While most people take a TEFL course with the thought of going abroad to teach English, a growing number of TEFL qualified graduates are finding work here at home.
This is because there is a great demand for skilled English language teachers in Ireland. With lots of people coming here to a) take advantage of our newfound economic wealth and b) take up the jobs we Irish don’t want to do any more, there are plenty of people around looking to improve their English language capabilities. English language schools are now fixtures in most towns and cities in Ireland, and all these are looking for staff.
The latest statistics claim that almost 200, 000 international students travel to Ireland to take an English language class each year. This includes people from many different backgrounds and cultures, and can offer many different challenges and opportunities to teachers.
A large number of TEFL-trained teachers find themselves taking up jobs in Irish schools once they get back from their travels. Many returning teachers find that the skills and experience they gained abroad can be put to use closer to home. Some people take up a job on a part-time or short-term basis while they look to go into the career area they are originally trained in, and many decide to stay for longer than they first imagined.
It is also interesting to note that a growing number of people are taking a TEFL qualification with no intention of travelling any further than the end of their own road. Teaching English to international students here in Ireland is increasingly seen as a viable career move in itself.
The job of teaching English in Ireland has plenty of attractive points. Qualified teachers can be well paid, with some schools paying an hourly rate almost commensurate with qualified primary and secondary school teachers. Another point to note is that teaching can be great practice for a wide range of other future careers, with benefits such as greater confidence, inter-cultural experience and, of course, being able to write and talk proper English is always of use to employers.
This career can be especially suitable for people who have commitments or personal circumstances which make working nine to five Monday to Friday difficult. Teachers can benefit from factors such as flexible hours, working weekends and longer holidays etc. It is especially suitable for those such as parents with young children, those on a career break or even semi-retired people who are looking for a new challenge. It can also work well as a job for people who decide to take a postgraduate course on their return from seeing the world, and earn some money while study themselves.
English language schools in Ireland offer a huge range of different courses and programmes, ranging from classes for people who do not yet speak any English at all to those who wish to prepare for recognized qualifications to prove their high level of English language proficiency such as the Cambridge or TOEFL examinations. Other programmes prepare students for entering the Irish education system, while others can provide specialised advanced classes in subjects such as Business English, Medical English or Legal English.
The work conditions for English language teachers and delivery methods of English language classes can also vary. Most people will teach a class of maybe 20 students, with a set curriculum and assessment in a standard programme. Others might go on site to a business or organisation and teach students there. One to one teaching is another option, while others might even find themselves assisting students taking a distance learning course, either correcting coursework or going online to a chat room and answering students’ questions.
Teachers no more than students should choose a school carefully. It is a good idea to choose an institution recognised by the Irish government. English language schools in Ireland are overseen by the Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS). This is the official body charged with maintaining standards at English language schools in Ireland. It inspects language schools to ensure that instruction, course curricula and facilities meet the required standards.
In order for a school to gain regulation by the Irish government, all English language teachers must fulfil two criteria – they must have a third level undergraduate degree, and they must have a recognised TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) qualification which includes the set number of teaching hours prior to qualification. There are also other possibilities for employment within English language schools here in Ireland. Experienced teachers may well be given extra responsibility and move into administration within the school. The teaching of English to international students is now a booming business in Ireland, and the sector is growing quickly.
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