Teaching English abroad can be a dream come true for many people. Whether this is going to be your first job, or you are a seasoned teacher who needs a change, the thought of teaching all day and then watching the sun go down on a warm foreign beach becomes a reality for thousands of happy teachers every year. Here are some top tips to get you ready to start your adventure.
Savings
It is a good idea to save up some money before you go, especially if you want to do some traveling and sightseeing around your chosen region before you start teaching. Once you have started work, you should have enough money to live a modest lifestyle, but you should plan for emergencies as well as putting a little aside for extras you might want to treat yourself to along the way. Setting up a money transfer app before you go will give you an easy way of transferring money from home if you need it.
Choose Your Location
You may have already set your heart on one destination, but you should still research your chosen area thoroughly before you go. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to teaching English abroad so don’t be afraid to change your mind or even create a shortlist of a few countries you would like to live and work in on your travels. The world is your oyster after all.
Get Qualified
You don’t need to have a degree to teach English abroad or even be fluent in a foreign language, but you will need to have TEFL qualifications to do the job. The great news is that you can complete a course quickly and easily online so this doesn’t have to hold up your plans too much, and the course will give you a great insight into how to teach children when you don’t speak the same language as they do.
The Interview Process
The interview process will differ depending on which region of the world you want to teach in. For example, most European and Latin American schools hire after a face-to-face interview rather than recruiting teachers from their home countries in advance as they do in Asia and the Persian Gulf. If you want the guarantee of a secure job on arrival, it is better to head to Asia. However, if you want to travel before you work then Europe or Latin America are good options because you will be in the region to attend interviews.
The Hiring Process
You may be hired at different times of the year depending on your location. European schools tend to hire in September and January. In South America, hiring season runs in February and August whereas hiring is done all year round in Asia. Therefore, the time of year you want to travel should be a factor in choosing your destination.
Teaching English abroad is an enriching and even life-changing experience for many people. Set yourself up well before you go, and you will have a wonderful year or two, or perhaps you will like it so much you will never come home!
