Have you thought about teaching abroad but you aren't sure how to do
it or should be if you are even qualified to be a international teacher? Some
of the typical questions are answered by our expert panel below.
Am I qualified to teach abroad?
If you have a passion to teach and are open to new cultures, teaching abroad may be for you. There are teaching positions in many
disciplines and languages around the world and if you are flexible you will surely find one that suits your interests and qualifications. The majority of
teaching positions available are for native English speakers willing to teach English as a foreign language.
Do I need a degree? Or would a TEFL certificate be sufficient? Is
teaching experience required?
The qualifications required by employers vary widely depending upon
the demand and availability of teachers and work visa requirements in
your country of interest.
In many countries, a bachelor's degree is required to be able to
work legally. The majority of full time teaching positions require a
bachelors' degree, though not necessarily in education. Some English
teaching schools do not require a college degree as long as you
are a native speaker.
There are schools that employ native English speakers who do not have
a TEFL certificate, but many competitive employers require a TEFL
certificate. Regardless, you can be sure that any certificate will
help you develop your skills and prepare you for the classroom
experience. A TEFL certificate is a must if you are serious and you
want to be a better teacher. While native speakers are often
preferred for English teaching positions, a non-native speaker with a
TEFL certificate may also qualify. In general, most certificate
programs assist with job placement.
In most cases, English teach abroad programs do not require teaching
experience but your chances of getting hired will be greater if you
have it.
If you have a degree in teaching English as a foreign language there are no limits to your destination options. The US, UK, Australia and many other destinations have highly paid teaching jobs for qualified professional teachers.
Does age matter? Are teaching positions available for both
young and older teachers?
Age might be an issue in other countries due to working permit and
visa requirements. In some cases particularly in Korea as well as other Asian and middle-eastern destinations age may be a factor in hiring. Many of these schools require photos and more important than age is often a well-groomed appearance.
Aside from teaching positions in a university or a language school,
there are also 'volunteer' teaching positions open to any age; there
are even some open to high school students. Many volunteer teaching placements exist in developing countries. Often these jobs are better than locally paid positions. The in-country pay may be so low that the volunteer placements, with its perks, may be worth more than what you would get on the open market. Volunteer teaching placements also provide a chance to meet unique students. Teaching in an orphanage or in an eco tourism project to eager local students may be more rewarding than a bushi ban full of well-off and not so eager young boys. |
Can I teach with my partner?
Schools seek stability from their internationally recruited staff members.
If the school takes care of the travel, housing, medical, insurance and visa application expenses, then most likely single teachers are preferred. They are highly appealing if they are open to shared housing. Some schools opt for single teachers because they are mobile.
Other schools prefer to hire teaching couples because they can be hired together and share a single living accommodation. Also, couples who have no children and share accommodation may be more stable. In most countries there is zero tolerance for dating local students. This is obviously less of a risk with teacher couples. In many places the demand is so high that a couple just means more students, more classes and more income for the school owner.
Not all destinations are gay friendly. Prospective teachers concerned about destinations should check out Rainbow SIG
Do I need to speak the local language?
You don't need to speak the local language. Many schools prefer that you do not speak the local language and most students do not expect you to speak the local language.
Many schools offer language classes and social
activities to help their teachers familiarize with the local culture.
Having a little background in the local language will give you an
edge why certain diction, grammatical and pronunciation problems are obstacles to foreign language learning. A bit of knowledge of the local language and
culture will also help you determine what topics of discussion will
be of interest to your students for a good English conversation
starter in the classroom.
Do I have to go for a year?
Most teaching positions are for a year. Some schools provide you with a return ticket only after you have completed your year commitment. Others will reject your visa if you try and change schools before your yearlong commitment has been completed. There are still short-term teaching jobs. Occasionally summer camps in Asia, for example, hire teaching counselors. Most volunteer teaching positions have flexible commitments from a few weeks to a few months.
Teaching abroad is an incredible way to immerse yourself in the local culture, interact on a meaningful level with the locals and earn some  to travel. Teaching however is not easy, it's challenging and you will earn the you make. It is a job after all, and like any job you should commit yourself to it. Take a TEFL course, research the local culture, and ask yourself in advance if you have the patience and commitment required to teach abroad.
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