Teaching English Abroad
English is quickly becoming the new lingua franca and English instructors are in high demand all over the world! You might already have the advantage of being a native speaker and teaching English overseas is a great and practical opportunity to live in another country and develop your language skills. Teaching English is an exciting and rewarding experience for those who want to learn more about other cultures and make a difference at the same time!
Before you go...
There are many opportunities around the world to teach English and the first task is to narrow your options by asking yourself some questions.
- Why do I want to teach abroad? For money? Adventure?
- Do I enjoy teaching?
- What are my goals for this experience?
- Where would I like to go? What is the best match for my comfort level and experience?
- What are my qualifications and experience?
Qualifications and Experience
There are a variety of opportunities based on your qualifications. What are yours?
- Minimal: some language schools simply require that you are a native speaker in order to teach English.
- 4-year degree: a majority of employers require that you carry a bachelors, although not necessarily related to the field of education or English.
- Teaching License: more established and well-known institutions, like International School Services, only hire those who are certified teachers with experience teaching English.
- Specific Training: a great way to make yourself more marketable as a teacher is through a certification program specifically for language teachers. Certifications vary in length and may be taken either online or at various institutes around the world. Several types of certification exists:
TEFL:
The Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate endorses the holder to teach English in a country where it is not the native language.TESL:
Teach English as a Second Language Certificate is for teaching English to non-native speakers in countries where English is the native language.TESOL:
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Certificate encompasses both TEFL and TESL.
For more information on English teaching certifications, visit the general TEFL professional network at: www.tefl.com. Note: there are many institutions offering TEFL/TESOL certification programs, but “TEFL Certification” has no official recognition by a central body with oversight authority. Many training programs are externally validated by accredited institutions, such as well-known universities. Careful research is needed in deciding on a certification program.
Resources for Certified Teachers
Provided by Eric Trujillo
International Teaching PowerPoint Presentation
What’s Out There?
There are as many types of teaching opportunities as there are individuals. This is only a short overview of the options available; a little extra research on your part will land you the right match!
Quick Links:
Language Schools - Third-Party Placement - Volunteer Programs - Government Sponsored
Dave’s ESL Café
http://www.eslcafe.com
A great place to start your job search with several job boards organized geographically as well as forums with lots of useful information and tips.
Transitions Abroad
www.transitionsabroad.com
Offers numerous useful, well-researched articles about working and living overseas.
Direct Application to Language Schools:
All arrangements are made between you and the school regarding your position, wages, and compensation. If you know where you would like to teach, you may want to directly contact a language school there but securing employment is difficult without actually going to the country for an interview. Locations and salaries vary greatly. Many schools advertise online, here are some places to start:
ESL Job Feed
http://www.esljobfeed.com
A highly comprehensive site that consolidates results from various job search engines into one convenient location. These openings are directly posted by private language schools and look for applicants with all levels of experience.
www.TESall.com
Another great place to search for teaching positions posted directly by language schools worldwide from the ESL Job Feed.
TESOL
http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/index.asp
The best source of job postings for qualified TEFL teachers with up-to-date information on the world of English teaching.
Third-Party Placement Programs:
Organizations recruit and match teachers with employers. Usually, there will be a program fee but this often includes teaching support such as housing and insurance. When deciding upon a program, carefully research your options and check for specific details.
Teach Abroad
http://www.teachabroad.com/search.cfm
A search engine with extensive employment opportunities organized by country. Search results include language schools as well as third-party programs.
Teaching & Projects Abroad
http://www.teaching-abroad.co.uk/prices/index.php
A UK based placement agency offering opportunities for those wanting to teach short-term in a more structured environment. Included in the placement fees are: food and accommodation, transfers to and from the airport, full travel insurance and medical insurance plus support and 24 hour back-up from the local and UK staff.
Transitions Abroad
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/index.shtml
Although Transitions Abroad does not offer direct employment, this site provides a useful directory of programs for ESL training, certification, and job placement; and schools around the world; helpful advice and first-hand participant reports.
CIEE
http://ciee.org/teach.aspx
One of the most well-known organizations, the Council on International Education Exchange offers teaching programs in China, Chile, Thailand and Spain.
International School Services
http://www.iss.edu
A highly selective placement program that requires that applicants have a bachelor’s degree, teacher’s certification, experience abroad and a willingness to teach abroad at an assigned location for a 2 year period. Applicants are rigorously screened and interviewed.
Anglo-American Educational Services
www.angloamerica.uk.com
Provides 6-12 weeks of supervised student teaching for those with education majors. AAES offers placement in primary and secondary schools throughout London and provides for final assessment of student’s teaching performance.
Volunteer Programs:
Most volunteer programs are run by third-party placement agencies and often times involve placement fees. If you are on a flexible schedule, you might want to wait until you arrive in the country to begin your search since local schools can then be directly contacted.
WorldTeach
www.worldteach.org/index.html
A non-profit volunteer organization for volunteers wishing to teach summer or academic year terms in developing countries. No experience is necessary although the application process is intensive and program fees vary from $1,000-$6,000.
Global Volunteer Partners in Development
http://www.globalvolunteers.org/1main/teach_english.htm
Serves projects in China, Ghana, Greece, Mexico, Poland, Tanzania, Italy, and Mexico. No teaching experience is necessary.
Government Sponsored Programs:
Programs run by governments are usually more competitive and require a teaching certification as well as some experience. However in some countries, where the demand for English teachers is high, the only requirement might be Bachelor’s degree.
Peace Corps
www.peacecorps.gov
The Peace Corps offers several English teaching opportunities. For more information contact Adam Beh at: 491-7706 or pcorps@lamar.colostate.edu
Fulbright Student Assistantships
http://us.fulbrightonline.org/thinking_teaching.html
Managed by the Institute of International Education and Sponsored by the State Department, the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) provides prestigious grants to graduate students who wish to pursue their study in addition to teaching English. Applicants must already have a B.A. and some background experience with teaching English.
Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET)
www.mofa.go.jp/jingo/visit/jet
Run by the Japanese government, the JET program recruits up to 1,000 Americans each year to teach English at junior high and high schools. Teaching experience is not necessary but helpful. Applicants are screened and interviewed at Japanese embassies.
Department of Defense Education Activity
www.dodea.edu/communications/dodeafacts.htm
For certified teachers who are interested in teaching American students and working alongside American staff on military bases around the world.
Czech Republic
http://www.dzs.cz/scripts/detail.asp?id=599
The Ministry of Education assists potential teachers who are interested in working in primary or secondary schools in smaller towns. Candidates preferably should be experienced teachers with a 4-year degree. Some limitations may apply to non-European Union citizens.
EPIK English Program in Korea
http://epik.knue.ac.kr
Looks for citizens from English-speaking countries who hold at least a Bachelor’s degree. EPIK provides extensive staff support including orientation to familiarize teachers with Korean culture and history and accommodation.
French Embassy Teaching Assistantship Program
http://www.frenchculture.org/a_assistantship-program_195.cfm
Offers opportunities to assist with English classes.
Spain: Language and Culture Assistants
Application
Offers opportunities to assist with English classes. For more information click here.
*Disclaimer: Inclusion of a program on this list should not be interpreted as an endorsement by CSU. We cannot vouch for the authenticity or accuracy of programs outside of CSU. Please do careful research, including discussions with those who have participated in the program you are considering. Failure to provide the name of participants as references should be viewed as a “red flag.”
