Graduate's Guide to Teaching and Travelling Abroad

8/9/2019 Graduate's Guide to Teaching and Travelling Abroad

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With the job market still struggling to recover from therecession and graduates nding greater employmentchallenges than at any time in recent history, TEFLoffers you the chance to earn a decent wage, cut yourliving costs, improve your employability… and havean amazing time living and working overseas. Withthe British Council estimating that more than one billionpeople are learning English worldwide, the opportunities

for graduates are virtually limitless*.

A Graduate’s Guide to

Teaching English as aForeign Language…

*British Council Learning. August 2009. www.britishcouncil.org/learning-aq-the-english-language.htm



Contents

OpportunitiesTEFL Opportunities for Graduates 5 Graduate Opportunities Worldwide 7

Worldwide TEFL Requirements 8

TrainingTEFL Training for Graduates 11

Which TEFL Course is Right for You? 13Online TEFL Courses 14

Classroom TEFL Courses 14Combined TEFL Courses 15 Trinity and CELTA Courses 15 Grammar Quiz 16Specialist TEFL Training 18

Finding WorkHow to Find a TEFL Job 21 Creating a Good TEFL CV 22 Creating a Good TEFL Cover Letter 24 Finding Work Yourself 26 Finding Work With Recruitment Agencies 28 Types of Teaching Institutions 29

Arriving Overseas How Will TEFL Help Your Career? 34

Destinations Where Can TEFL Take You? 37 North Asia 38

South East Asia 43 Western Europe and the Med 47 Central and Eastern Europe 54 Central and South America 57 The Middle East 61

Africa The Indian Subcontinent 67

TEFL Glossary 70 A Few Last Words 72 Some Space for Your Notes 73

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TEFL Opportunities for Graduates 5Graduate Opportunities Worldwide 7

Worldwide TEFL Requirements

Opportunities



TEFL Opportunities

for Graduates As a recent graduate, nding a job teaching Englishas a foreign language overseas is relatively easy. Insome cases you really only need the ability to speakEnglish uently to nd work.

In fact, people have been teaching English abroad for decades with nothing more than wanderlust and

their knowledge of the English language. However, over the last few years the market has become farmore competitive and school requirements have increased to the point where the vast majority of themore reputable schools now require teachers with an accredited TEFL certicate.

So we’ve created this guide to tell you exactly what you need to know about the TEFL industry, the coursesavailable and the types of opportunities there are for graduates worldwide. It’s an up-to-date view of theworld of TEFL based on our experiences of teaching abroad and training other people to do the same. Itshould serve as the perfect guide for the start of your TEFL adventure.

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R Ea d m o R E T E FL s T o R i Es a T

w w w. T E FL -c haL k b oa R d.c o m

Siobhan’s Story Siobhan Torrens took an i-to-iTEFL course after graduating. Hercourse took her all the way from

Southampton to China…

I arrived here in China in October 2009, so I’vebeen here almost a couple of months now. Thistrip started way back in May. I was nearing theend of my dissertation which was about howto teach programming when I decided that Ineeded a break from computing. I love travellingso I looked at jobs where I could go abroad. Iremembered thinking about teaching but I didn’twant to teach in a school in England or spenda year training to nd out that I didn’t like it. Thesolution was simple - I decided to teach Englishas a foreign language.

Siobhan Torrens



Graduate Opportunities

WorldwideEnglish is the international language of business, politics,science and communications. The British Council estimatesthere are over a billion people learning English worldwide.*

About three quarters of these people live in non-English-speaking countries where TEFL courses areaccepted and qualied TEFL teachers are in huge demand. In other words, every country needs Englishteachers - there are even foreign TEFL teachers in North Korea!

There are hundreds of websites dedicated to TEFL jobs. It’s estimated that there are over 20,000 new TEFLjobs listed each month and one of the best known sites – eslcafe.com – can have over 2,000 listings atany given time. As a graduate you’re in a great position to nd work overseas and you’ll nd it easy to

get working visas for some of the most lucrative TEFL markets in the world, such as the Middle East, Japanand South Korea.

However, in some places the demand for TEFL teachers is so huge that many schools will employ teacherswith no teaching qualications or degree. This does depend on the country, the school and the individualemployer – you may need to be qualied or degree educated to get a working visa in some countries.

Also, the question of whether you want to teach without some training needs serious consideration (seepage 11) as does whether you’d want to work for a school that has such low standards that they’demploy a teacher with no experience and no training.

*British Council Learning. August 2009. www.britishcouncil.org/learning-aq-the-english-language.htm

EuRopE200,000,000+LEaRnERs

asia300,000,000+LEaRnERs

souTh amERica150,000,000+LEaRnERs

middLE EasT50,000,000+LEaRnERs



Worldwide TEFL Job

RequirementsThe list below gives you a rough idea of the regionalrequirements for TEFL teachers looking for workabroad.

Region General Requirements

North Asia Degree required and TEFL certicate preferred

South East Asia TEFL certicate required

Western Europe & the Mediterranean Degree and TEFL certicate required

Central & Eastern Europe TEFL certicate preferred

Central & South America TEFL certicate preferred

Middle East Degree required

Indian Subcontinent Degree and TEFL certicate required

Africa TEFL certicate preferred

English speaking countries Degree & CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL required



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Rozel’s Story… Rozel Le Cornu is an i-to-i Teach inChina intern. She headed East aftergraduating and had an amazingtime…

Sometimes bubbles of joy and excitement justcannot be contained and I begin to smile, orjump up and down, or laugh – or all threesimultaneously! I get moments like this oftenhere, like just now, walking back from the schoolcanteen. I hear the cry of ‘Rozel!’ followed by

a small Chinese girl running towards me, armsoutstretched for a hug. Then after talking to her,I continue walking to have one of my grade 3boys literally hurtle towards me, hug me, takemy hand and then spin around with the biggestsmile on his cheeky face! Wow, I’m going tomiss this place when I head home!



Rozel Le Cornu



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TEFL Training for Graduates 11 Which TEFL Course is Right for You? 1Online TEFL Courses 14Classroom TEFL Courses 14Combined TEFL Courses 15Trinity and CELTA Courses 15Grammar Quiz 16Specialist TEFL Training 18

Training



TEFL Training for

GraduatesOne of the main questions people ask about TeachingEnglish as a Foreign Language is ‘Do I really need a TEFLqualication if I’ve already got a degree?’ And the simpleanswer is no!

But a word of warning: although a TEFL qualication isn’t absolutely necessary for nding teaching workabroad, having a reputable TEFL course does make nding work loads easier. And there’s a lot more toTEFL training than just improving your employability and bumping up the wages you can demand.

Even a short 20 hour TEFL course will increase your condence and give you some guidance on how tomanage a classroom, prepare activities and teach a lesson. Obviously longer TEFL courses will give you adeeper understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching English as a foreign languageand give your students the level of education they deserve.

In conclusion then, even though it is possible to get teaching work without a TEFL qualication, if you haveone it’ll be easier to nd work, you’ll be able to do a better job and you’ll be less likely to get caught outby your own students when teaching them the intricacies of the present perfect tense!



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“Niha’s StoryI graduated in 2009 but found ithard getting a job, which led meto i-to-i. I then decided to do a TEFL

course to gain further teachingexperience and to explore newopportunities and challenges thatI might not get a chance to donormally. I’m currently signed up forthe China Internship and I know thatit will bring me new prospects, new

friends and help me to learn moreabout myself and other cultures. It’svery exciting to know that a TEFLcourse can take you anywhere in theworld, a chance that you might notget in other careers.



Niha Chaudry



Which TEFL Course is

Right For You?Choosing the right course for you can be a tricky business.There are loads of different course providers offering loadsof different types of courses. TEFL courses. TESOL courses.Online courses. Weekend courses. Combined courses.CELTA courses. Trinity courses. And with prices starting

from £160 and going all the way up to around £1,000, it’simportant you choose a course that suits your budget andthe type of teaching you want to do. So to help you ndthe course that’s best for you, we’ve created this quick andeasy guide…

TEFL Tip As a rule of thumb, the more hours of study you do, the better your prospects of ndingwork overseas!



Classroom TEFL CoursesShort, classroom-based TEFL courses are ideal if you’relooking for a quick taste of TEFL or just need a basic certicateto improve your teaching CV.

They’re ideal for people who prefer to learn by listening and practicing in a classroom. With some providers,you can upgrade this basic TEFL course to a more in-depth course by adding online course modules to yourclassroom TEFL course. So if you catch the TEFL bug, you can improve your qualication quickly and easily.

Online TEFL Courses

Online TEFL courses range from cheap and cheerful 40 hourcourses all the way up to in-depth 120 hour courses that areaccepted by schools worldwide.

They cover all the key theoretical aspects of TEFL and offer loads of online learning resources, so they’reideal if you already have practical teaching skills. If you prefer to study alone and at your own pace, or ifyou can’t make it along to a classroom TEFL course, they’re a perfect choice.

✔ Prosl The best classroom courses are respected

worldwide

l Meet TEFL tutors and other TEFL students

l Can be a fun way to learn

l Can include peer teaching experience

✗ Consl There’s no ofcial worldwide accreditation

body, so check the company thoroughly

l Course content can be supercial

l No teaching practice with real students

l Little attention to language and grammaranalysis

✔ Pros

l Study whenever suits youl Inexpensive

l Study from anywhere on the planet

l In-depth theoretical study

✗ Cons

l No face-to-face contact with tutors and otherTEFL students

l No teaching practice

l There are some dubious online course providersso choose carefully



Combined TEFL Courses

Courses that combine online and classroom TEFL training area great way to get a really comprehensive TEFL certicate thatwill make it easy to nd work overseas.

They combine the theoretical aspects of online study with the practical lesson planning and teaching practiceaspects of a classroom based course. Combined TEFL courses range from entry-level 40 hour courses all theway through to really comprehensive 140 hour courses with specialist training and loads of extras.

Trinity and CELTA CoursesCambridge Certicate (CELTA) or the Trinity Certicate inTESOL provide an intensive introduction to teaching Englishwith a full-time four week course.

If you have four weeks spare and the money to pay for the course, these courses can be a good option,especially if you are thinking of TEFL as a long term post-graduate career, want to teach in an English speakingcountry or are interested in moving up the career ladder into management or Director of Studies positions.However, if you’re thinking of heading overseas to teach for a limited amount of time, as a post university travel

experience or CV building exercise, a Trinity or CELTA course may not be necessary.

✔ Prosl High prestige

l Graduates can use it to teach in Englishspeaking countries

l Independently audited and accepted worldwide

l Practical teaching content

l Teach real students and get feedback

✗ Consl Very intensive

l Very expensive

l Can be stressful

l Inexible delivery model

l You’ll need to take a month off to study

✔ Pros

l In-depth language and grammar studyl Practical face to face learning

l Up to 140 hours of study

l Meet TEFL tutors and other TEFL students

l The best ones are respected worldwide

✗ Cons

l No teaching practice with real studentsl There’s no ofcial accreditation body, so check

the company thoroughly



You’re Obviously Pretty

Smart, But How Good is Your Grammar?So you’ve gone to university and you’re obviously pretty smart. Buthow much do you know about English grammar? Take this quicktest, and then check the answers on the next page to see howsmart you really are!

Instructions: Match the word in bold to its grammatical name by choosing a, b or c. Simple eh? Yeah right!

1 I live in a big house now. It’s the best house thatI have ever lived in. a) subject b) object c) possessive noun

2 I live in a big house now. It’s the best housethat I have ever lived in. a) adverb b) verb c) adjective

3 I live in a big house now. It’s the best house thatI have ever lived in. a) preposition b) article c) adjective

4 I live in a big house now. It’s the best house thatI have ever lived in.

a) quantier b) adjective c) article

5 I live in a big house now. It’s the best housethat I have ever lived in. a) adjective b) verb c) article

6 I live in a big house now. It’s the best housethat I have ever lived in. a) adjective b) article c) noun

7 I live in a big house now. It’s the best house thatI have ever lived in. a) present perfect b) present simple c) past simple

8 I live in a big house now. It’s the best housethat I have ever lived in. a) superlative b) comparative c) relative clause

9 I live in a big house now. It’s the best housethat I have ever lived in.

a) passive b) conditional c) relative clause

10 I live in a big house now. It’s the best house thatI have ever lived in. a) past simple b) present perfect c) past perfect



So How Good is Your

Grammar?The Answers1 a) subject 2 b) verb 3 a) preposition 4 c) article 5 a) adjective 6 c) noun 7 b) present simple 8 b) comparative

9 c) relative clause 10 b) present perfect

How Did You Do?Less than 5 out of 10 Don’t worry, there’s more to teaching than knowing what a relative clause is, but youshould think about taking a short grammar course before you start teaching overseas.You wouldn’t want your primary students knowing more about English grammar thanyou, would you?

5 to 9 out of 10 Good effort. You’re pretty good at grammar, but you might want to consider taking ashort grammar course on top of your TEFL course to get you fully up to speed.

10 out of 10You’re a grammar genius. The world of TEFL is missing out every day you’re notteaching. Get yourself a TEFL qualication, book your plane ticket and get yourself ateaching job as soon as possible.



Specialist TEFL Training

A good way to make your CV shine and improve youremployability is to take a short specialist teaching certicateon top of your TEFL course. There are short courses availablein everything from Teaching Business English to TeachingYoung Learners.

They’re a great choice if you’re hoping to specialise in a specic area of English teaching, such as theprotable business English market. Take a look at the ‘Where can TEFL take you?’ section for moreinformation about which countries are crying out for people with specic types of specialist training.

There are loads of different specialist TEFL certicates out there including…

Grammar AwarenessDidn’t get a great score on the Grammar Quiz? This is the course for you!

Teaching Business English A great introduction to the lucrative business teaching market.

Teaching Large ClassesEspecially useful in Asia and the Far East.

Teaching Young LearnersIf you want to teach kindergarten or primary kids, this is a great choice.

Teaching One-to-OneUseful if you want to make loads of money as a private TEFL tutor!

Teaching with Limited ResourcesEspecially useful if you plan to teach in South Asia, Latin America or Africa.



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Leigh’s Story After graduating with a Bachelor ofScience and spending a year as alaboratory technician, something that

I had hated from day one, I decidedthere has to be something more. I heardabout i-to-i TEFL courses by chancethrough a travel agent while I waslooking at options for a gap year. Irealised this could be a way of fulllingmy dream of travelling to Eastern Europe

as well as being a viable career option! With nothing to lose and everythingto gain, I threw myself at it and foundthat it was a lot of fun and gave me thecondence and tools to get out thereand do it. I start my new TEFL job in theUkraine in 3 weeks!

Leigh Turnbull



How to Find a TEFL Job 21Creating a Good TEFL CV 22Creating a Good TEFL Cover Letter 24Finding Work Yourself 26Finding Work With Recruitment Agencies 28Types of Teaching Institutions 29

Arriving Overseas How Will TEFL Help Your Career? 34

Finding Work3



How to Find a TEFL Job

There are loads of different ways of nding work overseas.You can nd yourself a teaching job from home, job huntwhile you’re in-country, or even sign up to a TEFL recruitmentagency and let them to do the leg-work for you. There arepros and cons to each.

Search from Home

Sorting out a job from home allows you to get visas, travel arrangements and all the important stuff backhome sorted safely in the knowledge that you have a job lined up at the other end.

See page 26 for more information

In-country Job SearchingLooking for work in-country allows you to check out the area, inspect the school and meet other teachersbefore you sign up to a contract. However, taking time to travel isn’t always possible and it can get prettyexpensive.


Using TEFL Job AgenciesThis is probably the easiest way to get a job overseas, as long as you take the time to choose an agencythat is trustworthy and reputable.


TEFL TipMany employers choose their staff a few months before they’re needed, so most schools advertisebetween April and July for jobs starting in September. So if you want to land yourself a joboverseas these are usually the best times to start looking.



Creating an Impressive

TEFL CVThere’s no such thing as a CV that works for all TEFL jobs.You’ll need to create a basic template and then tailor it foreach application, so the CV meets each employer’s selectioncriteria and works with your cover letter. Take a look at thesehints and tips for more in-depth information.

Make sure everything on your CV is relevant. Remove anything that doesn’t shout ‘I can do this teaching jobreally well’. Keep it succinct and punchy.

Use the same font as your cover letter. It creates a good impression – you’ve made the effort to present a•professional package.

Start with your most recent qualications and experience.•

Key skills should be nouns. For current responsibilities use verb+ing. For previous jobs use the past tense.•

Make sure you’re consistent with word forms and punctuation. Use full stops after all or none of the items•in a bulleted list – not just some of them. This level of care and consistency is especially important for anEnglish teacher. If your CV is sloppy, the employer will think your attitude and your work in the class will

be sloppy too!

Key resourcesFor TEFL CV tips: www.te.net/esl-jobs/resume-tips.htm

For suggestions regarding tricky issues such a lack of experience: http://susanireland.com/resumework.htm



A Great Example of a

TEFL CV… RESUME

Janet Baldwin 412 Iseya-cho, Kamigo-ku Kyoto 602-0873

Telephone: 075-212-6342

Email: [email protected]

KEY SKILLS• QualiedandexperiencedTEFLteacher

• Coordinatorofsportsandactivityprograms

QUALIFICATIONS2009 TEFLCerticate

i-to-i

Melbourne

2008 BachelorofArts(Major:History)

MonashUniversity

Melbourne

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Jan-Jul2009 TEFLTeacher,UniversalEnglishCollege,Kyoto

• TeachingConversationalEnglishatalllevels

• TeachingBusinessEnglishtoexecutives

• Organisingout-of-classlanguageactivities

Mar-Oct2008 ActivitiesOfcer,StudentActivitiesCommittee,MonashUniversity

• Plannedandmanagedsportsclubsandevents

• Designedpromotionalmaterialsandcheckedforerrors

• Completedrecordsinatimelyandaccuratemanner

Jul-Nov2007 FreelanceTutor

• TutoredhighschoolstudentsinEnglishandHistory

INTERESTS

Japaneselanguage&culture;sport&outdooractivities

REFEREESProfessorJaneScott MrTimMichaels

HistoryDepartment Tutor

MonashUniversity i-to-iTEFLCerticate

[email protected] [email protected]

(+613)92752978 (+613)93523998



Creating a Unique TEFL

Cover LetterReady for the harsh truth? Most employers look at a coverletter for less than 10 seconds! After that they’ve alreadydecided whether you’re a ‘maybe’ or a ‘denite no’! Firstimpressions are very powerful and the following hints andtips should help you get past those all important rst 10

seconds.Hints and Tips for a TEFL Cover Letter

Make sure that the cover letter includes the selection criteria in the job advert. These should be obvious,•if they’re not it may be worth emailing them to see what kind of training and experience they’re after.

Use ‘Dear’ followed by the person’s name, and nish with ‘Yours sincerely’.•

Keep your letter short and to the point.•

Keep the language simple and clear (you will be judged on the clarity and precision of your writing).•

Be courteous and direct – there’s no need to beg. ‘This is an application for…’ is much better than ‘I•would really like to apply for…’.

In business letter styles, do not punctuate dates, ‘Dear…’ or ‘Yours Sincerely’. Leave a line space•between paragraphs and do not indent the rst line. The text should be left justied.

Use a clean business like font, such as Arial or Verdana.•

Most importantly, check every word of your application at least three times. Then get a friend to check it•too. English teachers really shouldn’t be making errors in application letters, it just looks sloppy!

Key resourcesUseful advice for letters and CVs www.eltworld.net/blog/2009/04/6-simple-reasons-why-your-te-resume-sucks

For more ideas and the difference between post and email etc… http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobapplications/job_applications.htm



A Good Example of a

TEFL Cover Letter

Ms Sawako Wakita

Principal, Foundation English Kindergarten

3-2-6 Ogimachi, Kita-ku

Shinagawa

Osaka

20 July 2009

Dear Ms Wakita

This is an application for the position of English Teacher, as advertised on

www.eslcafe.com.

I am a qualied and experienced English teacher. I have an i-to-i TEFL Certicate, and

have been working for six months as a TEFL teacher at the Universal English College,

Kyoto.

In addition, I have designed and organised sports and activity programs. While at

university I worked for the Student Activities Committee, coordinating a number

of sports clubs for students.

I would be very grateful for the opportunity to discuss my application further. Please

nd my resume attached.

Yours sincerely J.Baldwin

Janet Baldwin



Finding Work Yourself

If you want to nd work without using a recruitmentorganisation you’ve got two choices: search from home orlook for a job when you’re in the country.

Finding Work Abroad from HomeHaving a job sorted before you leave home obviously has lots of plus points. It cuts out much of the anxietyof leaving home without a denite job lined up. It allows you to get your working visa. It gives you a littletime to get lesson plans and materials together. And it means you can get your accommodation xed up soyou’ll have somewhere to lay your head when you get off the plane. There’s a list of resources on the next

page which should make nding a job from home a lot easier.

Finding Work at Your Destination Although it can be a little stressful, many people prefer to do their job-hunting once they arrive in theirchosen destination. This allows you to meet the employer, check out the school’s facilities, check out the TEFLopportunities in the area and get insider information from other teachers who are working out there. Mostemployers recruit staff a few months before the courses start and advertise locally between April and Julyfor jobs starting in September. So you’ll need to do a reconnaissance trip around this time or just take yourchances when you land.



Useful ResourcesNewspapers and publicationsTuesday: TEFL Classieds in the Guardian Education section Thursday: Jobs pages in The Independent Friday: The Times Educational Supplement

Recommended job siteswww.eslcafe.com www.te.com www.eslgazette.com www.jobs.tes.co.uk

Information about jobs overseaswww.transitionsabroad.com

A quick word about job advertsPretty much all TEFL job ads state that TEFL training and experience is required. But that doesn’talways mean that it is, so don’t feel too disillusioned if you lack TEFL experience. A well writtenCV and cover letter plus an internationally recognised TEFL qualication can often soften theirselection criteria.

testimonial

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Daniel’s Story…I took my TEFL course after graduating; I was stuck in a dull, well-paidjob, dreaming of doing something more exciting with my life. My sisterwas teaching in South Korea, and a couple of months after receiving mycerticate I went to visit her. I enjoyed visiting Seoul and seeing the lifestylethat my sister lived so much that I ew home to quit my job and a monthlater ew back to nd a teaching position. I had several interviews with

schools and accepted a job on New Year’s Eve!

Daniel Deacon



Finding Work with

Recruitment AgenciesThere are loads organisations that can help you nd Englishteaching work overseas. They range from internationaleducational foundations, voluntary organisations and charitiesto international language school chains and agencies that actas recruiters for independent language schools.

Finding work through a recruitment organisation can make nding work with a reputable employer a lot easierand a lot less stressful. However, it’s worth checking around to make sure that the recruitment organisation has agood reputation. And because many of the larger organisations often require a top level TEFL qualication andsome teaching experience, they can be tricky to get registered with.

Useful ResourcesCheck any of the recommended job sites on the previous page, most of the top recruitment agencies advertiseon them.

Reputable Recruitment Organisationswww.onlinete.com/te-jobs-abroad www.footprintsrecruiting.com www.reachtoteachrecruiting.com

”“

Paul’s Story… After graduating all I had was a degree with no idea what to do next.

By doing the 120hr TEFL course it not only meant I was now able toteach English with the newly learnt skill and know how but also see the

world. I have been able to use my TEFL qualication and my degree to

get a job in Japan. My adventure has only just begun, who knows what

will happen now that the world is truly my oyster.

T o kyo , Ja p a n

Paul Dixon



Types of Teaching

Institutions As a graduate, there are lots of different types of institutionsand language schools where you may be able nd work.The following pages should give you a better understandingof the kinds of places you could nd work and the type ofwork you could be doing.

Language Schools, Academies and Institutes Language schools, academies and institutes are generally for-prot businesses. They can be small or largewith branches located in one city or several around the world. They are probably the most widespread ofinstitutions and the easiest places to nd work. Most will require teachers to hold a TEFL/TESOL certicatebut might not require a degree. Such institutions do not always offer the best salaries but they are excellentplaces to start: you’ll learn a great deal by teaching a wide variety of student age groups and by workingalongside more experienced teachers from around the world.

Summer Programmes Summer programmes may be afliated with a language school, academy or even a public or privateinstitution. Others are businesses that run only during the summer months and offer programmes both in thestudents’ home country and/or abroad. These programmes are usually set up to offer English classes in themorning and sports or social activities in the afternoon. Teachers are usually required to organise and takepart in these afternoon activities. These schools can also be residential.

International SchoolsInternational schools are usually private institutions with a mixed population of both expatriate and localchildren. Since these schools are usually accredited with different national and international educationalorganisations or government ofces, they may have stricter hiring policies. In most cases, they will require aPGCE, QTS or State Board Teacher Certication for a full-time position. However, they may offer contractsfor part-time work or extracurricular English classes and in countries where there is a shortage of Englishteachers a TEFL certicate will often be sufcient for a full-time teaching position.



Universities Work at a university is usually better paid but harder to come by. It is often offered on a short-term orcourse-by-course basis. Part of the reason for this is that most universities require higher degrees of theiruniversity lecturers. And even these higher degrees usually need to be ofcially translated and evaluated bya governing body before a longer term contract can be offered.

Service Schools Service schools are for children of people in the military services (often primary and junior age). As these

schools usually follow the ofcial curriculum of whatever country they serve, teacher certication is usuallyrequired.

Expatriate Schools Expatriate schools are schools run in a similar way to schools in the UK or the US. Like international schools,they are usually accredited with national or international educational organisations and tend to have stricterhiring policies.

Working for BusinessesMultinational companies such as British Petroleum and large banks like HSBC employ teachers and

language trainers, often on a freelance basis. Knowledge of and background in the company’s area ofexpertise are often prerequisites for the job.

Private Teaching Working for yourself can be very lucrative (as it’s often cash-in-hand) though it can be unreliable. Work isfound through word-of-mouth, local advertisements and recommendations. It is usually easy to nd work as aprivate teacher if you are in a place that lacks native English speakers and the demand for English is high.



Arriving Overseas

Once all the training, job hunting and organising is doneand dusted, it’s time to get packed, organise your goingaway party, jump on the plane and head overseas. Thesehints and tips should come in handy.

What To Take With YouThe general rule when packing to teach abroad is to pack what you think you need, then get rid of half of itand the chances are you’ll still be taking too much! The majority of things you need can generally be bought

when you arrive in country, so try to avoid over packing. Do some research on the area you will be livingin and make sure you only take clothes that are suitable for the climate for the time of year you’ll be there. Agood blog to check out for travelling light is www.onebag.com. Another tip is to make sure you think aboutwhat is acceptable teaching attire. For instance, teachers in China are given a lot of respect, so make sureyou cover up and stick with neat, tidy outts and you won’t go too far wrong!

A handy tip for teaching abroad is to be prepared! Take a notebook full of classroom activities and gamesand the age groups or levels you think they are suitable for (a reputable TEFL provider should be able toprovide with a few of these). Flashcards, photographs and coloured pencils are also a few things that youmight nd useful, and are still small enough to stash in your suitcase! One thing you might want to considertaking is a laptop, which is not only a great way for keeping in touch with friends and family from backhome, but really useful for creating lesson plans and activities while you’re in country.



Culture ShockImmersing yourself in a new culture and surrounding yourself with the unfamiliar can be unbelievablyrewarding, but if you’re not prepared it can also give you a nasty case of culture shock!

Knowing what to expect when you arrive can be the best way to protect yourself. So make sure youresearch your country well before leaving home, whether it be learning some of the lingo to help you getby or researching your local neighbourhood.

Once you’re out there, make an effort to explore the area and make new friends, you never know, youmight nd someone else who feels the same way! If you’re feeling homesick, try to take it one day at atime, things can only get better! Remember to stay in touch with people from home, take advantage of

sites like Chalkboard – the network for TEFLers abroad (www.te-chalkboard.com), and Facebook (www.facebook.com) to keep in touch with friends and family. And if you’re feeling down, just remind yourself thateveryone’s just a phone call away.

Check out the following article for some more top tips: http://www.te-chalkboard.com/travel-guides/181-How-to-Cope-With-Culture-Shock-While-Teaching-English-

Abroad

Visas Where to start? There are more types of visas in the world than there are people living in China!

Well, maybe not quite that many, but the visa application process can be pretty complicated if you don’t

know where to begin. But don’t panic, your new employer should be able to guide you through theapplication process.

Watch out! Any TEFL employer that recommends you work on a tourist visa is probably not a credibleemployer, as this is illegal. There are thousands of TEFL websites out there, so make sure to check on theinternet for more information regarding visas and employers – the last thing you want is to be banned fromyour dream destination due to working illegally!

testimonial

”“

Asia in particular provides so many opportunities to teach abroad and

certain countries such as China and South Korea are really developing

now. I think they’ll be crucial in terms of the world economy later on, so

it’s exciting to think that we can get involved in that. I’d really recommend

this career path to graduates, as it’s so easy for us now to get up and go!

What really appeals to me with TEFL is that you’re able to live somewhere

and actually meet local people and experience something a lot deeper

than a tourist’s perception of a place.

Kelly English



Money While there are some initial costs that need to be taken into consideration when planning your move, thecost of living in most TEFL destinations will be a lot lower than at home. However, you’ll need to think aboutthe following costs.

Unless accommodation is provided by your school, you’ll usually have to put a deposit down, so make sureyou have enough money to pay around two months’ rent upfront. Don’t forget, you’ll probably need enoughmoney to get you by until your rst pay day. If you work out what you might need to pay for before your rstpay check arrives, you should have no problems.

Meeting New PeopleMaking new friends in a new country can be daunting, but putting in a little effort can make the world ofdifference! Get yourself out there and visit local attractions, attend local events or join a group such as alanguage class or a gym, all of which are great places to meet new people.

One way to make new friends is to tell your adult students that you don’t know much about the local cuisineor what places you can visit in the area, then stand back and watch the invites roll in! If you want to makefriends with the locals, make an effort to visit local shops, restaurants and bars. The more you go to oneplace regularly, the more chance the locals will start to chat to you. Try not to spend all of your time in touristtraps, make the effort to try the local food and socialise in local bars… but don’t beat yourself up if you can’tresist the lure of a Big Mac once in a while!



How Will TEFL Help You

When You Get BackHome?Teaching English as a Foreign Language after graduationcan improve your job prospects and give you loads oftransferable skills that are in demand in the domestic jobsmarket. So, even if you’re not thinking of teaching as a long-

term career, spending time teaching overseas can be reallybenecial to your future employability.

Improve Your Communication Skills When you teach overseas you’ll spend much of your time teaching in front of a class or preparing lessons.This will improve your communication skills and your condence in presenting to a group, both of which arereally useful in all forms of business. And because you’ll probably be teaching in a non-English speakingcountry, you’ll also learn to communicate effectively with people who don’t speak your language - a reallyuseful skill if you’re planning on a career in multinational business.

A Challenge Like No OtherFrom the second you step off your outbound ight until the moment you say a tearful goodbye to yourstudents, you’ll be challenged almost constantly (don’t worry it’s not as scary as it sounds). You’ll need tolearn how to function in a foreign country, how to navigate your way around a new city, how to build newworking relationships and ultimately, how to survive outside of your comfort zone. If you write your CVproperly, future employers can’t help but be impressed.

International Networking While you’re overseas you’ll cross paths with people from all walks of life: from foreign tourists andbackpackers to local businessmen, university professors and government ofcials. If you make the effort tostay in touch, there’s every possibility that something may come of it. Life throws up all sorts of opportunities,it’s just a question of recognising them and using them to your advantage.



Open New Doors and Broaden Your HorizonsMany people head off to teach for six months or a year and never come back: they nd new opportunitiesand follow a new path in life. i-to-i TEFLer, Robert Clarke, set off to Indonesia in 2009 for a one yearteaching experience. That one year has now turned into a whole new life abroad! He fell in love withanother TEFLer and has since then gotten engaged and now lives in Dongguan, China with his ancéteaching English in a public school! Don’t believe it? You can check out his story here: http://www.te-chalkboard.com/robertclarke. You never know where TEFL may take you until you make that all importantrst step, you could leave after three months or end up living on a remote tropical island having the time of

your life!

How Will TEFL Help Back HomeImagine it for a second. You arrive in a small city in South East China for the rst time. Everything is foreign.You don’t know a soul for a thousand miles. You don’t know a word of the language. You’re not even surewhat to order in the local restaurant. Now jump forward a few weeks. That foreign city is now home. Youhang out with all the other TEFL teachers at your school. You pick up the evening newspaper for the old guywho lives next door. You can order a meal and have a short conversation in the local language. And you’reon rst name terms with the family who owns the local restaurant. That is what teaching overseas gives you:independence, resilience and the belief that no matter how big the challenge, you’ll do alright!

Improve Your CV and Impress Employers A quick question! If you were an employer, whose CV would impress you more? A university graduate witha 12 months’ unrelated experience in a junior role in the UK or a graduate who’s a fully qualied Englishteacher with proven presentation and communication skills and 12 months’ experience of living and workingoverseas? For most employers it’s a pretty obvious choice.



Where Can TEFL Take You? 37North Asia 38South East Asia 43

Western Europe and the Med 47Central and Eastern Europe 54Central and South America 57The Middle East 61

Africa The Indian Subcontinent 67

Destinations4



Where Can TEFL

Take You? With a degree and a reputable TEFL course behind you, thereare a virtually limitless number of teaching jobs availablearound the world. Some of the most lucrative TEFL destinations,such as the Middle East and Japan, require a degree,and even those that don’t actually require one, look more

favourably on graduates.The following pages will give you a pretty thorough introduction to the most important information aboutteaching in all the key regions and each country within those regions. We haven’t talked about salaries andteaching conditions as they’re likely to change over time. However, it is worth doing your research online beforeyou make a decision on where you want to teach.



What Jobs Are There?

Times of Year?

North AsiaChina, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan



Challenges

l Conservatism

l Sexism

l Stories of badly managed schools

l Stories of bad agents

l Political sensitivities

Solutions

l Don’t ght it - rst impressions are crucial(e.g. dress, respectful manner)

l Status as teacher and foreigner helps

l Do research (e.g. teacher forums)

l No need for an agent, go to schools directly

l Avoid them

l Private schools: year-round

l Universities: Japan/South Korea/Taiwan – before start ofsemester in Aug/Feb, China/HK – before start of semester inSep/Feb

l Private schools & universities

l Enormous demand in China and South Korea

l Not so much in Japan (after recession and the collapse of

Nova, the largest private English teaching company in Japan)

Why Choose North Asia?

l Possibility of saving money in Japan, South Korea,Taiwan and Hong Kong

l Good teaching packages in China(airfare, accommodation, travel bonus)



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

’Lay ho!’

’Ni hao!’China

Ofcial Requirements

l

Degreel Working visa

l Working holiday visa available for 18-30 year olds from Australia

Insider Information

l Anything to sell your expertise is useful – TEFL/TESOL certicate,

experience with children.

Types of Work

l Strong demand for teachers willing to sign one-year contracts

l Most demand at private schools with children

l Part-time teaching on top of a full-time job especially lucrative

Hong Kong

Ofcial Requirements

l Employment visa (Z Visa). Need visa notication from an authorised

Chinese employer

l Degree preferable

Insider Information

l Such demand that schools may not require a degree – stress your experience as an alternative.

l Many expats nd work on a tourist visa and the school

arranges the employment visa while you remain in the country.

Types of Work

l Huge demand

l Government schools and ‘normal’ (teacher training universities)

l Private language schools (for adults, students and children)

l Chain private schools (English First, Shane, Wall Street etc)

l Lots of opportunities for TEFL certied graduates

l Foreign campuses



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

’Annyong hashimnikka!’

’Konnichi wa!’

Ofcial Requirements

l

Need E-1 Visa (for large schools) or E-2 Visa (as conversation instructor) sponsoredby employer

l Evidence of uency in English (if you’re not from an English-speaking country)

l Degree

Insider Information

l Most teachers recommend job hunting on the ground to nd better schools andconditions.

Types of Workl Huge demand for a English teachersl Most work opportunities are teaching young children and adolescentsl Private hagwons (language schools) in citiesl Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g. while working

at a school)l English in South Korea Program (EPIK), similar to JET, which places

native speakers in schools & education ofces

South Korea

Ofcial Requirements

l Work visa sponsored by employer

l Degree

Insider Information

l Enter Japan on a 90-day tourist visa and look for work. Once you’ve agreed yourcontract, your employer will arrange your work visa.

l We do not advise that you work until your visa is nalised, but many teachers chooseto, and schools may call it ‘training’. You then need to apply to an embassy outside

Japan (e.g. Seoul).l You can enter Japan on a ‘cultural visa’ for study, which allows you to work up to 20

hours per week.

Types of Workl Demand for English teachers exists but less because of the

recession, and competition for work after the collapse of Noval Numerous private schools and chains (e.g. GEOS & ECC)l Conversation classesl

Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g. whileworking at a school)l Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) when you work

as an assistant in a junior or senior high school (must have degreeand be under 40)

Japan



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

’Ni Hao!’

Ofcial Requirements

l Working & residency permit, only obtainable with a one-year contract

l Bachelor’s degree with TEFL/TESOL certicate

l Passports only from English-speaking countries

Insider Information

l You can enter on a 60-day Visitor Visa, and then apply with a signed contract.

Types of Work

l Huge demand for teachers willing to sign one-year contracts

l Most work is with children in private language schools and cramschools. Seem willing to sponsor teachers

l Government schools often advertisel Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g. while

working at a school)

Taiwan

Key resourcesChina

www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china www.tejobs.cn

Hong Kong

www.hkjobs.com

Japan

www.eltnews.com

www.jobsinjapan.com

South Korea

www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea www.hiteacher.com www.worknplay.co.kr

Taiwan

www.eslisland.com www.englishintaiwan.com



”

“

”

“Honor’s Story When I rst decided to teach in China, I wasn’tthinking about how it would boost my future

career. The idea of experiencing life in a differentculture and meeting lots of new people wasenough to sell a few months in the People’sRepublic to me.But in between the teaching and exploring,something rather unexpected happened: Imanaged to massively boost my condence,public speaking and communication skills, notto mention just grow up a bit. And although Irealised teaching wasn’t the long-term career forme (I’m way to impatient!), the skills I gained havestayed with me, and my time in China never failsto impress employers. They like that I’ve worked(and survived) in another country, as well asthe fact that it’s made me a more rounded andindependent individual. I reckon it was certainlythe deciding factor with my current employer.

Honor Baldry




Times of Year?

Challenges

l Schools may insist on a British or American accent

l First impressions are very important – bad forteachers to lose face

Solutions

l Sell your different accent as ‘international’

l Dress smartly with a professional resume andreferences

l Year-round, especially school holidays, when many secondaryand university students take extra English classes (Thailand mid-Mar to mid-May)

l Many jobs in private schools (but lower pay than North Asia)

l Jobs available teaching all ages of students

NB It’s very difcult to nd work in The Philippines and the Indian Subcontinent (as most students learn English at school). Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei source

teachers from Britain through ofcial channels

Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam

South East Asia

Why Choose South East Asia?l Low cost of livingl Relaxed lifestyle

l Many countries allow foreigners to stay up to 90 days without avisa

l Students respect teachers and see the value of education, soclass management is rarely a problem

l Travel opportunities



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l

Degree and TEFL certicatel Teacher’s license, working permit, and one year working visal For work at a university/college, you need a bachelor’s degree in Education + Thai

cultural awareness course OR any bachelor’s degree + Thai education exam

Insider Information

l Many EFL teachers in Thailand teach on a tourist visa but this is illegal and there isthreat of a crackdown.

l Universities and larger language schools might apply for a work permit for teacherswilling to sign one-year contracts.visa while you remain in the country.

Types of Workl Strong demand, especially in cities other than Bangkok e.g.

Hat Yai, Chiang Mai and Songkhla

l Chain schoolsl Small private schoolsl Many opportunities with universities, teachers’ colleges and

private business collegesl Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g while

working at a school)l Most schools source teachers locally rather than arranging jobs

in advance

’Sawatdi krap! Sawatdi ka!’

’Selamat siang!’

Thailand

Ofcial Requirements

l No degree required

l Tourist visa is 90 days max

l For longer work and stay (VITAS) permit you need sponsorship

l Passports only from English-speaking countries

l TEFL course very useful

Insider Information

l Authorities are very strict about visa regulations.

l However, schools like English First generally arrange VITAS for you.

Types of Work

l Medium demand

l English First chain schools

l Otherwise largely ‘back-street’ private schools

Indonesia

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l Degree in any eld

l Sponsorship from employer for work visa

Insider Information

l Tourist visas can be changed easily to work visas in-country.

Types of Workl Strong demandl Universitiesl Chain schools e.g. ILAl Many small private schools, often specialising in business English,

TOEFL etcl Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g. while

working at a school). Lucrative with children of expats from Japan, South Korea etc

’Chao ong! Chao ba!’ Vietnam

Key resourcesIndonesia

www.eslbase.com/jobs/indonesia

Thailand

www.esl-teachers.net www.ajarn.com

Vietnam

www.eslbase.com/jobs/vietnam



”

“Gareth’s Story “I have no regrets about deciding to teach inThailand at all, it’s the best thing I ever did!!”

It’s 7pm on a Sunday evening in Bangkok. I’ve had quitepossibly the easiest week of my entire working life, I’m aboutto pour myself a nice whiskey and coke and I’m going to sit onmy balcony trying my best to write something interesting thatwill hopefully stir up some interest in you about this amazingplace. My name is Gareth, I’m twenty-four years old and I’m akindergarten teacher in Bangkok. Why did I decide toleave England to teach English in a far-ung corner of theplanet? Imagine the scene: recently graduated from LancasterUniversity; I’ve studied hard my whole life; I did well in school,college and university and now I nd myself sat in my second

9-5 telesales job in the space of four months selling insurance,possibly the dullest thing a person can buy. That was notwhere I envisaged myself when I graduated. I had twooptions: I could stay in the telesales job whilst looking for somedream job to come along in rainy Bolton (during an imminentrecession); or I could get out there and make the most ofthe fact that I was still young, I had no major commitmentskeeping me where I was (kids, mortgage, wife etc) and therewas a whole world out there that needed to be seen…

R Ea d T h E R Es T o F Ga R E T h 's bL

oG

a T w w w. T E FL -c haL k b oa R d.c o m

Gareth Openshaw




Times of Year?

Challenges

l Very difcult for non-EU passport holders asworkplaces are reluctant to sponsor them (employermust prove no EU national is suitable)

l Employers (esp. in Mediterranean) may offer cash-in-hand with no work permit

l Strict requirements regarding qualications &experience

l High cost of living (and housing rarely supplied)

Solutions

l Working holiday visas for 18-30 year-olds (from Australia, NZ, Canada)

l Student visas often allow part-time workl Build relationships with potential employers when

visiting for other purposes (e.g. during a holiday)l Be very cautious of employers offering you cash-in-

hand – you may be exploited, and if you are caughtit’s big trouble

l Worth considering other options if you haven’t gotany qualications or experience

l Teachers often combine one main job with freelancing

l Private schools/freelancing: year-round, but peak in mostcountries Sep/Oct

l Summer schools in Mediterranean: Jul-Aug

l University: depends on country’s academic year

l Many chain schools (e.g. Berlitz, Wall Street, InternationalHouse)

l Summer schools (but this is now hard to get a hold of)l Universitiesl Freelance work (esp. for companies/private tutoring), often via an

agency – useful to have contacts and to know the language

Why Choose Western & Mediterranean Europe?

l High salaries (esp. Northern Europe)

l Cosmopolitan lifestyle

France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain,Switzerland, Turkey

Western &Mediterranean Europe



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l

Degreel Specic requirements for different states

l EU nationals preferred

Insider Information

l It’s easier to nd work than it looks.

Types of Workl Private language schoolsl Agencies delivering corporate workl University language centresl Language assistants in government schoolsl Adult education coursesl Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g. while


’Guten Tag!’Germany

Ofcial Requirements

l Degree


Insider Information

l Business qualications and/or experience is useful

Types of Work

l Private language schools

l University language centres

l Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g. while


’Bonjour Madame! Bonjour Monsieur!’France



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l

Degreel EU nationals preferred

l Work permits for non-EU nationals now almost impossible

Insider Information

l Many teachers work illegally but this is very risky.

Types of Work


l Chain schools

’Buon Giorno!’Italy

Ofcial Requirements

l Degree

l EU nationals or teachers from Greek background preferred

l Certicate of Prociency in English

l Application for work permit must be in applicant’s country of residence (can be a slowprocess)

Insider Information

l Most teachers say it is better to look for work on the ground in Greece and then leavethe country to apply ofcially.

Types of Work

l Frontisteria (secondary cram schools)

l Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g. whileworking at a school)

’Geia sou!’Greece



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l

No degree requiredl EU nationals preferred

l Application for work permit must be in applicant’s country of residence (can be aslow process)

Insider Information

l Many teachers work illegally but this is very risky.

Types of Work

l Boom for teaching adults has passed

l Private language schools (but most unwilling to arrange ofcialpermits and will pay you cash)

l Growing area: pre-school and children

’ Buenos d’as!’Spain

Ofcial Requirements

l Degree

Insider Information

l Because of demand, a degree may not be necessary. When you nd a teaching job

you can apply for permits locally.

Types of Work

l Frontisteria (secondary cram schools)

l Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g. whileworking at a school)

’Ola!’Portugal

!



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l

Degreel Work permit

Insider Information

l Schools rarely help with work permits.

l Many teachers are on 3-month tourist visas, which is illegal.

Types of Work

l Strong demand (especially for evening and weekend workteaching adults)

l Many private language schools

l Chain schools

l Colleges/universities (require MA)

’Merhaba!’Turkey

Ofcial Requirements

l Degree

l CELTA/TEFL + teaching experience


Insider Information

l The law is strictly enforced.

Types of Work


l University language centres

l Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g. while


’Guten Tag! Bonjour! Buon giorno!’Switzerland



Key resourcesFrance

www.tejobsinfrance.com

Germany

www.tesall.com/germany.html

Greece

www.te.edu.gr/faq.htm#a9

Italy

jobste.com/esljobsitaly.asp

Portugal

http://www.lisbon-guide.info/facts_visitor/working

Spain

www.eslbase.com/jobs/spainSwitzerland

http://www.jobsabroad.com/Switzerland.cfm

Turkey

turkeyjoblink.com



”

“ A SpanishTEFL Interview:Emma Ryan Why did you decide to start teaching English?

After nearly 20 years as a civil servant, I realised that I wasentirely unfullled and was looking for a challenge. I’d alwaysenjoyed training and teaching, and I love languages. It seemedlike the obvious combination of my passions.

Did you do a TEFL course before you startedteaching?

I took the weekend TEFL initially, with the intention of doing thefull one, once I had the time though, as yet, I haven’t actuallydone so! What I learned on my weekend course has beeninvaluable, though.

How are you nding the experience of teaching inSpain?

I honestly don’t have a bad thing to say about it. Madrid is afantastic city, easy to live in, friendly, reasonably cheap andteaching here has been great fun.

What would be your advice for someone thinkingof teaching in Spain?

Do it! Come here with no pre-conceived ideas, and throwyourself into it wholeheartedly. You won’t be disappointed.Getting in with a school or an academy is probably the bestway to do it, though private students have their advantages

too, so don’t discount anything. You will nd the Spanish tobe welcoming, friendly and enthusiastic and, with English fastbecoming the “must-have” ability for their jobs, you’ll nd thatbeing a native speaker makes you very, very popular!




Times of Year?

Challenges

l In much of the region, standard of living is low, soyou’ll receive low salaries

l Locals have high expectations of teachers and arewary of foreign hooligans

l Competition – lots of British and American teachers,especially in Prague

Solutions

l Supplement school salary with freelancing

l Be professional (in appearance and approach toteaching)

l Specialise (e.g. in English for Business or IT/network with other teachers)

l Year-round, but especially winter when tourist teachers returnhome

l Many private language schools

l Strong demand for teachers outside the big centres (i.e. Pragueand Budapest) and especially in the former USSR

l Business/technical English with corporate clients (through aschool or as a freelancer)

Why Choose Central & Eastern Europe?

l Low cost of living

l Good lifestyle with cafes, nice food, beer and wine

Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia

Central &

Eastern Europe



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l

Most schools say TEFL/TESOL certicate + year’s teaching experiencel Work permit

Insider Information

l Smaller schools nd it difcult to get teachers. Degrees may not be necessary andschools will arrange paperwork

Types of Work

l There’s demand but language schools rarely provide full-timework – many teachers need to work at several schools


l Chain schools

l Freelancing with companies

’Jo napot k ’vanok!’Hungary

Ofcial Requirements

l Any bachelor’s degree (but TEFL helps)

l Work permit

Insider Information

l Where demand is strong (e.g. small cities), a degree may not be necessary andschools will arrange paperwork.

Types of Work


l Chain schools


l Lots of opportunities in provinces, but stiff competition in Prague

l Lots of stories of badly managed schools – do some research

Czech Republic ’Dobry den!’



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l Most schools say degree + CELTA

l Work permit

Insider Information

l Demand for teachers is so strong that many schools will hire native speakers withoutqualications.

l Good references are as important as qualications.

Types of Work


l Chain schools


l Strong demand for business English. Private schools sendteachers to client’s workplace

’Zdravstvuitye!’Russia

Key resourcesCzech Republic

www.eslbase.com/jobs/czech-republic

Hungary

http://www.esljobs.com/teach-english/hungary

Russia

www.englishrst.com/trt/esl-jobs-in-russia.html




Times of Year?

Challenges

l Low pay, rarely with accommodation

l Security

Solutions

l Latin America is for lifestyle, not making money

l Act sensibly

NB once you start working at a school, it’s often possible to negotiate a higher salary

l Private schools: year-round, but especially autumn

l Universities: school year generally starts at the end of March

l Many private schools

l Universities & colleges (better conditions but may be strict withqualications)

l Companies may employ English teachers (for Business/Technical English) directly

Why Choose Central & South America?


l Slower pace of work

l Colour & excitement

Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico

Central &

South America



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l

Bachelor’s degreel Need signed contract for work visa

Insider Information

l Most teachers start teaching on a 3-month tourist visa (which is illegal butwidespread) while they look for a longer-term contract which will get them a year-long work visa.

Types of Work

l Private language schools, especially in Santiago

l Chain schools

l Government schools

Chile

Ofcial Requirements

l Bachelor’s degree

l Degree

Insider Information

l There are a lot of Brazilian students studying in English-speaking countries. Ask themfor recommendations and contacts.

Types of Work


l Chain schools


Brazil ’Ola!’

’ Buenos d’as!’!



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l

TEFL/TESOL certicatel No degree required

l Need a sponsor for work visa

Insider Information

l Some private language schools will take teachers with the certicate only, whileothers require nothing more than native-level uency.

l Schools often prefer to interview teachers in person. Many positions are neverposted online.

Types of Work

l Strong demand because of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement)


l Chain schools


Ofcial Requirements

l Only bachelor’s degree required if you undergo an interview in person

l If apply from offshore, you need a bachelor’s degree and TEFL/TESOL certicate

Insider Information

l Making contact in person is effective.

Types of Work


l Chain schools


Mexico

Costa Rica ’ Buenos d’as!’!

’ Buenos d’as!’!



Key resourcesBrazil

www.eslbase.com/jobs/brazil

Chile

www.teachingchile.com

Costa Rica

www.escapeartist.com/efam/64/Teaching_English_In_Costa_Rica.html

Mexico

www.teachenglishinmexico.com




Times of Year?

Challenges

l Laws are strictly enforced (e.g. no pork or alcohol isallowed in Saudi)

l Strict social ‘rules’, especially in Saudi Arabia& Kuwait – e.g. no public display of affectionbetween a man and a woman, no discussion offamily members in class, no reference to decadentbehaviours in class

l Sexisml Anti-Semitism

Solutions

l These laws are no joke! You have to accept thembefore accepting a job

l Again, you have to accept this if you want to livethere

l Many jobs ask for a male or a female teacher,depending on the gender of students – both menand women will receive respect in a teachingcontext

l Israeli passports and teachers with ‘Jewish’ soundingnames may be refused a visa

l Sep/Oct is the start of the academic year in most countries

l Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan have the highest demand

l Most jobs through colleges & universities

Why Choose The Middle East?

l Can be highly lucrative. May be tax free. Often accommodationis supplied and free schooling for children

l Sponsoring schools arrange all paperwork

l Longer contracts 2-3 years (but only 1 year in Saudi)

Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAEThe Middle East



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l

Generally a degree is requiredl Must be sponsored

Insider Information


Types of Work

l Colleges & universities

l Some foreign institutes

Kuwait ’Salaam!’

Ofcial Requirements

l Generally a degree is required

l Must be sponsored

Insider Information


Types of Work


l Private schools

’Marhaba!’ Jordan



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l

Degreel Must be sponsored

Insider Information


Types of Work



l Private schools

’ Aahlan wa sahlan!’UAE

Ofcial Requirements

l Degree

l Must be sponsored

Insider Information


Types of Work



l The demand for native-English speaking males is strong.

Colleges offer high tax-free salaries, free transportation andaccommodation, along with other perks

l You will have to organise a job before going there because thereare no tourist visas for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia ’As-salam alaykum!’



Key resources Jordan

www.esljobs.com/teach-english/jordan/

Kuwait

www.esljunction.com/TEFL/TEFL_Jobs_Kuwait.html

Saudi Arabia

www.jobsabroad.com/SaudiArabia.cfm

UAE

www.eslbase.com/jobs/uae/




Times of Year?

Challenges

l Very few well-paid teaching positions in Africa

l Difcult living conditions

l Hard to get work permits in many countries(employer needs to show no local can do the joband there are many high-level English speakers in

Africa)

l Lack of teaching resources

l Security (crime and terrorism)

Solutions

l Do not consider Africa for making money

l This will be a meaningful experience – just haverealistic expectations

l Volunteering is a much easier option

l Learn about possible classroom activities withlimited resources – check out any training coursesthat specialise in this

l Act sensibly

l Year-round

l Demand for volunteer teachers is very high

l Some international schools are present, but the requirementsfor qualications & experience is very strict

Why Choose Africa?

l Volunteering is very fullling work – teachers report Africa is

‘life-changing’l You are directly helping people in difcult circumstancesl Sense of adventurel Because of lack of resources, Africa will quickly develop a

teacher’s skills & creativity

Egypt, Sudan

Africa



Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Ofcial Requirements

l

Work permit plus letter of recommendationInsider Information

l Ensure you are emotionally prepared if you’re volunteering – as much of thepopulation is below the poverty line.

Types of Work

l High demand for volunteers through various internationalorganisations that work directly with Sudanese institutions

’Salaam aleikum!’

Ofcial Requirements

l Work permit & work visa (school arranges) before arriving

Insider Information

l Making contact in person is effective.

Types of Work

l Private schools

l Volunteers for various international organisations

l Foreign institutions like the American University in Cairo and the

International Language Institute Heliopolis

Egypt ’ Aahlan wa sahlan!’

Sudan




Times of Year?

Challenges

l Paid jobs are scarce. There are many local Englishteachers – English is a national language in India –and many foreign teachers looking for work

l Low salaries

l Poverty & crowded conditions

Solutions

l Have a point of difference – e.g. Business Englishexperience


l Be emotionally prepared

l Year-round

l Volunteering

l Niche jobs such as accent modication

Why Choose The Indian Subcontinent?

l Culturally exciting

l Cities like Mumbai are booming

l You can directly help people in difcult circumstances

India, Nepal

The Indian

Subcontinent



Ofcial Requirements

l Work permit for paid work

Insider Information

l Most teachers are volunteering and have entered on a tourist visa.

l Established schools may help you get a work permit.

Types of Work

l Strong demand for volunteers

l Short-term work at private schools

l Interesting work such as teaching at monasteries

Ofcial Requirements

l Degree

l Work permit for paid work

Insider Information

l Most teachers are volunteers and have entered on a tourist visa.

l Not many paid positions are advertised on the internet. You generally need to be onthe ground and look for opportunities. To get a work permit you need a letter fromyour employer.

Types of Work

l Strong demand for volunteers

l Business English

l Interesting work such as accent training for call centres

’Namaste!’

Nepal

India

’Namaste!’

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Conditions

Monthly salary:

Hourly rate:

Other benets:

Living expenses:

Key resourcesIndia

www.esljobs.com/teach-english/india

Nepal

http://www.te365.com/country/nepal



”

“



Jodie’s Story I’m Jodie, I graduated from Birmingham Uni in July ‘09.

Whilst recovering from hip surgery and looking for jobs

I stumbled across TEFL. Never in a million years did I

imagine myself teaching in Thailand, but I’m going, in

May for 5 months. I’m super scared because I know

nothing about teaching, but im also really really excited

about going – this is my chance to do something

different and meet loads of new people and I cannot

wait to meet fellow TEFLers and travellers. I’m hoping

to save enough to do a bit of travel afterwards as well,

this is the reason for the one way ticket! I am 21, live

in Kidderminster and I absolutely must have something

to keep me occupied all of the time as im very easilybored. I work full time as an administrator but I ll any

free time with aerobics, gym, swim, reading and music,

but I am especially fond of a good old night out with

friends, partial to a drop of vino and love meeting

new and exciting people. Get in touch fellow TEFLers/

travellers - would love to hear about your experiences!

Jodie Taylor



TEFL GlossaryCommunicative Classroom A classroom where students often interact and speak with other students

EAP English for Academic Purposes; teaching students planning to study at university

ESP English for Specic Purposes; teaching students in a specialised eld, e.g. engineering or health

General English English with no specialised focus

Ice-breaker A student-to-student speaking activity at the start of a class; also called a warmer

Learner’s Dictionary A dictionary specially designed for learners

Methodology An approach to teaching (e.g. the communicative methodology believes students should speak to each other in class)

Reference Grammar A book for looking up grammar rules

Teaching Practice A lesson a trainee teaches on a teacher training course

Test Preparation A course for students who are going to take an important test

Young Learners Teaching English to children

Language Analysis Examining the structure and meaning of language

Macro Skills The four primary language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking

Native-Speaker Someone who learnt a language from early childhood

Non-Native Speaker Someone who learnt a language after early childhood

CELTA The Certicate in English Language Teaching to Adults, run by Cambridge University

TEFL Certicate The entry level of qualication for the TEFL industry



Chain School A school with a number of branches in different cities or countries

Diploma A higher level of qualication than a certicate; only required for positions of responsibility in aschool

EFL English as a Foreign Language; generally used to mean English for work or study

ESL English as a Second Language; generally used to mean migrant English

ESOL English as a Second or Other Language (used mainly in the UK); any English teaching to non-native speakers

Split Shift A work schedule with a long break in the middle (e.g. 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in theevening)

TEFL Teaching English as a Foreign Language (used mainly in the UK); generally used to mean English forwork or study

TESOL Teaching English as a Second or Other Language (used mainly in the US, Australia and New Zealand); any English teaching to non-native speakers

Trinity CertTESOL A certicate in TESOL run by Trinity College, London



Are You Ready to Get

Started?You’ve got all the information you need to get started as aTEFL teacher. All that’s left is to make the decision and get outthere, so here’s a quick recap of the main reasons why youshould ditch the 9 to 5 for a while, get TEFL qualied and seethe world as an English teacher.

Five Reasons toGet out There1 There are more TEFL jobs than there are TEFL teachers2 You can get fully qualied quickly and affordably

3 You’ll see the world and have a real adventure 4 You’ll improve your CV 5 There will still be plenty of time to spend nine hours a

day sat in an ofce… if you ever decide to come backfrom teaching abroad!



Space for Your Notes



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Graduate's Guide to Teaching and Travelling Abroad

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