22 Part I: Getting Started in TEFL
What kind of person makes
an ideal TEFL teacher?
A good EFL teacher enjoys meeting people and is interested in other lan-
guages and cultures. The most successful teachers are often the ones who
can put the students at ease and who have a sense of humour.
On the other hand, it’s not all about personality. You have greater insight into
the students’ learning issues if you speak another language yourself, but this
is not a must.
You definitely need to have a methodical approach, which usually includes
taking the time to do your research and preparation before you enter the
classroom. So, in a way, good teachers of English are also good students of
their subject.
Does it matter that I’m not a native speaker?
The answer to this depends on your level of English, who you’re teaching
and in what situation. Most employers expect you to be proficient in English
and have excellent, native pronunciation. You may get away with fewer skills
if you’re teaching young children or if you’re teaching in your own country
where native English speakers are in short supply.
You’re far less likely to find work in the private sector in an English-speaking
country because students who pay to travel to and study in the UK, for
example, quite reasonably expect their teachers to represent the vocabulary,
grammar and pronunciation of that land fully. However, in the public and vol-
untary sectors this may be different, as the students are usually immigrants
who may relate well to a fellow immigrant who has found her feet in the
English-speaking community.
How many students will I have?
Most classes have 10 to 20 students in them, but I have heard of ‘classes’
with more than 40 students, which are actually more like lectures. It depends
on the country, the economy and the integrity of your employer.
