Navigating Your First TEFL Placement: Key Questions to Ask

So, you’ve landed a TEFL job offer abroad. Congratulations! The excitement is real, but so are the nerves. Before you sign that contract and book your one-way ticket, it’s crucial to move beyond the initial thrill and get clear on the practical details of your new adventure.

Asking the right questions upfront can be the difference between a transformative, positive experience and a challenging situation. Here’s a breakdown of the essential areas you need to clarify.

Decoding the Working Conditions

Don’t just ask if the conditions are good. Get specific.

• Hours & Schedule: Is it 15 classroom hours or 40 “office” hours? Are evenings or weekends required?
• Class Sizes: Will you be teaching intimate groups of 10 or lecture halls of 50? This drastically changes your teaching approach.
• Resources: What teaching materials and tech support are provided? Will you need to create everything from scratch?
• Support System: Is there a local point of contact or a mentor teacher for guidance?

Understanding the daily reality of the job is your first step toward success.

The Placement Process: How It Really Works

The term “placement” can mean different things. It’s vital to understand the mechanics.

• Is it Assigned or Negotiated? Some programs place you in a specific city or school with little input. Others may offer a choice or consider your preferences.
• What’s the Timeline? When will you know your exact location? Before you depart or after you arrive for training?
• What Information Do You Get? Will you receive details about the school, the community, and housing before you commit?

A transparent placement process is often a sign of a reputable employer.

Know Your Students: Context is Everything

The age and background of your students define your entire teaching journey.

• Adults vs. Children: Teaching business professionals seeking career advancement is a world apart from teaching lively kindergarteners. Your preparation, classroom style, and even your pace will differ.
• Learning Goals: Are students preparing for international exams, learning for travel, or focused on business communication? This shapes your curriculum.
• Cultural Considerations: A class of university students will have different dynamics than a group of retired learners. A little research into the local education culture goes a long way.

Understanding Your Employer: School Type Matters

The institution you work for sets the tone for your professional environment.

• Public vs. Private: Public schools often follow a national curriculum with larger classes. Private language institutes may focus more on conversation and have more flexible, but sometimes more demanding, schedules.
• Corporate Contracts: Some placements involve teaching at a private company’s offices. This can mean highly motivated students but also very specific, business-focused objectives.
• Reputation & Stability: A quick online search for reviews from former teachers can reveal invaluable insights about management style and contract reliability.

The Bottom Line: Your TEFL adventure begins long before you step into the classroom. It starts with due diligence. Treat the pre-acceptance phase like an interview you are conducting. A reputable employer will welcome these questions and provide clear, reassuring answers.

Arming yourself with this knowledge doesn’t dampen the adventure—it empowers you to embark on it with confidence, ready to thrive in your new role as a teacher and traveler.