EFL teacher

You'll help students to learn or improve their skills in English and their knowledge of British culture. You’ll 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’ll need an excellent knowledge of English. You’ll give lively, interesting lessons that will appeal to a wide variety of people. You’ll adapt your teaching style to suit the skills and interest of the class.

As an EFL teacher you'll:

• 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.

• Cambridge English - Resources and advice on teaching English

• International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language

• Trinity College London - Resources and advice on teaching English

• British Council - Information about teaching English outside the UK as a language assistant