Teach English in United Kingdom

a world of opportunities

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Kirsten Colquhoun
July 18, 2023

Contents

Introduction
Teaching opportunities
Teaching requirements
Start your TEFL journey

How to begin teaching in United Kingdom

The UK consists of four distinct countries. To the north is Scotland, in the middle is England, in the west is Wales and in the north west away from the mainland is Northern Ireland. The UK has a well-preserved history, from the ancient ruins of Stonehenge to Hadrian’s Wall, built by the Romans.  It also has historical centres such as Edinburgh, Stratford-Upon-Avon (the birth place of Shakespeare), the popular town of Bath and the palaces built by the Kings and Queens of the country, littered up and down its shores.

Wiltshire in the county of South West England is home to the prehistoric Stonehenge monument.  It’s believed to have been built from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. Some of the smaller stones used in building Stonehenge were moved more than 225 km. It’s not known for certain how people thousands of years ago moved stones weighing up to four tons such a great distance. Stonehenge remains to be one of the world’s greatest mysteries.

Every year thousands of people visit Loch Ness for sightseeing. It’s the largest freshwater body of water in the UK and the highland scenery is unbeatable. You may even catch a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster. On the western shore of Loch Ness you can visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle. The castle dates back to the 13th century and is one of the largest in Scotland.

The UK people love to walk and go out in nature. There are some stunning areas of natural beauty that have been preserved in the country. This includes Devon and Cornwall in the south west. This region has an idyllic landscape, set on the coast with 400-500-year-old cottages. The Cotswolds and the Lake District and the wild landscape of Wales and Scotland are also well worth exploring.

London has its very own character. Apart from the major tourist sites, such as the River Thames, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, it also has a vibrant multi-cultural population. Every culture and country on Earth seem to be represented here, and it is not unusual to sit on a bus with many different languages being spoken around you. This means that you can try any cuisine and experience the music of many countries.

London’s Underground provides an accessible means to move around the city. The network includes 11 lines and has 270 metro stations. The Tube is one of the oldest and largest transportation systems in the world. If you’re in London for more than a day pick up an oyster card to save on Tube and bus fares.

Teaching opportunities

TEFL teachers are in huge demand, with EFL students coming to the country either to live for 6 months or a year, or for a summer camp to learn English. The unique element of working in the UK is that your classes will be multicultural. The learners have a direct motivation to learn and speak English, so that they can communicate with their classmates.

For those staying and working in the UK, there are certain areas that are major centres for EFL jobs. These include London, Cambridge, Bath, Bournemouth, Brighton, Hastings, Edinburgh, Exeter and Belfast. There are many opportunities to teach every kind of EFL in the UK from seaside towns like Brighton to big cities like Manchester or university towns like Cambridge.

While there are many private language institutes that will employ teachers, not all of them pay on time or have good working conditions. The route into permanent and secure yearly employment can also be tricky, as the majority of EFL work, outside of some of the big cities, is seasonal. To try to find a year-round job it is essential to begin teaching on one of the summer camps or schools during the summer months. Applications begin as early as April. The job competition is stiff so it will be essential to have at least a Level 5 TEFL certificate.

Teaching requirements in United Kingdom

United Kingdom is a popular destination for international professionals and university students due to its welcoming business environment and diverse culture. A degree is required to work in United Kingdom, and the typical contract length is 3 to 12 months, with peak hiring seasons year-round.

A visa is required for foreign workers, and the average monthly cost of living is between 720 – 1,400 GBP. The average monthly salary for professionals in the UK is between 1,500 – 2,500 GBP.

Start your TEFL journey with The TEFL Academy

Would you like to teach English as a foreign language around the world? Great! You’re in the right place. The TEFL Academy provides the very best in accredited TEFL courses, meaning your qualification is recognised throughout the world. The TEFL Academy is the world’s leading TEFL course provider. We can help you acquire the skills needed to teach English as a foreign language. Check out our TEFL internships, volunteer placements and the thousands of jobs on our exclusive TEFL jobs board.

Contents

How to begin teaching in United Kingdom

The UK consists of four distinct countries. To the north is Scotland, in the middle is England, in the west is Wales and in the north west away from the mainland is Northern Ireland. The UK has a well-preserved history, from the ancient ruins of Stonehenge to Hadrian’s Wall, built by the Romans.  It also has historical centres such as Edinburgh, Stratford-Upon-Avon (the birth place of Shakespeare), the popular town of Bath and the palaces built by the Kings and Queens of the country, littered up and down its shores.

Wiltshire in the county of South West England is home to the prehistoric Stonehenge monument.  It’s believed to have been built from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. Some of the smaller stones used in building Stonehenge were moved more than 225 km. It’s not known for certain how people thousands of years ago moved stones weighing up to four tons such a great distance. Stonehenge remains to be one of the world’s greatest mysteries.

Every year thousands of people visit Loch Ness for sightseeing. It’s the largest freshwater body of water in the UK and the highland scenery is unbeatable. You may even catch a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster. On the western shore of Loch Ness you can visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle. The castle dates back to the 13th century and is one of the largest in Scotland.

The UK people love to walk and go out in nature. There are some stunning areas of natural beauty that have been preserved in the country. This includes Devon and Cornwall in the south west. This region has an idyllic landscape, set on the coast with 400-500-year-old cottages. The Cotswolds and the Lake District and the wild landscape of Wales and Scotland are also well worth exploring.

London has its very own character. Apart from the major tourist sites, such as the River Thames, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, it also has a vibrant multi-cultural population. Every culture and country on Earth seem to be represented here, and it is not unusual to sit on a bus with many different languages being spoken around you. This means that you can try any cuisine and experience the music of many countries.

London’s Underground provides an accessible means to move around the city. The network includes 11 lines and has 270 metro stations. The Tube is one of the oldest and largest transportation systems in the world. If you’re in London for more than a day pick up an oyster card to save on Tube and bus fares.

Teaching opportunities

TEFL teachers are in huge demand, with EFL students coming to the country either to live for 6 months or a year, or for a summer camp to learn English. The unique element of working in the UK is that your classes will be multicultural. The learners have a direct motivation to learn and speak English, so that they can communicate with their classmates.

For those staying and working in the UK, there are certain areas that are major centres for EFL jobs. These include London, Cambridge, Bath, Bournemouth, Brighton, Hastings, Edinburgh, Exeter and Belfast. There are many opportunities to teach every kind of EFL in the UK from seaside towns like Brighton to big cities like Manchester or university towns like Cambridge.

While there are many private language institutes that will employ teachers, not all of them pay on time or have good working conditions. The route into permanent and secure yearly employment can also be tricky, as the majority of EFL work, outside of some of the big cities, is seasonal. To try to find a year-round job it is essential to begin teaching on one of the summer camps or schools during the summer months. Applications begin as early as April. The job competition is stiff so it will be essential to have at least a Level 5 TEFL certificate.

Teaching requirements in United Kingdom

United Kingdom is a popular destination for international professionals and university students due to its welcoming business environment and diverse culture. A degree is required to work in United Kingdom, and the typical contract length is 3 to 12 months, with peak hiring seasons year-round.

A visa is required for foreign workers, and the average monthly cost of living is between 720 – 1,400 GBP. The average monthly salary for professionals in the UK is between 1,500 – 2,500 GBP.

Start your TEFL journey with The TEFL Academy

Would you like to teach English as a foreign language around the world? Great! You’re in the right place. The TEFL Academy provides the very best in accredited TEFL courses, meaning your qualification is recognised throughout the world. The TEFL Academy is the world’s leading TEFL course provider. We can help you acquire the skills needed to teach English as a foreign language. Check out our TEFL internships, volunteer placements and the thousands of jobs on our exclusive TEFL jobs board.

Download the World TEFL Factbook

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