Facts On Teaching Abroad

Teaching English is not an easy vocation, but it has seen a huge surge in popularity over the last decade as it becomes increasingly important in the international business sector. Since English is the language of international commerce, many countries want their children to learn the language at an early age. This need for English instruction has led to a huge search for native English speakers in foreign schools. Teachers can now find jobs in South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. There are excellent opportunities for good money in Asia and the Middle East, and it has become very popular during the financial crisis as a convenient way to pay back debts such as school loans and consumer credit cards.

Most foreign schools require that their English teachers have some form of certification, usually in the form of a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) or Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification. Courses for both certifications use a combination of in-class instruction and online resources, and some TEFL classes can be taken entirely online. The cost of classes varies by company, but most that combine in-class and online portions range from $1000-1200 USD. These certifications are accepted worldwide, and in some cases demand is so high only being a native English speaker is required.

In most countries instructors have a lot of choice as to what level they will be teaching to, be it kindergarten all the way to working professionals. As mentioned above, the best-paid areas for English instructors are the Middle East and parts of Asia. Benefits in these areas usually include free housing, reimbursed round-trip airfare, covered or 50% of medical insurance, and salaries ranging from $24,000 to $36,000.

It is important to keep in mind that these jobs are difficult and can burn some teachers out very quickly. Language barriers and lack of teaching materials are common complaints, and disinterested students can ruin teaching younger classes. Lesson planning and office hours can add work time past just being in the classroom, so it is vital to take the drawbacks into consideration before deciding to teach in a foreign country, because contracts are often ironclad for one year. I am not discouraging potential teachers from trying their hand at it, just laying out the facts so that informed decisions can be made.

To get a feel for what teaching in a foreign country is like, Daves ESL Café is the best website on the Internet. Built by a lifelong ESL teacher, its forums are full of teachers from all over the world, and they can tell you exactly how things really are where you are considering teaching. Recruiters and schools can sometimes paint an unrealistic picture of the teaching situation, so it is good to have an objective view from the ground.

Teaching English continues to be an excellent choice for those looking to travel and live in foreign countries while making competitive wages, and while it can be challenging the rewards are significant.

By: Traveling Matt

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Matthew Kepnes has been teaching overseas for over 3 years. You find out more information on teaching English overseas and teaching in Europe on his website.