Are TEFL Internships Worth Doing?

Many people wonder what the difference is between a TEFL job and a TEFL intership. How do you know if you should do a TEFL internship or get a TEFL job?

Well, TEFL internships are no different to any other internships, and so your motivation for doing one would be the same – to gain experience as a teacher in the classroom.

If you already have teaching experience, then a TEFL intership is probably not the right choice for you. But if you don’t have any teaching experience or are freshly TEFL-qualified and looking for a way into teaching English as a foreign language, then a TEFL intership could be a good idea.

What is a TEFL internship?

A TEFL intership is a teaching placement. It is usually a short-term placement of three to four months. Because of this, internships are useful for TEFL teachers who want to teach on a temporary basis, during a university vacation, gap year or career break.

As an intern, you could be a teacher, a teacher with an assistant, or a teaching assistant.

Doing a TEFL internship will provide you with on-the-job training and experience in a real classroom.

It will help you become familiar with the TEFL world and comfortable with students, without having the added pressure of trying to impress your first employer.

How do teaching internships work?

TEFL internships will give you training in theory, as well as practical experience.

You’ll be allocated a school where you will be given the responsibility to put the theory of TEFL into practice and prepare lessons and teach learners. There is support if you need it, but generally speaking you will be left to your own devices to get through your lessons.

Because you would have already done the theory, this time allows you to find your feet in the classroom. You can develop your personality as a teacher, without constantly being observed or evaluated.

What do internships teach you?

While doing classroom training should be an integral part of your TEFL certificate, an internship is able to offer much more time in the classroom than any TEFL course. When the internship is over, you will have the added bonus of already having a job on your CV – proof that you are capable in the classroom.

What’s more, internships are a safe way to introduce yourself to a foreign country.

For the first few days, all admin and practical issues will be taken care of for you – no need for you to worry about any details. You can just enjoy the first few days of your new adventure.

Internships offer an opportunity to get to know the culture of the country you are in. Often, language lessons are offered to the teachers to help them integrate into their communities, and cultural tours may be organised so that the teachers can get to know where they are living.

This is a great help for people travelling on their own, who would otherwise have to find their way around by themselves.

Will internships offer housing?

Generally speaking, yes.

It’s also possible you’ll live with a host family, which will open you up to a whole range of experiences you wouldn’t get in any other situation. Host families are a great way to immerse yourself in a culture.

Usually, you’ll be in a more remote part of the country, which means that your host family will be valuable to you as a source of information and advice. It’s always nice to have a familiar face to talk to at the end of the day when you are in a strange place.

Will I get paid on a TEFL internship?

It’s commonplace to pay a fee to do a TEFL internship. The flip side of this is that your costs are covered – from visas to housing to food (depending on the internship). Some internships offer weekly or monthly stipends for teachers which won’t be as much as a salary but will cover daily costs.

Essentially, TEFL interns just need to get themselves to the intership and the rest should be taken care of.

Can internships lead to jobs?

Not usually, no.

But this is the beauty of TEFL internships. It’s a job you do for a limited amount of time. It’s much easier to apply for an internship than a job and you are provided with much more support. Yet at the same time, you are getting the experience of a teaching job.

So while TEFL internships are not vital to your success as a TEFL teacher, they are a nice way to be introduced to the TEFL world and take your first step into the world of teaching and adventure.