Why Would I Want To Teach English in a Summer Camp?

Following on from the  recent post on summer jobs here is a guest post from Helen Hargreave of onlinetefl.com on the advantages of spending some of your vacation teaching english as a foreign language:

There’s snow on the ground…yet now is the prime time for summer job applications. If you’re looking to get some great experience working abroad this summer (yes, with real summer weather!) then deadlines for teaching English in a summer camp are approaching…

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in a summer camp is just one way to ensure that you have an incredible summer before University starts again or before you start the job hunt! It will not only provide you with some great skills and a decent wage but it will also look great on your CV.

Here are a couple of reasons why you should consider working at a summer camp:

To try it out to see if you want a future in teaching 

Never thought of teaching before? This is a great opportunity to try out something new and exciting!
Summer teaching positions can be anything from two weeks to a full summer so whether you just want a taste of TEFL or a jam-packed and varied summer – the decision is up to you.

One of the best things about teaching at summer camps is the fun atmosphere. Although your role is to teach English, students are also there to have fun! So if your first thought is “I’ve never taught before”  then this is a great environment for you to meet like-minded teachers in exactly the same situation as you – plus you’ll have an instant group of friends!

To get some practice

If you are considering teaching English on a more permanent basis in the future – a summer camp will provide you with a relaxed atmosphere to perfect your TEFL training.

Annie taught in a summer camp in Finland with no regrets!

“I didn’t realise at this point that my time at summer camp was just what I needed to get the confidence and experience in teaching to secure a full time contract at a language academy in Spain later that year.  Summer camp was the perfect way for me to get started and it I would recommend it to anyone!”

A few facts:

How much can I earn?

Residential summer camps will often provide you with free accommodation, food and a wage. Salaries will often vary from country to country and employer to employer but a standard wage would be from €250 a month. For more information on teaching in summer camps try this article.

Which countries can I teach in?

As a UK citizen, you are allowed to teach all over the EU without a degree. Popular summer camp destinations include: Spain, Finland, France, Italy and Switzerland to name a few!
Want to stay in the UK? There are also plenty of positions a bit closer to home.

What sort of training do I need to teach at a summer school?

To teach in a UK summer camp you will need to hold a recognized level 5 TEFL qualification i.e. an EDI CertTEFL, Trinity TESOL or a CELTA. In Europe, you will find that many employers will ask for some TEFL training beforehand – to find out more about getting qualified make sure to download this free Graduate Guide to Teaching English Abroad

Want a Summer Job? Then start thinking about it now....

As well as being downright good fun, a summer job is a good way of putting some extra cash in your piggy bank as well as providing some useful experience for later job applications.

Do It Now!

Winter, with its floods and gails plus ice and snow probably still to come, may not feel like the right time to start thinking about it.  But as soon as the beach ads start to appear, it's a sign that the holiday job market is about to take off.  Many companies and websites will be advertising summer vacancies with deadlines from February onwards so it is not too soon to start working out what sort of things might interest you.

And if you're thinking of seeking foreign climes, the formalities of passport, visa applications and innoculations all take time, so it really is case of the earlier the better for getting the bureaucracy out of the way.  Don't wait until passport offices and consulates are knee-deep in applications and all the flights are booked up.

Some Points To Think About...

Picking a summer job is a bit like a career decision in miniature, so it is worth thinking what you hope to gain from it apart from a suntan - as well as the fun and cash element.

Without sounding too boring, it's a great opportunity to find out more about what you like and dislike in a workplace and to enhance those vital CV skills.  Just getting there will need some organisation and communication skills.  If you're looking to enhance your customer service experience, there are loads of opportunities to do this.

You may be looking to enhance a particular area of your skills e.g. by coaching sport or working with disadvantaged people with future applications in mind.  And if you are set on a graduate traineeship in areas like law or business, a summer internship may be what you need - even if you end up seeing more of the water cooler than the swimming pool.

What's Available?

An incredible amount... but if we do try and generalise, some of the obvious niches for summer and holiday jobs both home and abroad are:

• Hotel, catering and bar work
• Shop jobs
• Temporary office jobs
• Holiday reps, tour guides
• Summer camps, playschemes and adventure schemes
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language (especially in China and other Asian counrties)
• Working in farms and gardens e.g. fruit picking and harvesting
• Festivals, events and exhibitions

One slight 'buyer beware' message is however to watch out for providers who charge money for a foreign job or working holiday experience. A small amount to cover expenses may be reasonable enough but you should not need to spend £2000 for the privelege unless you are looking for something very exotic.  On the whole, you should be able to find paid opportunities if you stick with it.

Finding Out More

Many summer jobs are advertised on the University of Cumbria Jobshop and you can also follow up useful links we have gathered at http://delicious.com/skillzone/summer  or, if heading abroad is your plan http://delicious.com/skillzone/abroad

There is also a good number of books to help you research your ideal summer job and you should be able to find a selection of them in University or public libraries.