Inverness language school TEFL Org sees interest rise as workers seek career change after Covid

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TEFL Org co-founders Jennifer MacKenzie and Joe Hallwood.

Workers rethinking their career options in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis are looking for new opportunities to teach English as a foreign language.

This has led to a resurgence of interest in Inverness-based language education provider The TEFL Org, which has seen a 250% increase in its virtual classroom and on-demand online courses with more a third of its graduates choosing to start their courses. because they wanted to change careers.

Company co-founder Jennifer MacKenzie said, “We are seeing a massive increase in the number of people seeking to start careers in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) which has been driven by the impact of pandemic on people’s lives.

“Those who might not be able to follow a passion for teaching due to travel restrictions or time constraints, and especially those who found themselves out of work, can now do so from their own homes. We can broadcast our courses to students all over the world.

Yvonne Beckles, student at TEFL Org.
Yvonne Beckles, student at TEFL Org.

One professional who took the step was Yvonne Beckles, who worked for the local Bath tourist office in Somerset before being made redundant during the pandemic.

Having previously studied French and German at the University of Glasgow, she completed an accredited 120 hour course with The TEFL Org in 12 weeks before starting her teaching career.

She expected to continue working in the tourism industry until her retirement, but in 2020 she was first put on leave and then fired due to the impact of the pandemic on the sector.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do next because all I really knew was the tourism industry, and the future was bleak there,” she said.

“A chance conversation with a friend got me thinking about TEFL and I decided to dig deeper into it. I had never taught languages ​​before, but had trained staff and lectured to tourism students.

“Even though I was slightly intimidated by the prospect of resuming my studies after so many years, I really enjoyed the course, and it was good to do something positive and keep my brain active after I was terminated. “

Through the TEFL organization, Yvonne then got a job at a company teaching English online to elementary school students in China. Recent legislative changes in the country mean Yvonne is hoping for more opportunities with the online company, but she continues to teach 40 students each week from the comfort of her own home in Bath.

“A year ago, if someone had told me that I would teach children overseas English in the future, I would have told them they were crazy, but here I am, enjoying the challenges and the satisfaction that each class brings, ”she added. .

“The saying goes ‘when one door closes another opens’ and in my case that’s true. I lost a job that I loved and I’m so lucky I found another.

The TEFL Org, which started life in a garden shed following the 2008 financial crash and is now a world leader in TEFL accreditation, also found that 29% of people take a TEFL course in order to improve their CV. And he found that there was a slight increase in the number of undergraduate and postgraduate degree holders from 2019 seeking a qualification.

The company recorded 81% revenue growth from 2019 to 2020 and continues to grow globally.


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