Blogs

After a couple of years a teacher may start researching the next step in professional development, so which course should a teacher take?  A master’s degree is a more academic qualification covering theoretical aspects of teaching English (although a few do have a practical component)  while a Diploma/Delta is considered of more practical value as it involves more teaching practice – but both are Ofqual (UK) level 7 qualifications. Here teflhub looks at which course will best suit you.

Many TEFL teachers choose to extend their adventures by taking an alternative route home after they finish a contract.  If you are working in the Far East, you could consider taking the Trans-Siberian Railway for part of your journey.  There are three primary routes, one which runs through Russia the whole way from Vladivostok to Moscow, and the other two which start in Beijing and run north directly into Russia or via Mongolia.  If you didn’t get off the train at all, the trip would take around six days.  Here a British teacher, Dave,  describes the highlights of the journey he made in 2002 which took him from Beijing to Moscow with stops in Mongolia and Siberia.

To fly or to take the train, that was the question

Have you ever considered teaching in Malta?  These beautiful islands located midway between Sicily and North Africa are steeped in history, evidence of which add to the delightful holiday experience awaiting thousands of tourists yearly. To find out more we interviewed a British teacher from Maltalingua School of English who has lived and taught there for over 11 years.  During a tour of their school, located in the vibrant district of Saint Julian’s Bay, we discussed some of the most common questions raised about life for TEFL teachers on these fascinating islands.

What the institutions say vs the realities of working internationally and the experience gained.

Students and graduates with international experience obtain higher starting salaries, develop the global skills employers require and achieve better career progression. This week we spoke to Mike F.: an OC ambassador and former teacher in China. He has just returned from 6 months teaching and working at the forefront of the education system in Nicaragua, South America. Here our Ambassador, Mike, advises on the realities of a life teaching abroad and the perceived benefits to a CV or Resume vs. the realities of the impact on a teacher’s future. 

Have you ever considered teaching in Romania?  Here, teflhub interviews Peter, a British teacher who has been in Romania for over three years. We discuss some of the most common questions raised about life for TEFL teachers in this fantastic country over a meal of venison in a sour cherry sauce and baked trout at the fantastic Rosettya restaurant near Universitate Metro station.

Teaching English can take you to some fantastic new places, and Africa is one of them. You can’t often find paid positions but if you are up for a challenge and want to live in rural Malawi as a volunteer, H.E.L.P. Malawi has a programme for you.

We all experience anxiety to some degree.  A little anxiety is normal and actually helps you sharpen and focus your mind on a project or task, but once anxiety starts keeping you awake and dominating your thoughts it’s time to combat it.  Here are five ways to conquer anxiety.

Have you ever considered volunteering as a TEFL teacher?  teflhub is running a series of articles and interviews to help you decide if you’d like to take the next step in what must be an incredibly rewarding experience. The second article is an interview with the Foundation of Goodness (FoG) which is an NGO based in Sri Lanka.  Marco Polo described the country as ‘the jewel in the crown’ of all the places he had visited – that’s quite a recommendation. 

Have you ever looked at a calendar and wondered about the origins of the names we use for our days and months? Studying the etymology of the English language offers a fascinating insight into the range of cultures which have influenced Britain and Ireland throughout history.