We did it! One of the toughest school years is over! So, what’s next on your agenda? Here are some great summer ideas for ESL teachers.
The school year 2020/2021 was definitely one of the toughest for teaching. We all had to adjust to a whole new routine, disinfecting everything every few minutes, keeping our distance, and dealing with the craziness of online classes or, even worse, hybrid teaching.
If you’re teaching at a public school, it’s pretty straightforward – just kick back and chill. But if you’re at a private academy and your contract wraps up on the last day of school, you might be in a tough spot.
In Spain, most ESL teachers at private academies are on a work and service contract (contrato por obra y servicio). Basically, you’re hired for the school year, and when that wraps up, your job does too. These academies often run intensive summer courses focused on exam prep, but there might not be enough work to keep you on. If you hustle and show that you’re a valuable teacher, there’s a decent chance they’ll bring you back in September. Just keep in mind that this means you’ll be looking at three months of unpaid leave. But don’t stress! There are plenty of ways to stay busy during that time.
1. Find a new job
If you’re feeling unsure about your job situation and aren’t sure if you’ll get a callback in September, now’s a great time to look for a new opportunity! Updating your resume and applying for new positions could be beneficial. You might also find a summer job, like being a counselor at one of the many summer camps or teaching an intensive course.
If you’re looking for ESL teaching jobs in Spain, definitely check out TEFL.com and Spainwise. Those sites helped me a ton! I found loads of job offers, and a bunch of academies even got back to me to set up interviews. Even if you’re feeling a bit unsure about some places, it’s totally worth it to go for an interview (most of them are online anyway) and get some practice under your belt.
2. Become autonomous
Offering private classes is a great way to earn some extra cash. In Spain, a popular platform for this is Tus clases particulares. You get to be your own boss – setting the time, place, level, and prices. It does take some self-discipline to keep everything organized, but it’s a good way to build your own teaching vibe and keep a connection with your students, even when you go back to your regular job. It can serve as your main hustle over the summer and a side gig for the rest of the year.
Future edit: So, a few months down the line, I ended up becoming a self-employed teacher. If you want to know more about it, check out New chapter: becoming a freelancer and my take on the whole thing in 8 reasons why you should NOT become a freelance EFL teacher. A tongue-in-cheek look at all the perks of being your own boss!
3. Develop yourself
If you’ve been thinking about taking some courses related to teaching but just haven’t found the time, why not give it a shot now? There are lots of websites that offer short, affordable online teaching courses. Before I jumped into teaching, I learned a bunch about different planning strategies for both adults and kids at Tefl.org. Just a heads up, even if you work with a tutor and get a certificate at the end, these courses are really more for your benefit than to wow future employers.
If you have some extra cash and want to really impress your future boss, consider investing in a Cambridge teaching course. There are plenty of options out there, but if you don’t have it yet, CELTA is the way to go. You can find it through many language schools offering intensive courses. I got mine from CLIC Seville, which is part of International House. The intensive course usually takes about 4-5 weeks, and you can do it in person, 50% online, or fully online. It can be a bit pricey, but trust me, it’s totally worth it.
In case you don’t have too much time for a full course, International House has plenty of other cool options throughout the year. They offer everything from CELTA courses to specializations, and even opportunities tailored to summer ideas for ESL teachers, including training to become a teacher trainer!
4. Prepare for next year
If you’re one of the lucky people who knows they’ll be back at the same academy next year, why not get a head start on some classes? I always find it tough to start the year, and I’m still trying to figure out the ultimate plan for a great year opener. This summer, I definitely want to create up some extra lesson plans and worksheets to use when the new year rolls around. It might seem like a lot now, but trust me, you’ll be glad you did when September hits!
Also, think about creating or finding some fun games for your students. Do a bit of digging for online tools and give them a shot. There are so many awesome websites out there waiting to be discovered! If you don’t know where and how to find these websites, have a look at Charlie’s Lessons – he’s got you covered!
5. Get creative
One cool way to grow as a person, build connections, and share your knowledge is by starting your own platform, just like this one! If writing isn’t your thing, why not post some of your awesome lesson plans and worksheets on sites like Teachers Pay Teachers? I haven’t fully jumped into that world yet, but I’ve downloaded a few freebies from there, and I’ve definitely used some in my classes. They’re well-made, super professional, and really engaging for students. Plus, it’s a nice way to make a little extra cash throughout the year!
6. Just rest
It’s time to unplug, chill out, and gear up for the next year! This summer is gonna be a bit different for me since I’m taking a month off. During this time, I plan to explore summer ideas for ESL teachers, get into creative writing (yep, that means this blog), and work on some awesome lesson plans and worksheets for my students.
Summer 2021 – let’s do this!
