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TEFL UK/TESOL UK
A guide to teaching English in the UK
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| At a Glance - teaching English in the UK |
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As a TESOL destination, the UK offers a range of diverse opportunities. On the one hand, coastal resorts and the big cities are alive with foreign learners during the peak summer months. Schools appear as if from nowhere during this time to capitalise on this influx. However, finding TESOL work the rest of the year with a private language school is much more difficult; as you will have to compete with the wealth of experienced and well qualified teachers who have returned from travelling around the world and now wish to teach closer to home. To find TESOL work with private language schools in the UK, you will almost certainly need a degree, a TESOL certificate and be a native English speaker. Be aware that while many GE graduates have gone onto teach in the UK, there is a general preference for the Cambridge CELTA/Trinity TESOL certificate over distance certificates amongst private language schools in the UK.
Students tend to come to private language schools in the UK for 1 or 2 week study holidays and so the summer school atmosphere is generally more relaxed with an emphasis on both fun and learning. While many adults do visit during the summer, typically classes contain a mixture of nationalities with ages between 10-16 years old. The teaching pattern is often 3 hours of classes in the morning with day trips in the afternoon. Teachers may be asked to accompany students on these trips, at a reduced hourly rate.
Increasingly, schools are offering more bespoke options to tempt visitors year-round, such as English with golf packages and even English with cream teas, which can make for a more varied student base. Business learners also often visit year-round.
There are also a range of different options for UK based teachers outside of the private language school market. See ‘teaching there’ below for a list of such options.
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Although TESOL positions in UK private language schools still appear in the UK Guardian on Tuesdays, the Times Educational Supplement on Fridays and the EL Gazette, top TESOL websites now advertise the latest positions from February onwards. Visit the bottom of this page: http://www.global-english.com/jobs.htm for a list of these websites.
Try your local phone directory, but be aware that some summer schools with head offices elsewhere will not be listed locally. Summer schools operating in your area may rent classrooms in local colleges and schools so try these, too. Major employers which open summer schools around the country who have employed Global English graduates include: Plus, OISE and SUL. The south coast is dominated by such schools and we know some of our graduates have secured work by knocking on doors before Easter, gaining an immediate interview with the Director of Studies!
In addition to your Global English TESOL certificate you will often need a degree and any teaching practice or teaching experience you have should be highlighted on your CV. When you apply for a job, ensure you highlight any commercial (business) experience or any contact with children.
Do have a look at one of our staffroom pages on finding work overseas for more general information and tips on your CV.
As previously mentioned, there are an increasing number of different ways to teach in the UK, other than in private language schools and for the creative 'TESOLers', there are some alternatives:
- Find your own source of foreign students (by hosting them for a local language school, say) and creating a local network of learners to offer freelance teaching.
- Teach English in your own home. There are a variety of agencies offering this facility; In-tuition is just one. You will need a nice, welcoming home and a TESOL qualification.
- Offer English over the Internet/phone. Our sister organisation, Phone English is just one such school.
- Teaching English to immigrants. Due to the influx of non-English speakers into the UK, a number of Global English graduates have found work in this sector. Although not technically TESOL, (because English to immigrants is technically English as a second language; ESL) there is obviously some cross-over between these similar sectors. You will need to contact your local council as a first step to find out requirements and whether it is paid because demand, pay and conditions vary between counties. See our student comments below:
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GE TESOL level 2 graduate Alasdair McKenzie secured a position teaching English as a Second Language at Aberdeen College in Scotland. He says:
In my first lesson I had to introduce the course and the test they are going to sit at the end - the TOEIC test, and then I used Louisa's 'getting to know you' exercise from the Global English CD-ROM and it went down a storm. The ice was broken. It was brilliant…As it's a short course and is 75% online learning, I devised the exercises and text for the online course, too.’ ‘They seem keen already to run a second course in April, and more in the summer and I've been asked to do those too.
Tony Horton completed the GE level 2 certificate and found 2 summer jobs teaching English in Eastbourne
I taught a class of 16 Austrian students aged 14-17 at the college. The course lasted about a week. Everything was provided include tea and coffee. The manager knew I was new to the industry and gave me advice and arranged everything - host families, teachers, excursions, course work and classrooms.
I have also been teaching 15 French students per week. 3 teachers making a class of 5 students per class. As teachers we very much run our own show with regard to lessons (3 hours per morning) with activities in the afternoon and evening. Classes are held in the local Kings Church. I've really enjoyed myself (I don't know about the Students!). They also gave me a thank you card - the only teacher to be so highly rewarded.
Another former GE student secured work teaching English to immigrants:
I am pleased to tell you that as a result of studying with Global English I have been successful in getting employment in at the Community Learning Centre.
I have been volunteering and teaching in a number of different venues in the city of Newport. There is a large community of Asians and other ethnic groups living in and around the city and I have been told that more refugees and asylum seekers are expected. I have also taught some Polish students on a Saturday morning, who have come to Newport to work in the various industries around the city. The work was advertised in local newspapers. Many of the new arrivals are beginners and I have to use for example the student's hand pointing to his/herself to obtain an answer to, for example, "My name is Jo. What is your name?" Presently I have a group of Pakistani/Bangladeshi ladies with whom I am trying to build up a rapport, who are generally elementary level. Thank you for the help with resources, though I am discovering that there is much available and on offer at the centre.
Have you taught in th UK? Could you share your experiences with others on this webpage? If so, please email us at info@global-english.com.
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British Council http://www.britishcouncil.org/
English Tourist Board: http://www.enjoyengland.com/
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DISCLAIMER
These pages are for general information only and whilst every effort has been made to ensure information is correct, it is up to the individual to thoroughly investigate the conditions of entry to countries and the legal working regulations. If offered a job, please carefully vet all terms and conditions. Inclusion of potential employment opportunities does not in any way represent a guarantee of employment.
When travelling overseas, please refer to your government’s own advice on current conditions in each country. The British Foreign Office website is a good resource for travel advice. Please follow the link: http://www.fco.gov.uk/
If you find a broken link or if you have an experience you would like to share with others about working in a particular country, please email us.
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