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”
attend the first ever Expand Your Horizons Virtual ELT Conference! September 16 - September 18, 2022
keep an eye out for more resources at TEFL Horizons
