By Michiel Van Kets

If you’re thinking about a career in teaching English you are choosing a great profession. Not only do you give your valuable expertise to others but it is also possible to teach English in other countries not just at home. You can do this as a long term option or just take on some short term training for others when you are traveling in various countries for periods of time. Teaching overseas does require a little forward planning but if you have the qualifications you are pretty much able to find positions where ever you want to head.

There are places where the payments are much higher and you can obtain positions before you leave but there are many countries where you can look for work when you arrive. You need to make sure you have the finances to try this option but it is possible. Some teaching positions will include all expenses for you. Like accommodation and visa requirements etc but these are usually longer term positions so if you are interested in a longer term position you should check these options out before you leave home as you can find some jobs where all you have to do is get on the plane, arrive and teach.

Other positions that perhaps do not include the accommodation and visa or immigration expenses can prove to be a good way to make some money if you want to travel around so at least you need have an idea of what your rough plan might be. This way you are not restricted to set periods or contracts that keep you in one place for a year or more depending on what the other contract teaching positions will offer you.

It is not always simple and there are various countries where the rules and regulations make it more difficult but all you need to do is search for other teachers comments online about teaching and you will find there is a lot of information out there about what you can do and the better places to go. In various countries just having a teaching education in your own country is not enough and you may be required to obtain further certifications that are recognized in the other countries. The more common and internationally recognized courses are those such as the TEFL or TESOL courses.

There are some countries where it is a minimum requirement that you hold these specific certificates and you can also train for these specific certifications in those countries. However if you are not already a certified teacher who holds a degree then you may also find that the TEFL or TESOL courses are not enough to obtain the positions you want.

As a teacher you will also find that as some areas are better than others for teaching you need to make sure you do your home work before agreeing to any long term contracts. In many countries the schools are required to offer English as a language but there is not always the emphasis placed on ensuring that the students actually learn and while your education may have been a strict event in a controlled and regimented environment some other countries do not follow this format of teaching. From experience these are some of the Asian countries where English is taught but the whole schooling process is such a jump from what you are used to in your own country that the event can be a daunting one.

To get started on your overseas teaching experience make sure that you do all the homework you can regarding the locations you might consider and try to talk or communicate with other teachers who are teaching or have taught in those countries to get as much information as you can. You can of course always try the private teaching option and work in your own time and at your own rates however these jobs are a little harder to come by and while they may pay well they are again usually with the rich kids who may or may not show any respect for their teachers and then again you have a big change from what you expect and the reality of what it will be when you arrive. Whatever you decide make sure you keep funds in reserve for your ticket home just in case you really can’t deal with the differences that are out there.

About the Author

Michiel Van Kets submits articles for Abso-bloody-Lutely, a general web directory. The publications are about education and teaching.

By Kelly Blackwell

There are many opportunities for teaching English abroad that are open to anybody who is able to speak English fluently. Whether you have a teaching degree or a certificate in English language teaching you can find work almost anywhere in the world.

This article looks at two options for people who want to teach English abroad including private language schools and teaching English abroad in International Schools.

International Schools

International schools are elementary, middle and high schools for expatriate children whose families live abroad. There are international schools that offer an American curriculum, those that offer a British curriculum and many more. The language of instruction in most international schools is English but many of the students have English as a second or third language, and so most international schools have teachers who support these students by teaching them English language.

Teaching English abroad in international schools can be done with the same qualifications that are required for teaching in a private language school however you will be competing with people who have teaching diplomas. With over 4000 international schools worldwide, there are many positions vacant every year.

Teaching in an international school often offers better pay and more benefits than teaching in a private language school. Some benefits you are likely to receive teaching in an international school are annual flights, accommodation allowance, medical insurance and, free tuition for your children in the school.

International schools follow the regular school year, so you will only be teaching for around 200 days, and you will be paid for your vacation time, unlike private language school where you will receive 3-4 weeks holiday in a 12 month contract.

Private Language Schools

Teaching positions in private language schools are easy to secure. English language tuition is a growth business in many areas of the world, in particular in Eastern Europe and throughout Asia.

In order to teach English in a private language school you need to be able to speak English fluently and have a certificate from either Trinity or RSA CELTA. These courses are around 4 weeks long and can even be completed online. Some language schools will hire native English speakers who do not have any ESL qualification, but usually these schools are not as reputable as those that insist their teachers have the appropriate qualifications.

For some countries you will need to have a Bachelor’s degree in order to be eligible for a work permit. You need to check this out if you do not have one because you could end up working abroad illegally. Usually your degree can be in any subject, it does not need to be in education.

Working at a private language school can be rewarding as you learn about the local culture from your students and see the progress they make. You are likely to have a combination of classes with 12-20 students and private lessons where you teach only one or two students.

In Asia you can land an English teaching contract at any time, but in Europe most contracts are from the beginning of autumn in September through to the beginning of summer in June or July.

Having taught English in both private language schools and worked in international schools, I recommend you try and focus on landing a position teaching English abroad in an international school because the pay and benefits are better and you get longer holidays too.

About the Author

Your guide to Teaching English Abroad in International Schools available here!

Get your copy of Kelly’s “Escape the RatRace – TeachOverseas” today.