Teach English: A Fulfilling Career That Will
Take You To Great Places
All over the world, English is the accepted language for manyforms of international communication. From business
transactions to air traffic control, English has taken over as
the language of choice. Choosing to teach English abroad puts
you into a fast-moving, high-demand job that can take you
almost anywhere.
If you have a sense of adventure and love the idea of a job
that takes you to another country, you should seriously
consider this career path. It's sure to be a unique and
enriching experience.
If you Want to Teach English...
If you're considering this as a future career, chances are you
already know that you'll be away from home for a while. Most
schools will hire you on a contract, which will be at least a
year long. Keep in mind that your students will need their
teacher to be there for the entire term!
If you're teaching at a private school, or if you're hired by a
corporation to teach business English to their executives, your
contract may differ. Nonetheless, to make the entire trip
lucrative you should plan on staying awhile. After all, it took
you a lot of work to get there in the first place.
What to Expect
Your salary will largely depend on what country you decide to
travel to. Obviously, some locales offer higher salaries than
others, but that shouldn’t always be the determining factor for
where you teach. For instance, Mexico, a country notorious for
low salaries offers a rich culture, low living expenses and
students dedicated to learning. On the other hand, Japan, a
country known for its higher salaries has a cost of living
higher than most. Remember, you won't always get rich doing
this job, but you will almost always walk away rich in
experiences!
The good news is, many schools and universities can and will
supply you with free housing during the term of your
employment. This can eliminate one of the biggest hassles about
teaching abroad, which is finding an affordable place to live.
Particularly if you're in a large metro area, rent can kill you
(and kill your teacher's salary, too). If you get offered a job
with free housing included, snap it up. The best part is that
the housing they give you will likely be within walking range
of where you teach. It's a good bargain.
Finding a Job
Giving general advice on finding a job teaching English is
difficult. The reason for that is because your efforts are
going to vary widely by country. In some areas, you'll need to
be hired months in advance; other countries might need to meet
you before they'll even consider hiring you.
Our best advice here is to prepare to do some legwork. Talk to
your college (and any other college in the area) regarding
sister school programs and other resources they may have to get
you overseas. Don’t forget about the various job boards that
list available teaching positions by country—this is perhaps
the best way of finding a job because each listing will provide
the exact requirements of that particular employer. If you're
certified in TOEFL or ESL, you'll find the road is paved a lot
smoother for you.
Do keep in mind, regardless of where you're looking for a job,
that you do have some choice in the matter. Don't assume that
the first school that offers you a position is the one you
should take. Qualified and enthusiastic teachers are in demand,
so you should be as choosey about the position you take as they
are about the teacher they hire!
Choosing to teach English abroad is a big decision. If you're
sure it's the right choice for you, the sooner you start
preparing the better off you will be. Competition can be stiff,
but finding the right job and the right country for your future
employment will make it all worthwhile. Trust us, it will be
the experience of a lifetime.