Traditional gap years are being put on hold until after university say LoveTEFL

May 21, 2012 - PRLog -- Traditional gap years once considered rites of passage for most students are now being reconsidered in favour of working gap years abroad after university says LoveTEFL.

The growing trend for students taking a gap year after their A-Levels has been reported to have declined after universities started charging up to £9000 per year for tuition fees in 2012.

Although gap years were once deemed as an excuse to ‘drop out’ for a year, many students and their parents are now no longer in the position to support a year of backpacks and beaches. Therefore, many students are now considering putting off their gap year until after university as a way of building skills and experience.

For Ian O’Sullivan, Recruitment Manager of LoveTEFL, the trend is not surprising. He said: “Although most students would love to have the option to travel before university many are concerned about the costs involved and whether a traditional gap year is actually a viable option before embarking on their university studies.

“As we recruit LoveTEFL candidates for teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) placements abroad this year, we are witnessing many of our applicants are graduates looking to take a working post gap year in order to travel, expand their horizons and get some real work experience and transferable skills under their belt whilst they weigh up their future options.

“Many graduates feel a working post gap year abroad will be of more benefit to them than a traditional gap year – and as they struggle to find employment in the current climate they hope a gap year after university be that vital ingredient to make them stand out against other candidates when they return home looking for work.

“We are finding that many graduates who are looking for paid employment abroad are attracted to TEFL placements as they come with good pay and other benefits such as accommodation, meals and sometimes flights. A TEFL gap year can really help their career get off the ground.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors
About LoveTEFL free supported China programme
LoveTEFL is currently recruiting 100 graduates to join their supported china programme arriving in Beijing in August 2005 and will be offering a free TEFL course,  a years teaching contract in some of China’s exciting provinces, a salary of around £600 a month, accommodation on school premises and three meals a day during week days.
Their one-stop service creates a sense of community for the teachers and for social and professional development to ensure applicants are given the best support, skills and experience possible to benefit them and their future careers.

Applicants must have the following requirements
Native English speaker
2 years work experience (in any job gained at any time)
A Bachelor’s Degree
A 120-hour Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate (TEFL) – Or be prepared to undertake the TEFL course (free) if successful in the supported job package application
A strong desire to work in China and help develop the language ability of Chinese students
The commitment to work in China for a full academic year
And finally, bags of passion, a great sense of humour and a camera!
For more information please visit http://www.lovetefl.com/jobs-in-china/. The cut-off date for applications is Thursday 31 May 2012

LoveTEFL is an online teaching English as a foreign language business (TEFL) with a difference. In addition to offering  a 120 hours online TEFL course and a classroom course, LoveTEFL also offer a free supported jobs packages, which includes a 120-hour TEFL training course, a teaching contract in Thailand or China, a working Visa and a guaranteed job for one year. Once the person gets settled in their new home town, LoveTEFL will help refresh their skills and support them in finding accommodation.

Further information for media enquirers
For further information please contact Sarah Ollington in the Red Robot Media PR team on 07948 579 827 alternatively e-mail: sarah@red-robot.net