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Author name: Rosie Hegarty

TEFL In Barcelona, Spain - Teach English in Barcelona
Spain

4 reasons to spend your year abroad in Barcelona

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If you’re planning on teaching English in Europe, sunny Spain offers some of the best options with exceptional courses in both Madrid and Barcelona. Here we give you four reasons why spending a year abroad in Barcelona should be at the top of your list when it comes to choosing a destination to teach English. Barcelona is an incredible city located in northeast of Spain on the Mediterranean coast, boasts beautiful world-famous beaches, show-stopping theatres, must-visit museums and a fantastic nightlife. Best Mediterranean climate When moving to Barcelona you will find clear skies, a short and mild winter, and a long, hot summer. This wonderful climate is perfect to enjoy the city beaches right in the center of town or hop on the 20-minute train ride and enjoy the quiet, picturesque coast. Less than an hour from Barcelona, you get to small beach towns, like Begur or wander through the streets of famous Sitges.  During the winter months they’re empty and peaceful and in the summer months they are full of terrazas where you can people watch while enjoying a refreshing sangria. Apart from that there are many tapas bars, cafes, roof terraces and pools to get that Vitamin D whole year round! A true foodie’s paradise The city is full of great restaurants, markets and traditional and modern bars. Make sure to plan a visit to The Boqueria Market and get some vegetables, meat, fish and thousands of other traditional products. Barcelona is home to 21 Michelin-starred restaurants and the Catalan cuisine is a mix of heritage, innovation, tradition and creativity. Get ready to discover Catalan cuisine for yourself! Bonus tip, be sure to try out paella at the 7Portes restaurant. Over fifty Nobel laureates, artists like Picasso, Miró, Alberti and Dalí, actors and many more have visited this restaurant throughout its history. Additionally, each place is engraved with every famous guests’ names. Landmarks and historical monuments Barcelona is jam-packed full of architecture from the Gothic and art nouveau periods, as well as modern architecture; many of them famous landmarks and tourist attractions. With the Barcelona Pass you can get free or reduced admission to many attractions like La Sagrada Familia, Camp Nou, La Pedrera or Park Güell between others. All these places will make your stay in Barcelona really unforgettable, whimsical and 100% Instagram-worthy.   Transport throughout the city is fantastic Buses, subways, trains, cable cars, bikes… Every type of public transport is available in  Barcelona. The trains have lines to almost every city in Spain and the airport is located 15 kilometers southwest from the center and 3 kilometers from the Port of Barcelona.  The airport has cheap flight options, and there is a great bus service so you won’t have to spend a lot of money to explore the delights of northeast Spain.   Start planning your year abroad in Barcelona now! Click here to check out our TEFL prices and dates. And share with us your thoughts about the city on Facebook!    

Europe, Italy

Top 5 things to do in Florence

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Florence is a fantastic city, located in the north of Italy, which is full to bursting with romance, architecture, museums and incredible food. The capital of Tuscany, it’s almost impossible to get bored, but if you had any doubts, here we bring you the top 5 things to do in Florence: Get lost in the streets downtown The historic center of Florence is so special because there is a contrast between the old buildings, which characterize most Italian cities, and those of the more modern stores. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, its historic center has everything: impressive monuments, like the ones in Galleria degli Uffizi, religious buildings, architectural structures and exclusive gardens. Pro tip: walking around Florence is much better with a gelato in your hand! Eat a typical Italian appetizer You will find that every meal you try is delicious, but appetizers are the best! The Tuscan gastronomy is one of the most rounded and most appreciated in Italy because it is simple, tasty and uses natural ingredients, a real foodies’ paradise. Around Piazza Santo Spirito there are many places that, for the price of a drink, you’ll also receive pizzas pasta and salads. Enjoy Italian art This city is full of works of art! From museums to palaces and art galleries, you’ll be surrounded by masterpieces all day long. Some of the best places are: The Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza della Signoria, residence of the Medici, the most important family in the history of Florence, that now houses a museum with authentic treasures,  the Accademia Gallery where the famous David by Michelangelo is exhibited, as well as the Basilica of Santa Croce (inside apart from  beautiful stained glass windows, there are the tombs of illustrious figures such as Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo, Dante or Machiavelli). Get dazzled by the city from a great height If you want to have a unique view of the city, you can’t miss Brunelleschi’s dome. Of course, bear in mind that you’ll have to put in some work climbing 463 steps to get there but the views are incredible and absolutely worth it.  And after going up 84 meters of stairs, you will get to one of the best views of the city, Campanille de Giotto. Another famous viewpoint is the one of Piazza le Michelangelo. The most famous photos of Florence have been taken there, so be sure to take a few for your Instagram acccount! Visit other places near Florence One of the best things to do once you know the city is to go out and explore Tuscany. Take a train and travel to the charming nearby cities of Siena, Pisa, or Arezzo. It’s great if you have a car, but if you don’t want to drive, trains in Italy are excellent and the province is really well connected. In addition, both Pisa and the other cities are small enough to be discovered in a day and without a car you can enjoy a glass of wine on a sunny Italian piazza. If you want to know more about this fantastic city and start your European adventure in Florence take a look at our TEFL course there. Check out our Facebook and Instagram page for more information or if you have any questions!

3 benefits of moving to a new country
Cambodia, Costa Rica, Europe, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, Toulouse, Vietnam

3 benefits of moving to a new country

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We’ve all been there; on the edge of making a decision that will change your life forever. Deciding whether or not to move to live in a new country is definitely one of these decisions but we firmly believe that it will end up being one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. In this blog we give you 3 reasons why moving to a new country is the right choice. Read on to find out more… Boosting your confidence levels The process of moving to a new country is a test in itself! The very fact that you are considering moving to take guts and it’s a great challenge and opportunity for self-development and growth. You will gain experience in tackling different situations and issues to do with adapting to changes, the culture and also maybe the language. You’ll learn to think on your feet and become more self-reliant and trust your own decisions. All this means that you’ll become more confident and realize that you’re capable of far more than you think!   Learning a new language Another advantage of moving to a new country is that it can lead to you learning a new language. Whether you want to learn a language just for fun or want to improve your language skills for better career opportunities, nothing forces you to improve like having to survive living in a new country. Having to ask for the time, renting an apartment, getting used to the transport systems and new food vocabulary; all these are things that will get you out your comfort zone and help you learn the language by doing, not just by learning! Plus, you’re more likely to retain the knowledge more than just learning in a local classroom. Learning a new language also enhances your ability to make decisions, multitask and it even helps sharpen your mind! This will also give you a big advantage if you’re job hunting in the future. Gives you a new perspective You will meet people from somewhere different, with a different outlook on life and you’ll begin to see and understand different ways of thinking about things. If you move to a large city, you’ll meet people from all over the world, whereas if you move somewhere more compact, you’ll get an authentically local experience. Whichever destination you choose, you’ll be forced out of your comfort zone. Often times it can help discover the things that really matter to you and therefore become a much more balanced person.   Each country individually will help you improve in a different way depending on their culture and way of seeing things. Find out which TEFL destination suits you best!

5 reasons to get your TEFL certificate in Toulouse
Europe, Toulouse

5 reasons to get your TEFL certificate in Toulouse

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Are you thinking of doing a TEFL Course in France? Toulouse is the 4th biggest town in France with a population of 1.2 million people and has so much to offer as a destination to live and enjoy teaching English abroad. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider getting your TEFL certificate in Toulouse: Central European positioning Situated in south-west France, Toulouse sits near the Spanish border which makes it so much easier to travel there and visit the northern Spanish cities by plane, train or driving. You can travel from Toulouse easily to tons of French cities, like Nantes, Montpellier, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux or Paris. On an international scale, you can travel across Europe to countries such as Italy, Brussels, Switzerland, Germany or England and it won’t take you more than 2 hours in a plane to get there. There are so many low-cost airlines that enable you to enjoy lots of weekends traveling Europe and seeing new places. Great for students Toulouse continuously ranks as one of the top destinations for students. There are more than 100.000 students living in Toulouse at once, so you’ll always find friends who share similar interests and are also experiencing living in a new city. Students have unlimited access to buses, trams and trains for 10euro/month for those under 26, but there are also reduced prices for the 26-35 age group. When it comes to rent, you are looking to pay around 450euro/month for a studio apartment. Prices can vary depending on the area, but it’s still a lot cheaper than the majority of European cities. Food French cuisine is among the best in the world and nothing can be better than getting to experience it firsthand in a small, local restaurant. The thing to remember is that lunch is the most important meal in French culture. It’s common for people to eat together during meals, not only at home but also at work. Traditional French food is healthy and locally sourced, including delicious vegetables and meat.   Work opportunities Toulouse is one of the best cities to teach English in France. Teachers can start working as soon as they finish their TEFL course and normally start with a few hours and build up as the weeks go on. Private language schools can pay from 15-25 euro an hour depending on the place. Alternatively, you can work, freelance which may be an advantage for some positions. The language schools in Toulouse look for teachers all year round, especially at the start of the academic year. It’s also worth noting that the competition is a lot less fierce than in big cities like Paris so you’ll have plenty of options. Learn the language of love! Learning French is a dream for many, but its tricky pronunciation doesn’t make it easy. Living in Toulouse, you have plenty of language schools that are fantastic for getting started or improving the language. When it comes to practicing speaking the locals are very friendly and happy to help you feel more comfortable speaking French! If your goal is to learn this beautiful language, definitely choose Toulouse as your TEFL destination, as you won’t have as many options for speaking English there, thus improving your French far more than if you were in a more tourist-centered city. Would you like to find out more things about living and teaching in Toulouse? Follow our blog or Facebook for weekly updates, and if you’re still not sure what country to choose to teach English, check out all of the destinations that we offer.    

How much do TEFL teachers earn in Toulouse, France
Europe, Toulouse

How much do TEFL teachers earn in Toulouse, France

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If you’re thinking of moving abroad to teach English, a common fear when people look into it, is “will I be able to survive on my teaching salary?”. It’s a scary thought to move anywhere in the world for the first time, and making sure you have enough money to live on is super important. Here at TEFL Connect, we will make sure you know all there is to know about where you’re moving so you won’t be caught out by any unexpected surprises and will know how much TEFL teachers earn in Toulouse, France. Here is our guide to TEFL teachers’ salaries. The currency you’ll be using in France is the Euro (€) which equals $1.14 USD/0.86 GBP at the time of writing this guide. Hiring is year-round in France, with the majority of jobs in bigger towns and cities, such as Toulouse! There are also opportunities in summer camps and language centers and private tuition is an additional option. A typical wage for a native English speaker with a Bachelor’s degree is €1200 – €2000 per month if you teach 25 hours per week. Living costs in France: Rent (a standard small apartment per month) – €500 Bills (electric, gas, air con etc) – included in rent! Phone – €25 for a sim with a good amount of data each month Transport – Public transport is fantastic in France, and Toulouse in particular! There’s a metro, tram, buses and extensive cycle trails. A day ticket for all public transport services will cost approx €4 and a monthly pass is only €10 if you’re younger than 26 years old. There are also discounts for those younger than 35. Food – Cooking at home is a must with the amazing fresh produce France has to offer. If you do decide to venture out, a casual meal in a nice restaurant will cost approx €12, there are fast food chains, and of course high-end restaurants in the mix too. There’s something for every budget. Socializing – A beer or wine will cost around €5, a good coffee €2.50, there’s a huge cafe and restaurant culture with great nightlife too! Toulouse comes alive at night. Total Once you’ve paid your necessary outgoings each month, based on a salary of €1500 per month, you’ll be left with a few hundred Euros per month to spend or save as you please! Travelling throughout Europe is cheap, so you’ll have enough to plan those weekend getaways. Get in touch with us through email or Facebook if you want to know more about teaching English in France, of check our other destinations!

24 hours in Toulouse Teaching English
Europe, Toulouse

24 hours in Toulouse

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If you’re teaching English in Europe, there’s a high possibility that you’ll visit Toulouse for a bit of French charm at some point. If you have only 24 hours in Toulouse, TEFL Connect has your back. Follow our recommendations for places and free tours that you simply can’t miss in the “pink city”! 24 hours in Toulouse: where to stay Toulouse is one of those places that offers a great diversity of places to stay. If you decide on accommodation in the center of the old city (highly recommendable), you will get a chance to walk through the most amazing areas, full of beautiful examples of French architecture, like the Basilica of Saint-Sernin or the Convent of the Jacobins. The center of Toulouse is within walking distance from all the monuments, museums and places of interest. In addition, you will be in the heart of the city, which means a lively nightlife with plenty of restaurants, bars and pubs. For something a little more reasonably priced, you might want to consider staying at the area of Pierre Goudouli Garden, which is where you’ll find some great chain hotels.   24 hours in Toulouse: things to do The Space City The Cité de l’Espace (Space City), inaugurated in 1997, is a scientific theme park dedicated to the great space exploration. There you can find authentic spacecrafts, like the Russian Soyuz capsule, take a stroll through an exact replica of the Mir space station or experience the lunar gravity in a simulator. The Basilica of Saint-Sernin The aforementioned basilica is possibly the most important historical monument of this French city. It is linked to the French part of the ancient pilgrimage routes of the ‘Way of St. James’ also known as Camino de Santiago in Spanish. The first construction of this great church began at the end of the 4th century, and today it is the largest Romanesque church in Europe that is still standing. La rue du Taur Famous La rue du Taur (The Street of the Bull) starts at the Saint Sernín Square, where the basilica is located, and leads to the great esplanade of the Capitol and its square. Both La rue du Taur and the church of the same name situated in it, commemorates the martyrdom of San Saturnino (Saint Sernin), who died dragged by a bull. The Capitol We can find the Capitol on the square named after it. Nowadays town hall is situated in this 18th century building with a neoclassical facade that alternates stone and bricks of striking red color. The ballrooms of the Capitol are decorated with the paintings and sculptures of the late nineteenth century that feature prominent figures and events in the history of the city of Toulouse. Bus tour Yes, we know that tourist buses aren’t that original and there’s one in every city. The thing is, there are so many of them exactly because they offer some of the easiest ways of seeing the city if you’re short on time. With the bus, you’ll be able to see the majority of the historical attractions of the “pink city” and listen to anecdotes about its life through the audio guide (available in French, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese and Japanese). As part of the tour, you get to visit the old town and enjoy the main churches of the cathedral of Saint-Étienne de Toulouse (cathedral of Toulouse) and the Basilica of Saint-Sernin. It passes through the Renaissance facade of the Hôtel d’Assézat, where the Bemberg Foundation art gallery contains an impressive collection of French paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. Don’t miss out on seeing the banks of the Garonne River and the Canal du Midi to discover a union between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Along the way, admire the typical pink terracotta bricks that cover the majority of the city. E-Bike tour Here’s a great alternative to some of the more classical tours. Discover Toulouse and its highlights with your E-Bike guided by a professional monitor. We guarantee that you’ll love the experience.  The historic center of Toulouse is still living in medieval times with its narrow streets full of surprises – perfect for a bike ride. Garonee River Between the Saint-Pierre Square and the Pont Neuf runs one of the most beautiful walks in Toulouse. There you can stroll under the trees of the Quai Lucien Lombard or go to the Daurade Square to board the Bateaux Toulousains, the tourist boats that cross the river Garonne and the Brienne canal (a must if you only have 24 hours in Toulouse). Sunny days offer a breathtaking view of the sunset from the terrace of the Café des Artistes or the Saint-Pierre staircase. It is worthwhile to cross the Pont Neuf and get to know the popular district of Saint Cyprien, with the Châteaud’Eau, a former water tank converted into a photographic gallery; the Hôtel Dieu Saint-Jacques, headquarters of the Museum of Medicine; the hospital dome of La Grave, and the contemporary art museum Les Abattoirs.   Where to eat One of the best reasons to take a trip to the beautiful city of Toulouse is the incredible food. During your 24 hours in Toulouse you can start in one of the best-known restaurant chains in France – Leon de Bruxellesm that specializes in mussels (or moules, as they are called in France) and French fries. Other options to taste the delicious food of the south of France are the restaurants Le Foxy and Balthazar. FREE activities in Toulouse You can enjoy free entry to museums and monuments in the center of Toulouse and take advantage of offers from other places with the Toulouse City Card. It allows you to move without stress for free with the local public transport network, including metro, tram, buses and airport shuttle, as well as provides additional discounts at numerous popular tourist sites and stores. Is 24 hours in Toulouse not enough for you to fully experience everything that it has to offer? Check out our TEFL course

Top 5 carnivals in the world
Cambodia, Costa Rica, Europe, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, Vietnam

Top 5 carnivals in the world

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Are you spending some time abroad traveling or teaching English and are curious about the season of carnivals? TEFL Connect has tons of info to help you out! Carnivals have a western Christian and Greek orthodox origin and throughout the history they’ve migrated to different parts of the world, evolving and taking on more and more local traits and traditions. The main festivities usually take place during February or early March. It involves street parties, parades, competitions and other entertainments. A lot of locals wear costumes and masks turning the week of carnival in a festival of colours. No wonder, that we at TEFL Connect highly recommend you to visit your local carnival if you’re teaching English abroad. Here we present our top 5 not to miss, and the best thing is that you can easily get to at least one of them from all of our TEFL Course Destinations: Venice Carnival Italy This Italian Carnival lasts for 10 days and is one of the oldest in the world. It’s said that it started after a victory of the Republic of Venice against the patriarch of Achillea in 1162. They went out on the streets to dance and celebrate the victory, thus starting the tradition. Masks are very important in this celebration, and can you think of any other city more famous for its masks, than Venice? They are made of various different materials, like cloths, leather, porcelain or even pieces made using the original glass technique. Venice is also one of the most romantic destinations. During the carnival they have the Grand Venice Balls which makes it a chosen destination for couples wanting to enjoy this beautiful celebration. If you’re in Rome, Venice is just a 3.5h train ride or an hour flight away from Venice. It’s even quicker to get there from Florence. But even if you’re not in Italy, there are dozens of flights that can bring you there in about two hours from all around Europe. Rio de Janeiro Brazil It’s considered the biggest carnival in the world with around 2 million people on the street every day. Many of the samba schools from around the country participate in the event. They put together choreography and parade on the streets, often getting the crowd to participate with them. Music and dance are very important for this celebration. Rio de Janeiro definitely has the most colorful, flashiest costumes and the best dance moves. Something to visit at least once in a lifetime for sure! Just remember that you might need to get tickets to some of the events. It’s quite a trip to Rio from anywhere in the world, but if you’re doing a TEFL Course in Costa Rica or Argentina you’ll get there in no time! You can also use carnival as a final point if you’re planning a bigger trip. Notting Hill Carnival England It’s the biggest one in Europe that welcomes more than 2 million people in a festivity to celebrate the Caribbean culture. This tradition started in 1966 and continues every year after it. The London School of Samba and the Paraiso School of Samba are the ones responsible for bringing this party to the streets of Notting Hill. This carnival is a mixture of music and more than 40 points where people can stop to hear good music and try some Caribbean dishes! This is also the only carnival on our list that takes place in August instead of February/March. On the bright side, this means you can fit two carnivals in your year abroad teaching English in Europe. Our Madrid course has especially good flight connections with low-cost airlines, like Ryanair! Mardi Gras New Orleans, USA  New Orleans hosts the biggest carnival in the US. During this event the streets are filled with music and the parades are dedicated to mythological characters such as Edimião, Orfeu, Bacchus and King Zulu. There’s nothing like a mystical atmosphere of New Orleans French quarters and you can experience it in its best and brightest. Although a lot of the events are happening after it gets dark and city fills with lights, this is also a family event so it’s common to see families enjoying a nice picnic around the Mississippi River. This festivity gathers around 250.000 people on the streets and is something truly worth a trip. Get your tickets in advance to make the most of it. Carnivals of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Spain This carnival is the second biggest one in the world after the one in Rio de Janeiro and it’s right in Europe on the Island of eternal spring, doesn’t it sound amazing? Every year the Canary Islands get ready for its biggest celebration of the year. They even broke a world record in 1987 with the biggest open-air concert with more than 250.000 people, so you can easily become part of history the next time they decide to do something as grand. Every year different people present themselves for the title of Carnival Queen. This is a very colorful spectacle with the most unusual costumes! There is also a competition where adults and children compete against their peers to see who is the most eloquent. These usually happen before the carnival starts, but you’ll see the winners during the parades. After the Queen’s coronation, the party starts with various activities and everyone can participate! If you’re teaching English in Spain after one of our courses there, add this to your bucket list. Ryanair and Iberia Express (popular low-cost airlines) will have plane tickets for about 30-40 euro if you buy in advance and you don’t need to pay for entrance tickets once the main carnival starts. Do you know any other countries with great carnivals that are on your travel list? Follow us on Facebook and let us know of your favorites! Also, be sure to check all of our TEFL destinations to choose the one that you’ll enjoy the most!

TEFL & Sports in Thailand
Thailand

TEFL & Sports in Thailand

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Are you moving to Thailand to teach English while enjoying its culture and beauty? Great decision! With your TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), you will be able to earn money while you get to explore every corner of this amazing place. Not bad, huh? In order to help you plan your new adventure and make sure you make the most of it, we have prepared a list of the sports in Thailand you need to try while living there. Not only they will help you get to know new people, but they will give you the chance to explore different landscapes and explore a new culture. Check them out! Makruk or Thai Chess Even though you don’t move from your chair, Makruk is considered a sport and it is quite similar to traditional chess, though it is said to be more strategic. The players’ main objective? To do a checkmate, which means stopping your opponent’s king to be able to move anywhere. In Thailand, about two million people play Makruk and only about five thousand prefer international chess, so it’s definitely a must-try amongst the sports in Thailand.   Sepak Takraw With thousands of followers in Thailand, this sport is quite similar to volleyball, though the ball’s fabric is different and the players are allowed to use their knees, feet, head, and chest to stop the ball, but not their hands! It is a sport that requires a lot of coordination and technique. You’ll often see kids practicing it outside, as it doesn’t require a lot of equipment.   Kite Flying As it happens with Makruk, many people do not know that kite flying is considered a sport, but it is! While you are in Thailand, you can take lessons to learn how to fly these colorful objects or you can also attend some of the festivals, which are incredibly popular. It is quite a spectacle to see the sky filled with kites of all sizes and shapes. We find that this can be a perfect activity for those of you who like creativity and art. Running For those who love running, Thailand is the perfect place to live in! With its amazing weather, you can practice this sport everywhere and you can participate in the different marathons they have: Standart Chartered Bangkok Marathon, Laguna Phuket International Marathon, Trio for Justice and Khao Yai Trail Marathon, among others. Muay Thai Known as “the art of eight limbs”, this martial art involves boxing techniques, hard kicking, and knee and elbow strikes, among others. It is a hard workout that will not only keep you fit, but will also give you the tools to defend yourself if needed.   Want to find out more about the TEFL course in Thailand? Contact us! Follow us on Facebook or send us an email and we will be more than happy to guide you throughout the process.  

Online or in-person TEFL - Teaching English without a degree
Europe, France, Italy, Spain

Teaching English in Europe as an American

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Teaching English in Europe is one of the most interesting and rewarding careers you can have. Whether it’s for months or years, you’ll have a blast. Teaching does have its challenges, but the rewards greatly outweigh any hurdles you’ll meet on your way. As an American citizen, you’ll not automatically have the necessary visas to work in Europe legally, but it’s not actually as hard as it may seem. Here we’ll guide you through what you need to do, and how TEFL Connect can make your dream a reality! So, you’ve decided you want to teach English abroad – great! So where do you begin?! The first thing you’ll need is your passport. Since you’re considered a native English speaker it’s vital you have your passport with at least 6 months remaining – or if you’re planning to be abroad longer then, of course, you’ll need a year plus. Employers will want to see your passport, so it’s handy to make some certified photocopies if you can! If you have a Bachelors degree, great! Bring that and/or copies. Europe isn’t actually too strict with needing those, as you’ll already have your visa (that’s coming below!). Lastly, your “Golden Ticket” – your TEFL certificate… that’s where we come in! Employers in Europe favor presential TEFL courses, from reputable training schools. The training schools have close links and relationships with employers – they provide their teachers and know the requirements and needs of academies in the area. So taking a face to face course, with job placement assistance is the best possible route to teach in Europe. At TEFL Connect we’ve vetted all the training centers we partner with, know how the job placement works, have done all the research needed to get visas, have housing assistance and so on. We take the pain out of moving abroad! Visas are a common worry/fear for our teachers who don’t have an EU passport. How do you teach legally in Spain, for example?! For US citizens, you have 90 days entry into the EU member states, granted automatically on arrival. That’s the first 3 months taken care of! Following this, you’re not covered. The way most Americans teaching English in Europe overcome this is a study visa. So you enroll in an extra class for 6-9 months, which allows you to legally live and work in Spain/France/Italy. This is all taken care of before you arrive, and we offer you guidance throughout the process. Prague is slightly different, you can apply for a trade license when you arrive in the Czech Republic, providing you have the correct documents. This is for 1 year and can be renewed. The training team in Prague has an in-house visa company, so you have the correct up to date information! Again, you’re completely taken care of from start to finish. Finally, the job! Now you’ve got your visa, flown to the country of your choice, completed your TEFL course, all that’s left to do is fulfill the dream of teaching English in Europe! All the training teams we work with offer exceptional job assistance. The networks in the country are invaluable. You’ll have the very best certification, reference, and support. So you’ll be working in no time! You do have to put in efforts, such as attending an interview looking your best, but when you’ve been given the opportunity, you won’t want to waste it by turning up late! You’ll generally be teaching 20 hours per week – that’s the norm throughout the continent, with some time set aside to plan lessons. This will give you enough money each month to live comfortably and hopefully save for some travel time whilst you’re in Europe! All in all, it’s easier than it seems to become an English teacher in Europe. With the correct support and guidance, you can teach English in Europe as an American for as long as your heart desires. Take a look at our TEFL courses to choose the one that suits you best or leave. Follow our Facebook page to get more tips on moving to Europe.

Traditional food in Thailand - TEFL Connect
Thailand

Traditional food in Thailand

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The gastronomy of a country says a lot about its culture and traditions, and in Thailand you won’t be disappointed with their culinary offering. In this post, we will go through the traditional food in Thailand you have to try while obtaining your TEFL certificate in this beautiful country. We can assure you that you’ll get all the energy you need to pass your course with flying colours and then start working abroad. Keep on reading! Pad Thai  It is probably one of the most popular Thai dishes and you’ll find it everywhere! It is a very common type of street food and it is a mixture of rice noodles with chicken, prawns or tofu seasoned with fish sauce, soy sauce, eggs, limes, chili, and sugar. It usually comes with peanuts on top. Kuay Teow Lui Suan You’ve probably tried spring rolls before, but there’s nothing like the Thai version of them! Made of rice paper and filled in with bean sprouts, lettuce, and many other vegetables, it is a more healthy option that you cannot miss! Tom Yum Goong This is one of the most famous Thai soups. It is made of prawns, chili, tomatoes, lime, and mushrooms and it is served warm. It is quite spicy, so if you don’t like this type of food, maybe you should let the chef know or ask for something else… Tom Kha Kai This is definitely one of our favourites! Tom Kha Kai is a soup made of chicken and coconut milk that’s not spicy (a good alternative if you fancy soup but Tom Yum Goong is too spicy for you!) It usually comes with lime, mushrooms, coriander and fish sauce. Kai Med Ma Muang Made of chicken, fried cashews and vegetables, this dish is made in a wok and it comes with a sauce made of soy, oysters and sugar. Some of the most common veggies served with this plate are onions, chilis, garlic and spring onions.   Khao Niao Mamuang Do you want to finish your meal with something sweet? We definitely recommend you the Khao Niao Mamuang, a dessert made of sticky rice, mango and coconut milk. It is served cold, reason why it is quite popular during warm days. Are you ready to start exploring Thailand through its food? If you have any questions about this country or about the TEFL course, we encourage you to give us a call and find out everything you need to know before moving abroad! Follow us on Facebook or visit our blog to learn more about the programme and other experiences.

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