With the emergence of English as the global language the demand for
learning English in non- native countries and countries with immigrant
population has increased many folds and therefore also has the demand
for English teachers. Counties like Thailand and China have taken up
the task of making English the second language like a crusade in order
to compete with the rest of the world. Till very recently any one who
was a native speaker was expected to be an English teacher but soon it
was realized that just the ability to converse in a language was not
enough to teach. Teaching requires certain skills and knowledge so now
it is nearly mandatory to have a TESOL/ TEFL qualification in order to
teach English in schools, language centers or at corporate levels.
Often the best jobs with the best salaries are reserved for TESOL/
TEFL certified teachers. And in an increasingly competitive
environment, it's an absolute necessity at certain schools and in
certain locations.
So before you embark on a search for a ESL/ EFL teachers job you may
want to look at the following queries:
1. Do I need to have a college degree to get a teaching position
overseas?
The majority of schools around the world prefer that you have a
college degree; many will not hire a teacher without one. In most
locations in Asia—as well as in some other countries—it is a
requirement in order to receive a work visa. However, in some places,
teachers without degrees can qualify to teach English. If you do not
have a college degree, it is best to ask about the specific location
in which you are interested.
2. Is it necessary that I speak a foreign language to teach English
abroad?
No. Some schools do appreciate it if you know the native language, if
for no other reason than to be able to handle yourself more
comfortably in the environment. In some cases, you may even be offered
more money. However, if you've completed the TESOL course you should
be able to teach English successfully in any country in the world,
whether you know the language or not. Furthermore, many schools offer
language classes and social activities to help familiarize their
teachers with the local culture.
3. Can I
teach abroad with an online certificate?
Yes. TEFL Online qualifies you for many of the thousands of teaching
positions overseas. While some schools in some countries prefer
teachers with on-site experience, the most important thing for many
language centers is that you be certified. TEFL Online gives you a
solid foundation in classroom management, grammar awareness, and
teaching the basic language skills so that upon completion you are
ready to teach overseas. For more information, please email us at :
admin@bestonlineteflcourse.com
4. Do you offer
job placement assistance? Yes. TEFL International includes a comprehensive module on
professional development and employment. You will receive a job
database with specific contact information for organizations that hire
English teachers, a list of the best Internet sites for researching
TEFL, and job search advice. For more information, please email us at
admin@bestonlineteflcourse.com. If you would like us to find you a
guaranteed job abroad, please visit www.esl-teachers.net.
5. Will I
save money while working overseas?
A lot depends on the location you choose, the cost of living, and how
you budget. The higher paying jobs are generally in Japan, Korea, and
Taiwan. However, the cost of living is generally higher in these
locations as well. Some schools in Korea provide housing for teachers,
allowing you to save extra money.
6. What kind of benefits/assistance can I expect from schools abroad?
Most schools offer housing assistance for their teachers. Some
actively place teachers in subsidized housing where they live with
other foreign teachers. Other schools have a staff member dedicated to
helping teachers find accommodation. In many locations, you will be
expected to pay for your own transportation to the country, as well as
health insurance. However, some schools and programs in Asia provide
insurance and reimburse you for your airfare upon completion of a
long-term (6-month to 2-year) contract.
7. Will I be able to support myself working for only one school?
Again, this depends greatly on the location in which you are teaching.
In Asia, or elsewhere if you work full-time for a public school, you
are likely to sign a contract with a guaranteed salary. You should be
able to live comfortably on this salary, and maybe even save some
money, especially if the organization subsidizes housing. However, in
many situations it is difficult to support yourself working for just
one school. Teachers usually compensate for this by teaching private
classes on the side, working for several schools (if permitted by
local visa/contract laws), or having some money saved up before they
venture abroad.
8. Will I need to sign a contract, and if so, what are the general
obligations?
Contracts vary depending upon the organization and on the labor laws
of each country. The points covered by a contract may include the
minimum number of guaranteed hours, amount and frequency of pay,
length of service, hours the teachers must be available to teach,
whether teachers can teach classes outside of the school, and
conditions under which the contract can be broken. Be aware that
schools in certain countries will ask you to teach on the basis of a
verbal contract only. If this is the case, be sure that you and the
administration are clear on the conditions of your employment, so
there are no surprises later on.
