Teach English Abroad

Are you interested in the idea of teaching abroad? Or are you totally new to the prospect and not sure how to get started? Find out everything you need to know – and do – to get started teaching English around the world!

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These are some of the most popular teaching jobs abroad we offer which include training, TEFL certifications and in-country support.

Reasons to Teach English Abroad

Becoming a qualified English teacher can really change your life and this is a great career option if you are keen to spend your gap year living, working and earning money abroad.

Some of the main benefits include:

• Work anywhere in the world
• Some recruiters pay for flights and accommodation
• Fantastic salaries are available
• Help students learn and improve their language skills
• Change your life

Best Places to Teach Abroad

You can teach English as a foreign language to children and adults in countries all around the world. Asia is one of the most popular destinations in the world with recruiters in countries like China, Thailand, Japan and South Korea hiring thousands of foreign language teachers every year.

The Middle East has some of the best paying jobs, some of which are tax free. Other countries where lots of people choose include France, Spain, Czech Republic, Argentina, Brazil and Costa Rica – just to name a few.

You can also work as an online English teacher and as long as you have access to the internet. This positions allows you to work from anywhere in the world!

Requirements

No previous experience is usually needed to teach abroad but you will need to have a good level of English and most recruiters will require you to have taken a teaching qualification (TEFL course).

Having a degree and being a native English speaker puts you at an advantage to getting hired, but lots of non-native speakers also find work.

If you are worried about a lack of experience, some companies offer combo placements, for example TEFL certifications and placements either voluntary, internships or full time jobs.

If you have any questions you might like to join our teaching abroad forum.

How to Get a Teaching Job Abroad

Potential English teachers can choose from a variety of jobs when working abroad. All of these positions have their pluses and minuses. It just depends what you want and the kind of work you like to do.

If love working with adults you could do more test preparation, private lessons, and corporate training. Some people love helping children and prefer working in a government school. There are also volunteer teaching job which are rewarding.

Below is a list of the major job types you find from country to country and what type of environment you can generally expect from this kind of job:

Teaching Jobs at Government Schools
These English schools are operated by the government and usually pay the worst. However, the schools are reliable. You know the school won’t suddenly close, you will get your paycheck on time, you’ll have some professional support, they will fulfill their contract obligations, and they won’t terminate you without cause. (Note: In Korea and Japan, government schools pay just as well as language schools and offer a lot of vacation time.)

These schools will require you to do all the things teachers in your home country do: run classes, grade papers, make up exams, set the curriculum, and keep office hours. Most of those extra responsibilities are unpaid. The trade off is that you have a stable job for as long as you want it. Teaching at the government schools is just like teaching at a school back where you live. The expectations they have for you are the same. Your salary is being paid for your whole job, not just classroom time.

Teaching Jobs at Language Schools
The next step up are the language schools, such as Berlitz, Hess, ECC, EF, InLingua, or any one of the millions of language schools around the world. The pay here is better and you’ll have more flexibility in your schedule and curriculum that you would at a government school. You won’t have to do prep time or parent meetings. If you do, they usually pay you a bit extra for it. However, your job less secure and guarantees by these companies don’t always appear.

Some go bankrupt without any notice or bonuses and perks aren’t what they were promised. Moreover, many parents also use these schools as a form of baby sitting. They just drop them off and hope they learn something. Since many of these schools are motivated by money, they rarely discipline the students for fear they will stop coming, this is especially true in Asia. Overall, while the pay is better, the jobs abundant, and the hours more flexible, the work environment can sometimes be more difficult.

Teaching Jobs at Private Schools
Private schools are similar to government schools in terms of job expectations. You’ll be expected to perform all the functions of a normal teacher, and your salary is based on total work time, not just class hours. The difference is that private schools offer better pay and support than government schools, and sometimes, a better student body.

Depending on the private school, English may or may not be the main language taught. If English isn’t the school’s primary language, there is usually a special curriculum of all English courses. Since parents are paying a lot of money for these schools, they kids are generally expected to produce results. Think of them like the private schools in the West.

Teaching Jobs at International Schools
International schools are the best schools to teach English at. The kids are children of international expats, diplomats, or very rich locals. The curriculum is usually the same as your country of origin- it’s just like teaching at home. All the kids speak English, are usually highly motivated, and very involved. Their parents want them to go overseas for university so have high expectations.

As an added bonus, you make a lot of money. A lot of money. These are the best paying English teaching jobs in the world. However, competition is very stiff and typically applicants need a lot of experience. These schools expect you to be certified teacher and are usually required to sign long contracts. Moreover, many don’t like leaving so few openings occur, especially at the better international schools.

Corporate Training Teaching Jobs
Another option is to do corporate training. Corporate training jobs typically pay very high, the schedules are flexible, the students are adults who want to learn, and the work can last a few months. These jobs are usually before or after business hours.

However, these jobs, like the language school jobs, are typically hard to get and require experience, at least at the more reputable companies. If you have a business degree, you will almost be guaranteed a job.

Tutoring Online
No matter where you go, you’ll find people wanting private English lessons. These are a great source of extra income and pay more than the standard rate. If you can get a lot of private students online, you will earn more money than a regular teaching job.

The best place to find private students is via word of mouth or through local teaching boards. Moreover, during the summer time, you can find extra work teaching at an English Summer Camp. Kids are on break and it’s a great way for parents to kill two birds with one stone. These camps are especially popular in Europe, Korea, China, and Japan.

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