catherinegreenwood, Author at i-to-i TEFL

5 Best places to TEFL if you like the cold

Posted on December 2, 2024December 2, 2024 by catherinegreenwood

China

Winter in China is a spectacular wonderland and an ideal place to TEFL if you’re into that sort of thing. There’s far less tourism during the colder months so you’ll have the benefit of exploring world-famous sites like the Great Wall and the Yellow Mountains without tons of tourists getting in the way. The north of China is also particularly special during winter with Harbin’s magical ice festival. With towering icy replicas of iconic buildings, snowy scenes from legends and intricately carved frozen animals on show, it’s definitely a site worth seeing if you can hack the sub-zero temperatures.

Czech Republic

It can get pretty chilly in the Czech Republic in the winter months so it’s the perfect time to pile on the layers and head out to the fairy tale Christmas markets in Prague and beyond. At the end of an fun-filled day of TEFLing, what could be better than sipping on some delicious local svarene vino (mulled wine) to keep you toasty warm? Plus, you can get your fill of retail therapy while having a wander around the cute little festive stalls with your fellow teachers/roommates.

Japan

Always a popular TEFL destination, Japan is perfect for winter-wonderland seekers, too. There’s the Sapporo snow festival with spectacular sculptures carved out of ice, Jigokudani monkey park with the resident macaques (snow monkeys) jumping between snow-laden branches, the majestic snow-topped volcano, Mount Fuji, and home to the 1998 Winter Olmpics, the Japanese Alps – to name a few!

Chile

If you’re an avid skier, you NEED to check out chilly Chile. The south is home to world-renowned ski resorts all over the Andes so you can spend your spare time on the slopes (and in the après ski!). Or you could head to the Chilean Lake District to check out the steaming volcanoes, picturesque villages and mystical forests. Possibly a lesser-known TEFL destination, Chile has a high-demand for English teachers, a vibrant culture and an amazingly diverse landscape that’s definitely worth exploring.

Russia

An obvious choice for you cold-lovers, Russia is the place to go if it’s extreme freezing temperatures you’re after. There’s plenty of work for adventurous TEFL teachers and also plenty to see in your spare time. For example, the small Siberian village of Oymyakon is the coldest inhabited place on earth with January temperatures averaging around -50°C (!!!). Plus, there’s some beautiful sites such as the Red Square in Moscow, Kizhi island in the north and Lake Baikal in the far east of the country.

Ready to get qualified to TEFL? Check out our courses here.

Christmas in the Top TEFL Destinations

Posted on December 1, 2024December 2, 2024 by catherinegreenwood

Here in the UK, Christmas is a BIG thing! We spend billions on gifts, decorate our houses, and eat so much food we’re practically forced to join a gym come the new Year. This got us thinking… what is Christmas like around the world? We did a little research about the holiday to see how Christmas across top TEFL destinations unfolded, so here goes…

Spain

Christmas (or Navidad as it is known in most parts of Spain) is an officially recognised holiday; and on Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), a large family dinner is held, which can last until 6am (very late). The food served can vary as each Spanish region has its own distinct specialities: although typically, the meal starts with a seafood dish, and is followed by a bowl of delicious hot soup. On Christmas day, children usually receive one or two presents brought by Papa Noel (Father Noel) and there is also a special Christmas dance called the Jota which has been performed for hundreds of years throughout the holiday season. Another tradition is the welcoming of the Three Kings to the city (on January 5th). Children often put their shoes in the window in the hope that the Three Wise Men will deliver them presents!

Japan

Christmas is a popular celebration in Japan, although it’s not a public holiday (so you don’t get the day off work, strange for the Western world!); but Christmas decorations and trees occupy the streets and malls, making the atmosphere extremely festive! Food-wise, Japanese Christmas cake is often eaten throughout the holiday period: a delicious white sponge smothered in cream and strawberries. Also (and rather strangely!), a successful campaign in the 1970s made KFC an alternative to the traditional festive cuisine. Could you imagine eating fried chicken on Christmas day? Nope, neither could we!

China

Again China does not recognise Christmas as a public holiday (so the normal 9-5 applies to the 25th December), although it is a designated public holiday in both Hong Kong & Macau. Christmas is mostly celebrated privately with customs including sending cards, exchanging gifts and hanging stockings (quite similar to western celebrations). Due to the increasing interest in western culture, commercial Christmas decorations, signs and other symbols can be seen throughout large urban centres across mainland China during the month of December.

Poland

As Poland is largely Roman Catholic, Christmas Eve begins with a day of fasting and then a night of feasting! The traditional meal is known as Wigilia (vigil), and being invited to one of these dinners with a Polish family is considered a high honour. Before sitting down to eat, everyone exchanges Christmas greetings by sharing a piece of Christmas wafer, usually stamped with a religious picture and blessed by the local bishop. The feast begins when the first star is seen, and is followed by exchanging gifts. After the feast, people attend Midnight Mass to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Brazil

Christmas Day is officially a national holiday in Brazil and in most ways, the celebrations resemble those happening in Europe, with traditions like the Christmas tree, the exchanging of gifts and Christmas cards and the decorations of houses and buildings with colourful lights. Brazil is well known for its hot weather and climate, but decorations with themes of winter and snow can be seen around the country. Christmas Eve is the most important day throughout the festive period; and celebrations take place at midnight, and the celebration of the “Missa do Galo” (the rooster’s mass) in churches throughout the country.

Were you surprised by some of the traditions celebrated throughout Christmas across top TEFL destinations? Maybe you have some more stories you’d like to share? If so, please post a comment and we’ll be sure to add it to the list!

Ready to travel as a TEFL teacher? Get qualified online with our courses.

Bring Christmas to the TEFL Classroom!

Posted on December 1, 2024December 2, 2024 by catherinegreenwood

If you’re from a country that celebrates Christmas you’ll know how much of a big deal the festive season can be; and what better way to teach your students about the culture you come from than to bring Christmas to the classroom? See, teaching abroad isn’t all about past participles and pronunciation! Read on to find out how to spread Christmas cheer with i-to-i TEFL.

Make Christmas Cards

A great way to bring Christmas to the class when you’re teaching abroad is through Christmas cards; and this is especially popular with young students. They can spend their time decorating a cute Christmas card and write a special message to their family; and the great thing about this is although it’s fun, it tasks student with their writing skills. You could even have them write a letter to Santa – after all, he is a huge part of Christmas.

Christmas Songs

Teaching students Christmas songs always brings festive cheer – especially ones with cheesy lyrics and bells. ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ is a great song choice as it has simple lyrics that captures the western celebrations of Christmas. Begin by reading through the lyrics together as a class and use concept questions to check understanding and meaning. You could even use actions and tell stories of your own Christmas experiences – students in Asia especially will be fascinated. Add the music, and be sure to dance – yes, you may be having more fun than your students but who cares?

Decorations

Loads of decorations will really bring the class to life and you can easily get the students involved. Just be aware that you’re an English teacher, and you need to make sure that any arts and crafts activities give students the opportunity to practice their English. You could for instance, get students to write things like ‘Merry Christmas’ across decorations.

Food

The food really brings together a typical Western Christmas, so why not make some festive treats for your class to indulge in? This could be anything from chocolate truffles to pigs in blankets (although good luck finding bacon and sausages in Asia – and also, be aware of culture, as in the Middle East, pork is forbidden). If you’re teaching adults, you could always give mulled wine a go – guaranteed to go down a treat, just don’t get them drunk!

Word Search

Who doesn’t like a word search every now and then, especially amongst the under 16s. Use festive words such as ‘Santa’ and ‘Presents’ to test their understanding, and you can ask them to mime each word. For more advanced classes, you could even get them to try and make a word search of their own.

We hope this has enlightened you with some ideas if you are teaching abroad right now; and if you’re not currently overseas, getting excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for you with regards to all-things TEFL. Maybe you’ve got some other ideas that you’d like to share? Please comment below and help out a fellow TEFL teacher this Christmas!

Ready to get qualified as a TEFL teacher? Check out our courses here.

A Fun-filled Christmas TEFLing In Thailand

Posted on December 1, 2024December 2, 2024 by catherinegreenwood

One of our fantastic expert advisers, Rob, taught in Thailand for nearly two years. After returning back he loved TEFLing so much he decided to get a job working for i-to-i; so it only seems apt for him to share his amazing experiences with you! One of the things he really enjoyed was a fun-filled Christmas in Thailand, and seeing how the experience compared to festivities in the UK. Interested? Take a read!

So, in the few days building up to Christmas in Suwannaphum (North-Eastern Thailand) you wouldn’t really have known it was happening. In one respect this was kind of refreshing; the previous Christmas I was TEFLing in Bangkok and this was even more commercial and mind blowingly expensive than you can imagine. Suwannaphum was the polar opposite to this though. No Christmas songs. No Christmas food. No Christmas presents!

Despite my Ebenezer Scrooge persona in the build-up, it did seem a little strange that were it not for the calendar stating it was December, it felt like any other time of year. It came as a bit of a shock on the 23rd of the month then, when I was approached by the unofficial head of English, Ajarn Piyaporn who told me I needed a Santa costume and that I’d be ‘writing and directing’ the SWP Christmas Show…unfortunately I wasn’t able to protest or moan about this surprise given the lack of preparation time I had and so I set about recruiting kids who were eager to sing and dance and generally do the kind of things which as students in Britain, we often do our best to duck out of.

I got off to a good start by recruiting one of the top year 7 English students who I was teaching English to (who had a rather rude nickname) and a year 11 girl named ‘Aii’ who, through virtue of having a Canadian father happened to have a perfect grasp of both Thai and English as well as an accent straight out of Canada. These guys would be presenting the show for me whilst I careered round the school making sure the stage and decorations were all being taken care of. I basically let these guys take control of things and convinced my other ‘farang’ colleagues to fine tune some of the events for me – I gave them a rundown of events in the show and let them present it as they wanted. There was a quiz, some Christmas carols, a few sketches and even a beauty contest for our teachers, but all of this was done through masterful delegation.

The next problem was getting my hands on a Santa costume. After compiling a list of ‘Santa traits’ I concluded that aside from my stomach and red face, Santa and I had very little in common! I walked the tried and tested path of sticking a beard together out of cotton wool and sellotape then begrudgingly cut open a long sleeved red polo-shirt I’d just bought to make a jacket. The hat came via a 100km round motorbike trip to Tesco Lotus in the closest city but this got me an afternoon off school so I can hardly complain.

The day itself was brilliant. I’m not going to lie and say I felt completely at ease dressed like a clown and sweating bullets on stage but I did have a proper laugh… I got to sing some Christmas carols, throw some sweets around the school and I even got to judge the teachers Beauty Contest with some other guys!

Once the shenanigans had died down all of our lessons were cancelled for the day so students could prepare for the following weeks ‘sport’s week’ where we spent every single day outside, relaxing, watching sports, presenting trophies and hanging out and getting to know other teachers from different departments.

Christmas night of course was filled with a shoddy dinner (chicken and potatoes was all we could find!), plenty of carols and a trolley full of booze. Some traditions never change…

5 Essential Tips To Avoid Homesickness At Christmas

Posted on December 1, 2024December 11, 2024 by catherinegreenwood

Christmas means something different to everyone – for some it’s time to spend quality time with family, for others it’s a welcome break from work or just an excuse to step up to the challenge and eat more than is humanly possible… whatever your opinion on the Christmas period, it’s undeniable that being away from home is often a big cause of homesickness.

So, if going home isn’t an option – what do you do? Here are 5 essential tips to avoid homesickness at Christmas and emerge the other side of the holiday period unscathed:

Firstly you have two approaches to Christmas – You can either embrace it or ignore it!

Embrace it!

Bring Christmas to you. Although many non-Western countries don’t celebrate Christmas officially, many TEFL teachers have been pleasantly surprised to find that their new home has thrown in a few unexpected celebrations. Also, don’t forget why you embarked on your TEFL adventure in the first place… to try something new, to escape (?!) and to immerse yourself in a new culture. So if Christmas isn’t quite what you are used to – embrace it!

Ignore it!

On the other hand, if Christmas isn’t the same without family, friends and too many mince pies and sub-zero temperatures then you could always pretend that it’s not even happening. This is a controversial option but the more you think about Christmas whilst you’re away the more likely you are to miss it – if you have the will power to remove yourself from festivities then you could always treat it as just another day at the office.

Once you’ve decided which type of TEFL Christmas you’re going to have, you can start to look at other ways to tackle the feeling of homesickness.

1. Get in contact

If you’ve decided to embrace Christmas in your new TEFL destination then this doesn’t mean you are committing yourself to isolation throughout December. Make sure to keep in contact with family and loved ones back home as, after all, they’ll be missing you too.

2. Don’t dwell

A little bit of homesickness over the Christmas period is completely normal, but what the most important thing to remember is to not dwell on it. The more you think about it, the more you are going to enhance your homesickness and before you know you’ll be blowing your hard-earned savings on a last minute flight home… not ideal.

3. Go somewhere

Feeling a pang of homesickness? Nip it in the bud by reminding yourself why your current location was the best decision you ever made. Go and get your favourite food and sit by your favourite spot with some of your closest friends.

4. Indulge

Girls will appreciate this one: you know that feeling of ultimate customer satisfaction you get when you’ve bought yourself a new top or a new item for your flat? Feels good doesn’t it. This doesn’t mean to buy everything you’ve ever wanted but a nice treat from time to time won’t go a miss. Merry Christmas to YOU!

5. Seek out fellow expats

Many TEFL teachers abroad find that they’re invited to take part in local traditions by their school at Christmas time. But if this doesn’t quite do the trick, you can always create your own Christmas with your fellow expats – whether this is cooking a turkey (the closest to a turkey) and all the trimmings or having a jolly old sing-a-long.

However, the most important thing is to keep an open mind about Christmas, it’ll be different but that’s exciting!

Ready to study towards your TEFL teacher adventure? View our courses here.

How to ace your EPIK class – South Korea

Posted on April 6, 2023April 6, 2023 by catherinegreenwood

First off, let’s clear up what EPIK actually is! EPIK stands for the English Program in Korea (EPIK) and it was developed in the 90s to help improve the spoken English skills of South Korean students and teachers. It’s sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education and is a popular way of recruiting English teachers for public school positions.

When you teach with the EPIK program you’ll be more of an assistant teacher to the current Korean English teacher and you’ll be able to help them prep lessons and materials for classroom activities.

Now, let’s hear from Rocio about how to ace your EPIK class like a pro!

Hi, Rocio here! I’m going to let you know all about teaching within the EPIK program.

All first-time public school teachers in Korea must hold an open class – a class in which the English teacher’s skills and abilities are evaluated by the principal, parents and visiting teachers (both Korean and foreign). If you’re looking to renew your contract at the end of your current period, you want to your open class to go well.

The truth is that while these lessons matter for the reputation of the teacher, they’re not always the best reflection of how daily classes actually unfold. A lot of the times open classes are more of a show put on by Korean and English teachers for the attendees. It is what it is.

In my two years in Korea, I’ve had two open classes that went smoothly. I volunteered the second year because there was the incentive of an extra paid vacation day. Of course I jumped at the opportunity!

Read on for ways on how to impress everyone attending your open class.

Do your homework

Find out with ample time which chapter of the book you will cover during the open class. Ensure to find creative activities for students to practice target language. Use many different types of games – pair, group, the whole class. This makes for a more engaging class than if you simply talk the entire time. Spend time preparing your PPT and finding a creative way to start the class and elicit the topic.

Coordinate with your Co-Teacher

Planning is important for this endeavor. You want to create a thorough lesson plan delineating what your role is and how your Co-Teacher will assist you the day of. You’ll also want to practice at least a couple of times going over the lesson, preferably in the classroom with your PPT ready to go.

Don’t reinvent the wheel

For my first year open class, my Co-Teacher and I started to practice a few weeks before our open class. We had new game templates and activities we wanted to use but our students didn’t know them, so we gave them time to familiarize with it and establish a flow. This may seem over-the-top to you and it kind of is, but this practice made for a seamless open class in which students knew exactly how to behave and what we expected from them. Whatever you do, avoid using a new and complicated activity for the first time the day of your open class.

Dress presentably and professionally

Treat it as if you were having a job interview. You don’t need to go all out with a fancy suit if that’s not your thing. I wore smart trousers with a nice blouse and a blazer. I recommend more of a business casual look. Remember, you want to be taken seriously and Korea is a society that values appearances.

Breathe and power pose

Nerves and anxious energy are inevitable but remember to take deep breaths, do some power posing and maybe even give yourself a pep talk like Issa from Insecure beforehand. Psych yourself out and focus on your students. And most importantly, try to have fun!

Ready to get started? Find out more about our South Korean Internship (which gives the option of public school positions) if you’re looking for a supported and easy route to South Korea, or head to the LoveTEFL Jobs Board to check out the latest job vacancies, if you’re ready to go it alone!

What is a TEFL Certificate?

Posted on January 24, 2023January 24, 2023 by catherinegreenwood

A TEFL Certificate, often commonly referred to as your TEFL Certification, is the documentation you will receive that proves that you have successfully complete an accredited TEFL Course through an established firm. If you’re new to the world of TEFL, T E F L stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

With a TEFL Certificate you’ll be able to teach English to non-native speakers, both abroad and online.

How do I get a TEFL Certificate?

To become TEFL certified, you first need to complete a TEFL Course through an accredited and regulated TEFL provider. At i-to-i, we provide a Level 3 TEFL Course and a number of Level 5 TEFL Courses, depending on the level of knowledge you wish to acquire and what you want to do with your TEFL Certificate. And, just an FYI, we are fully regulated by Ofqual and accredited by the ODLQC… so you’re in safe hands and you can be sure that a TEFL Certificate from us will be accepted and recognised by employers around the world!

Who can get a TEFL Certificate?

You don’t have to already be a teacher, have teaching experience, or have a degree to get your TEFL certificate. Anyone who is fluent in speaking English can get TEFL certified. All you need to do is choose which Level best suits your needs, and get started! If you’re looking to get volunteer teaching positions abroad, we would recommend a Level 3 course. If you’re looking to make more of a career out of TEFL and you want to teach in competitive locations and earn a great wage, a Level 5 TEFL Diploma is the perfect solution for you.

The only restriction is that you need to be over 18 to complete a TEFL Course. This is because when you come to apply for TEFL teaching jobs, they will likely specify that they are looking for candidates over 18 years old. But, don’t worry, there is absolutely no maximum age limit to TEFLing. So, once you hit 18 you can TEFL for life!

What jobs can I get with a TEFL Certificate?

With a TEFL certificate you’ll be able to find jobs teaching English as a foreign language. All you have to decide is whether you’d prefer to teach online or in a classroom abroad!

Fancy being your own boss, setting your hours, and working at a time and place that fits around your busy schedule? Then teaching English online is for you.

Ready to explore the world, soak in new cultures and discover places you’ve never seen before… while getting paid at the same time? Then teaching English abroad is right up your street.

What can I do with a TEFL Certificate?

See the World

There are so many amazing places in the world that are just waiting to be explored. There’s a whole world of colours, smells, sounds and experiences out there: from firecrackers echoing in the streets of Beijing at Chinese New Year, to the smell of some amazing street food at the Thai markets. Teaching English abroad is a great way to see the world whilst getting paid. Thailand, Ecuador, Indonesia, Czech Republic…the list is endless! And wherever you want to go, a TEFL Certificate is your ticket there.

Challenge Yourself

Have you ever looked around you and thought ‘Is this it… Really?’ Well, it might be time to do something a bit more challenging with your life. Doing something more stimulating than staring at a computer screen for eight hours a day could be tempting, no?

Moving abroad is not without it’s challenges. I mean, when you live overseas, even going to the supermarket can be an exciting foray into the unknown! BUT, try it and you’ll find yourself working out bits of your brain you didn’t even know you had. And you’ll be really proud of yourself and feel a daily sense of achievement! Remember: “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all.” (Quote: Helen Keller)

Make a Difference

You can really make a difference to your student’s lives, as for some people it can really be the difference between a successful career in international business, or a frustrating life in regional bureaucracy. You could also be helping people to achieve their dreams of moving abroad or giving them the opportunity to further their education in international universities. What could be more rewarding?

Enhance Your CV

A gap year of lazing on a beach and sampling the latest selection of cocktails isn’t going to make you more employable. But a stint teaching English abroad really will. While you’re teaching you’ll be gaining some really useful skills, leadership, communication, and organisation to name a few, which are transferable to any job and really impress future employers. So, no matter what career path you go down after TEFL, you’ll have an impressive CV/resume which will make you stand out from the crowd.

Ready to get your TEFL certificate? We can help! Check out our TEFL courses brochure or take our quick 2 minute quiz to see which one is your perfect match!

Want to speak to someone first? No problem! Arrange for a free call back and one of our friendly TEFL experts will be in touch ASAP to help you out.

5 places you can teach English without a degree

Posted on January 17, 2023January 17, 2023 by catherinegreenwood

It’s the question we get asked the most – “Can I teach English abroad without a bachelor’s degree?”. And we’re happy to say, the answer is, yes! There are tons of countries where degrees aren’t required and lots of them are very sought-after TEFL destinations. We’ve picked our favourite 5 places you can teach English without a degree and put them into a handy list for you. So, read on and find out where you could be starting your next big adventure…

Spain

Europe is one of the most popular TEFL destinations in the world – and Spain, in particular, is a highly sought-after location (we wonder why…). You don’t need a bachelor’s degree to teach in Spain – yay! But do bear in mind, due to its popularity, you might need to be flexible about specific locations, schools and salary because there’s a bit more competition for positions. But, if you’re up to the challenge, the rewards are amazing (and delicious!)

There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for you Ibiza… even walking up all those stairs! 😜 📸: @brigrc #VisitSpain #Ibiza #Eivissa #Baleres #SpainCoast #SummerInSpain

A post shared by Spain (@spain) on Aug 18, 2018 at 1:51pm PDT

Mexico

Number 2 on our list is sunny Mexico! Although some private schools might ask for a degree, the majority of schools won’t need you to have one in order to teach English – hurray! So, get ready to enjoy incredible cuisine (burritos, nachos, quesadillas, tacos, guacamole…), fun local traditions including the world famous Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), and lots and lots of hot weather. Sounds pretty dreamy to us!

Can you paint with all the colors of #Guanajuato? 😍🎨 It’s a place full of magic, with a unique energy, located in the heart of Mexico that allows you to discover its traditions, culture, learn it’s history through its four #archaeological zones, and unique colonial #architecture in neoclassical and baroque style. Let your senses loose with art, great cuisine and adventure trips at SeeMexico.com Exploring the heart of Mexico from #Guanajuato 📷 @majo_jpg 🏆🏆🏆 . . . . #Guanajuato #SeeMexico #AWorldOfItsOwn #Pueblo #Wanderlust #InstaTravel #mexicotravel #adventuretravel #discover #travelgoals

A post shared by Mexico Travel (@mexicotravel) on Aug 3, 2018 at 8:48am PDT

Cambodia

Southeast Asia’s hidden gem, Cambodia has the same climate, community vibe, and crystal clear waters as its neighbours: Thailand and Vietnam. But, added bonus, you don’t need a degree to teach here! If you choose to TEFL in this country steeped in history, you can expect extremely friendly locals, endless white, sandy beaches, and thousand-year-old temples to wander around in on your time off.

#1: Angkor Wat. No surprise here, but anyone who has seen it can atest to its magnificence and wonder. It is rated as the #1 Landmark in the world to see based on TripAdvisor’s 2017 Traveler’s Choice Awards. 👏 And is the world’s largest temple complex! It is truly an astonishing site to see!
🙉 .. Top 10 List of our Favourite Temples in the Angkor Wat Archeological Park. 🌏 .. To see the full list, check out the link in our bio! 👍😃 .. #AngkorWat #AngkorTemples #SiemReap #ExploreCambodia #CambodiaAdventures #AdventureHolidays #TempleHopping

A post shared by Explore Cambodia (@cambodiaadventureholidays) on Nov 3, 2017 at 7:24am PDT

Argentina

Argentina is simply stunning. It’s an extremely vast country with plenty of demand for TEFL teachers. Admittedly, wages aren’t as high as some locations, but neither are living costs! So, you definitely won’t be out of pocket. And when would you ever get to experience this country for a lengthy period of time otherwise? Argentina is a huge opportunity not to be missed. Think spectacular mountain ranges, countless glaciers, unusual architecture, and more towns and cities to explore than you can shake a stick at.

On the road to El Chalten with @reneraeven #argentina #southamerica #sudamerica #travel #travelgram #travelguide #elchalten #patagonia

A post shared by Argentina Travel Guide (@argentinatravelguide) on Dec 29, 2017 at 2:32am PST

Nicaragua

A relative unknown in the TEFL market, Nicaragua has plenty to offer as well as a growing demand for English teachers – perfect! Imagine a lovely tropical climate, plenty of snorkelling opportunities and hiking trails for all abilities – because you’ll get all of this and more in this TEFL destination. Teach English here and you’ll have the experience of a lifetime – guaranteed.

Little Corn Island How I miss you Nicaragua 💙 Como te extraño Nicaragua. [Photo by @bucket_leest] #DiscoverNicaragua #DiscoverMiNicaragua

A post shared by NICARAGUA | Travel Blog (@discovernicaragua) on Jun 25, 2018 at 10:51am PDT

Ready to get TEFL qualified so you can book your flight? No problem! Just arrange for a free call back from one of our friendly TEFL advisors, and they’ll help you get started. Or, if you’re eager to find which course matches you best, you can take our quick 2-minute online quiz to find out!

Already TEFL qualified and ready to find your perfect role abroad? Head to the LoveTEFL Jobs Board for all the latest overseas vacancies!

Happy travelling!

How Spanish schools differ to schools in the UK or South Africa

Posted on October 11, 2022October 11, 2022 by catherinegreenwood

Thinking about working as a TEFL teacher in Spain? First off – great idea! Secondly, there are a few things you’ll need to know before you head out there, as Spanish schools can be really different to schools in the UK or South Africa. Don’t worry though! You’ll find that a lot of the differences will make for a more relaxed and enjoyable teaching environment, so it’s something to look forward to.

Ready to find out more? Keep reading!

Casual is the way forwards!

You will struggle to find a school that has a school uniform for students in Spain, they prefer a much more casual approach! The kids wear their own trainers, t-shirts and shorts and even the teachers dress in a much more relaxed way than teachers in the UK. Everyone looks a lot more colourful and comfortable!

First name terms

The teachers are all called by their first names – There is no such thing as ‘Miss’ or ‘Sir’. This makes the teacher/student relationship feel a lot more friendly. You might also find that the younger students call you ‘Profe’ a LOT, which is a shortened version of the word ‘teacher’ in Spanish. They often do this if they struggle to remember your name!

Mwah, mwah

As well as calling everyone by their first names the teachers often hug the students and kiss the students on the cheek – as well as the other teachers. In Spain two kisses on the cheek is the normal greeting and this is true inside the school too – I was kissed by every teacher on my first day and felt really welcomed. The students also love to hug their teachers, so you’ll often find yourself walking round the playground with at least 2 or 3 clinging onto you – it’s super cute!

They like it loud!

Spanish schools don’t seem be as strictly disciplined as schools in the UK or South Africa, and the volume in the classroom definitely reflects this! A volume that would be considered disruptive in other countries is normal background noise in Spanish classrooms and it definitely takes some getting used to!

Noise is part of life here though as Spanish people love to interact with others and they are very expressive when they’re talking. It’s actually really refreshing, as you always know exactly what they are thinking, and it means that you very rarely experience anger or shouting in the classroom. I have yet to see a child be shouted at by a teacher and detentions seem to be nonexistent. The kids tend to be a little cheekier as a result, but they also do seem a lot more relaxed in the school environment and willing to engage with the teacher, which is great for learning!

Wheely cute

All the children use a bag on wheels – almost like a suitcase – to take their things to and from school. They do usually have a lot of books to carry around, but it is quite funny to see at first as it looks like they are all heading to the airport!

Lazy lunchtimes

Schools in Spain tend to have a longer day than those in the UK or South Africa, as there is a two-hour break for lunch from around 1pm to 3pm – a lot longer than lunchtime back home. This really breaks up the day and you can relax during lunch – having time to eat out, read in the park, or go for a coffee with the other teachers. Some of the other foreign teachers even use the lunchtime to have a quick nap in the staffroom!

Sweet tooth

Whenever it’s a child’s birthday – at least a couple of times a week – they bring round treats for everyone! The staffroom often has a big cake, a tin of sweets, or a box of biscuits on the table for people to eat as a celebration! You’ll never be short of food in a Spanish school!

Hooray for holidays!

The holidays celebrated here are different and there are a lot more of them! For example, things like Halloween aren’t made a big fuss of in Spanish schools, but they will have a whole day dedicated to the traditional Catalonian festival of Castaneda or the chestnut festival. They also get a lot more time off at Christmas, as they celebrate ‘El día de los Reyes Magos’ (the day of the wise men) on 6th January. There are also lots of holiday days off – I’ve had three in a month!

In Spain they also love a ‘puente’ (literally translated as ‘bridge’ in English) which is where they will have a Thursday or a Tuesday off for a specific celebration day and then they just take the extra day, of Friday or Monday, to make it into a long weekend.

It’s a family affair

At my school, and at many other Spanish schools, the infant, primary and secondary schools are all joined together. This means the children stay at the same school from 3 years old right up until they leave at 18. As a result, teachers and students really get to know each other over a long period of time creating a noticeable close knit, family vibe in the school which is so lovely to be a part of.

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10 fun facts about Asia

Posted on September 29, 2022September 29, 2022 by catherinegreenwood

We make no secret of the fact that we heart Asia – from the amazingly diverse cultures to the totally scrumptious food. And just in case you need any more convincing, here are our top 10 fun facts about Asia.

1. Monkeys have their own special feast day in the town of Lopburi in Thailand – complete with personal invites, mountains of fresh fruit and huge bowls of ice-cream. Just watch out for the food fight at the end!

2. The Son Doong cave in Vietnam is so big you could fit a plane inside it. Although we’ve never actually seen anyone trying to do it!

3. China’s 8^th century Leshan Giant Buddha has eyebrows that are more than 5 metres long. Wow!

4. Vietnam exports more than a third of the world’s cashew nuts. Thank you Vietnam.

5. If you love a cliff-top view but don’t fancy the climb, head for Bailong in China. You can travel 300 metres up the cliff in an elevator!

merasakan sensasi 326 meter tingginya elevator ini, adrenalin yang berpacu pada tiap meter pergerakannya. kamu dan temanmu tak akan melupakan momen penuh tantangan ini, setidaknya sekali dalam hidupmu, dan akan menjadi pengalaman petualanganyang seru untuk kamu ceritakan nantinya join our journey 15-20 #November 2018 wa: 62 813 10 995 922 e: [email protected] #bailong #wulingyuan #zhangjiajie

A post shared by Wangiwisata Tours Indonesia (@wangiwisata) on Jun 20, 2018 at 11:03pm PDT

6. Vietnam’s kitchen deity Ong Tao is in fact not one god but three – two male and one female. We knew there was a reason Vietnamese food is sooo scrummy.

7. There are more millionaires in Tokyo than in Paris, San Francisco or Los Angeles. Impressive.

8. Thailand is the only country in South East Asia that has not been colonised by Europeans. And they are super proud of that fact!

9. In Vietnam, drinking snake wine is believed to improve your health. And yes, snake wine really is whole snakes seeped in rice wine. Hmm. Maybe our health is just fine as it is.

10. Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 whole days. Now that’s what we call a proper party!

If you fancy embarking upon your very own Asian adventure, check out our range of action-packed TEFL Internships!