44 Part I: Getting Started in TEFL
to set up peer observations where teachers watch each other teach and offer
constructive feedback.
Ask about ongoing professional development at the initial interview if you’re
applying to a larger school.
Banking on Salaries
So the question is: can you get rich in TEFL? To be honest, it’s unlikely.
However, it’s not all bad news. What TEFL jobs lack in riches, they certainly
make up for in charm and interest. So this job is for people who like people,
who like travelling, or at least meeting travellers, and like sharing knowledge.
Due to nature of the job, it’s pretty difficult to give you an hourly rate that
translates to all the places in the world where TEFL teachers work. Let me
put it like this: the average full-time job should pay enough for you to share a
decent flat, eat out once a week and take the odd day trip. Now, by a full-time
job I mean 25 to 35 hours a week depending on the teaching method.
Consider the amount of time you spend preparing when you’re deciding
whether an hourly rate is appropriate. Some teaching methods require no
preparation at all whereas others require about 20 minutes preparation per
hour of teaching for an experienced teacher. Your timetable may also include
teaching the same lesson to more than one class and this reduces preparation
time as well.
As a measure of comparison, in central London where language schools are
plentiful and range from shady visa factories to prestigious colleges, the
hourly rate for teachers ranges from an appalling £8 per hour right up to
around £25 per hour, depending on the job. The average is £10 to £15 per
hour. Business English and one-to-one-tuition organisations often pay more
but fewer teaching hours are available.
Teaching is a very full on job, so don’t be tempted to adopt the same hours as
an office worker. You’re better teaching one or two private lessons a week on
the side than having an extended timetable every day.
Before accepting a job, find out whether you have to pay your own local taxes
and whether the salary advertised is gross or net. Ask about the location of
your classes too. If you have to travel around town to teach your clients, you
need to agree on travel expenses. You can also expect an employer to pay for
your flight if you’re applying for a job abroad from your home country.
