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Teaching English Abroad

By Matthew Kepnes
Jul 3, 2009
Teaching English overseas is a great way for people to experience the world. The job doesnt require many qualifications and positions are abundant in all parts of the world. Many of these jobs pay very well and are a great way to spend a year or two after university saving money and paying back the loans. Moreover, youll be able to learn a new culture and language and have an experience that few people experience.

In order to be a teacher overseas, you need three things: be a native speaker, have a university degree, and have a TEFL certificate. If you want to teach business or at an international school, youll need a higher level degree too. A TEFL certificate or the British counterpart, the CELTA, is a certificate course that potential English teachers take that teaching them how to teach English. The course lasts 120 hours and usually takes about a month. If you are a licensed teacher, you dont really need to take this course. However, if you dont have a teaching degree, most places want you to have a TEFL.

The salaries for English teachers is very high too. The pay is highest for those in international schools or for those teaching business. You can earn upwards of 4,000 USD a month. While that might not seem a lot, most companies cover your housing, youll be exempt from taxes, and youll be living in countries with a tiny cost of living. For other people, the best place to make money is in Asia. This area of the world pays the most money and youll be able to walk away with about 20,000 USD after one year. If you have experience, you can earn even more in the Middle East.

It is important to keep in mind that these jobs are often challenging and should not be viewed as an easy paycheck. 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 important 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.

There are many ways to become an English teacher and the internet as a lot of good information on the subject. There are many websites that focus on individual countries and places where you can find out a lot of information. Moreover, there are many recruiters that will help you find a job and help you with the visa process. A good website is Daves ESL Caf which has a forum where you can ask questions on.

For people looking for a change in pace, being an English teacher abroad is something you should really consider. The pay for teaching English is very good, especially in places like Asia. Moreover, you are usually exempt from taxes. Teaching overseas will allow you to meet new people, learn a new language, and experience a new culture. The jobs are very easy and dont take a lot of work. Teaching is something you should consider doing.
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