Episode Forty-eight

What makes a “TEFLpreneur?”

Show Notes

Let's talk about my new favorite word: "TEFLpreneur." You've probably pieced together that it's a fun combination of "TEFL" and "entrepreneur." But what does it really MEAN to be an entrepreneur in the ELT industry? What do you need to get started, what does it take to be successful, and why attempt it in the first place? Join me for a reflection on the rise of the TEFLpreneur and some thoughts on whether you could be one, too.


In this Episode

Defining a “TEFLpreneur”

  • What is “TEFLpreneurship?”  

  • Why this word is important to me 

The pros of working in the ELT industry:

  • working with people from around the world

  • helping students reach goals

  • the love of teaching

  • traveling, adventuring, experiencing new cultures

The cons of working in the ELT industry:

  • being tied to the location where you can find work

  • lack of control over your schedule

  • lack of choice in terms of what you teach

  • cap on income

 The irony of the ELT industry

  • many of us are attracted to TEFL/ TESOL because we don't want a “traditional” job, and then end up feeling more tied down than ever

  • we envision a lifestyle of exploration and new experience but end up too broke or overworked to experience much more than lesson planning

My first thoughts about becoming a “TEFLpreneur”

  • realizing how things would be different if I could “cut out the middleman”

  • the obstacle of not having my own physical space in which to teach

How online teaching has transformed ELT possibilities  

  • every teacher has their own virtual classroom/ language school

  • possibilities beyond just live lessons

 What holds most people back from “TEFLpreneurship”

  • overwhelm about needing a perfect website, tons of followers, fancy equipment, etc.

  • imposter syndrome: thinking you don’t know enough or no one will want to hear from you

  • assuming you need to be the #1 expert

The only thing you really need to be an entrepreneur 

  • an offer

  • a buyer

What you don’t need

  • to know everything

  • to be the best

  • to be the only person doing what you do

For more on becoming a “TEFLpreneur”


Do you consider yourself a TEFLpreneur? Do you want to be one? What’s holding you back? Let me know in the comments!