Do I need a TESOL qualification to teach?

Although the base qualification (that you speak English) will still get you a job in some countries, if you want to earn money in Asia, Europe and even South America you will be competing with those who have a degree and a nice shiny TESOL / TEFL/CELTA certificate. Schools are increasingly asking for a TESOL qualification and the better schools even specifying they want a teacher with a classroom based as opposed to online TESOL qualification.

Reasons to get an ESL qualification:

• Your early students may actually learn something
• You will meet other like-minded folk while you study
• You will feel more prepared – The classroom can be quite a daunting place
• You will have more jobs to choose from
• You are more likely to get higher pay sooner and get a job in a better school with better working conditions.
• This could be the first in many qualifications in this area, leading to a long a satisfying career.
• Your course may include help with job placement.

Reasons to wing it

• You are looking to volunteer (see volunteering) or work only for a short time. It is not really worth spending time and money on a course if you want to teach for a week in an exotic location and then bugger off back to your real job.
• You have no money (Good enough reason as courses can be expensive)
• You are a qualified teacher and can use that experience to draw on in the classroom and the job application.
• You are only semi considering teaching while you are away. Good TESOL courses are not cheap and take effort and commitment, so if you are not sure you want to teach consider volunteering somewhere first before you pay for a course (many migrant communities in Oz are looking for volunteers).

Check out choosing the right course to help you wade thorugh your options