Tea Corner

I Don’t Like Kids, Can I Still Teach Abroad?

Screaming, crying, hyperactive children not your cup of tea? If you fancy a more peaceful time teaching abroad then don’t worry, a love of children isn’t necessary to have a fun and rewarding TEFL experience…

Working with kids could be better than you think

I know, I know – you don’t like kids, but what if you gave it a chance? Children are without a doubt the most rewarding people to teach. They’re enthusiastic, quick to learn and really keen on games – which makes teaching that little bit more entertaining. And if you’re teaching kids, you’ll have a lot more jobs to choose from, which makes securing a TEFL job much easier. It might not be for you, but it’s worth bearing in mind.

You can always teach adults

Children aren’t the only people who need English language skills. So if you don’t want to teach kids, you really don’t have to. There are adult language schools all over the world and if you’re looking for this type of work, they’re the best place to start. Alternatively, you could apply to teach conversational English to university students. You’ll probably find it a little more difficult to get work, but with a little time and effort, you should be able to secure the perfect teaching job abroad.

The job itself is pretty much the same. You’ll still be preparing and giving lessons, just the audience will be different. In adult language schools a lot of your students will be learning English for the first time. So you’ll have to cover the same topics – including English grammar, reading, writing, speaking and listening. But remember, it’s more difficult for older students to pick up a new language than children, so you’ll have to be patient. Teaching in a university is a little easier, as most of your students will have already mastered the basics of English and will be looking to perfect their conversational skills.

Teaching business English

One of the reasons English language skills are in such high demand is because of their use in business. So don’t be surprised if your students are after very specific skills. Many adult language schools offer lessons specifically for students looking to develop business English skills. So you’ll need to swot up on business vocabulary before you start teaching.

Marketing, tourism, finance – you name it, your students will be doing it. Luckily, you don’t have to be an expert in all these areas. If you happen to have a qualification in business, then that’s great, but you certainly don’t need one. You will, however, need to put your lessons into a business context. This is easier than it sounds and you can get specialist books to help you do it. Take a look at the Books to Consider section for a couple of recommendations.

You might also want to consider getting a specialist qualification in Teaching Business English. This will help you prepare for everything your new job has to throw at you – and it’ll look great on your resume. Remember, finding adult teaching positions isn’t as easy as finding conventional positions – you’ll be competing with teachers who are happy to teach children or adults, so an extra TEFL qualification can come in really handy.

Extra resources to consider

For a little extra help teaching adults, try the TEFL TV series of videos. They are ideal for anyone new to TEFL, and those who want to learn new skills. So if you’re looking for teaching resources, they’re absolutely perfect.

And if you’re planning to teach business English, look to the Oxford Handbooks. Their Teaching Business English guide is ideal and will come in really handy when you’re planning lessons. Or if you want a little help with activities, try Cambridge Business English Activities: Serious Fun for Business English Students.

About the Author

Teaching English abroad is the perfect opportunity for any English speaker to explore the world. As long as you’re a fluent English speaker, a TEFL course is your ticket to the journey of your life.

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