Read more]

Every year tens of thousands of people from all backgrounds leave behind their existing life and head overseas in search of fun, travel and adventure. They are able to do this by completing a TEFL certification course that gives them all the qualifications they need to apply for English language teaching jobs in countries all over the world. If you want to join this ever growing number of TEFL qualified teachers, there should be very little that can get in your way. Among the many attractions of teaching English abroad is the fact that you are free to choose not only the region where you would like to work, but also the specific country or even city. For some teachers the history and culture of Europe appeals most, while others are drawn to exotic destinations across Asia or Latin...  [Read more]

If you are looking for the widest choice of English language teaching jobs, look no further than Asia. Across the continent you will find countless opportunities in a wide range of fascinating countries, although the requirements do vary from one to the next. Some countries are only open to native English speakers and others will require a university degree, however, there are still plenty of jobs out there for anyone with a TEFL certification. Teaching English in South Korea has become increasingly popular over the last decade and it is no secret that the country offers some of the best salaries for foreign teachers to be found anywhere in the world. English teachers in Korea can expect to earn between $1,500 and $3,000 per month and it is certainly possible to save up to half of this...  [Read more]

Due to a strong demand in many countries, TEFL qualified teachers should have plenty of great options to choose from. Across Asia, Europe and Latin America there are countless opportunities available depending on your own personal preferences. Whether your main goal is to make as much money as possible, to experience living in a different culture, or to get right off of the beaten path, there is the ideal destination waiting for you. If you are looking for the widest choice of English language teaching jobs, look no further than Asia. Across the continent you will find countless opportunities in a wide range of fascinating countries, although the requirements do vary from one to the next. Some countries are only open to native English speakers and others will require a university...  [Read more]

As there is a strong demand for TEFL qualified teachers in many countries worldwide, most course graduates should have little trouble finding a suitable position. However, to maximise your chances of securing the best jobs there are a few things you should be aware of. Where you should look for work, how to apply for jobs, and how to prepare for that all important interview are all covered below. Among the many attractions of teaching English abroad is the fact that you are free to choose not only the region where you would like to work, but also the specific country or even city. For some teachers the history and culture of Europe appeals most, while others are drawn to exotic destinations across Asia or Latin America. However, before you book your plane tickets you need to be aware...  [Read more]

Many TEFL qualified teachers head to Latin America as it is a region that promises endless opportunities for adventure. Teaching jobs are abundant in many areas and there are rarely any restrictions on who is eligible to apply. Whether you are a native English speaker or not, and whether you hold a degree are often irrelevant in many countries. Several countries also have clear structures in place for obtaining an official work permit, while salaries are typically high enough to afford a comfortable lifestyle. Unlike some other popular regions for foreign teachers, there is generally no requirement for teachers in Latin America to possess a college degree or to have extensive experience in the classroom. However, most employers will expect their teachers to have completed a reputable...  [Read more]

Across Europe there are several countries that attract a large number of EFL teachers every year. Some make it hard for foreign teachers to work legally, while others are much more open. By doing a bit of simple research you should be able to find the countries that offer the best prospects for your personal circumstances. Spain has long been one of the top destinations in Europe for teaching English abroad. Thousands of teachers from all over the world head to Spain every year, drawn by the promise of a relaxed lifestyle, a beautiful coastline dotted with sandy beaches, and the opportunity to learn Spanish while living in a modern, international city such as Madrid or Barcelona. If you are serious about living and working as an ESL teacher in Spain, the first thing you will need to do...  [Read more]

Many TEFL qualified teachers head overseas to look for excitement, adventure, new experiences, and to simply get away from the daily grind, but not all are aware of the potential to earn a very good living whilst doing so. In some parts of the world teachers can earn more than enough to live a high quality of life and also afford to put aside a considerable sum each month to pay off student debts or to save for future travel etc. As demand for qualified teachers continues to grow in many areas, so do the potential salaries on offer. When looking for a teaching job, it is always advisable to weigh up the salary on offer in comparison with the local cost of living as this can vary considerably from one country to the next. A monthly salary of $1000 in Bolivia would allow you to live a...  [Read more]

There are many different reasons why people choose to teach English abroad and the chance to earn good money is certainly one of them. How much you can realistically expect to earn is largely dependent on where in the world you choose to teach. The highest salaries are generally found in the Middle East and East Asia regions where teachers can typically live well and still save a considerable sum each month. In Europe and Latin America it is harder to save money, but you should still earn enough to live comfortably. Although the country's famously laid-back lifestyle attracts large numbers of foreign teachers, the average salary is generally less attractive when compared to other countries in the region. Teachers without experience can expect to earn around $1,000 per month, which...  [Read more]