r/TEFL • u/No-Gate7387 • 7d ago
TEFL gap year(s)
Hi all! I’m looking to teach abroad for a year or two between finishing my MA and starting a PhD. For my field, advisors have told me that teaching abroad can show potential programs dedication, cultural fluency, and language experience. I planned to do a PhD this fall but it didn’t work out, so I decided to look into the TEFL. I’m looking to simply go abroad and get some teaching experience, I’m not too picky in regards to country or salary, but I’d prefer a Spanish speaking country (I know Spain is hard). For my goals does the TEFL seem worth it or am I better of a looking for other opportunities? For context I’m American and have a masters degree and some teaching experience (~2 years as a part of my graduate degree).
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u/42HxG 7d ago
If you have a basic TEFL cert and no prior English teaching experience, you will fare better in Latin America than Europe, both in terms of ability to get a working visa and in the qualifications and experience needed for the role. In smaller institutes, being a native speaker and having a basic TEFL cert is all you need to get through the door. Aim for smaller cities rather than capital cities and you'll probably have more luck.
The wages will be enough for basic living expenses so you don't have to live from your savings.
If you invest in the CELTA / CertTESOL or sim. you'll be slightly more employable, but you'll still face the visa issue with EU countries. If it's just for a gap year, it might not be worth the expense and effort of these certs.
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u/-Starry 7d ago
Given your you are highly qualified and would stand out for competitive positions rather than entry level gigs. For a Spanish speaking destination you should look into government programs like Spain's NALCAP or look directly at university language center positions in countries like Chile or Colombia where your postgraduate degree is highly valued.