The Independent, 18th March 2005

‘It’s a way to give something back’
For the traveller with a conscience, English-language teaching offers a chance to see the world and get paid, says Claire Smith.

“I introduced coleslaw to Strasbourg,” says Richard Bradford with a smile. He spent seven years in France, teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). “Teaching takes you into the heart of the local community. You learn about the culture from the inside. You’re not just a traveller, you’re able to give something back.” It was probably the only time coleslaw has featured as a point of cultural exchange, but we take Richard’s point.
We all know there’s a world out there. We see it every day, downloading on to our computer screens. But though many of us want to see it firsthand, slinging on a backpack and charging off is not as highly regarded as in the days when hippies walked the earth.
A steady stream of reports of terrorist attacks, wars and catastrophic natural disasters have done their bit to shape a Western conscience that feels, perhaps rightly, a little ashamed of its privilege. Now, when we travel, we want to do more than look at monuments.
That is why teaching English is a great option. Not only can you end up in the most far-flung corners of the earth: you can also earn a living wage. So how do you get started? Well, for the past three years Richard Bradford and Suzanne Furstner have run Cactus TEFL (www.cactustefl.com), a free advice service for prospective teachers. They will help you to find the right training college and advise you on how find a job.
There are many courses to choose from, but the two that are internationally recognised are the CELTA (Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching of Adults and CertTESOL. Both courses are accepted by the British Council and are taught across the UK.
To be accepted on to either course, you need to have a minimum of two A-levels, be 18 years old or older (some schools prefer students to be at least 20), and have a passion and attitude for English language, including grammar. You will, after all, be teaching it.
A full-time TEFL training course costs between £750 and £1,050 depending on where you study. It lasts four weeks and involves 100 hours to tuition and six hours of teaching practice. Part-time courses are available. Teachers in training are taught how to teach grammar and phonology, how to use mimic and sign language and how to manage a class. Assessment happens continually, with no final exams.
For those who’ve really got the travel bug, there’s no need to wait until you’ve got your qualification before you jet off. CELTA courses are offered in Budapest, Prague, Colombia, South Africa, Mexico, Spain, United Arab Emirates and Thailand, for roughly the same price as in Britain or a little cheaper. If you plan to teach in any of those countries, getting your qualification locally will give you a head start on finding jobs and adjusting to the culture.
So what should you bear in mind when looking for a job? “The time of year is important,” Richard says. “The French recruit in late August, as they’re preparing for the new school year. In Asia, it’s the start of the year. Eastern Europe and Russia hire all year round.”
Although there are many reputable schools, such as International House and those linked to the British Council, teaching English is “very much a cottage industry, “ Richard says. “There are many schools in competition with each other, and some cut corners and aren’t nice places to work.”
So do your research. If you want to go to Eastern Europe, take a cheap flight and look around first. That usually isn’t an option for Asia, but many Japanese and Chinese schools hold recruitment drives in the UK.
And the key question: how much will you earn? “As a rule of thumb, you’ll earn enough to pay for a flat, living expenses and a bit of travel in that country” Richard says. “In China and Japan you could earn enough to pay off your credit card bill. But that’s also where you’ll work the hardest.”

For information and a free TEFL booklet, contact Cactus TEFL (0845 130 4775; email info@cactustefl.com). The group is holding an open evening in London in May.