The days at the office are dragging. Did the clock just go backwards? An unnamed coworker ate half of your turkey sandwich and threw the rest in the trash. On break, you Google and click and scroll and scroll through teach abroad programs. You’re 100% ready to leave your day job and pursue a career abroad teaching English to kids and adults all over the world.
Sometimes you just have to go.
You’ve found the ideal job hiring for teachers abroad, aced the interview, and just got a job offer. Nice! You’re ready to stick it to your boss and put in your notice (or just not show up), but not so fast—there are some essential questions to ask before picking between teaching jobs abroad. It may seem like a drag to actually think your decision over, but you don’t want to make an irresponsible or ill-informed decision, blinded by the overwhelming desire to uproot and move across the globe.
So what are the questions to ask before accepting a job offer for teaching abroad?
12 important questions
1. How did I feel after the interview—was I confident in the school/company? Comfortable with the interviewers?
It is incredibly important to assess how you feel after an interviews for teacher jobs abroad. Was the interview a cakewalk, or did you feel challenged? Interviewers who don’t seem qualified, or ask too many softball questions could indicate that the school or company is disorganized or illegitimate. Ideally, you will want to feel like your interviewer is trying to get to know you and your skills in earnest.
Don’t forget to use the interview to make sure the company is a good fit for you in return!
2. Will this job help me get what I want in work and life?
If you’re especially eager to get out there and find teacher jobs abroad, make sure you’re taking the time to stop and think first. There are a lot of teaching jobs abroad out there, so you surely have the luxury of choosing one that is the right fit for you and yours goals. It can be tempting to say “yes!” to the first job offer you get, but consider what is has to offer you.
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How will this job and this role factor into your overall plan? Will it help further your goals and career? These are important questions to ask before picking between teaching jobs abroad.
3. Will I be able to move forward professionally here—and do I want to? Are there opportunities for growth?
Make sure to look at the role and your contract, and what they entail. If you’re headed somewhere that you would like to stay long term, find out if your contract is fixed or if it can be extended—and also consider what that means in terms of visas. If you want to stay long term, consider whether or not you’ll be challenged enough that you won’t get bored or burned out. Opportunities for growth are a necessary component to having a rich and fulfilling career, even in the realm of teaching abroad.
Make a list of questions about your contract, and check it twice!
4. Will they sponsor my work visa? Is it legit?
Visas restrictions vary from country to country, so your questions to ask before teaching abroad should absolutely include some about work permits. If your employer isn’t willing to sponsor your work visa, that may slow down the entire process, and make it next to impossible to set up a long term career wherever you’re going. Make sure to do the proper research to find out if the school or company is legitimate as well—if you arrived in a foreign country only to find out that your “employer” went bankrupt months ago, and you just sent off a chunk of your savings to who knows where...well, it unfortunately wouldn’t be the first time.
5. How are the reviews?
NEWSFLASH—reading the reviews for the school or company offering you a job will save you a world of trouble. It rarely happens that reviews aren’t legitimate, especially if you can find a third party website hosting them, so make sure to scour all you can find. Past participants will gladly share whether or not they had a good experience, which will save you half the research in the long run.
If you play your cards right, you, too, can live on an enchanting street like this one.
6. Do they offer my preferred housing?
On the list of questions to ask before teaching abroad, this one might seem trivial, but it’s not! Often, teaching abroad contracts can last up to an entire academic year, and that’s a long time to live somewhere you positively despise. If you’re looking for the immersive, cultural experience that only homestays can offer, ask if you’re able to find that before accepting the job. If you’re an introvert who is a light sleeper (or snorer...), and you know you’ll need the welcoming peace and quiet of a private apartment, find out if that’s available. Accommodation can make or break an experience teaching abroad.
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7. Will I be working with the student population I want?
Teaching abroad jobs are available all over the world, which means the students in the classroom can vary from place to place, especially depending on who has the most demand for English skills. Do you love working with children? Make sure the school or company can offer you a placement in elementary or middle schools. Are you more comfortable teaching teens or adults? Then find out if there are positions available in high schools, universities, or business schools.
8. How long is the commute? Are my hours good?
Questions about commute are especially important if you plan on going to teach somewhere off the beaten path. If you’re teaching in downtown Managua, but your homestay is in rural Nicaragua, that might be a problem. Whether you’re teaching in a rural or urban setting, it’s always good to make your commute expectations clear—otherwise, no matter how reputable the company or school, they may try to pull a fast one over on you. The same can be said for how many hours you work; many job seekers don’t realize that they’ll be teaching only part time before they arrive at their destination, and subsequently find it difficult to make ends meet. Clear up whether you’ll be part time or full time before accepting a job offer.
Your commute might even be as beautiful as Grand Central Station in New York City!
9. How do the benefit packages/salaries compare?
This one is essentially at the top of the list of questions to ask before picking between teaching jobs abroad. Considering the sheer volume of locations and teacher jobs abroad, there will be a lot of benefits and salaries to compare. Some locations offer full benefits and a healthy salary, while others offer more modest pay. If you’re someone who wants to be able to make a living and save money while teaching abroad (as opposed to breaking even or spending out of your own pocket), find out if the school or company is offering benefits, and what exactly your salary will be.
10. Can I afford to live and work here?
After you know your benefits and salary, you should assess the cost of living, and decide whether or not you can afford to live in that location. As mentioned, some companies and schools offer payment that is equal to or less than the amount of living costs.
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In some cases, you may have to decide whether or not you want to spend your own money on teaching abroad. Don’t say yes to a job offer before you know whether or not you can actually afford to accept it.
11. What is there to do outside of work?
Are you a social butterfly, or a reclusive loner? It is important to think about the environment you will be living and working in, and whether or not it fits your lifestyle. If you’re someone who deeply enjoys going out and meeting new people, you should perhaps skip teaching abroad in rural China. If your idea of a good time is kicking back in a quiet park with a good book, cross Delhi off your list. Whether or not you can find something to fill your time outside of work is among the important questions to ask before teaching abroad.
12. Are there red flags?
Preparing to teach abroad and receiving a job offer is exceptionally exciting, but don’t turn a blind eye to any red flags. Negative reviews, unresponsive advisors, and disorganized interviewers are all oh-no-nos that shouldn’t be ignored. The good news is that if you do happen to find more than a few red flags, there are plenty more companies and schools out there that are red-flag-free!
Say “YES” to the job—but only if it checks these boxes
If you make sure to check all your boxes, you’ll have a great experience.
It is both exciting and overwhelming to find and interview for teacher jobs abroad, but both emotions can render you blind to essential questions to ask before teaching abroad. Keep your wits about you, and ask all the necessary questions. Sure, it might seem like a real buzzkill at first (especially if you’re itching to hop on an airplane asap) but you’ll be grateful you took the time to consider the fine details.
Teaching abroad is a life-changing experience, and we know you would prefer that it be a positive one rather than negative. Avoid cutting corners, and consider all the necessary questions to ask before teaching abroad!
Keep Reading: How to Compare Teaching Jobs Abroad
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