By Erin Critchley
Guest blogger from i-to-i.com

Some tailor made clothes from Vietnam, The latest gadgets from Japan, designer clothes from China…it’s great to pick up souvenirs along the way but what about those that can’t be bought?

Put your money away…this one’s covered!

Laughter

TEFLing provides you with a pot of funny stories “…What was the first thing to greet me on my first day at kindergarten? Twenty two-year-olds crapping into a vase. Standing in lines, pants down, ready for their turn to do their business into a vase held by the assistants so there I was, nervously waiting for them to finish so that I could crack on with my first lesson.”

True story! Seriously though, you’ll have a bundle of hilarious tales to tell from your time as a TEFL teacher whether it be miss haps in the classroom or cultural differences to make you giggle- you’re sure to get a taste of it all!

Confidence

What could be more nerve wracking than taking yourself off to pursue a completely different career, in a completely different place, with a completely different language… Ahhh! It’s enough to leave you trembling and tearing up that plane ticket. Once you get over these worries however you’ll ooze an inner confidence you can only gain from taking the plunge and travelling across the world. Exams, job interviews, public speaking, meeting new people- it’ll all be a doddle to you from then on!

Friendship

When teaching overseas your friends often become your family and a support network of brilliant companions is quickly woven. Rather than simply gossiping about the latest T.V program or what you’re doing at the weekend these new friends will be a shoulder to cry on when you’re homesick, help you overcome cultural boundaries and be there to laugh with you, soak up the atmosphere and most importantly- explore an amazing country!

The good news is, as you’ll make friends from all over the world you’ll never be short of places to visit!

Experience

Rather than simply travelling, teaching English is a brilliant experience and a valuable addition to anyone’s C.V. Planning lessons, managing the class and working with range of different people will give you pockets full of transferable skills and is sure to push your resume at the top of any employers pile. Marcus Fraser, a TEFL teacher in Vietnam agrees;

“I believe that as far as your resume goes having long breaks in work for ‘travelling’ sends up red flags for potential employers, where as saying you were teaching show’s you adventurous, a good communicator, pro-active and well organized.”

Patience

Different cultures have different ideas about time management. Five minutes in places like Thailand can turn into fifty and simple tasks can take time when language barriers come into play. You’ll be able to handle these occurrences with a smile once you’ve settled into the swing of things. Your bus a little late? Who cares when you’ve settled down a class of excited students or spent ten minutes waving your hands around and miming, trying to explain to the guy at the shop that yes you’re looking for shower gel and no you don’t have fleas…The top and bottom of it- don’t sweat the small things!

Memories

Ahhh the most important of all! Photos are all well and good but memories are priceless, whether it’s the time you attempted to speak the local language and offended a group of startled onlookers, realized that crispy spring roll you were tucking into actually housed a juicy chicken foot or wanted to weep when your students mastered their first conversation in English- these occurrences are sure to spread a grin across your face when you least expect it!

If you’d like some more information on how you can kick-start your TEFL Career visit www.onlinetefl.com

By Monika Salita
@monikasalita or About Monika

Simply put on some clothes, any clothes, and you’ve already spoken volumes about yourself without uttering a single word. Teaching around the globe obviously gives TEFL teachers new opportunities to experience and learn about new cultures; clothing is one avenue with which to do so. An article in The Guardian discusses a recent crackdown on the importation and selling of Barbies in Iran, or rather, a crackdown on the importation of Western culture to Iran, which is not in line with traditional Iranian values. One point of discussion here includes the style of clothing the Barbie doll is wearing and how the clothing promotes a certain culture.

Aside from practicing diligence and cultural understanding with the way we dress, clothing can express many different personal ideals. Some religions prefer to not have women wear pants, and not bare their shoulders. Some Amazonian cultures have no problems wearing minimal amount of clothing or body coverings.

Our apparel can express a very specific style, our likes, dislikes and even world views and personal convictions. Clothing, behind the simple “what am I wearing?” questions, can serve as a unique and creative base for an ESL lesson plan. The website, Simple ESL, offers a great variety of basic, intermediate and advanced lessons focused around clothes. Activities include discussions on school uniforms, vocabulary on clothes and jewelry, and related games and activities.

With advanced students, clothing could serve as a springboard on conversations on one’s self, culture, general likes and dislikes including art, music, sports, style and celebrity culture, and world views. Topics that can be easily discussed include the following: cultural significance of special outfits such as wedding attire or quinceañera dresses, clothing colors and what they represent (think chic, monochromatic New York City artist wear versus a beautifully intricate and colorful Indian sari), baggy clothing versus form-fitting clothing and what these styles may represent, discuss local clothing styles and how they compare and contrast with your own, and what can be learned about a certain culture in this instance.

Feel free to share various photos of any number of clothing styles and ask students what they think the clothing represents. You may end up with one very interesting conversation filling your classroom; just be sure to not allow conversations to skew negatively towards stereotypes.

What does your closet say about you?

By Erin Critchley
Guest blogger from i-to-i.com

Money, age, time…just some of the many reasons standing in the way of your trip of a lifetime. Whether you’re stuck in a job you hate or just feel there’s something more to see across the globe. Don’t let your lunch breaks and weekends merge into one!

Whether money is your worry, feel the TEFL life is too good to be true or maybe waving goodbye to your friends and family fills you with dread you needn’t let your fears hold you back from releasing your dream, read on as we sooth those last minute nerves standing in your way….

Money, money, money

We all know money is tight and after bills, transport costs and those annoying unforeseen general expenses many of us watch as cash waves our wallets goodbye and our bank balances appear to have that pesky minus sign permanently attached…Although there’s an initial cost to a TEFL course, it’s actually an investment in yourself and once you’re the proud owner of a TEFL certificate you can expect a regular salary (usually tax free!) and with many positions offering accommodation there is no need for living costs to take a huge chunk out of your pay packet.

Whether you have a frappachino addiction, like to treat yourself to a few too many celebrity magazines or maybe you could walk instead of getting the bus once or twice a week, these little costs soon mount up, cutting back could mean you find your TEFL fund growing nicely and once you’re up and running your course will pay for itself numerous times over!

Going it alone

Fear of travelling alone is very understandable, many of us are just a bus ride away from our nearest and dearest meaning the thought of setting up home elsewhere becomes a daunting prospect. This doesn’t have to keep you awake at night however- look upon it as a personal challenge, if you can face this then there’s no limit to what you can achieve!

People often make life-long friends while TEFLing, there are many people who’ll be alone and it’s a brilliant opportunity to meet others from all walks of life but if the thought of boarding a flight with me myself and I still brings you out in a cold sweat then why not join an Internship? Being placed with other TEFL teachers means you’ll have a ready made group of friends.

Work commitments

Early mornings, the crowded commute, a stiff neck from sitting at your desk all day, manager on your case? Whether you experience those Sunday night feelings of dread or you’re quite content but fancy a change. Never be pressured by the feeling your workplace will grind to a halt the moment that letter of resignation is placed in your boss’s palm. Let’s face it- you don’t want to turn around one day and realize you’ve been in the same job for years, people have come and gone you’ve pulled a Christmas cracker with Debbie from finance year after year…..but you’re still not where you wanted to be!

Not the right time

I’ll do it in May…it’ll be my new years resolution…I’ll wait until after my birthday. We are all guilty off putting things off and setting personal deadlines that let’s be honest –we’re not going to keep to. Delaying your desire to TEFL is likely to mean it’ll never happen. Who knows what life will throw at you and if you don’t take the bull by the horns you may never do it. Go on, book your TEFL course today to get your experience started!

Worried about living in another Country

Will they have funny food? Strange customs? A language that seems impossible to master? These are just some of the fears harboured by wannabe TEFLers. Ok so there is a chance you could end up washing your hair with fabric softener or adding some delicious salt to your tea but believe it or not these are all occurrences that add to your experience.

There will be some funny tastes/smells/sights at first but you’ll soon get into the swing of things and find yourself smiling at the cultural differences and humorous occurrences.

Saying goodbye to Friends and Family

Tears at the airport are inevitable- you’re only human after all! It’s often strange leaving behind the friends and family you see every day and it’s natural to get homesick once in a while but that shouldn’t stop you!

With Skype, Facebook, Twitter and blogging sites a plenty you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to updating loved ones about your goings on! Remember you’re only a plane ride away and you may even find you’re not short of visitors.

Age

Whether you feel you’re too young or too old. Age should never hinder your TEFL plans. There are schools and employers looking for fresh, young graduates just as much as there are schools searching for mature, experienced individuals so there really is something out there for everyone. Don’t let the small matter of age come into play- it really is just a number after all!

Hong Kong Celebrations and Festivals

By Lindsay Varty

Hong Kong’s population is a cosmopolitan cocktail of nationalities and cultures and the city prides itself in respecting and celebrating all of these traditions. In other words, there’s always an excuse to party!

Here are two of the biggest events of the year:

Chinese New Year

This festival is the biggest event by far in the Chinese Lunar Calendar and usually falls around late January or early February. To welcome in the new lunar year, represented by an animal in the Chinese zodiac, Hong Kongers sweep away any ill-fortunes of the previous year, feast on roast pig and duck, collect ‘lai see’ (red packets full of money) and light fire crackers to scare away the mythical beast Nian.  A self-proclaimed ‘World city. World Party’, the city puts on a dazzling show of floats, performers, dancers and singers, including the infamous Lion or Dragon Dance which features a huge, intricately designed Chinese dragon (animated by well-trained dancers underneath its body) who prowls the streets munching the lettuces that the locals hang above their doorways.  Hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists alike swarm the Tsim Sha Tsui harbour-front promenade to join in the festivities and watch the impressive firework display which lights up the Hong Kong skyline at night.  Hang around for the 15^th and final day of celebrations, namely ‘Lantern Festival’ where the city is illuminated by millions of hand-crafted and extravagant lanterns.

Hong Kong IRB Rugby 7s

On the complete opposite end of the tradition spectrum, but with no less excitement and prestige is the awesome Hong Kong IRB Rugby 7s. For one weekend in late march, Hong Kong rugby lovers (and plenty of party-lovers too) congregate at the Hong Kong stadium in Causeway bay to dress up in outrageous costumes, drink outrageous amounts of beer and watch a fantastic display of world class rugby 7s from teams from all over the globe. Tear it up in the South Stand (where the alcohol flows like a waterfall) and join the singing and dancing lunatics all there to let their hair down and enjoy the rugby. The excitement and cheer and Mexican waves keep you smiling all weekend. The 7s is the biggest gathering of Hong Kong expats every year, and draws in thousands of rugby lovers from around the world.

So there you have it, a little taster of everything delicious about Hong Kong! The local papers and free magazines are bursting with teaching and tutoring positions in kindergartens and local schools and schools are usually willing to help with working visas.

By Erin Critchley
Guest blogger from i-to-i.com

The ever increasing demand for English teachers throughout the world has seen many take advantage of the chance to use their skills and change lives by teaching English overseas, however with competition for jobs at home ever increasing many who chose to take this leap often harbour a fear that that stepping away from the conventional ‘career ladder’ may cause problems gaining future employment.

A large percentage of TEFL teachers choose to clutch on to that chalk and settle into classroom life but what about those looking to TEFL for a year or two? Will stepping away from another career path leave you de-skilled and deter future employers? “Definitely not” says former TEFL teacher Chris Cockcroft.

“The most important skill I gained while teaching English abroad was the ability to think quickly and not panic. Teaching English is different every day, so it teaches you to organize and prioritize your workloads and be ready for anything. It also gives you a great deal of confidence in dealing with all manner of people no matter what language they speak and the international experience never fails to impress potential employers.”

Recruitment manager Emma Earnshaw agrees there are numerous transferable skills to be gained from taking a TEFL course and acquiring teaching experience.

“TEFL teachers often have the opportunity to develop strong organizational skills as well as the ability to work alongside people from a range of backgrounds and overcome cultural boundaries. Candidates who have experience of this nature often posses a wider skill set thanks to their time managing large groups, working independently and planning lessons.”

With many employers now asking for multi lingual candidates. Using your time as a TEFL teacher to pick up a second language will also hugely increase your appeal to employers.

According to a recent study, being bilingual can offer a wider choice of jobs in various fields. ‘bilinguals can take advantage of prosperous career opportunities in the retail sector, transport, tourism, administration, secretarial work, public relations, marketing and sales, banking and accountancy, translation, law and teaching’

It’s easy to see the benefits of using TEFL not only to gain an amazing life experience but to also to kick start your career.

Now is the perfect time to take the plunge and start teaching English abroad as according to Charles Ball, research director at the Higher Education Careers Services Unit, the jobs market in the UK will not fully recover until 2013!

If you want to get TEFL qualified, start teaching abroad and gain a wealth of experience, why not chat to one of i-to-i’s TEFL advisors on 0800 093 2552 or visit i-to-i’s website

Hong Kong by Night

By Lindsay Varty

Renowned as a ‘city that never sleeps’, Hong Kong offers a wide range of activities for all you avid night crawlers. Shops stay open till 10pm so it’s never too late to pick up a few more items for a new wardrobe. Pop down to the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade to check out the beautiful harbour front and the city’s notorious neon skyline. At 8 o’clock every night, you can catch the electrifying ‘Symphony of lights’: a show of flashing lights and laser beams put together by over 40 of Hong Kong’s tallest skyscrapers.

Hop on the Star Ferry- Hong Kong’s famous cross-harbour boat that has been in operation since 1888, which provides a relaxing yet fascinating journey across the city’s harbour, and a fabulous way to take in the spectacular scenery and overall awe of this beautiful city.

Check out ‘Temple Street’ night market in Jordan. Open at 4pm until midnight, this bustling market features rows and rows of makeshift stalls, hawking a plethora of cheap items such as clothes, watches, sunglasses, bags and electronic gadgets. Have your palms read by one of the wise old fortune-tellers that gather at the Yau Ma Tei end of the street.

One of Hong Kong’s nocturnal highlights is the Wednesday night horseraces in Happy Valley. This stunning racecourse is smack in the middle of town, surrounded by huge sky-rise office blocks and lit up in fluorescent floodlights. You can either join the VIPs up in the galleries, or join the merry throng of expats and locals, some in fancy gowns, others in sweaty vests and shorts- all in it for the big bucks! Entrance is only $10 (less than £1) so you can’t say no!

When the sun sets in Hong Kong, everyone flees their offices and flocks to the beloved Lan Kwai Fong district- the city’s legendary drinking area. Located on a steep hill in the centre of town, this one little road is absolutely packed with heaving bars and clubs every night. Try Al’s Diner for a tray of jelly shots, or head to Balalaika’s- a Russian bar where you are provided with full-length fur coats and fur hats and can sip icy cold vodka in a frozen fridge room- A great option for the hot, humid summer nights!

But for the REALLY big parties in Hong Kong, we go all out! Next up, Hong Kong celebrations and festivals…

Hong Kong by Day

By Lindsay Varty

Hong Kong prides itself on offering a little bit of something for everyone- whether its huge shopping malls with every luxury brand under the sun you’re after, or quaint little boutiques and back street art-jamming sessions that you desire. But here are a few of the city’s biggest attractions to entice you:

The Peak

The Peak Tower is one of the city’s most iconic architectural structures. Looking rather like a humongous wok, 396 metres up Hong Kong Island’s highest mountain, the tower offers spectacular views of the busy harbour and concrete jungle below. Pose with Bruce Lee and other celebs at the Madame Tussaud’s in the Tower, and grab a bite to eat at Bubba Gump’s- the restaurant made famous in the film Forrest Gump.  For even more fascinating views and a bit of history, take the 120 year old rickety Peak Tram up the mountain.

Shopping

Find out why Hong Kong is famous for shopping and head to the 6^th tallest building in the world- the 88-storey IFC 2 building in Central. With every luxury brand imaginable, this place is a shopping haven for those in need of some retail therapy. If you’re not so much Prada, and a little bit more pauper, head to the Ladies’ Market in Prince Edward and pick up an array of gadgets, souvenirs, and copycat branded everything!

The Giant Buddha

To feel at one with the world, take a hike through the beautiful mountains of Lantau Island to visit the Giant Bronze Buddha. The 34 metre tall symbol of serenity draws crowds from all over the world to place peaceful offerings or take frantic photos. Join the Po lin Monastery monks and hike up the 240 steps to see him! If hiking is not your thing, try the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, which offers impressive views of the island’s beautiful scenery and the Hong Kong international airport. For a real flashy ride, opt for the ‘360 Sky Lounge’ cabin- a private, glass bottom cable car adorned with Crystallised Swarovski elements.

Disney land

Come and celebrate the magical world of Disney with Tinker Bell, Mickey and Cinderella on Lantau island! Stroll through the fantasy land and join the singing and dancing in the ‘Disney on Parade.’ Don’t forget to get the signatures of all your fave characters! Or if its rides you’re after, hop on the Space Mountain and help Buzz Lightyear fight off the aliens. Then, finish it off with a bang with the nightly display of Disneyland fireworks.

Next up, what to do and where to go when night falls in Hong Kong…

PGL is the UK’s leading provider of residential activity holidays and educational courses for young people. Growing rapidly since 1957, we now offer Water Sports, outdoor activity, field studies and French language immersion courses at 28 locations across the UK, France and Spain. We’re excited to launch our dynamic new English as a Foreign Language product for the 2012 season.
We have vacancies for enthusiastic TESOL or CELTA-qualified EFL Teachers to deliver this innovative new programme to our inbound guests travelling to PGL centres from Europe, Asia and various long haul destinations.

Our EFL Teachers will lead sessions focusing on the basic language skills of speaking, listening, writing, reading and grammar in a stimulating, challenging and enjoyable experience.

This role offers a real opportunity to enhance your EFL Teacher skills, with an emphasis on supporting your group to learn in a fun, informative and interesting environment. You’ll also be responsible for keeping accurate records of your groups’ progress and maintain class discipline as well as acting as the point of contact for visiting Party Leaders accompanying their group.

We’re looking for native English speakers holding their TESOL or CELTA qualification. Ideally you will be a university graduate and already have previous experience of working as an EFL Teacher either in the UK or overseas.

Experience of working or volunteering with young people would give your application an advantage. Suitable applicants will be able to demonstrate previous experience of delivering sessions in a classroom-style setting.

Two contract options are available: you can choose to work for 4 weeks or 8 weeks however preference will be given to applicants who can work for the full 8 week period. Contract dates run from early July 1 until the end of August 2012.

The staff package for EFL Teachers is offered at £1,280 per 4 weeks, before tax and NI. You will also receive free accommodation/utility bills and meals for the duration of your contract. If you prefer to live locally and commute in each day, please select the ‘live off site’ option on our online application form. Locations are: Windmill Hill, near Hailsham, East Sussex; Tilford, near Hindhead in Surrey; Baschurch, near Shrewsbury and Dunkeld in Perthshire.

This role is based on a 35 hour working week, over 5 days. Some weekend working will be required.

If you would like an informal chat about this new role, please contact Emma Hurrell (Recruitment Officer) on 0844 3710 123.

To apply, please visit our website www.pgl.co.uk/efljobs and register for a My PGL account to access our online application form.

PGL is committed to the principle of equality and diversity: we welcome applications from all members of the community.

You must have the legal right to live and work in the UK to be considered for employment with PGL.

Hong Kong- Asia’s World City

By Lindsay Varty

Hong Kong is a fascinating cosmopolitan city bursting with life, lights, entertainment and of course, people. This tiny pinprick of a city in the South China Sea is made up of two main parts: Kowloon on the mainland and Hong Kong island, and has a whopping population of 7 million people.

Having been a British colony until the handover back to China in 1997, Hong Kong boasts a beautiful blend of Chinese and western cultures and a calendar packed full of worldly celebrations and traditions.  It has gorgeous sunny weather, lovely friendly people and yes, you might have guessed it, it’s my home! In just four posts, I will attempt to explain why Hong Kong fully deserves its title as ‘Asia’s World City’.

First up, there’s the food: if you’re planning on splashing out, there are countless swanky restaurants in the city all competing to provide the most extravagant and luxurious dining experience. Check out The Felix restaurant in the world-renowned Peninsula hotel to feel like James Bond for a night. The food is exquisite, the panoramic view of the harbour and the city’s neon jungle mind-blowing, and for the boys- the glass urinals in the bathrooms make it seem like you’re relieving yourself on the vast city below.

Indulge in a traditional Chinese dim sum meal. Try City Hall in Central, where they continue to serve the old fashioned way- ladies push steaming dim sum-laden trollies around the tables and diners just call them over and replenish their lazy-Susans with an array of spring rolls, barbequed pork buns, shrimp dumplings, and so much more! If you’re feeling experimental, try the local delicacy: chilied chicken feet!

Street food in Hong Kong is quick, cheap and utterly delicious! You can find loads of little eateries and stalls called ‘Dai Pai Dongs’ set up on street corners in places such as Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, offering up tasty treats such as curried fish balls on a stick, soy sauce noodles in a bag and hot egg waffles.

With so many treats for the taste buds on offer in Hong kong, you’ll need to make sure you try them all. In my next blog, I’ll describe some of the top attractions around the city and how best to walk off all the feasting.

By Erin Critchley
from i-to-i.com

With the number of unemployed ever increasing in the UK, the amount of job vacancies lessening rapidly  and Universities churning out fresh graduate’s year on year it’s no wonder many are finding themselves knee deep in ‘dear john’ letters, struggling to earn a living and  turning to the overseas job market for a lifeline.

The heavily documented cuts  in public spending have resulted in graduates feeling disillusioned and in many cases years of hard work and studying have failed in helping  to break into the job market, despite having sights set firmly on professional careers.

“Graduates are facing the most intense scramble in a decade to get a job this summer, as a poll of employers reveals the number of applications for each vacancy has surged to nearly 70 while the number of available positions is predicted to fall by nearly 7%” An investigation by The Guardian warned.

“If I was asked before I graduated where I saw myself in six months time, I would have described myself as on my way to the top of the world. Little did I know that the reality would in fact see me as the road kill of the employment industry,” One graduate jobseeker shared.

The lack of opportunities in the UK has resulted in many graduates shunning unemployment or low skilled jobs in favor of teaching English overseas-providing warmer climates, higher wages, and often lucrative bonus schemes. Not to mention generous accommodation and holiday packages thrown in for good measure.

It’s easy to see why many are taking advantage of the huge demand for English Speaking people to teach worldwide, using it as an opportunity to use their skills and channel their energy and enthusiasm into a more rewarding position whilst helping non English speaking people gain valuable and life changing skills.

Rachel Marriott, 23, from York St John University, decided to teach in Asan, South Korea  after she found her 2:1 degree wasn’t enough to find a job she was passionate about after graduation.

“Teaching overseas is a great opportunity to travel, make lifelong friends and do something that can really change a child’s life, no matter whether it’s a Korean student or an African orphan,” she explains.

“Being a TEFL teacher is a rewarding job and something I never thought I would be so passionate about.”

Rachel is one of many who are enjoying the benefits of teaching English as a foreign language, these graduates are living proof of how securing teaching work can provide an outlet for those hard earned skills, qualifications and specialist knowledge gained throughout three long years at University not to mention being a valuable addition to C.V’s and helping to accumulate impressive life-skills future employers will welcome.

If you’d like some more information on how you can kick-start your TEFL Career contact one of our advisors on 0113 205 4623 or visit i-to-i’s website