Use the Printer as much as Possible
A3 colour print outs, pretty pictures? Images of vast landscapes- Yes please!

Photo by:sidneyfair

Enjoy a Nice Long Drink
Who knew you needed so many refreshing beverages in one day? Help yourself to another cup of tea…and have a rest while you’re in the staffroom…go on- you deserve it!

Tell People what you Think
So you think your boss’s pinstriped suits are dated, his monotone voice beyond annoying and his jokes are flat. Voice your concerns. They’d appreciate the feedback.

Dress Inappropriately
Think club Tropicana esc shirts, stripy tights and neon brights…What? You’re simply expressing your individuality!

Take Regular Desk Naps
Sat at your desk and feeling sleepy? Rest your head on your keyboard…because sometimes eight hours just isn’t enough.

Photo by: jeffbaier

Develop an Annoying Laugh
Snorting, shrieking, huffing and puffing…you’ll soon be known as the individual with ‘that laugh’

Repeatedly Share Videos and Chain Emails with Colleagues
Who cares if the office doesn’t appreciate dancing monkeys and cute kittens… Jokes? Some people are so easily offended!

Ok, so you may not want to use these tactics but if you’re serious about shaking up your life and kick starting your TEFL adventure why not take a look at The Top Ten TEFL Destinations of 2012 for some inspiration.

Got some questions? Request a free TEFL consultation with one of our TEFL experts today!

Read on for 10 brilliant facts about Vietnam…

*It is extremely common to take your shoes off when you enter a room; this is apparent in most guesthouses, Vietnamese homes, religious buildings and many other places.

*In Vietnam, as with many other Asian countries, the head is seen as the symbolic highest point and you should not touch or pat people on the head.

*Vietnam previously had a ‘two child policy’ meaning couple could only have two children however this was scrapped in 2003

*Vietnamese people can be shy and modest, they generally do not introduce themselves directly as this is often considered too bold.

*Names carry great importance in Vietnam. Often Vietnamese will have secret names, known only to themselves and their parents. If it is given away, the person believes he is exposed to evil spirits.

*Smiling in Vietnam can mean a polite but sceptical reaction to something. It can also represent submission or compliance.

*Vietnamese people do not like to be direct in their approach. They also don’t like to say ‘no’ so you may often find they say ‘yes’ in response to most questions.

*If you are giving gifts to a Vietnamese person it should not be something they could easily obtain themselves otherwise this would be considered disrespectful.

*When invited to a Vietnamese person’s house for dinner it is polite to leave a small amount of food left over to show the host offered a satisfactory amount.

*Don’t touch a Vietnamese person on the shoulder. Some people believe that a genie resides there and it is undesirable to disturb him. If you mistakenly touch one shoulder, you must also touch the other shoulder and this helps offset the bad luck.

Want to experience Vietnam for yourself? Why not join our Vietnam internship!

Scrounge Air Miles
Have a relative who travels a lot? Try and scrounge some air miles! You are going away after all. Do they not realise this is your trip of a lifetime!? 1, 2, 3- If you loved me you would!

Grab a Free Bed!
If you plan to travel to your new home country before your contract starts and need a roof over your head? Why not get creative!
There are plenty of ways you can get a bed for the night and not have to falk out. Host families, house-sitting and couch surfing to name a few!

Dump your Baggage
Have you been known to pack everything but the kitchen sink? Stop wrestling with the zip of your suitcase and start travelling light. It will be easier and CHEAPER! Nobody wants to falk out for unnecessary baggage charges and you can usually pick up everything you need on the other side.

Exchange Rates
Ok fess up! We’ve all headed to the airport without a second thought for changing money. Being forced to change your money in the departure lounge or simply strolling into your local post office can mean you miss out on the best deals.
Search on companion websites for the best exchange rates possible! The better rates may have a minimum conversion amount but try and take advantage of deals if possible.

Getting there
There are a few key ways to try and save money on travel. TEFLing in Europe? Why not consider coach or train journeys as an alternative? Ok so it does take longer but you’re likely to be able to take more baggage and it keeps costs down. Remember to pack a novel…or two!

Stop over? If you’re willing to take a stop over or two then the cost of your flights can be considerable less. How to survive in an airport could quickly become your bible!

Shop around for Vaccinations
Considering vaccinations? If so, it’s advisable to shop around for the different medications available. Obviously you health is of paramount importance but some options and health plans are cheaper than others. Do your research if you’re looking to save money but still be protected- without the use of backstreet surgery!

Think like a Local
When in Rome do as the Romans do! Don’t get caught up in tourist areas. Supermarkets in traveller hotspots can be a prime location to get ripped off. Ask locals where they shop, a short walk to an alternate vendor can mean you save €’s!

Photo by:o5com

Want to teach, travel and get paid? Why not request a free consultation with one of our expert TEFL advisers and kick start your adventure today!

But what about when our good friends at Oxford aren’t there to give us a helping hand? Blackboards don’t have spell check you know!

Here’s a rundown of the 6 most common errors made when using the English language- every TEFLer needs to be aware of!

Phew, deep breath (we know you’ll be going through this with a fyne tooth comb!)
…..That was your first test and you passed!

Your Vs you’re

Your is used when something belongs to somebody:
“You’ve forgotten your bag”

You’re
You’re is a contraction of ‘you are’ so should only be used when referring to somebody.

“Thanks for the help, you’re a star!”

If you’re not sure, extend the contraction ‘you’re’ into ‘you are’.

“You’ve forgotten you are bag!” Doesn’t make sense does it! ?

There, their, they’re
There should be used when referring to a place or destination:
“Please place my bag over there.”

‘Their’ should be used to describe an object belonging to somebody:
“Please give that child ‘their’ bag”

They’re is a contraction of they are. This can be used to describe a group of people.
“They’re a really friendly group of people”

Loose Vs Lose
These words can often get mixed up.

Loose is used to describe something which is too big/ does not fit properly.
“His pants were enormous, they were really loose”

Lose refers to mislaying something.
“Be careful or you’re going to lose your keys”

Wrong use of the Apostrophe
You need an apostrophe in two cases:

*When there’s a conjunction
Do not- Don’t
Is not- Isn’t
This shows that a letter has been omitted

*To show possession

Frank’s pencil
Julie’s bag
Alistair’s hat

Complement Vs Compliment
“Complement” is used when two things go well together.

“This sauce really complements the chicken”

Compliment is used to describe giving someone praise e.g:
“Your dress is a really nice colour”

Two, too, to
This is relatively easy to master but can still cause problems for some!

Two should be used when describing quantity or the number ‘2’
For example:
“There were two dogs and three bones”
Too should be used in the following context:

“Too cold”
“There were too many clouds in the sky”
“You are too tall”

To should be used in the following context:
“I went to the park”
“Are you going to the shop?”

It’s often said the humble motorbike is an ideal way to explore Vietnam, heck even car enthusiasts Top Gear took a slice of the action!

If you’re heading there to TEFL, it’s likely you’ll do as the locals do and hop on one yourself-expect to wave goodbye to respect for traffic lights, Zebra crossings and general road safety. Don’t worry though, zoom off to class or travel to see the sites, we’ve taken care of the rest….

Introducing Marcus, TEFL teacher and road daemon. Here to talk you through the ins and outs of travel, Vietnam style…Beep beep!

My first taxi journey was quite honestly a nerve wrenching ordeal whereby I could not distinguish any kind of pattern or order as the bikes hurtled past in all directions.
However I soon realized after a few ‘taxi scooters’ that I would much sooner put my destiny back in my own hands rather than a possibly drunk taxi scooter rider who aims to get places as quickly as possible so…out I went and bought my 100cc Honda and embarked on what has been a liberating yet dangerous journey of seeing the far corners of Saigon by bike.

Here are my tips for survival:

• Never under any circumstances aim to make up time i.e if you’re late to work. I see many bandaged teachers, lateness accounts for 4/5 of these bandages.

• Never ride hung-over, riding in Saigon requires assassin like reaction speeds and an ability to scan the surroundings constantly.

• Don’t ride as you do back home (I know this sounds like it doesn’t make sense) Saigon riders have no highway education as such so always expect them to take the path of least distance i.e the wrong way down a one way street, over footpaths, and cutting most corners at junctions

• Never aim to squeeze 6 people onto a bike as locals sometimes do, Vietnamese people generally weigh a 2/3 of what most westerners do. This applies to lifts also.

• Always wear your helmet, the police will pull you over, although don’t panic $10 of bribery usually works. It’s best to buy a dust mask and glasses too as the police will find it harder to distinguish your country of origin.

• Act like nature acts in a group move in the same way a school of fish move, and use your horn OFTEN, yes where as in the West we use our horn to show serious anger (like a large dog does with barking) behave more like a little dog that barks whenever it feels threatened. My friend had 3 crashes, took this advice and has been fine for the last 4 months.

• Finally don’t get road rage, there are so many small incidents that road rage is just not the done thing here.

• Remember don’t be hesitant or afraid, riding a motorcycle here allows you to visit places most tourists never see. If you want to live like a local in Saigon get a bike, or two!

Marcus

Photo by: David.crawford

Want to kick start your TEFL career and experience Vietnam yourself? Why not take a look at our brand new internship today!

Carbs, carbs and more carbs…
Pizza, Pasta, bread, crisps, more bread why would you want to miss out on this wonderful quinine? Who needs to sample fresh sushi, extensive Chinese banquets, Thai noodles and a real Greek mezze when you can jump head first into cooking a la student?
”mines a donna supreme please, hold the salad…”

“Large skimmed Latte…that’ll be £5.40 please”
Whether you have a frappuccino, Macchiato or Americano addiction (fancy coffee for you tea drinkers out there) that morning sweet treat is a must. Ok you can live like royalty in Thailand, eat for pence in Cambodia or splash the cash in Africa but those milky bubbles are delicious after all!

Still not put off? Really? Well why not request a TEFL consultation and find out how you can kick start your TEFL adventure today or visit our website for more information!

Photo by: Kel_obrien

Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island, Hong Kong

The Pearl Waterfall, Jiuzhaigou Valley, China

The Pearl Waterfall, Jiuzhaigou Valley, China

Rice Field Terraces in Yunnan, China

Crystalline Turquoise Lake, Jiuzhaigou National Park, China

Photos by “‘The Cool Hunter’”

When travel money is burning a hole in our pockets we can often find ourselves dishing it out like there’s no tomorrow. Will that ornament adorned with jewels remind you of that lovely night market you stumbled upon in China?…Probably…Will its garish presence annoy the hell out of you upon your return home?…Likely
Just couldn’t resist that kind old lady forcing jewelery upon you? Don’t worry, we’ve been there, we’re all friends here….

Fancy a cuppa?
I had personal ‘holiday purchase regret’ or HPR as the experts are calling it (just kidding) on a trip to a remote area of Turkey. One of the locals persuaded me to part with my Lira for some delicious Turkish tea…(well it was pretty darn delicious!)
I happily trundled off with…my huge BAG OF WHITE POWDER! It was only when I went to pack my case and the see-through plastic bag stared back at me that alarm bells started ringing! Woopsie…

Photo by:
Photo by:Jeremiah

Novelty Fridge magnet
Ahh the good old novelty fridge magnet. Exists to remind you of a holiday every. Single. time you reach for food. Whether it glitters, had giant genitals-yes these do exist (to ward off evil spirits apparently) or has a cute little picture of a dolphin…you can sometimes find yourself with a bunch of cr*p attached to your fridge to put it bluntly…palm these little beauties on your grandparents maybe?

Photo by:annagfraser

Junk, junk and more junk
Snow globes, ornaments, miniature models of land marks- these bad boys fall into this category. Maybe you just couldn’t resist the lure of a glittering dragons head, a tiny Eiffel tower or a pot to accommodate household dust…

Photo by: Reid Dickie

Shell related memorabilia
There must be something about the holiday spirit that attracts us to shells. Who knew there were so many items that could be clad in these little beauties? Bracelets, Notepads, Jugs, fridge magnets…..we like!

Photo by: judibird

You’ll be a culinary Whizz
Everyone wants to have their taste buds tickled and sink their teeth into international food but what about those moments when you’re looking for a taste of home?
You’ll find many apartments (especially in Asia) are without a conventional ‘western’ oven so if you dream of cooking up a delight ‘like your mama used to make’ you’re going to be a little disappointed…your inventive side will soon come out to play however, take i-to-i’s Craig- he’s the proud inventor of rice cooker banana cake and took to whipping up this culinary delight when the kitchen in his Japanese apartment left a lot to be desired…Why not take a look at the recipe

Faced with a lump of cheese and a few leftovers when you return home- you’ll be rattling those posts and pans pronto!

Disgusting toilets? Not a problem!
No one can cope with an interesting toilet situation like a hardened TEFL teacher- and you’ll have the upper body thigh strength to prove it! Some school lavatory arrangements leave a lot to be desired, so whether you’ve squatted, stumbled and held on for dear life anything after is sure to be a doddle. Whether you’re sang to in Japan (oh yes some lovely lavs provide you with a little entertainment!) or you’re greeted with a hole in the floor, you’ll be able to cope with any wacky and wonderful water closet that’s thrown at you!
Festival toilet arrangements and overcrowded loos will be a doddle…wet wipes at the ready!

Human compass
Just navigating your way around your home town can be quite a mission. Timetables, platform changes and connections- it’s enough to leave you a little flustered. Try getting lost when time tables look like a toddlers scribble and the Roman alphabet is a distant memory- uh-oh!
Almost all first time TEFL teachers get lost, it’s only natural- very worrying at the time-YES! but you’re sure to make it back to your apartment or school safe and sound. Ok so you’ll be no Ray Meers, but you concord a foreign city- and won!
(Most schools have an English speaking contact to come to your rescue you but it’s nice to think you can get from A to B)
Take a wrong turn when you land back on home soil? Oh well! You’ve had worse!

Lost in Translation
Some of our i-to-i graduates have tried to master the local language when TEFL teaching….and failed!
Whether you insult, intrigue or are met with fits of giggles- maybe what you try to communicate is just plain bonkers- at least you’ve had a go!
Been invited to a social event when you return from your TEFL adventure but are a little nervous about mingling with new faces? Not for you young TEFL teacher! Once you’ve smiled and gestured your way around a room of individuals who speak a different language, you’re social skills are sure to be top notch. Who cares if you can’t communicate with speech?

Get Packing
Oh I just have to take my childhood teddy, picture of my friends? Yeh chuck it in…Spare hairdryer in case my first one breaks? Oh go on then, C.D’s, books, 25 T-shirts, a room freshener, a handful of pens, oh and what about that nice sweater I wore last year? If you’ve ever unpacked after touching down to find yourself clutching garments not warn in years and less than essential belongings eating into precious suitcase space then there’s a valuable lesson to be learned!

Ok so we’ve all done it but life after TEFL teacher will see you being an ‘expert packer’. You’ll have lived with the contents of your suitcase for longer than the standard holiday period of a week or two, you’ll know what you need, what you can’t live without and what you resent for taking you over your luggage allowance.

A short holiday after your time TEFLing? Your bags will be packed with army like precision!

Photo by flosspot

If you’d like to kick start your TEFL adventure (and not just to pick up these pearls of wisdom) why not request a TEFL consultation or take a look at our latest deals on courses?

1.Take a look at what others are up to…OK so you must know about TEFL, know what it stands for- get the concept of getting paid to teach English overseas..yes yes yes (you’re here after all aren’t you!) the best thing to do is chat to people directly who are teaching all over the world right now. Ask them questions and lots of them! After all, they were in the same position as you once. That’s where our friend Chalkboard comes in-ready and waiting full of people to chat to who can share their wisdom!

2.Choosing your course…We’re not one’s to brag but we think we’re pretty top notch when it comes to TEFL courses. We have been doing it since 1994 and were the first company to take the TEFL course online but they’ll be no plugging here! It’s important you decide on the course that’s right for you-TEFL works in hours so the more hours you do the more qualified you are. Want to take the 40 hour TEFL course to top up your skills? Great- but make sure you’re not selling yourself short, most schools require a minimum of 120 hours so do your research first to find out the course you need to do to get to the place you want to be!

3.Save those pennies…
Waitressing, bar work, retail worker, acrobat, magicians assistant…whatever job you bag yourself, it’s a good idea to have a small amount of money before you go. Of course you’ll be getting paid when you start work as a TEFL teacher but you’ll want to think about booking flights as soon as you’ve bagged your dream TEFL job!

Photo by Catsfather

4.Work your way through the course…
Ahh our prized TEFL course…we’re sure you’ll love it as much as we do. This little beauty is internationally recognised, will help you bag your dream TEFL career, get your grammar up to scratch and prepare you for any classroom situation- it practically packs your bags for you!
We’re here every step of the way so if you need help or guidance at all our team of thirty strong tutors are on hand to help and you’ll be sailing through those checkpoints in no time at all.

5.Start searching for jobs…OK so towards the end of your course it’s a good idea to start assessing the options. By now you’ll have a vague idea of where in the world you’ll want to teach. The three main options are an Internship, Job Placement or finding a job independently.

6.Make a killer C.V…OK so this is where it really counts, sell yourself, tell schools how brilliant you are! Shout about your experience and make sure you read page 70 of TEFL Uncovered for top tips on creating a successful teaching resume.

7.Apply Apply Apply…Now you’ve narrowed down where you’d like to teach/ what type of school/ age group it’s time to start applying!

8.Once you’ve secured a position…Congratulations! If you’ve decided to do a placement or Internship- brilliant but if you’ve secured a position independently it’s important to assess whether the job is legitimate. This is a rarity but you can never be too careful so start doing some research. Do they have a website? Can you find others that have worked at this school? It’s a good idea to make a post on Chalkboard and visit TEFL forums to see if anyone else has experience with the particular school. Remember, if a position sounds too good to be true it probably is, extraordinarily high salaries and vague job descriptions should sound alarm bells.

9.Is there anyone you can hook up with?
OK so you’re TEFL qualified, you’ve done your research, bagged a great job (well done you’re nearly there!) why not get in touch with others traveling to the area? Whether you’re going on an internship or becoming a TEFL teacher independently it’s always nice to have a friendly face to meet up with. (Obviously always meet up in a neutral place and tell others where you are!)

10.Be prepared…
Just one more step to go! What to pack of course! Follow this handy guide for some top tips as to what to sling out of that suitcase and what should take pride of place.

Photo by Emily Hiles

11.Stay in Touch….Please!
Use Chalkboard to stay connected once you’ve jetted off across the world! We love finding out what everyone’s getting up to. Share your pictures, thoughts, experiences and stories with us and the circle of TEFL love can live on…maaaan! Use it as a way to stay connected with your friends and family too! Give them your link to your page so they can keep up with the latest escapades in your life.