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

Want to know how to succeed in the TEFL job market? Bruce Haxton tells you how.

So, you’re thinking about doing a TEFL course, and it won’t be too long before you’ve got your crisp new TEFL certificate in hand – but what are you going to do with it?! Get a teaching job abroad and jet off into the sunset – that’s what! But how to get there? Never fear: here are my five simple tips for TEFL job success:

Tailor your resume to TEFL

We’re sorry to say it, but employers don’t want to know about that ska band you were in back in school. Keep it short and sharp – just cover what the job advertisement asks for in simple, direct language. Focus on skills that schools will value, like leadership, organisational and communication skills and how you’ve demonstrated you can use them.

Do your course with a provider that has a job placement service

Get your TEFL course provider to do the legwork for you! Many companies have TEFL job placement services which will match you with relevant suitable contracts on completion of your course. Just make sure you’re eligible to use it before you sign on the dotted line!

Always deal with a real person

Want to know where most of those applications addressed to ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’ end up? That’s right… the bin! One of the best routes to job success is to build up personal relationships with recruiters to make sure your application ends up in the right person’s hands, rather than the trash.

Use your mouse

The internet’s a marvellous thing – where before you might have had to traipse around a city handing out your CV, you can now get access to tens of thousands of TEFL jobs at the click of a mouse. Sites like www.tefl.com list positions from all over the world, which are just waiting for enthusiastic EFL teachers to fill them!

Keep it simple

Very often the person who’ll be reading your job application won’t have English as their first language. They won’t want to tackle an application full of flowery language – they’ll want one that’s simple to read and direct. If they can’t immediately see that you’ve got the skills for the job your application will probably end up being binned!

And remember, if finding a TEFL job feels daunting, the odds are with you: there are 20,000 TEFL positions posted online every month, meaning fluent English speakers with TEFL certificates are like gold dust in many countries!

About the Author

Bruce feels 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.

A new year and a new career? Check this advice by Bruce Haxton if you’re thinking about getting into TEFL.

So you’re thinking about getting TEFL certified (or maybe you already are!), but once you’ve completed your TEFL course, what are you going to do with that crisp new certificate? Get a job and sail off into the sunset, that’s what! However, with thousands of teaching jobs abroad all over the world, choosing a good one can be tricky. So, to help you in your job hunt, here are just a few ways to snaffle that dream TEFL job.

Planning ahead – going with a company

You’ll often find that your TEFL course provider will offer a free TEFL job placement service on completion. This is usually hassle-free, but researching your employer is always a good idea. You can use the internet to research the local area and culture, while travel guides such as Lonely Planet also offer handy tips. The organization you opt for should be able to give you information about the school and may even offer contact details for their in-country coordinators. If you can get hold of a phone number, ask to speak to any TEFL teachers currently in the school to get a true idea of what it’s like to work there.

Going it alone

If you’re arranging your own teaching job abroad the most important thing is to network. Most schools depend on local advertising and word-of-mouth, long before considering using online adverts. The TEFL community is vast, so the sooner you start making contact with both schools and other teachers, the better. Employers are looking for people who have a genuine enthusiasm for teaching so make sure your bubbly personality and love of working with children come across in your application and your resume. Your resume itself should be packed full of TEFL-related skills, up to date references and lots of experience.

Be tenacious with your applications, get back to schools you hear from and try to arrange phone interviews at schools that are far away. Large language schools will often have offices in several countries, so you may be able to talk to someone in person without having to get on a plane. Establishing contact with the school beforehand will also help you to make a much more informed decision.

Travelling first

If forward planning isn’t really your thing, then it is possible to find a TEFL job in-country. It can be risky as you’re not guaranteed to find a position as soon as you step off the plane, but it depends where you want to go. Schools in popular countries such as China, Thailand and Japan offer good standards for English teachers and recruit locally due to their popularity as travel destinations. Networking is still important though, as is establishing contact with the local schools: internet forums are a good place to start, as they often have plenty of experienced teachers as members. Being in-country is a big advantage as you meet with the school director and actually visit your prospective work place and make a decision based on your own impressions, rather than those of someone else.

You will, however, still need to have a good resume, references and, of course, your TEFL certificate (we’re hoping you’ll already have your passport!) You’ll also need to carefully consider your budget, especially if you’re arriving in Europe. Make sure you arrive at the best time for recruitment, usually a month or so before the start of the academic year. This will be more important in popular destinations in Asia or Europe, but less so if you plan to teach in off the beaten track.

Checklist

• A few things for to consider before setting off on your TEFL adventure:
  What will living in my chosen country be like?
  Do my qualifications meet the standards of the country I’m going to?
  Do I have all the correct documentation: visas, passport, TEFL certificate?
  Where will I be living?
  What is the average pay in my chosen country?
  What hours should I expect to work?
  What sort of materials will be available?
  What support will there be before and during the placement?
  How big is the school I will be teaching in, in actual size and class size?
  What level of English will my students already have?
  What will my pupils’ average age be?
  What will my non-teaching duties be?

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 Keith Taylor

Probably the most common way to find a TEFL job is through one of the many TEFL employment websites. For jobs abroad, the process normally goes something like this:

1 The application

When you find a job which you like the look of, you’ll need to send your CV. You should emphasise points which are relevant to the position you are applying for – your TEFL qualification, and any relevant skills and experience, should feature strongly. Too many CVs cram all this into a couple of lines, and then list two pages of technical expertise developed during five years as a Software Engineer. Instead, briefly highlight a couple of skills that you developed in that job that could be relevant to language teaching – maybe you led training workshops which required self-confidence and enthusiasm, or worked on a project abroad for a year which meant adapting to a new culture.

If the school is interested, they will contact you to arrange an interview (possibly by telephone), usually with the School’s Director of Studies, or in larger schools, a Recruitment Coordinator.

2 The interview

The interview can last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour or more (possibly influenced by the school’s budget for long-distance calls!) You will normally be asked the types of questions you would expect in any job interview, about your qualifications, experience, strengths and weaknesses, and so on. If the job is in a culture significantly different to your own, you may be asked why you are interested in that particular country, and how you would cope with the types of cultural differences you could expect to face.

Some interviewers ask teaching or grammar questions. “How would you introduce the past simple tense to a group of 12 adults?” for example, or “How would you explain the word ‘proud’?” These are difficult to prepare for specifically, but this is where your training course will come in!

The interviewer should give you an opportunity to ask any questions you have about the school, the city, the salary and so on. This is a good point to ask if you can talk to/email a current teacher. Teachers working at the school are a good source of what it’s really like. What are the working conditions like? The teaching resources? The nightlife? The boss? The accommodation? Do you get paid on time? Is there internet at the school? And so on. Make sure you are clear about things which are important to you. If the school works on Saturdays and you want your weekends free, for example, it’s best to find out at this stage!

3 The contract

All going well, the school will offer you a contract. A typical contract is for one year, renewable thereafter. Read this very carefully and don’t be afraid to ask if anything is not clear. A reputable employer will appreciate the fact that moving to another country to live and work is a big step (if you are dealing with the Director of Studies, he/she was in the same boat once) and should be forthcoming with help.

There is no set format for a contract, but it should at least be clear about several important points:

- Working days and hours, including the number of contact teaching hours – between 20 and 25 a week is normal.

- Holidays – how many days? Are they fixed?

- Probationary period – if so, how long?

- Start and end dates of the contract

- Salary, overtime and any bonus – when is it paid, and how?

For jobs outside the EU and North America, many schools offer return airfare as part of the deal, often paid on successful completion of the contract. Some offer free accommodation, others provide it but not for free. All should at the very least provide help with finding it. Schools should also sort out paperwork and legalities for you, or tell you exactly what you need to do.

In the EU and North America, things are often very different. You will more likely be expected to sort yourself out in terms of getting there, finding accommodation and sorting out paperwork. A job is often very much just that – a job, without such a network of support.

Other means of recruitment

Many schools, especially in some EU countries, use other means of recruitment, including TEFL recruitment agencies, newspapers and local expat magazines, and just relying on people to contact them directly or walk in off the street in search of work.

Some teachers choose to travel to the country where they want to work first, and look for work when they arrive. There are some pros and cons to this approach. On the plus side, some schools are more likely to hire you if they have met you face to face, and you are already established in a place. But the risk is spending a lot of time and money with no guarantee of finding a job, particularly if you are newly qualified and the majority of schools in that country require several years of experience.

If you choose this route then, get to know the typical requirements of schools first by looking at job adverts, or contact some schools directly before you go.

Things to look out for

The great majority of schools are reputable businesses and, except for the inevitable mishaps and inconveniences (broken photocopiers, cultural misunderstandings!) most contracts go without a hitch. But of course, as in any profession, there are some disreputable schools who seek to take advantage of unsuspecting teachers. So, make sure you research a school as thoroughly as you can. Get as much information from the school, other teachers, TEFL websites and forums that you need to feel comfortable in making a decision.

Here are a few things to look out for with every job that you apply for:

- Are they offering you a job without speaking to you first?

- Are they unprepared to put you in contact with current teachers?

- Are they expecting you to accept a job without seeing a contract?

- Are they asking you to send them money?

All going well, you’ve survived the interview and accepted your first job in a country where you’ve dreamed of living since embarking on your TEFL career. So now it’s time to get on the plane, meet your new colleagues, and start your new life!

About the Author

Keith Taylor runs http://www.eslbase.com/, providing free resources, advice and information for TEFL teachers. He also runs the language exchange, http://www.eslbase.com/language-exchange/.

Sharon K Couzens de Hinojosa, the creator of and writer for TEFL Tips, discusses the merits of TEFL certification.

As far as visa requirements go, while countries may require a degree, I don’t know of any that require you to have a TEFL certificate. Although TEFL certs won’t help with visa requirements, they will make your life much easier as a teacher. Intensive TEFL courses, whether they be CELTA, Trinity, or any other course, will teach you how to teach English. Knowing the language and being able to teach it are two different things. There’s nothing worse than having a student ask you to explain something and for you to not know the answer.

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These courses will teach you things such as grammar, how to teach vocabulary, language level, popular activities, different methods, and more. Not only do they help you learn about what to do in the classroom, the course trainers can give you advice about which countries to teach in, what to look for in a contract, and may even offer job placement. They’re a great way to get your foot in the door. If you decide to make teaching English your career, you should try to get higher qualifications as well, such as a PGDE or MA.

If you want to take a TEFL course, read Choosing a TEFL course to find out what you need to look for to find a good course. If you can’t take a TEFL course due to time, money or other reasons, don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world. There are plenty of other ways to learn about TEFL. See Learning about TEFL and Teaching.

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.

Groshan Fabiola gives a brief intro into teaching English Asian style.

Teaching English in Asia has become very popular among native English speakers from the United States and Canada. These are in fact the residents generally preferred by Asian employers in their numerous job offerings for teachers of English as a second language. Employment anywhere abroad is not guaranteed with just a strong knowledge of English, despite the fact that this language has become international over the past years. However, teaching is Asia is possible with nothing but the solid knowledge that most native English speakers possess. The only prerequisite is a university degree in any subject, but there are times when a lot of enthusiasm will do.

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Teaching in Asia is possible both in public and in private language institutions, as well as self employed. The problem with the privately-run institutions is that their main focus is maximization of profits, which makes educational standards rather low. This makes work as a private tutor more lucrative. However, this type of employment requires considerable market experiences, as well as suitable premises for your work.

Teaching in Asia comes with many advantages, and many of those who apply for an ESL job in Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, etc. mostly appreciate salaries and the possibility of increasing their income through private tutoring. The change of scenery is also regarded as interesting, though there are times when the resistance to innovation makes local people have a rather racist attitude. But new arrivals are likely to face problems anywhere around the world, and teaching in Asia is no exception. However, these obstacles can be overcome with tact and perseverance.

Those with no experience whatsoever are most likely to find that teaching in Asia comes with a big challenge, which is getting shy students to speak in class. But this is again an obstacle that can be overcome, because teachers all over the world are faced with this problem, and the most efficient solution seems to be making your classes fun and encouraging students the vocabulary the already possess, however limited.

Teaching in Asia has experienced a remarkable explosion in the past few years, with China demanding a constant flow of native speakers from Western countries. China is the hungriest Asian nation as far as the English language is concerned. There are many ESL job postings for China on the Internet, because the demand for English instructors is a huge one, with more and more people wishing to provide their children with a good education and send them for private tuition.

Requirements for teaching in Asia are not very stringent. A university degree often suffices and teaching experience is seldom required, as this counts for higher training levels. Each of the Asian countries eager to bring in native speakers of English as instructors has its own advantages. For instance, in Japan considerable financial rewards can come with this type of employment, but the competition is fierce. In Indonesia, foreign teachers who are willing to sign a contract and have experience in teaching English as a second language can get up to ten times the local salary. In Korea, the competition for ESL jobs is not as acute as in Japan, and with the demand outstripping the supply by far, getting a job as a teacher in this country is quite easy.

Regardless of the difficulties that may occur, which are not specific of these nations but of working and living in a foreign country, teaching in Asia can turn out to be a pleasant and unforgettable experience if you make an educated choice.

About the author

If you are looking for more information about ESL jobs or to learn about teaching in Asia, Groshan Fabiola suggests visiting TEFL jobs.

David Stevens

Demand for native English teachers in China is growing ever strongly as the country continues its development at a rapid speed. There is a lot of demand for English teaching in China now, not just in the major cities but in smaller cities and in the countryside.

There are many reasons why you may decide to teach English in China, such as the desire to learn the Chinese language, an interest in the Chinese culture or to earn money.

Teaching in China is not generally a way to make a lot of money but you will earn a salary that allows you to live a very comfortable lifestyle and even save some money as well. If you want to save a reasonable amount of money, you will probably need to work overtime. A standard full-time contract in China is usually a maximum of 25 hours a week, so this is definitely possible. In the major cities, there is a huge potential to work overtime if desired as there are so many people wanting to learn English.

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The Chinese schools prefer native speakers from a select few countries, namely the US, UK, South Africa, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Discriminatory as this may be, it also means that the Chinese are leaving out a sizeable chunk of capable English-speakers who were unfortunate enough not be born in the above countries.

The location of your school is important. There is more to China than just Beijing and Shanghai. A fair number of cities are quite well developed and can certainly provide you with a wonderful peek into the heart of China.

Decide on the city you wish to teach in. Narrow down your search to a specific region or city in which to start job-hunting. Your decision may be influenced by factors such as weather, money-earning potential, or personal preference, and a little bit of in-depth research into the area will serve you well. Weather may seem like a minor factor, but when you consider the temperatures in northern China often dip as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius, such factors suddenly become a bit more important!

Although most schools in China would not negotiate, there is no reason why you should settle for anything less than RMB 4000. A school or university which offers you less than this is really trying to cut corners and should be avoided. Dont be persuaded by claims that the average salary of the Chinese teacher is only half of yours. Maybe true, but then the average Chinese teacher has not left his country.

Before leaving, make sure you have arranged all the correct vaccinations, visas, insurance, documentation, and certificates for your employer. A good idea is to scan copies of your passport, visas, and certificates into a computer at home and store a copy in your email account, so that you always have a copy if you lose the originals. Emailing a copy to a friend or relative before departure is useful too.

Teaching English in China is a great adventure and for many teaching English abroad will become a profession with great opportunities around Asia and around the world.

About the author

David Stevens is involved in a website that provides opportunities for paid English Teaching in China and paid gap year English Teaching in China.

Click on the pic to find out more about the new TEFL Jobs website…

By Nigel Nix

The short and easy answer is “YES”.

In fact anyone who has graduated from high school and has a good grasp of their own language can make a comfortable living as a freelance trainer in Germany.

However, a little prep work is required in order to avert disaster.

Over the years I’ve seen so many people come full of enthusiasm only to leave in tears a few short months later. I can’t guarantee you success but if you follow the 5 guidelines below then your adjustment will be a lot easier.

1. Learn some basic German.

You don’t have to be a fluent speaker but a few months before your trip you should buy a basic phrase book. “Where is the train station?” “How much is this?” etc.

Make sure it has a phonetic pronunciation guide.

It doesn’t matter if your German is terrible at the start, as long as you make the effort to speak the language then most of the natives will try their best to help you.

DO NOT blurt out “Hey dude, where can a guy get himself a mickey dees and a cold bottle of suds in this town?” Although a lot West Germans had a little English in school most of them have forgotten it. How much high school French or Spanish can you remember!?!

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2. Brush up your grammar.

Native speakers use complex grammar structures without thinking what they are called.

Now you need to learn the names and when they are used. DON’T PANIC!

Essential Grammar In Use ISBN 3-12-533460-8

This book is the bible for English trainers and it’s written simply and clearly.

GET IT NOW! Read it from cover to cover and do all the exercises.

Remember you are not learning the language, just brushing up.

I remember thinking “wow, so that’s what it’s called when I say that.”

Basically your learning the lingo.

A TOEFL certificate would be a big advantage and you can do the course in the evenings or at weekends. It’s worth the relatively small price you pay.

3. Observe the culture.

Search the net, read German authors and watch German movies.

Learn a little about the German culture.

Germans are a lot more reserved than British or Americans and need a little more time to warm up. Don’t mistake this for unfriendliness. Once you gain their trust you won’t find more loyal friends. Eating on the street can be frowned upon but drinking a bottle of beer on your way home from work isn’t really out of place.

4. Have your papers ready.

The people here are highly organized and for us maybe a little too bureaucratic.

Make sure you have all your relevant education papers, tax info. , social security etc.

You also have to register for a work permit but most schools will help you with this process. Although the authorities are more tolerant with non-German speakers they still expect everything to be done exactly right. If you have to organize your work permit by yourself then try to have a bi-lingual speaker with you.

5. Have a “Plan B”.

Even with the greatest preparation things can sometimes go wrong.

Make sure that you have an open return plane ticket, travel insurance and enough emergency money with you in case things don’t go as planned.

It could be that you get here and the culture shock is too great, maybe you have a skiing mishap on your day off or being an English trainer isn’t all you thought it would be.

It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Hopefully I haven’t painted too dark a picture. After all I’m married to a German woman and have happily adjusted to life here. Living and working in Germany can be a fantastic experience and totally change your life in a positive way as long as you do a little planning before your trip.

About the author

Nigel Nix has been teaching Business English in Germany for the last 7 years and now has his own training business. You can visit his website.