I Taught English Abroad

Hosted by The TEFL Org

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Latest episode

Mar 2025

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EN-US

About the show

Hello, and welcome to ‘I Taught English Abroad’, a podcast series by the TEFL Org. If ‘I Taught English Abroad’ sounds like a simple idea, then it’s because it is. As the world’s most accredited TEFL provider, we at The TEFL Org know that our students can go on to have incredible experiences, whether they teach in classrooms in far reaches of the globe, or online from the comfort of their homes. Whether these students teach online or overseas, one vital fact remains the same: it’s utterly life-changing.

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60 recent

March 5, 2025Episode 648 min

AI, TEFL and what’s ahead

It’s 2025, and building upon the advancements from the past year, it's no secret that the TEFL industry is rapidly transforming. With more students becoming teachers, greater access to a high-quality English education, and a booming online teaching sphere, it's an exciting place to be.So, what’s ahead? With AI becoming more prevalent than ever, are there threats to the TEFL industry? What else is on the horizon? Can the TEFL world become even bigger and brighter? ‘I Taught English Abroad’ speaks to The TEFL Org’s founders, Jennifer MacKenzie and Joe Hallwood, as well as Managing Director Andy Healy, to discuss the future of our industry.--Visit the episode page to learn more about Andy Healy, Jennifer MacKenzie and Joe Hallwood and to view the episode transcript.Inspired to teach English abroad? Visit The TEFL Org to learn more about getting qualified and start your own TEFL adventure.If you have a story to tell, get in touch - we'd love to hear about it! Just email podcast@tefl.org

February 26, 2025Episode 554 min

You don’t have to teach like that

You could go your whole TEFL career going “by the book”, carrying out the same lessons over and over, and still have an enjoyable experience. Or, you could innovate, make a name for yourself, inspire generations of learners, and be invited to teach around the world, with an online audience reaching millions.Betsy Potash and Jason Levine (Fluency MC), in their own distinct ways, chose the creative path. Having carved out fascinating careers with countless amazing anecdotes and experiences, they both came back to ‘I Taught English Abroad’ to tell you how to embrace innovation, and go against the 'status quo,' as a teacher.--Visit the episode page to learn more about Betsy Potash and Jason Levine, and to view the episode transcript.Inspired to teach English abroad? Visit The TEFL Org to learn more about getting qualified and start your own TEFL adventure.If you have a story to tell get in touch - we'd love to hear about it! Just email podcast@tefl.org

February 19, 2025Episode 446 min

TEFL for good: refugees, asylum seekers and being a positive light

While TEFL can open the doors to the rest of the world for talented teachers, there are also incredible opportunities to make a difference for newcomers to your local community. With ongoing crises worldwide, there’s a significant demand for English teachers to help asylum seekers and refugees fleeing persecution, war, famine, poverty and other traumas. So, how do TEFL teachers make a difference? What’s it like teaching such vulnerable groups? What skills do teachers need? Grace Davis rejoins the podcast to tell us about her experiences working with refugees in Minnesota.--Visit the episode page to learn more about Grace Davis, and to view the episode transcript.Inspired to teach English abroad? Visit The TEFL Org to learn more about getting qualified and start your own TEFL adventure.If you have a story to tell get in touch - we'd love to hear about it! Just email podcast@tefl.org

February 12, 2025Episode 344 min

What makes a good TEFL teacher?

It sounds like a simple enough question. How do you become a great TEFL teacher? Seemingly, greatness can come through countless routes, but what skills does a person need to become a brilliant educator?Thomas Kerr, perhaps the most enthusiastic, qualified and talkative English teacher you'll find, joined ‘I Taught English Abroad’ to give his perspective. Building on his wealth of experience, he shares some funny anecdotal accounts, fantastic pieces of advice, and some surprising nuggets of information along the way.--Visit the episode page to learn more about Thomas Kerr and to view the episode transcript.Inspired to teach English abroad? Visit The TEFL Org to learn more about getting qualified and start your own TEFL adventure.If you have a story to tell get in touch - we'd love to hear about it! Just email podcast@tefl.org

February 5, 2025Episode 257 min

Changing your life and making it work

We’ve all been there: the rain clatters against the window of the bus, train or car on the commute to the job we don’t necessarily want, in the city or town we don’t want to be in any more. You feel stuck, and the dreams you once had of travelling and working overseas feel as distant as ever.For Rachael McGettigan and Daniel Gillard, divergent paths took them from these Groundhog Days to achieving their long-held ambitions of thriving across the globe. Here’s how they did it and how you can follow their path.--Visit the episode page to learn more about Rachael McGettigan and Daniel Gillard, and to view the episode transcript.Inspired to teach English abroad? Visit The TEFL Org to learn more about getting qualified and start your own TEFL adventure.If you have a story to tell get in touch - we'd love to hear about it! Just email podcast@tefl.org

January 28, 2025Episode 11 hr 6 min

Teaching English in Japan - The Comprehensive Guide

Why do so many TEFL teachers want to try their luck in Japan? What is it about the land of the Rising Sun that draws so many curious English educators over to its shores? Why do so many people try their hand at applying for the JET programme?We brought in two experts - returning guests Patrick Smith and Celi Reeder - to give a tell-all on the reality of moving to Japan, managing expectations, discovering unexpected perks, making friends, meeting students and more. If you want to know anything about teaching English in Japan, this is your opportunity to learn.--Visit the episode page to learn more about Patrick Smith and Celi Reeder, and to view the episode transcript.Inspired to teach English abroad? Visit The TEFL Org to learn more about getting qualified and start your own TEFL adventure.If you have a story to tell, get in touch - we'd love to hear about it! Just email podcast@tefl.org

January 21, 20251 min

Season 6 Teaser

We're excited to announce that the sixth season of I Taught English Abroad will be out next week! We're returning stronger than ever with in-depth interviews about the TEFL topics YOU care about. What's more, we've got some amazing guests coming back onto the podcast to give us both a little update and some expert advice on some of the most inspiring, controversial, futuristic and downright exciting subjects in English teaching. It's blockbuster stuff - you won't want to miss an episode.Tune in for the first episode on the 28th of January.--Inspired to teach English abroad? Visit The TEFL Org to learn more about getting qualified and start your own TEFL adventure.If you have a story to tell get in touch - we'd love to hear about it! Just email podcast@tefl.org

June 12, 2024Episode 111 hr 1 min

From the priesthood to the classroom

When Seth Knight left seminary after training for the priesthood in Milan for 3 years, he wasn’t quite sure what he’d do next. Qualified in music, and a former professional dancer, Seth knew he loved working with people and performing. Teaching came calling, and a truly unique story followed.In this fascinating episode, we deal with spirituality, navigating important junctures in life, changing direction and what makes teaching such a rewarding and lasting career.--Visit the episode page to learn more about Seth Knight and to view the episode transcript.Inspired to teach English abroad? Visit The TEFL Org to learn more about getting qualified and start your own TEFL adventure.If you have a story to tell get in touch - we'd love to hear about it! Just email podcast@tefl.org

June 5, 2024Episode 1052 min

It all started when she pressed ‘play’

Rachael McGettigan had pretty much put any plans to teach and explore Asia aside. It just wasn’t a priority, nor something that seemed realistic - until she happened upon the ‘I Taught English Abroad’ podcast. After listening to our first-ever episode, Rachael caught the travel and teaching bug and hasn’t looked back.We talk about changing career, being inspired by stories of Cambodia, and how she ended up meeting our first podcast guest for a career-affirming evening.-- Visit the episode page to learn more about Rachael McGettigan and to view the episode transcript.Inspired to teach English abroad? Visit The TEFL Org to learn more about getting qualified and start your own TEFL adventure.If you have a story to tell get in touch - we'd love to hear about it! Just email podcast@tefl.org

May 28, 2024Episode 940 min

Finding identity through teaching

It can be difficult when you have parents from two different cultures. Growing up, Lucia identified as both a Londoner and a Canarian, spending different periods of time across the capital of England and Spain, but what was once a tricky balancing act among peers has become a huge strength, and now she teaches English.We caught up with Lucia to find out more about her life and career, and what it was like growing up between two very different lifestyles.---Visit the episode page to learn more about Lucia Power and to view the episode transcript.Inspired to teach English abroad? Visit The TEFL Org to learn more about getting qualified and start your own TEFL adventure.If you have a story to tell get in touch - we'd love to hear about it! Just email podcast@tefl.org