EFL teacher
Career outlook for EFL teacher
UK Salary Ranges
Entry-level
£21,000
£21,000
Experienced
£32,000
£32,000
Currently employed in Scotland
12,300
Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would help students to learn or improve their skills in English and their knowledge of British culture. You’d teach adults from many different countries and cultures, whose first or main language is not English.
Your students may want to improve their conversational English or to help them with their work.
They may need to learn English to:
- Get into college or university in an English-speaking country
- Prepare for an exam
- Prepare for the Life in the UK test which people take when they apply for British citizenship
You’d need an excellent knowledge of English. You’d give lively, interesting lessons that will appeal to a wide variety of people. You’d adapt your teaching style to suit the skills and interest of the class.
You would:
- Prepare language lessons and activities
- Produce learning resources
- Teach useful and enjoyable classes
- Encourage students to talk to develop language and understanding
- Set and mark tests and exercises
- Get involved in social and cultural activities, like sports, social events and trips to other towns and cities
You could specialise in teaching English for particular purposes, such as business or entry to higher education. Or you could focus on practical language skills to help them live in the United Kingdom.
You may find that courses and jobs use different terms such as:
- Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language (TESOL)
- English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL)
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
These are all different names for teaching English to people who do not have it as a first language.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
37%
Part-time
32%
Self employed
31%
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- Reflecting
- Supporting
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Empathising
- Respecting
- Social conscience
- Ethical
- Coaching
- Mentoring
- Motivating others
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Qualifications
You would need a recognised Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification.
The most commonly accepted minimum TEFL qualifications are:
- Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
- Trinity CertTESOL (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
There are various routes into teaching English as a foreign language although many who teach have degrees.
TEFL teachers are in demand throughout the world; many schools do not insist that you have an English or other relevant degree but this can be helpful.
To enter a TEFL qualifications you will need to be over 18 and require at least Highers (SCQF level 6) and usually a degree (SCQF level 9/10).
To enter a degree (SCQF 9/10) you will normally need National 5 qualifications and at least three Highers.
A full time TEFL course can take four to five weeks either in the UK or abroad. You can also take distance learning courses which take longer.
Useful subjects
- English (required)
- Modern languages
- Maths
- Social studies such as modern studies
You will also need
- To be over 18 years old