Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or TEFL, is the systematized practice of teaching English to individuals who do not speak English as one of their primary languages. While it is not the only means of English language instruction, TEFL equips teachers with tried-and-tested methods to teach English to non-native speakers. Through structured TEFL methodologies, instructors can successfully teach English online, at local campuses, or overseas.

In this article, you will learn how TEFL can unlock teaching opportunities, foster cultural exchange, and lead to unforgettable travel adventures around the globe.

While it’s the students who get the most from it, TEFL certification also benefits teachers, enabling them to connect and communicate across diverse cultures. The community immersions and interactions necessitated by TEFL often leave teachers much more attuned to cultural subtleties that help them when they travel. TEFL frameworks don’t just impart language skills; they also help instructors absorb local perspectives while allowing them to shed the ingrained assumptions of their upbringing. This, in turn, makes it easier to draw from shared humanity to create especially genuine connections across seemingly distant cultures.

If you plan to travel or work in a non-English speaking country, becoming a TEFL instructor can be an excellent way to develop cultural literacy and fruitful relationships. TEFL instructors often experience the following after several months of teaching:

1) Deeper Cultural Sensitivity

TEFL positions travelers within local communities, offering a more authentic experience compared to typical tourism. This immersion fosters a deep understanding of local traditions and values, cultivating cultural sensitivity. This is most true when one teaches in the host country, but it can still apply when one teaches classes online or on campus to foreign students from the destination country. The sessions provide a safe space to navigate social nuances and avoid potential misunderstandings in the “real world.”

2) Development of Intercultural Communication Skills

Even the most collectivist cultures are hardly as monolithic as they first appear. Within all cultures is a diversity of perspectives, not just from underlying subcultures but also at the individual level.

TEFL educators often encounter diverse student backgrounds, requiring them to exercise empathy and adapt their methods to various cultural contexts. This experience is vital to improving genuine intercultural communication skills, as it allows teachers to convey ideas effectively regardless of whom they’re talking to. Thankfully, these skills are completely transferable to everyday interactions when one travels, allowing for more profound connections.

3) Mutual Language Learning and Practice

As discussed above, TEFL is not a one-sided endeavor. When students and educators interact, they inevitably learn things from each other. This is especially true of TEFL environments with small classes or one-on-one sessions. Apart from simply exposing instructors to new ideas, this mutual learning provides invaluable first-hand exposure to native language users. If the instructor is inclined, they can leverage this experience to develop their mastery of foreign languages.

While instructors may not necessarily have the time to become proficient in the local language, they will build a good foundation that accelerates their progress when they begin learning it in earnest. Moreover, because TEFL environments generally cover realistic situations, teachers often end up with valuable specific knowledge in areas that matter most to travelers.

4) Access to Wider Global Networks

TEFL makes instructors part of a global network, connecting them with students, fellow teachers, and language learning community members worldwide. These relationships can be as deep as one allows, transcending borders and even longstanding cultural restrictions. TEFL instructors who plan to travel may find that these networks provide support and alternative perspectives of the destination, giving them a deeper experience in the host country.

5) Improved Problem-Solving Skills

Teaching requires adaptability, especially when one is teaching in a foreign environment. TEFL educators learn to navigate unfamiliar educational systems, manage classrooms with varying cultural expectations, and address language barriers both during and after sessions. This can all be uncomfortable, but these insights help instructors gain different perspectives that can be useful when solving typical issues related to traveling. As a bonus, many instructors may also find that their overseas experiences help them assess and solve problems back home

TEFL as a Bridge to True Cultural Immersion

TEFL can be more than just a gateway to a steady job for travelers. It can be a stepping stone to developing more than just a surface-level understanding of foreign cultures. If instructors come into TEFL with the intent to learn, it can also allow meaningful relationships to be built across cultures. The cultural immersion, skill development, and mutual exchanges available to TEFL practitioners often break down high barriers to proper understanding, enabling a much richer experience as one travels.

However, simply being a TEFL instructor will not unlock the full benefits. One must seriously engage with the foreign culture and keep an open mind. Shedding one’s own culture-bound preconceptions will also help improve one’s understanding of other countries and avoid serious culture shocks. If you want to make TEFL part of your long-term travel journeys, be ready for challenging and sometimes uncomfortable exchanges and perspectives, as this is what will truly allow you to go beyond stereotypes and authentically engage with different cultures.

Related Article: 5 Tips to Improve Your English Language Skills Online