Is Teaching Abroad for You?

Can I Teach Abroad?

If you have the passion to teach and are open to new cultures, teaching abroad is for you. Majority of teaching positions available are for native English speakers teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL, also called ESL, English as a second language) but there are many teaching opportunities in all disciplines and many languages around the world. You will surely find one that suits your interests and qualifications. It's that easy.

Are there placement services?

There are a growing number of teacher placement services around the world, which can be valuable resources for your teaching job search and placement. These organizations charge a fee that may cover things like airport pickup, orientation and a contact in the community as well as professional advices and actual referrals to your prospective employers. This may seem odd that such services are available when in fact there is a high demand for teachers abroad, but this is because some people actually may find it difficult to find the right or reputable school in their country of choice.

Do I need a college degree? What about a TEFL certificate?

The qualifications required by employers vary widely depending upon the demand and availability of teachers and the work visa requirements in your country of interest. The majority of full time positions require a Bachelors degree in almost any field. Whether or not you'll need an official TEFL certificate depends on many specific factors. You can be sure that any certificate will help you prepare for the classroom experience and develop your skills. It will certainly help your chances of finding work teaching in Barcelona, but is less necessary in order to play word games with Indonesian village children. While native speakers are often preferred for English teaching positions, a non-native speaker with a TEFL certificate may also qualify. A TEFL certificate is a must if you are serious about teaching as a career. Most certificate programs also assist with job placement, which can be a huge advantage over those who show up on the streets with a bamboo sign "Will Teach English for Pad Thai."

Where can I teach ESL?

There is an essential demand for English teachers in almost all non-English speaking country in the world. Countries like Japan, Taiwan, S. Korea and other countries in Asia have all become economic giants. Their booming economics bring more internationalization and the increasing need for English teachers. As a result, there is a huge demand for English teachers throughout Asia. You should consider why you are teaching and base your destination upon those objectives. Teaching English is a job, not a vacation, and it would be a mistake to be teaching based solely on wanderlust. That said, the right environment, the right salary, the right language and the right street side cafes can make the challenges of the classroom seem like the rewards of the world at your doorstep.

Quality teaching opportunities can be found at our very own TeachAbroad.com, the most recent postings are in the Hot Jobs section.

Whom will I teach?

You may be teaching children, housewives, college students or corporate executives. It will depend upon your employer. Most language schools enroll students of all ages and backgrounds. You might find work doing private tutoring, or teaching English majors at the university depending upon the policies of your employer. Look at all the opportunities you can because each type of teaching requires different skills, and offers different rewards.

How much money does a teacher abroad make? How much can I earn?

The amount of money a teacher abroad makes is relative to their position, qualifications and destination. One very important factor to consider when applying for teaching jobs abroad is the cost of living in the country you are heading to. In China, for instance, you may enjoy a high standard of living but you probably won't be able to pay a large mortgage payment back home. Many teachers make extra pay teaching additional classes or tutoring individual students but this will depend on the policies of your employer. In South Korea and Taiwan, the pay is higher and so is the cost of living. Some employers provide free accommodation and utilities to help teachers cope with the cost. Some provide additional benefits like reimbursing your air fare and providing medical insurance. Offers vary from one destination to another and GoAbroad.com highly recommends researching your placements in advance to make an informed decision regarding the job offer.

Is there a contract? Should I sign a contract?

In most cases you must sign a contract and stick to the terms. You can research a school in advance by speaking to former teachers. Just remember your experience is individual and just because someone else loves or loathes a school doesn't mean you will share their views.

What are the most important qualifications to teach ESL?

Patience, commitment and enthusiasm. Remember, you've been a student before, grumbling about your teachers, wishing they would just make their discussions clear. You know what you wanted in a teacher. Now, here is your chance to fulfill those dreams.

Is it necessary that I speak the language of the country where I will teach?

No. Some schools do appreciate it if you know their native language, if for no other reason than to be able to handle yourself more comfortably in the environment. Few people who are interested to teach abroad speak the local language before they go. It is more advantageous for you to know some basic local language phrases of the country where you will teach but it is certainly not necessary at all to be fluent. Furthermore, many schools offer language classes and social activities to help familiarize their teachers with the local culture. Having a little background of the local language will give you an edge why certain diction, grammatical and pronunciation problems seem to be hard to beat up. It will also help you determine what topics of discussion that will be of interest to your students even if you may not know enough of the language but it could be a good English conversation starter in the classroom.

What are the differences between TESOL, TEFL, EFL, TESL, and ESL?

TESOL, TEFL, and TESL are teacher-centered terms that pertain to teaching English. ESL and EFL are student-centered terms. TESOL is more commonly used in the US and TEFL in the UK. The terms Foreign and Second language are often perceived to mean the same. Some define EFL and TEFL as studying or teaching English to a non-English speaking region, for example, teaching English in Korea. ESL and TESL on the other hand means studying or teaching English to people who have migrated from a non-English speaking country to an English-speaking country, for example, teaching English to Koreans who are in the US.

Which English accent is in demand?

It depends upon the location. Preferred accent is determined by who the host country does the most business with. In Mexico, the American teacher is preferred. In Indonesia, a school may prefer the Australian teacher. In Europe, British English may be preferred and within the European community, teachers from the UK may be the only teachers hired.

Where will I stay?

Take a clear understanding of the arrangement for your accommodations when applying for a teaching position abroad. Some schools do normally provide free accommodation either on the school campus, homestay, privately rented room or dormitory. You need to find out though if it is shared accommodation or not and if it involves duties. If your would-be employers do not provide accommodation, you may ask help or seek for initial accommodation to be provided at the start of your work. It might be difficult for you to find a house without any help from someone else or if you do not know any local language.

Where do I find the jobs?

The Teach Abroad directory of GoAbroad.com is an important resource for teaching positions. Our database is reliable because the positions are actually posted and updated by the schools themselves. Many organizations post listings for one year at a time and hire throughout the year. Other employers post a job for a week and are overwhelmed with the e-mail responses. If you are searching for the most recent perfect job, you might want to regularly check out the Hot Jobs section on TeachAbroad.com.

What costs are involved?

The costs involved vary depending usually on whether you are being hired directly by the school or the program that you participate in is a TEFL placement or a volunteer placement. In many paid teaching jobs, you have to shell out for transportation costs, accommodations and meals. There are schools which provide benefits like medical insurance, subsidized housing, and there are some employers who reimburse your airfare, usually when you successfully finish your contract. If it is a TEFL placement, there may be a cost for the TEFL course. If it is a volunteer placement, there is usually a program cost and no compensation, although there are some schools which give their volunteers a stipend. You need to clarify all of these costs with your program provider or employer.