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 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.