Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re answering some questions from our readers. One of the questions we receive frequently is from those who want to teach English abroad. These are a few of the most common questions we receive in regards to teaching overseas.
How Do I get a Job Teaching English Abroad?
It’s not as easy as you might think to find a job teaching English abroad, even though a lot of people seem to do this. The search for good English teaching jobs for non-certified teachers is difficult. However, there are a few things you can do to make it easier to find these jobs. The best thing you can do is to get a TEFL Certificate. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, and many places require this certificate before they will hire you to teach abroad. Your Visa may also require proof of certification. The TEFL course is available online or through a local community college. I would suggest finding one that offers you the opportunity to teach a class before you finish as it then allows you to have an idea what it is like to actually teach a class before you show up in a foreign land to teach.
Watch: American English vs British English
What if I Don’t Have TEFL Certification?
There are some places that will allow you to teach without the TEFL. You’ll have to research carefully to determine who requires the TEFL course and who does not. Also, remember you will need a work permit or living permit in order to work in many countries. That is something you will need to arrange before you show up in country. Having a TEFL Certificate or an equivalent could make getting a work permit or visa slightly easier as it proves you are a trained skilled worker.
What Type of Teaching is Available?
Most programs place English teachers in schools, however there are also private programs you can look into. These often pay more, and may require a specialty in addition to TEFL. When Mark was living in Lithuania and Brazil he was able to arrange higher paying private English business tutoring sessions for business executives. This may take more time to develop as you will need a network to help bring you in clients. The classroom set up at larger language schools like Wall Street Institute or Berlitz make for good starting points. Some students may want extra classes and that is your opportunity to set up private lessons.
Can I Teach English in Europe?
Yes, there are programs available in Europe. If you are coming from the U.S. you are at a disadvantage to Europeans who want to teach English as they will receive preference when hiring as the European Union requires EU citizens to be chosen first for open job positions. This may be one reason why there are so many Americans that teach English in Asian countries such as South Korea.
Watch: Ten Things to Consider Before Moving Abroad
What Downsides Should I Look Out For?
Do your research on companies that offer you teaching positions. There are numerous stories now about teachers going unpaid, or working in less than ideal circumstances. Try to talk to someone who has done this program previously, and get a first-hand account. There are numerous resources online as well as suggestions from the firms that run the TEFL programs. Things to look for, if they offer you a place to stay, make sure you have picture of the actual property, not just a promise. Additionally, if the school does not offer you contacts to speak to about the position, I personally would be wary.
If you are thinking about teaching English abroad, we hope this helps answer some of your questions! For more travel tips and advice, check out these blog posts and videos:
