Over the last few years Mike Pickles has received many questions about teaching English in Korea. He has prepared this unofficial guide to give teachers basic information on the background of teaching English here so that they can be better informed before committing themselves to any particular job.

Unfortunately some people come to Korea under contract, with promises of generous salaries, bonuses and other perks, only to find themselves in tenuous situations, often lacking funds to return home. Bear in mind at this early stage that your embassy, by regulation, cannot enter into any case, conduct an investigation, nor act as a lawyer in legal or contractual mishaps experienced. Additionally, they can neither investigate nor certify employers. It is up to each individual to evaluate potential employers before signing a contract. Here are some important things for you to consider:

OVERVIEW

Many foreigners have enjoyed their teaching experiences in Korea; others have encountered problems. The key to happy and fruitful employment as a language instructor in Korea is to be employed by a reputable school and to negotiate a well-written contract before leaving home. I advise anyone considering accepting an English teaching job in Korea to carefully review the terms of the contract regarding working and living conditions. It would also be useful to ask for references from people familiar with the institution, especially former employees.

The KOTESOL teacher’s association is a good source for up-to-date information on teaching in Korea. Information about this group can be found in the section entitled ‘SOURCES OF INFORMATION.’

TYPES OF ESL POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN KOREA

Many English teachers work in language institutes (a “hagwon” in Korean). There are, though, jobs available in several types of institutions:

- private foreign language institutes (hagwons)
- corporate in-house language programs
- university language institutes- university academic departments
- government / private research centers
- editing / public relations, advertising companies
- private teaching / informal classes

HAGWONS:

Private language institutes are found all over Korea. Some institutes are well-known with many branches while others are small and short-lived. The ESL market in Korea is extremely competitive and many institutes fail. Most hagwons employ a number of instructors for conversation and occasionally for writing classes. The typical employee can expect to work 20 to 30 hours per week. The majority of classes are conducted early in the morning and in the evening, so many instructors have free time in the afternoons. Most classes have between 10 and 25 students. Pupils may be grade school or college students, or businessmen who are contemplating overseas assignments. Some of the better institutes will provide housing for instructors. The average salary is currently about 1.5 million won per month (US $ 1,850).

PRIVATE BUSINESS PROGRAMS:

Most large corporate groups (a “chaebol” in Korean) have their own in-house programs. The typical instructor can expect to teach more than 30 hours per week, teaching all day from early in the morning to late at night. Most are intensive residential programs where the students study for three to six months. Some employers provide full benefits including housing, but the teacher might be required to either live on campus or commute long distances from Seoul. The average salary for these institutes is currently between 1.5 to 2 million won per month (US $ 1,850 to US $ 2,500).

UNIVERSITY USCISTITUTES:

The major universities in Seoul, as well as some of the provincial universities, operate foreign language institutes. Some pupils are university students, but the majority are businesspeople. These institutes tend to have the highest hiring standards in Korea; most instructors have MA degrees in TESOL, as well as years of teaching experience. The pay, status and benefits offered by these institutes are among the best in Korea. As a result there is very low turnover.

UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENTS:

Most universities in Korea employ full-time English conversation instructors. University classes tend to be large, with little personal contact with the students. Most instructors teach between ten and 15 hours a week. Academic standards in Korean universities tend to be somewhat lax. Leftist, nationalistic and sometimes anti-American attitudes may prevail among some students. Most universities in Seoul do not provide housing, and some do not provide the benefits required by law. Monthly salaries currently tend to run about 1 million won (US $ 1,300) per month, with three to four months of paid vacation per year.

Provincial universities generally provide better housing, working conditions and salaries, and tend to treat foreign instructors as part of the faculty. The better working conditions, however, should be balanced against the cultural isolation that you as a foreigner may encounter living in the Korean countryside.

GOVERNMENT / RESEARCH USCISTITUTES:

Many government agencies and some private companies operate research institutes. Most of these institutes hire foreigners who have degrees in the humanities, economics or business administration as full-time editors. Editors proofread correspondence and research publications, write speeches, and occasionally teach. Most institutes pay quite well, and some provide housing. Because these institutes tend to be government-run or closely affiliated with powerful corporate groups, their instructors seldom experience problems in obtaining work visas.

EDITING / PR / MEDIA:

Quite a few public relations and advertising companies in Korea hire foreigners to work as copy editors, and occasionally as teachers. These positions are very hard to obtain as they are quite popular with the resident English-teaching community. There are also opportunities to appear on television programs, movies and radio. Most of these positions pay quite well and some provide housing assistance.

KORETTA / EPIK KOREAN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM:

This relatively new, Korea-wide, government-sponsored program places native speakers in every school district in Korea and presents a unique opportunity for the adventurous to live far from tourist routes and population centers. While recruiting and training appear to be performed quite professionally, teachers’ living and working experiences vary considerably. Some are welcomed with open arms and treated extremely well. Others, arriving in areas where the program has been forced upon reluctant, underfunded schools, are not wanted and this is made clear to them from the beginning. Housing, benefits, reliability of pay, and access to ombudsmen is steadily improving, but still has a long way to go.

PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT:

Many full-time English teachers teach part-time as well, either at another institute or with privately-arranged classes. Extra-contractual private instruction is illegal; however many English teachers do take private students. Part-time instruction at a second institute is legal only with permission from the sponsoring institute and Korean immigration authorities. Private students pay more per hour, but some instructors have found it hard to maintain long-term private classes. One should arrange for private lesson fees to be paid prior to each class. Teachers are personally responsible for any violations of Korean teaching and immigration law they might commit.

EMPLOYMENT VISAS

In order to work legally in Korea, one must first obtain the appropriate employment visa. The Korean government tightly controls visa issuance for employment, and sometimes teachers have been unable to obtain visas. A person who wants to work in Korea must obtain their visa outside Korea. You can, however, come to Korea on a tourist visa, obtain sponsorship documents, and apply for the visa in a nearby country. Depending on the job and other factors, it can take between one week and two months to obtain the appropriate visa. A teacher arriving in Korea with a teaching visa must register with Korean Immigration and obtain a residence certificate and re-entry permit within 90 days of entry.

Note also that employers, on behalf of Korean government agencies processing your case, may briefly need your passport for visa or permit purposes. Despite what some employers may tell you, you are not required to hand over your passport to your employer for the duration of your stay. It is your passport; keep it yourself!

Korean Immigration offices require the same documentation that was used to obtain the visa, so one should make plenty of copies. Your embassy should have a complete listing of the various visa categories and fees, as well as contact information for Korean Immigration offices and for Korean consulates in your home country. Visa categories and fees may change from time to time, so they should always be confirmed with Immigration or a consulate.

Most English instructors are granted either an E-2 visa (conversation instructor), an E-1 visa (professor at educational institution higher than a junior college), or an E-5 visa (professional employment with a public relations firm or corporation). Dependents of diplomats stationed in Seoul can work as English teachers by obtaining a work permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This can be handled through your embassy personnel office. An individual who is married to a Korean citizen can also acquire permanent residency and the right to work under the F-2 category.

REQUIRED FORMS

In order to obtain both the visa and the residence permit (which must be obtained within 90 days of entry) the following documents must be submitted to either a Korean consulate or the Korean Immigration office:

1. sponsorship guarantee form (notarized) (shin won pojunso)

2. contract, not less than one year and not more than two years (ko young kyeyakso)

3. certificate of employment (chaejik junmyungso)These documents are supplied by the employer and should be arranged one month in advance to allow for mistakes and other mishaps.

In addition, the authorities will probably require the following:

4. statement of purpose
5. resume
6. driver’s license-size photos
7. original of college diploma plus copies
8. transcripts

The Ministry of Education, which also must approve the visa and the residence permit, requires English teachers to register at your embassy and to submit embassy-notarized copies of their resumes with their applications for residence permits. Registration at your embassy can be accomplished quickly. Notarial services cost $10 per document, payable in either dollars or won.

CHANGING EMPLOYERS

Korean Immigration must approve changes in employment. This is accomplished through leaving Korea and entering under a new visa with a new sponsor. Changing one’s employer while in Korea is quite difficult and requires written consent of the original sponsor. Even with such consent, many teachers have found it nearly impossible to effect such a change while in Korea, and some have even been arrested and deported for overstaying their original visas while still involved in trying to change employers within the country.

LEGAL WARNING!

Some foreigners have run into serious legal problems with Korean Immigration because they either work as English teachers while in Korea on tourist visas or they accept part-time employment or private classes without obtaining the proper permission. Violation of Korean immigration laws can result in severe penalties including imprisonment, fines of up to 100,000 won ($120) for each day of overstay, or deportation with a ban on re-entry for up to two years. It’s your responsibility to understand local laws and to obey them.

If you violate Korean visa laws, your embassy can’t assist you other than to provide you with a list of attorneys.

CONTRACTS

THE NATURE OF CONTRACTS IN KOREA:

Foreign instructors in Korea do occasionally have contract disputes with their employers. In the Korean context, a contract is simply a rough working agreement, subject to change depending upon the circumstances. Most Koreans do not view deviations from a contract as a breach of contract, and few Koreans would consider taking an employer to court over a contract dispute.

Instead, Koreans tend to view contracts as always being flexible and subject to further negotiation. Culturally, the written contract is not the real contract; the unwritten, oral agreement that one has with one’s employer is the real contract. However, many employers will view a contract violation by a foreign worker as serious, and will renege on verbal promises if they feel they can. Any contract should be signed with these factors in mind.

THE BASIC FEATURES OF MOST TEACHING CONTRACTS:

Contracts for teaching positions should include provisions for the following: salary, housing, tickets home, working hours, class size, severance pay, taxes, and medical insurance. If these items are not included, one should negotiate until they are. Information on these topics is given below. When in doubt, ask; get it in writing, and remember that only the Korean-language version of the contract is legally binding in Korea.

SALARIES:

Most contracts provide for either a set monthly salary, or for a salary based on the number of hours taught. In any event, a guaranteed monthly remuneration should be included in the contract. Payment dates, methods, and currency should be specified in advance.

HOUSING:

The fact is, few contracts provide for housing in Seoul. This can be a serious problem as housing in Seoul is among the most expensive in the world. Housing options include key money (yearly deposit), monthly rent, shared housing, dormitories, lodging houses, and inns. If your institute does not provide housing, it should at least be able to help you in finding housing, and in negotiating the appropriate rent and utility payments. Teachers who have been promised housing might want to request photos, floorplans or furniture inventories in advance. Koreans have very different ideas of what ‘western’ and ‘furnished’ housing mean. ‘Furnished’ might only mean a linoleum floor and a 2-burner stove. ‘Western’ usually just means an apartment with an indoor bath. Koreans measure housing space in ‘pyong’. One pyong is approximately 36 square feet. Pyong measurements usually include the front porch, utility room, etc. Monthly rents can run from U.S. $1500 to U.S. $4000 for a modest apartment.

THE KEY MONEY SYSTEM (CHUNSEE):

Key money (chunsee) is a year’s rent paid in advance; with no monthly rent payment. At the end of the contract period, the renter receives the chunsee back without interest. Chunsee can be risky because property ownership may change in the middle of the contract period, or the owner may simply decide that the foreigner is in no position to fight for the chunsee. One can reduce this risk by having the employer agree to pay the chunsee. Chunsee payments run from a minimum of 20 million won (US $ 24,000) for a studio in a less desirable part of town to 500 million won (US $ 650,000) for a small apartment in one of the richer neighborhoods.

Wolsee is a variation of chunsee. The renter pays a certain amount per month plus an initial deposit which he receives back when he moves out. The same caveats apply as with chunsee.

DORMITORIES, LODGING HOUSES (HASUK) AND INNS (YOKWANS):

Yonsei, Ewha, Seoul, Hanyang, Konkuk, and Hankook Universities all have dormitory accommodations available. In addition, the Korea Research Foundation runs an International House for foreign students. Sometimes these dormitories can accommodate foreign instructors, but they usually only accommodate their own regular faculty. Shared housing is a popular alternative, but be careful in choosing roommates and spell out financial arrangements in advance.

Lodging houses (hasuk) are popular with young Koreans in college or just starting out in their professional careers. Single rooms run about US $ 500 per month, and include Korean-style breakfast and dinner, and sometimes include laundry service. The disadvantage is the lack of privacy.

Another option is staying with a local family. This can be an excellent opportunity to experience Korean life and culture, but again the lack of privacy can be a disadvantage. Most instructors who live in such homestays eventually move into more private accommodations.

Finally, some people rent rooms in yokwans (inns) on a monthly basis. This is similar to staying in a lodging house, at about the same cost with no food provided, but offers far less security and less privacy as well. Some yokwans cater to short-term clients and criminals, so staying in a yokwan may cause some Koreans to treat you with a lack of respect.

TICKETS HOME:

Some institutes promise to provide tickets home upon completion of a contract or to reimburse teachers for the trip to Korea. One should be aware that sometimes this commitment is not honored. Consider requesting an open-ended round trip ticket in advance.

WORKING HOURS:

Most institutes require foreign instructors to teach five to six hours per day, Monday to Friday, and some also ask instructors to teach Saturday morning as well. Universities will usually require 10 to 15 hours per week plus participation in student activities such as editing school newspapers. Research centers usually require 40 hours per week, with occasional uncompensated overtime. Saturday morning is a normal part of the Korean work week. Teachers may have to teach early morning or late evening classes to accommodate working students.

CLASS SIZE:

This is usually not spelled out in the contract. Private institutes usually have classes of between 10 to 20 students, while universities can have as many as 100 students in a class.

SEVERANCE PAY (Taechikum):

It is a good idea to broach this subject early in your employment, and to be prepared to meet resistance. By Korean law, discussed below, all full-time employees, Korean or foreign, are entitled to receive severance pay of one month’s salary for each year of employment. Employers cannot ask you to waive this, nor can they get around it by employing you on an 11-month contract. However, Korean courts have ruled that unless a Hakwon instructor actually TEACHES 40 or more hours per week, as spelled out contractually, he is NOT ‘full-time’ and is NOT eligible for severance pay.

The Ministry of Labor has jurisdiction over severance pay matters. The Severance Pay Division can be reached at (02) 503-9727. The Ministry of Labor’s general number is (02) 500-5543/5544. The International Labor Policy Division of the Ministry of Labor (Tel: 02-504-7338) may, at your request, call employers to remind them of their legal obligations. The Ministry of Education may, at your request, call employers to remind them of their legal obligations. If you have exhausted all other avenues and feel that you need to take legal action, your embassy can hopefully provide you with a list of local attorneys.

Severance pay rights are covered by the Labor Standards Act of the Korean Legal Code. English language translations of the Code are available at the Kyobo Bookstore. The key provisions of the Labor Standards Act as they relate to severance pay include the following:

Article 28: (Retirement Allowance System) 1) An employer shall establish a system by which average wage of not less than thirty days per year for each consecutive year employed shall be paid as retirement allowance to a retired employee. Provided, however, that this shall not apply in cases in where the period of employment is less than one year.

Article 5: (Equal Treatment) No employer may include any discrimination in the terms of labor conditions because of nationality, religion or social status.

Article 10 (Scope of Application) stipulates that the act applies to all enterprises except small family businesses, domestic servants, and those exempted by Presidential decree.

KOREAN TAXES:

Most foreign employees are required to pay Korean income taxes, which are generally withheld and paid by the employer. Teachers working for colleges or universities are sometimes entitled to an exemption from paying Korean taxes for up to two years, depending on your nationality.

The Tax Office maintains a list of institutes that are tax exempt. This provision applies only to teachers employed at universities, research centers, or university-operated institutes. (Teachers at hakwons and at private companies have to pay taxes.) The General Affairs section of the university or research center should be able to apply for the exemption. If the institute wrongly withholds taxes, it is required to pay a refund.

For guidance on these matters contact the Korean Tax Office, as they have been helpful in arranging compliance with these provisions. They also publish an English language Income Tax Guide for Foreigners. This guidebook comes out in April of each year, and is available free from any tax office. The Korean tax year runs from May 31 to the following May 1, with May income estimated. In most instances, one’s employer files the appropriate tax forms, but if they do not file, the individual must do so.

If you believe that your employer is not complying with Korean tax laws, your first step should be to discuss the matter with him or her. If that does not work, you should discuss the matter with the Korean Tax Office, International Taxation Division, 397-1346/7, or the nearest Korean Tax Office. If the problem is still not solved, you may wish to get legal help.

PENSION PROGRAM:

Foreigners living in Korea are required to pay into the national pension plan, just as foreigners living in the U.S. must pay into Social Security. No mechanism exists at present for refund of these payments, although an agreement between the two countries may be negotiated within a few years.

MEDICAL INSURANCE:

Foreign instructors are entitled to Korean medical insurance through their employer. This should be clarified at the time of acceptance of employment. Employers often buy the minimum policy required, which provides about 400,000 won (about $500) worth of coverage. Those desiring more coverage should negotiate with their employers or buy their own.

Medical care in Korea is generally good, but, while not as expensive as in the United States, can still be costly. Many practitioners and hospitals will not accept overseas health insurance, and may require payment before treatment. It is therefore very important for individuals to make sure that insurance or funds are available in case medical care is needed. Your embassy should maintain a list of English-speaking medical and dental care providers in Korea, as well as a list of insurers willing to write policies for foreigners residing in Korea.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION:

In Korea, English-teaching jobs are filled either through word of mouth or through advertisements in the local English newspapers. Occasionally, the better institutes will hire through advertisements in the TESOL Newsletter, or at job booths at TESOL conferences. They also occasionally advertise through college placement offices and newspapers in the United States and the UK.

RECRUITING AND PLACEMENT SERVICES:

Most English teachers hired from the United States of the UK do not get their jobs directly through the institute where they work. Instead, they are recruited by a placement service. The US embassy in particular has received complaints about a number of recruiters. Those considering working in Korea should deal with recruiters carefully: many of them do not know at which hagwon in which area of Korea the teacher will be placed; very few of them, to our knowledge, will accept responsibility for a placement that is contrary to the original terms of agreement or contract. Prospective teachers should keep all of the advice in this publication in mind when discussing employment terms with a recruiter.

Once you arrive in Korea it is a good idea to subscribe to one of the local English language newspapers, The Korea Herald or The Korea Times. Both are published daily except Mondays, and cost 7,000 won per month. Both are available in Seoul at some street newsstands, but outside of Seoul are generally only available through subscription. The Herald can be contacted at 727-0404, fax 727-0677, and The Times at 724-2828, fax 723-1623. Overseas subscriptions are available.

KOREAN YELLOW PAGES, OTHER DIRECTORIES:

The Korean Yellow Pages is a very useful English-language phone directory. It is available at most larger bookstores. These stores also sell other business directories. These directories contain a wealth of information, including addresses and phone numbers for universities and Korean government offices. The Korean Research Foundation publishes a pamphlet on studying in Korea that contains information on all the universities in the country.

KOTESOL:

KOTESOL is an independent, national affiliate of TESOL, an organization of teachers of English to students of other languages. KOTESOL was founded in 1992 as the union of two separate national organizations. KOTESOL is a not-for-profit organization established to promote scholarship, disseminate information, and facilitate cross-cultural understanding among English teachers in Korea.

KOTESOL has active chapters in Seoul, Taejon, Pusan, Taegu, Kyongju and Chongbuk province. Chapters hold individual monthly meetings, and sponsor educational activities in their areas, as well as participate in an annual conference in October. The Seoul chapter meets on the third Saturday of every month. The time, date, place and topic are announced in the local English newspapers about a week prior to the scheduled meeting. For, more up-to-date information, contact other English teachers.

CULTURAL PITFALLS

DIFFERENT EXPECTATIONS:

Many types of people teach English in Korea. Some are professionally trained with degrees in TESOL; some hold graduate degrees in other disciplines and teach in Korea because they want to experience another culture; some teach English while doing other things, such as research; some teach while looking for other jobs; some are merely seeking any kind of work to help pay school bills; some are just passing through.

Teachers have differing expectations. They bring their own unique perspectives to their jobs, as well as their own individual reactions to new circumstances. Some expect to be revered and are shocked when they are not; others expect to make a lot of money but later find they actually earn about what a unionized bus driver in Seoul does; some expect to receive a large Western-style house and are disappointed to find themselves living in a modest room. Some teachers have been dismayed to find that their rooms were not air conditioned, and that they would have to work on their birthdays. Having realistic expectations and a flexible attitude prior to starting employment as a teacher in Korea will help prepare you for the inevitable stress and possible disappointment you may encounter.

SHORT-TERM USCISTITUTES:

The Korean ESL market is extremely competitive. There are over 100,000 institutes of all types in Korea, most of them small-scale, marginal operations. Due to the competitive nature of the ESL business in Korea, many institutes do not survive long. They open their doors, hire the first foreigner they can find, advertise, teach for a month or so, lose money and close. Most of these cannot and will not pay their teachers for work performed, or for contract-specified repatriation, leaving teachers broke and stranded.

FOREIGNERS ARE NOT KOREAN:

Korean society in general makes a great distinction between one’s inner circle of family, friends and business colleagues, and outsiders. One should always treat one’s inner circle with complete respect and courtesy, while one treats strangers with indifference. Korea is not an egalitarian society; one is either of a higher or a lower status than other people. How do foreigners fit into this scheme? The simple answer is – they don’t. Foreigners are completely off the scope.

In recent years, less than 10 percent of Koreans traveled abroad, most often on group tours with other Koreans, or on business trips. Even now, with outbound tourism high, most Korean travelers still visit only friends, relatives or Korean neighborhoods, or travel in groups of other Koreans. Thus, Korean society remains very inwardly focused. For most Koreans, foreigners exist only as stereotypes, and are not always liked. Living in Korea as a foreigner requires patience and fortitude. Many foreigners have found Koreans can be quite friendly and warm, but a foreigner will seldom be accepted as part of the inner circle; he will almost always be an outsider looking in.

SOCIAL STATUS OF TEACHERS:

Teachers are usually treated with great respect in Korea. However, it is also important to exhibit the kind of personal qualities and behavior that help maintain that respect. A foreign teacher who does disrespectful things, such as dressing or behaving too casually or informally, or losing his temper with a boss he considers unreasonable, would be held in great disdain by most Koreans, and runs the risk of getting into serious trouble with both his employer and the Korean Immigration Office. In other words, one should always present a mature, discreet, dignified and respectful manner. As a foreigner in Korea you will be highly visible, and you may find living here to be like living in a fish bowl, with everyone around you watching what you do with great interest. Remember that Korean society is more conservative in many ways than American society, and abide by local norms.

THE ESL PROFESSION IS NOT CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL BY SOME KOREANS:

By and large, Koreans do not think teaching ESL is a professional occupation. In fact, many believe any native speaker will do. This of course is based partially on reality – many ESL instructors in Korea have not had any professional training.

KOREAN BOSSES:

Korean society is extremely hierarchical. The boss is the boss; he is never questioned or criticized. The same mistreatment you may feel you have received from him is probably not limited to his foreign employees. He probably reneges on contracts and makes ‘unreasonable’ demands of his Korean employees, too. As a result, one should be careful in how one deals with one’s employer. When discussing issues that might become difficult, one should make sure not to lose one’s temper, raise one’s voice, or speak in less than respectful language.

LACK OF CLEAR COMMUNICATION:

Neither Korean society nor language is very precise. Many things are left unsaid, but still are understood. Of course, foreigners often do not understand. It is important that one understand what is expected and what is required up front, and that any misunderstanding be solved early on. Otherwise problems may develop.

ADAPTING TO KOREAN SOCIETY

CULTURE SHOCK:

When first arriving in a country, one is usually excited and eager for new experiences. After a while, the newness wears off, and homesickness begins. Do not judge yourself too severely at this point. It happens to everyone. “I will never understand this place. I want some real food, some real friends, a real apartment. Why do Koreans do X?”

There is hope and it is usually just a matter of time. As you continue to cope with the realities of living here, you begin to take things for granted which used to annoy you. Life becomes pleasant enough that you no longer care about the inconveniences. You suddenly find that you like kimchi. You realize your students are interesting people to know, that helping them improve their English just adds to that interest; you begin to understand your boss who was such a pain when you came; you make a few good friends who are willing to show you the Korea outside of the foreigner’s community, you begin to try and learn some Korean and use it. There are many foreigners in Korea who have come to and remain at this point, – not so much assimilated, but a part of the country in their own niche here, and who want to spend a long time in Korea.

For many others, however, the feeling eventually comes that it is time to leave. With luck you will realize it before it affects your life too deeply. It is time to leave when you begin to be negative about the country and its people. When you no longer want to go to work; when you dislike your students; when you become irritated with everything and everyone and have angry discussions with others of like mind, it is time to go.

HOW YOUR EMBASSY CAN HELP

Just to reiterate, your embassy, by regulation, cannot enter into any case, conduct any investigation, or act as a lawyer for any personal mishap or employment dispute experienced. They can’t investigate, certify, or vouch for employers. It is up to each individual to evaluate an employer before signing a contract, and to use common sense when traveling this far, including keeping sufficient funds available to return home should the situation become untenable.

Good luck!

About the Author

Mike Pickles (BA, BEd, MEd) has been teaching for 14 years in Canada, twice in South America and once in Africa. He is also the founder and owner of “Educate & Motivate Seminars”, delivering educational and motivational seminars and workshops.

He is currently teaching in Nunavut, Northern Canada with his beautiful, supportive fiancée Krista and their wonderful, three year old son Sebastian.

It’s tempting to get carried away with the excitement of going to a new country and being accepted for a job is a great feeling, notes Bruce Haxton, but before you start packing your suitcase, make sure you check out the conditions – they’ll make or break your experience of teaching abroad! Here are 6 things to check:

Hours of work:

* How many contact hours will you have to teach? The average is 25 contact hours of teaching (when you are physically in the classroom with the students).

* How many days will you be working over? 25 hours or less seems great…until you are expected to do them over 6/7 days!

* What preparation will this involve? In order to determine this you will need to find out the size of your classes, the length of the lessons and how many different levels you should expect. Teaching 5 classes of which there are 3 different levels each for five hours a week is considerably less preparation time than teaching 5 different classes each day for an hour each!

* How much marking will you have to do? Again, this is linked in with the amount of classes you have and class sizes. If you have a lot of students this can really bump up the hours you’re working! Also take into consideration exams. How many will there be throughout the year?

* What additional hours will you be expected to be at work? (Training days? Placement testing? Covering other teachers’ lessons?).

* When will you be teaching exactly? Most TEFL jobs are typically in the evening, which is to be expected as this is when most people are available (after work/school). Will you have to work split shifts? Some schools require you to work a few hours in the morning and a few in the evening. Think about when you want to work (consider the habits of the country – do you want a siesta?).

Sickness pay & health insurance

When you are abroad and away from home this is especially important – you don’t want to be ill and penniless and stuck in a foreign country! Some of the larger companies will pay you if you are sick and also supply you with free health insurance – but check what the policy covers before you go. A lot of companies, sadly, offer neither. In this situation it is sensible to have a bit of money saved for emergencies and to get health insurance before you go.

Holidays

There’s no point in going to a country and having no time to explore! Ask how many holidays and public holidays you will be entitled to and how you can take them. Sometimes you cannot choose the dates, which can be a problem if you need to be back in the UK for that summer wedding you’ve already bought the shoes for! Also enquire about shift swaps….a great way to extend weekends away.

Training

If you’re serious about teaching or you’re simply a new teacher, then you need to look for a school that offers training. Doing a good job will make you happier in your work life and you’ll stress less about the teaching in your free time!

The school’s reputation

It’s worth Googling the school and looking at past teachers’ comments. This will highlight things to look out for that you can ask your prospective employers about. It’s also a good idea to check with your embassy for warnings to travellers and expats. Some countries may have a reputation for not sticking to contracts.

Pay and accommodation

Is the amount they have stated for your wage net or gross? Also if they provide you with accommodation how much is it and how will you pay for bills? Bills should be in your name to avoid getting money deducted from your wage without your consent and more importantly to avoid being charged too much.

A lot of the above points may not be included in a contract, so it will be up to you to negotiate what you feel is a must! It’s always worth getting things agreed in writing, as it makes it easier to settle any disputes further down the line.

Remember that if you have been offered the job, the school wants you and doesn’t want to go through the recruitment process again. You are in a position to negotiate and if you don’t get what you want there are lots of jobs out there….

About the Author

Bruce believes that teaching English abroad is the perfect opportunity for any English speaker to explore the world. As long as you’re a fluent English speaker, a TEFL course is your ticket to the journey of your life. Bruce represents www.onlinetefl.com

By Will Pearson

First some context about the TEFL/ESL/TESOL labour market to think about. The market for English language learning in the world is booming. Compare the world now with that of twenty years ago. Communism in Russia and Eastern Europe is in its death throes, China is beginning the transition to capitalism, South America is emerging from a decade of turmoil and dictatorship, the EEC is deciding to become the European Union, the Internet and email is in its infancy, but expanding rapidly. All these global changes since then have unleashed the force of English as a global language and it is vital to understand that there are billions of dollars spent on learning it every year. It’s time to bring some of those dollars your way.

Yet why when there are billions of dollars spent on English learning every year, do jobs still advertise only a thousand US dollar salaries a month? Well, unfortunately the labour market for TEFL/ESL/TESOL attracts people from Western countries who, because of their desire to live abroad, are happy to live on nothing. The economic reality is that wages in TEFL/ESL/TESOL are dragged down as a result. The secret to high TEFL/ESL salaries are knowing the local English learning labour market. Just follow these eight techniques to land yourself a lucrative, highly paid job teaching English.

1. Get Qualified

In the supply of and demand for English teachers, teaching qualifications are becoming the rule, not the exception. To stand a chance of getting a job, let alone a high salary, you have to invest the time and money into getting qualified. Entry level TEFL/ESL qualifications comprise essentially of the Cambridge CELTA/CertTESOL. These are month-long training courses that cost around $1500-2000. By 2009, it is clear that the CELTA is becoming the industry norm. This course is worthy of investing in, not only because it will teach you how to teach, but employers now expect it.

To get a salary raise from CELTA/CertTESOL aim to achieve the top grade the course can offer. In CELTA this is a pass B, followed by a pass A, while the CertTESOL does not officially award grades. Achieving above a simple pass shows you’re a competent teacher and you are dedicated to the profession. This may be reflected in a company’s pay scales or can be used by you to negotiate a higher salary. Therefore it is vital to take these training courses seriously and prepare comprehensively for them.

Do not even consider doing an online or distance teaching course. These are a poor investment of your money and are run by unscrupulous organisations keen to manipulate people’s fears of investing a lot of money in an expensive course like CELTA/CertTESOL. But why throw $500-1000 at a course that no school will recognise, let a lone give you pay-related credit for? For CELTA/CertTESOL qualified teachers consider raising your salary through further qualifications. Once you have gained two years experience consider investing in the next level diplomas – these are the Cambridge DELTA/DipTESOL respectively. While both courses require an even larger investment in terms of course costs, you will be rewarded by being eligible for promotion to a role such as DOS/ADOS, with comprehensive pay benefits.

2. Choose Your Country Wisely

Study the market for English learning very carefully. While the sound of a brilliant-white sandy beach close to a school in Thailand does sound tempting, be aware that it is also tempting for thousands of other people and this will be reflected in a low salary. Consider the pros and cons of the following TEFL/ESL/TESOL countries;

Western Europe – offer high salaries with (usually) high costs of living. Some of the best TEFL salaries can be found in France, Germany, the UK (summer schools), offering €2000+ a month, while further south, salaries are drastically lower (only €1000+ a month).

Eastern Europe and Russia – currently experiencing a TEFL boom with supply of teachers significantly lower than demand. Salaries on par with southern Europe already, with people having a much more dedicated work ethic. The market for private students in Russia is particularly lucrative.

The Middle East - salaries are still riding high on the back of oil, with some of the best high salary/low tax deals. Cost of living is also very low, with many superb amenities provided in Saudi, UAE and Oman. Teacher freedom and happiness is a major issue, however.

Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore – high salaries combined with a reasonable standard of living. Long hours are the norm, but saving thousands of dollars a year is a realistic goal.

South East Asia and China – experiencing a TEFL/ESL boom finally, but this has not been matched with corresponding high salaries. The cities offer the best opportunities. Expect big increases in the future as markets mature.

South America – not a place to go if you want a high TEFL salary. Currency instabilities combined with market immaturities mean that this is a risky place to set yourself up. Brazil offers the best opportunities for serious money making.

3. The Job Search

Do not apply for jobs online through sites such as TEFL.com / Dave’s ESL Café if you are serious about making money. The best job deals are seldom online – it is far better to be proactive and travel to your preferred destination and conduct the job search on the ground. This is beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, you can apply to a range of employers and cherry pick the best deal. Secondly, you can negotiate yourself better terms and conditions by being instantly available. Thirdly, you can suss out the place and language schools to get an idea of whether you’ll really like it there. Forthly, you can scan the market for private students to see how lucrative it is. If you are afraid of travelling far because of the risk, consider this; most money making requires risk (stocks, shares, property etc). This is no different.

4. Choose a Language School Very Carefully

Do not be desperate and go running to large corporate language chains such as English First, International House, Language Link etc. Such schools offer meagre salaries relative to other local professions. How many times do you see big TEFL/ESL schools advertise salaries online? They don’t because they are so low. They have a high turnover of staff, and prefer teachers with no/little experience so salaries are kept at a minimum. Rather than surviving through academic quality, they choose to cash in on their logo/brand perceptions. Instead, scan the local TEFL/ESL market very carefully so you understand how it works and how you can make it work in your favour. While the big chains seem dominant, there are usually a myriad of smaller, better-run, more professional outfits that are looking for teachers. Often, they recruit locally from the expat community, hence their lack of presence online.

5. Get your own clique of private students

Once you have established yourself in a private language school in your country of choice, make an effort to get a few private students every week. Depending on the local supply and demand of teachers, you can charge what you want. Private student rates are nearly always significantly higher than school rates. If you are quality, word of mouth often spreads very quickly, and you may have more privates on your hands than you can handle. Keep the most profitable ones and expend with unreliable, poorly paying ones. You don’t always have to be well-established in a local school. If you have just arrived somewhere, simply get out there and advertise.

To make the most out of private students, consider running them as micro-classes with two to three students present. Not only will this be more interesting for you as the teacher, you can grade the prices so each student pays less individually, but as a whole contribute more than a single student. Also, consider teaching private in-company classes as they can be much better paying. Approach companies with your credentials and offer to teach them in their lunch break for several weeks. Make (achievable) promises to whoever is organising in-company English classes, so they can see how effective you are as a teacher.

6. Be Entrepreneurial

Do not think of your job being your sole source of revenue. Branch out so you have other means of bringing home money through TEFL/ESL. You have probably already made quite a few classroom handouts. Make them look professional and approach the big three publishers; Pearson Longman, Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press. Even if they decline your ideas they may want you to do other lucrative work for them. Alternatively, if publishers are not your thing, consider selling your handouts online. Everywhere teachers need resources and the online market for TEFL/ESL supplementary handouts is in its infancy.

7. Get Promoted

Teachers of English are often astonished to hear the considerable pay gaps between themselves and their superiors, ADOSs and DOSs. If you are in TEFL/ESL for the long haul, gain more experience and qualifications to rise up the career ladder. The perks are often great; more money obviously, better working hours and conditions, a company car even. If you find yourself in a company with no apparent system for promotions; get out. Do not invest your precious time and energy in a company that isn’t going to reward you.

8. Expand your teaching experience through exam courses such as CAE, FCE, TOEFL, and IELTS

To many people, learning English is purely a matter of passing an exam so the next stage in their lives can be unlocked. The Cambridge exams, along with IELTS and TOEFL offer people a standardised level which they must achieve in order to work and study abroad. Gain experience teaching these areas primarily because students are highly motivated to pass such exams. This is reflected in how you will be remunerated. If you have sufficient experience apply to become an examiner for one of these exams. You will be remunerated well and be given an insight into the examinations process, which students will be willing to pay over the odds for.

In conclusion, a high salary teaching English is an economic reality and simply depends on your knowledge of the local TEFL/ESL labour market and how you can turn that knowledge in your favour. Follow the above advice, marketing yourself as an experienced teaching professional in it for the long haul. Strive to be the best you can be; both with your students and your company and you will be rewarded with a salary that makes teaching abroad a very profitable endeavour indeed.

About the Author

Having been an English teacher for three years in various destinations such as Russia, the UK and Singapore, Will has developed a keen interest in TEFL/ESL/TESOL resource development and management. He has established his own TEFL/ESL/TESOL supplementary handouts website handouthub.com, an Internet subscription database of over 1000 downloadable supplementary handouts.

by David Cox

Six o’clock on a winter morning. The temperature bottoming out at around -20 C. A tall, not altogether awake Englishman makes his way to work through the dawn streets of Seoul; just another chancer wanting to teach English and taste a bit more of what the world’s got to offer. The tall Englishman trudges on. He walks past a pile of vomit. A little further on, there’s a drunken man peeing in the street. A wolf howls in the distance. Okay, forget the last part; I made that up. To be honest, teaching English in Korea isn’t that bad. There will be trials, though, of patience and endurance. So be warned. And be prepared. And you might just be pleased you came.

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You will chose between teaching kids or adults. I chose adults. Either way, most of the work is with private institutes called hogwans. They don’t enjoy a great reputation. Most of the hogwans offer similar deals. I chose to work for ELS who, together with Pagoda, rank as the largest and longest established institute chains in Korea. The pay and conditions aren’t any better than those offered by smaller hogwans, but they do have a track record of keeping their promises.

A lot of fresh young graduates come to Seoul with no previous job experience in their own countries, let alone abroad, and certainly not much idea of how to teach. My advice is do yourself a big favour by taking a TESOL certificate course. There are so many things to get used to when you come to Korea. Having taken a teaching course, at least the classroom won’t seem such an unfamiliar place.

As a rule, Korean adult students are respectful and quite responsive. Having worked with teenagers in Europe, I’m certainly not complaining. Some teachers have a problem with their students’ opinions, and class dynamics (especially male / female relationships) that seem dictated by Korea’s own idiosyncratic version of Confucianism – but these are merely elements of the culture you’ve come to explore in the first place. An open mind and the willingness to accept other viewpoints will not only help you survive, they’ll enable you to get the most out of your experience.

Your salary will be about 2 million won (£1000) a month. Some kind of help – depending on the type of contract – is usually given in finding and subsidising accommodation. Most teachers need to borrow key money (a large refundable deposit) from their employers. Flats in Korea are typically a lot smaller than most Westerners are used to. As a single person, you should be able to find a place for about 600,000 won a month (excluding key money). You ought to be able to live reasonably well and still save money.

A meal in a cheap Korean restaurant will cost around 4000 won. There’s also plenty of Western food available, but you’ll pay more for it: for example, 17,000 won for a large pizza, or around 30,000 won for a two course meal in a TGI Fridays style restaurant. Working in Seoul, you’ll find plenty of bars and clubs, catering to all tastes and pockets. Expect to pay upwards of 2000 won for a glass of beer. Public transport – trains and buses – are cheap and efficient. Don’t bother buying a car; there’s no point.

The cities themselves, by Western standards, don’t have much to offer in terms of aesthetic beauty or personal space. If it’s fresh air, and room to swing a cat, you’re after, you’ll have to get out into the countryside which, as far as Korea is concerned, means hiking up a mountain. Korea is brimful of mountains. Most areas are accessible by public transport. One problem you might encounter, even in the countryside, is heavy traffic. On certain weekends and public holidays, it seems as if the whole nation has the same collective idea of getting away from it all.

You’ll soon discover, in your role of teacher, there’s little point bringing up the question: What do you do in your free time? Sleeping is the most common reply; time being the rarest of all commodities in Korea. You’ll quickly learn to empathise with the locals, especially when required to work early mornings or late evenings, or both. If your employer gives you more than 10 days holiday a year, think yourself lucky. If he (bosses are invariably men) gives you more than three days in a row, you might even want to consider saying thank you. It’s a good idea to choose a contract with the option of a month’s unpaid leave.

If you’re after an easy life, don’t bother coming to Korea. You’ll hate it. And it will end up hating you. What you’ll discover, if you arrive with that open mind I mentioned earlier, is something more difficult to pin down. You’ll live through something you’ve never experienced before. You’ll make the kind of friends, have the kind of conversations, stumble upon the kind of ideas, eat the kind of food, drink the kind of drinks, even get pissed off for the kind of reasons. you’ve never come across before. Character building is how my dad would describe it.

Six o’clock on a summer evening. The temperature slipping from its afternoon peak of 35 C. The tall, weary Englishman heaves his bags onto the conveyor, picks up his boarding card, and walks away towards passport control; just another chancer heading home, having tasted a bit more of what the world’s got to offer. The tall Englishman sits down in the air-conditioned departure lounge, suddenly cool, comfortable and with time on his hands. He thinks of the past year, of what he’s done, of all the people he’s promised to keep in touch with. Let’s just say that he neither planned nor imagined beforehand most of what actually happened during his stay in Seoul. But he wouldn’t change it now. Not for the world.

About the Author

David Cox has worked as a teacher and Academic director for around three years for ELS and is currently employed as a teacher by the British Council in Seoul.

What can you gain from traveling abroad teaching English? Evelyn Saunders explains

If you are looking for a career that takes you to places all over the world, you might want to start with the skills you already have – your language. Teaching English As A Second Language or ESL can help you visit the countries you always wish you could see.

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What does it take? First of all, read up on the profession. Understand what kinds of opportunities are available. Make sure you know the qualifications for specific jobs. There are classes you can take to become better qualified. And if you are worried about paying for those classes, don’t worry about that as there are student loans and grants out there to help you out.

Second, become an active member of TESOL (Teaches of English to Speakers of Other Languages) and your local affiliate. Volunteer. Attend a conference. Give a presentation on any teaching idea you have.

Third, find out what jobs are available where you want to go. Talk to people. Ask questions. Consider all possibilities. A number of web sites carry information about jobs overseas, but try to talk personally with people who have spent time in the field. Remember that each person’s experience will be colored by their own expectations, perceptions of the world, and their working situations.

Fourth, ask yourself if you are you mentally prepared for teaching overseas? Too often, teachers who go to another country soon return home disenchanted because things did not turn out the way they expected. While the employer bears some of the responsibility for preparing the new recruit, this does not exempt the employee from gathering as much information as possible about the host country and the place where they will work. Study up and consider the following:

Fifth, go with a purpose in mind. Teachers who have clear professional goals and can sustain themselves by nurturing their professionalism through outside activities and (and don’t blame the foreign culture for personal misfortunes) have the best chance of a successful teaching experience.

Sixth, study the language and culture of the host country. Although many training programs focus on the linguistic elements of the profession, an equally compelling reason should lead us to focus attention on diversity training to help teachers in the acculturation process they will need to undergo in a foreign land. Teachers themselves should make an earnest attempt to learn something about cultural adjustment and training that will lead to successful experiences abroad. Learning the language is a key step to adjustment, so you are able to become an active participant in everyday life. Tapping into what is “hot” and “what’s not” with our students shows them we are not removed spectators.

In addition to looking at the country you want to move to, look also at the school you will be working for. Ask for the email addresses and phone numbers of three of their current teachers? (The more the better, as it gives you a more honest picture of the school.) You can also check up on a school by checking blacklists and grey lists. There are web boards that list disreputable schools in various countries. Korea, in particular, has a large number of dedicated blacklists. So many, in fact, that the best advice may be to avoid working in Korea completely. Search the lists for schools you are considering. Post a question to the board… ask if anyone has had problems with the school you are considering. While this may yield results, blacklists are notoriously unreliable. Just because a school is not on the list does not mean it is a good one. Most bad schools, in fact, will not be found on any of the blacklists.

Last, enjoy the process and see where your new career can take you.

About the author

Evelyn Saunders, a retired teacher, is the editor for student-loans.net, a provider of private student loans and information on student loans and consolidation. For more information, please visit www.student-loans.net

The latest article from Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa of the TEFL Tips website

Know Before You Go: Requirements

Many places will require you to be a native speaker, though more and more are accepting non-native speakers. You will usually be required to have at least a BA. Other places will require teaching experience. A TEFL Certificate is useful, but a BA is preferred. International schools require QTS (Qualified Teaching Status) in your home country and usually two years teaching experience in a primary or secondary school.

TEFL Training Programmes

You can either study online or on-site. Remember that TEFL programmes should include at least 100 hours with 6 hours of teaching students. If you do a distance programme, make sure that a practical teaching element is included.

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Free online courses

The Peace Corps has come up with a Guide to teaching English. You could also try TEFL Boot Camp.

The following courses require a fee in order to participate

English International
TEFL training
INTESOL International
TESOL Direct
The International TEFL Corporation
I-to-I
ACTDEC

On-Site Programmes

There are quite a few TEFL Training Programmes in Latin America. Try searching at TEFL Certification Abroad to find one that suites you.

Salaries

Some schools may offer you room, board, and a small stipend in exchange for teaching. Others pay you a salary, usually between$ 500 and 1000 USD a month. Although this may seem like a low salary, costs of living are much lower than in the those in English speaking countries, so you can easily survive on a teacher’s salary.

Number of Hours

Many institutes and universities will have you work split shifts meaning that you’ll get a break in the middle of the day to eat lunch and relax for a few hours. Sometimes classes finish at 9pm, or even as late as 10pm. Although at first it seems difficult, you will get used to it and can use the time in the afternoon to take a nap or run errands. Remember that you will usually only be teaching 20-30 hours a week, and then the rest of the time is prep time. If you manage your time well, you will have plenty of time to teach private lessons.

Private Lessons

There are plenty of opportunites to pick up private students. Try advertising at schools, universities, or try putting an advert in the local paper. Teachers usually charge between $5 and 20 USD an hour. You can also teach online, see Tips of the Trade for more info.

What to Wear

Smart casual is usually the rule here. Some places require you to wear a uniform, other say that men have to wear ties and women must wear appropriate clothing. Men should wear dress pants and a dress shirt. Some places require you to wear a tie as well. Women should wear nice pants or a skirt with a blouse. Jeans are usually not accepted and piercings and tattoos should be hidden. Depending on where you are, you may be allowed to wear sandals. The best thing to do is ask about the dress code.

Start-up Costs

As usual, when moving to a new place, you should bring money to tide you over before you get paid. 1000- 2000 USD should be more than enough.

Making Contact

Although many places want to meet you before having you sign a contract, it is possible to set up jobs before you arrive. The best thing to do is start contacting schools and let them know you are interested in working for them. Tell them when you will arrive and try to set up an interview.

CV Tips

In Latin America there is a lot of importance put on getting to know a person. For that reason, you should always include a recent photo on your CV.

Include:

Photo
Your name
Date of birth
Sex, nationality (ex. Female American Citizen or Female, American, Native Speaker)
Phone number
Email
Work / Teaching Experience
Education
Conferences / Workshops given
Conferences / Workshops attended
Professional Affiliations
Other Skills (languages / computer)
Hobbies (optional)

There’s no reason to include scanned copies of documents such as a passport, degree or reference letters unless asked to do so.

Useful CV Websites

CV Tips
Teaching CVs
Purdue Guide
Free Resume Tips

Shortly Before Arriving

A few weeks before you plan on coming, re-email schools in order to touch base and confirm your interview.

About the author

Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa is the creator and writer for TEFL Tips, The LA Job List, and The Ultimate Peru List. She enjoys answering people’s questions about TEFLing and Peru.

By Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa from the TEFL Tips website

Before accepting a teaching position, there are many things that you need to know. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, the more you know, the more informed your decision will be. Find out as much about the school as you can. Good places to start are yahoo groups, ESL forums, such as eltworld.net and country specific forums. Ask to be put in touch with current or past teachers. If a school refuses to put you in contact with their teachers, that’s not a good sign. Move on to the next school.
Below are some questions you should ask before accepting a position.

School
● Who are the clients, students, who owns the school, manages it, runs it?
● Is there a particular methodology or pedagogical philosophy to be followed?
● How is management structured?

Hours
● How many a week maximum?
● How many a day maximum?
● How many in a row without a break?
● Are extra hours/relief compulsory? If so how much notice is given?
● Morning or afternoon shift? Split shift? Weekend work?
● How many different classes and or levels in a week?
● Are the hours guaranteed?
● Are there breaks?
● What about overtime?
● Is there sick leave? How much? Is there compensation if sick days aren’t used?

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Students
● What’s the typical student like?
● How many per class?
● How expensive/cheap is the school for students?
● What sort of students are the client base?

Duties
● Who makes the quizzes? How often are they?
● What other responsibilities are there?

Money
● How often is the pay?
● How is it decided? How will the salary differ with a certificate/degree and work experience?
● How much is the tax?
● Are there bonuses? How often are they given?
● Is there help with opening a bank account?
● How much is needed to live?

Conditions
● Holidays – paid or unpaid? When you want them?
● Is there reimbursement for flight?
● Is there airport pickup?
● Is accommodation provided? What is included? Is there help to find a flat?
● Is transport provided?
● What is done about organizing visas and who pays?
● Is medical insurance private? Or local state system?
● Is there relocation allowance?

Resources
● What books are used?
● Is there a syllabus to follow?
● Is there a library? Computers? Internet/email?
● Is there a Language lab? Video camera? Tape and video recorders?
● Is there a mentor or buddy system?

Once you do accept a position, you’ll need to start getting accustomed to the school and area. Here’s some suggestions to help make the transition easier.

Before You Start Work
● Book a flight and inform your school when you will be arriving.
● Ask if you can observe some classes
● Ask if you can come in to familiarize yourself with materials
● Start getting materials together
● Talk with current teachers and ask them for tips.
● Bring in all the paperwork necessary in order for you to get a work visa if they haven’t already gotten you one.
● Familiarise yourself with the town.

About the author
Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa is the creator and writer for TEFL Tips, The LA Job List, and The Ultimate Peru List. She enjoys answering people’s questions about TEFLing and Peru.

By Michael G. Hines

You have decided on being an ESL/EFL/TEFL teacher so you are off on the job search. Aside from the obvious considerations such as what country to work in and what training/qualifications (TEFL/TESOL/CELTA/DELTA) to obtain; there are other things a teachers should consider when looking at potential job offers.

There are many factors a teacher considers which will affect whether they accept a teaching position. The most obvious factor would be the content of the position (i.e. what is going to be taught). What is the school asking of you as a teacher? You must ask yourself if the ESL/EFL/TEFL job is interesting and fits into your career plans as a teacher. The person and ESL/EFL/TEFL school you will be working for is also an important consideration so you must take the time to talk to them either via email or phone. It would also be beneficial to ask to speak to other teachers from the school to find out their impressions. Knowing what the job is and whom you will be working with are the first step in deciding whether to pursue it further.

Some may say that the most important consideration would be salary and benefits but these should be a secondary consideration to what you want to do and who you will be working with. Regardless of the salary paid, most people will not stay at a position where they feel unsatisfied or have no growth. In addition, the people you work with or for have an enormous impact on your job satisfaction. However, when considering salary and benefits, do not focus as much on the starting salary but rather on the potential for growth and increases. Does the school have growth potential for you as a professional? Do they spell out cost-of-living increases and meritorious raises? Benefits are other areas that can supplement a position where the starting salary is not as good as you would have wished. Get a list of benefits from the company and formulate any questions you may have regarding them so that you can better discuss the position with management and other teachers at the school.

Another factor that may come into play with many teachers when evaluating a position is the ESL/EFL/TEFL resources provided by the school for the teacher to prepare their lessons. Teachers spend a large majority of their time preparing for upcoming classes. This requires readily available resources such as teacher edition books, computer, printer, internet access, and preferably a reference library. In addition, there should be a work area set aside at the school for teachers to plan and prepare. Whether the school already has a set curriculum/syllabus for the class to be taught and ESL/EFL/TEFL student books because the teacher may be asked to help to create these resources (i.e worksheets) for your school year if they are not provided. I have known many teachers that have felt the need to move on because of the demands of planning for a school year without adequate resources.

To help you find that perfect (or near perfect) ESL/EFL/TEFL teaching job, you should ask these questions to all prospective employers/schools:

1. What is the salary?
2. How many months is the teaching contract?
3. Do/Can you sponsor me for all paperwork, including teacher’s license, work permit, and visa extension?
4. How soon can you get this paperwork processed?
5. How many hours will I be teaching per week?
6. What kind of medical/travel insurance is on offer?
7. When are the starting and ending times for being at the school regardless of whether there is a class?
8. About how many school or community events a month are teachers required to attend outside normal working hours (teachers’ meetings, parents’ meetings, school festivals, seminars, etc.)?
9. Does the school have/provide ESL/EFL/TEFL student books or will I be required to make my own worksheets?
10. Does the school have whiteboards or chalkboards?
11. Does the school provide all teaching materials needed? What are the items provided?
12. Does the school require that I attend/teach a summer camp?
13. Is there a discipline policy? What is it and how is it enforced?
14. What are the details of the teaching contract “extras” such as:
a. Resigning bonuses
b. Biannual or annual plane tickets to visit home
c. Housing allowances (if no housing allowance then ask about help finding accommodations along with cost in the area of the school)
d. Internet access both in and outside the school
e. Raise schedules

Searching for an ESL/TEFL/TEFL teaching position is difficult. After spending many hours on a search, making a careful decision regarding a job offer is important. Getting a job offer does not necessarily mean you should take the job. Most schools will not expect you to make a decision on the spot. You will probably be given a few days to a week to make up your mind. If they are unable to provide you with the time to make a decision then you should not consider this teaching job as a viable position. On the other hand, if you decide to go with a school without finding out the proper information, don’t blame the school when the position turns out not to be what you expected or wanted. Weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the job will help you make a more informed decision, rather than deciding on impulse.

When considering where in the world you want to teach, the big 3 for ESL/EFL/TEFL jobs are:
Asia: Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are the popular spots because they have so many ESL jobs available but there are always positions coming up infrequently in places like Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia though you must be a qualified teacher to obtain these. You may even find positions for Cambodia and Laos but you should look at the reputation of employers carefully due to lack of a solid legal system for recourse. Life can become very difficult off the beaten path.

Europe: Everyone dreams of teaching in Greece, Italy, France or Spain but unless you are an European Union (EU) citizen it is difficult to obtain these positions. The more frequent positions are available in Eastern Europe in places like Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine and Russia. These positions don’t pay very well compared to the cost of living in some of these countries but they provide lot’s of opportunity for travel while not teaching.

The Middle East: Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the most common with Bahrain, Yemen and Qatar occasionally having openings. Now there are also more teaching positions available in Iraq. The Middle East is popular for the money paid for teaching positions but don’t expect much of a social life due to cultural restraints.

About the Author

M. G. Hines is an English teacher teaching in Bangkok, Thailand & founder of IconGroupThailand.com – education websites for ESL/EFL/TEFL jobs, resumes, articles, resources, banner ads & links directory/top site portal: TotalESL.com – Edu-Sites.com – EduBann