A Country You Can Leave

Teaching English abroad is a job much like any other and if you are not happy with your employer or things just haven?t worked out as you hoped they would, you are free to head back home or look elsewhere for employment at any time. Although the vast majority of ESL teachers see out the entire length of their contracts, there will always be some who are not able to complete it for a variety of reasons. A family emergency back home, difficulties with work colleagues, and unsatisfactory working conditions are all common reasons why teachers feel they have to terminate their contract. If your job is based on an hourly pay rate there are unlikely to be any repercussions if you decide to leave. This scenario will apply to a large percentage of people teaching in Latin America and Europe...  [Read more]

If you want to teach English in any country outside of your own, you are certain to need a valid passport. In most cases, you will need at least six months left on your passport to gain entry to a foreign country so it is essential that you check it before you plan to leave. To make sure you have no hassles while overseas, we highly recommend that you have a passport with at least two years validity. If you have any doubts regarding entry regulations you should contact the relevant embassy or visit the immigrartion website of your host country. From within the U.S. you can apply via the State Department's web page. From outside the country, you should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. British citizens should visit the U.K. Government's Services website for full details...  [Read more]

The simple answer to this question is YES, it is now common for TESOL qualified teachers to work exclusively online while traveling from place to place or while spending an extended time in one location. Internet download speeds continue to increase in most countries around the world, including many that you might think are off limits. There are also plenty of different employers targeting the online teaching market, with more starting up on a regular basis. With countless potential employers and no shortage of possible destinations, there has never been a better time to leave your stale nine to five behind. However, which countries offer the best visas for a long-term stay. Visa length: Up to 60 days Bali has long been a popular tourist hotspot and a stop on the backpacker trail,...  [Read more]

If you have done any research into teaching English in Europe it is likely that you have read something about the Schengen Area that is made up of 26 countries with a combined population of over 400 million people. Set up in 1985, the Schengen Area has essentially removed all border controls between member countries allowing the free movement of people within the whole area. Prior to this, anyone wanting to travel between any country in the area would need to go through full passport checks at every border they wanted to cross. Now TESOL teachers are free to travel at will across the Schengen Area without any restrictions. Please note that the Schengen Area should not be confused with the European Union which is a separate institution. Once you have entered any country that is a...  [Read more]

Qatar is a country that has blossomed from a largely unknown stretch of desert into a popular international destination in just a few decades. This rapid growth has attracted large numbers of foreign workers who now make up around 90% of the population. Qatar is a safe, modern, comfortable place to live and work which ensures it is increasingly popular with ESL teachers. As is the norm throughout much of the Middle East, Qatar offers teachers the chance to earn a very competitive salary. Tax-free monthly earnings of around $2,000 to $4,000 are typical, depending on your previous classroom experience and your teaching qualifications. Most of the best jobs will also include a healthy benefit package that includes return flights from your home country, free housing, and full medical...  [Read more]

Living in a foreign country as a TESOL teacher can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some tips to help you prepare for this new adventure. First and foremost, familiarize yourself with the culture and customs of the country you will be living in. This will help you adapt more easily to your new environment and avoid cultural misunderstandings. You can read books, watch documentaries, or even take an online course on the culture of the country. Next, learn the language of the country to a basic level. While many TESOL positions require only English, knowing the local language will help you communicate with locals, navigate daily life, and build stronger relationships with your students and colleagues. Research the...  [Read more]

The Southeast Asia region continues to boom in terms of demand for foreign ESL teachers and Vietnam is no exception. In recent times the salaries being offered have begun to improve as schools look to attract more teachers to the country. Within just a few years, Vietnam is likely to become one of the most popular teaching destinations in the region. Official work permits for teachers in Vietnam are restricted to native English speakers who have a bachelor?s degree. It is also common for individual employers to insist on teachers having a TESOL certificate of at least 120-hours duration. Classroom experience might also be required when applying for jobs at the very top end of the pay scale, although these are small in number. Often you can bypass this requirement if you conduct a...  [Read more]

Asia is without doubt the most popular region for teaching English abroad and there are many different countries to choose from, each offering its own attractions. South Korea has many reasons for attracting teachers from all over the world and one of the most important is the huge number of potential jobs available all over the country. As well as an abundance of jobs, Korea is also a highly developed country with excellent infrastructure, a relatively low cost of living, a low rate of crime, and some of the best average salaries in the region. Many jobs come with extra benefits such as paid accommodation and airfares, which means that saving a good chunk of your income is not only possible, but actually the norm. However, to help you decide which part of the country would be best...  [Read more]

Located in the heart of the tropics, Malaysia is a rapidly developing country that has a diverse culture, great food, and plenty of ESL jobs for those with experience. However, as there is no shortage of local English language teachers, the competition for many available positions can be strong. Malaysia cannot compete with other Asian countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea when it comes to salaries as the monthly average income is only around $1,000. However, the cost of living is relatively low in comparison to some other parts of the region, which means this figure can spread quite far if you live within your means. The big bonus is that many jobs include free accommodation or a housing subsidy which removes the biggest monthly expense from your budget. It is common...  [Read more]

If you have researched teaching English abroad, you might have found stories suggesting that it is impossible for US citizens to find ESL teaching jobs in Europe. However, this is not the case as a high demand for foreign teachers in many countries means there are plenty of great opportunities for American teachers in Europe. Language schools in many areas are always on the lookout for native English speaking Americans with a TESOL qualification to fill their vacant positions. At anytime you will find thousands of US citizens teaching in major European cities such as Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Moscow, and Prague. In many Western European countries there is a preference for British English in some schools and excessive bureaucracy can also be responsible for restrictions on US born...  [Read more]

South Korea has become one of the most popular countries in the world for teaching English abroad as demand is high and so are the salaries. The average monthly pay is around $1,500 to $3,000 and most teachers are able to save a considerable percentage of this each month. Many jobs also include a range of extra benefits such as return airfares, free housing and a bonus for completing the contract. The EPIK Program is a government backed scheme that recruits foreign teachers to work in public schools across the country. This is a very popular option is all the details are sorted out before you need to leave your own country. Other common options include private language institutes, universities and even international schools. Regardless of the type of school you choose to work for...  [Read more]

In recent years Vietnam has gone from being a possible teaching destination for the future to being a fully fledged TESOL hotspot that is attracting a growing number of teachers every year. First-time teachers, and those with some experience, are drawn to the country for a variety of different reasons including the strong demand for foreign teachers, a relatively low cost of living, competitive salaries, world famous cuisine, and the warm and friendly atmosphere that is evident wherever you go. Although it was once possible to turn up in Vietnam and find a job teaching English with no qualifications and no experience, those days are firmly in the past. Government requirements and those of individual schools have become much stricter in recent times, leading to an increasingly...  [Read more]

ESL teaching jobs can be found in almost every part of the world, but what is the best way to find a job to suit you? As the approach to recruitment varies from one region to the next, there is no simple answer to this question. Below we outline the main job hunting strategies that TESOL qualified teachers can use to find their dream job. Online job hunting is increasingly common, particularly if you are looking for a position outside of the country where you are currently residing. A quick online search will reveal several job boards that post vacant teaching positions from all over the world. In many cases, these jobs will be in areas where the demand for teachers is so high that employers choose to hire foreign teachers without actually meeting them in person. Jobs in this...  [Read more]

  Teaching English in South Korea has become increasingly popular over the last decade and it is no secret that the country offers some of the best salaries for foreign teachers to be found anywhere in the world. English teachers in Korea can expect to earn between $1,500 and $3,000 US per month and it is certainly possible to save up to half of this depending on your lifestyle. On top of the basic salary you can also expect other benefits such as paid airfares, free housing and an end of contract bonus. Unsurprisingly, the high salaries and good benefits on offer have led to a high level of competition for the best jobs. If you have any teaching qualifications and experience in the classroom, you will find you have the pick of the available jobs. However, thanks to a continually...  [Read more]

In recent years Kuwait has become a very wealthy nation and a very popular place for teaching English abroad. A wide variety of jobs are on offer, from kindergarten right through to university level and beyond. The center of the job market is Kuwait City which has a booming demand and all the comforts you could want while living and working overseas. As well as modern Kuwait, you will also be able to explore the rich Arab culture, ancient archaeological sites, and white sandy beaches that make up this fascinating country. As a wealthy, oil rich country, Kuwait has no shortage of employers who are able to offer teachers a very healthy salary. On average, you can earn in the region of $2,500 to $4,000 per month and most jobs also include extra benefits. A typical contract should...  [Read more]

With around 100,000 foreign teachers working across the country each year, China is now the world leader in ESL teaching jobs. This recent boom has been brought about by a buoyant economy that has given more and more families the financial freedom to provide a good education for their children. There are an estimated 300 million people currently learning English in China, so potential jobs are widespread and relatively easy to come by. As there is often a shortage of available teachers in many areas, schools are increasingly offering high salaries and other bonuses in an effort to attract teachers to their door. The exact figure you can expect to earn will vary considerably depending on the type of employer and the location you choose, but the average is between $1,000 and $2,500...  [Read more]

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere it is likely that you have endured many years of cold, dark winters. If you would like the opportunity to experience living in a climate that is warm all year round, why not complete a TESOL certification course and start a new life living and working as an English teacher in the exotic tropical zone? Thousands of people every year take advantage of this opportunity and very few end up regretting their decision. All you need to do is decide which tropical country is right for you. Costa Rica is small in size, but it has a very large market for TESOL qualified teachers. Most teaching jobs are found in private language centers that are located in most of the larger towns and cities. Private tutoring of English students is also a popular way to...  [Read more]

Once you have completed your TESOL certification you will be ready to start applying for jobs all over the world, or just those close to home. However, while most course graduates end up in mainstream classroom teaching jobs, many others find themselves in less common positions. Below we look at some of the more common options beyond standard classroom teaching. Once you have gained some experience you may consider moving to a managerial role. Examples would be Head of English or Director of Studies. Your teaching time would often be minimal in these roles as you will be overseeing the whole department. If your TESOL course involved a tutor then you may have been able to ask them about their experience. Typically an online TESOL trainer will, depending upon the company they are...  [Read more]

Spain attracts a large number of ESL teachers from all over the world due to the culture and healthy job market. The type of visa you require varies depending on your nationality, so we recommend that you check with the Spanish embassy website before making any plans to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Spain is a long-standing member of the European Union so anyone with an EU passport can live and work freely in the country without a visa. However, EU citizens still need to apply for a residency permit and a tax number as soon as they arrive. The application process for this is generally very straightforward and your employer will normally help you with it. The most common route for non-EU citizens is to enter Spain on a 90-day tourist visa that is issued on arrival...  [Read more]

There are many reasons why fully certified teachers decide to leave their home country to teach overseas. It can often be difficult for newly qualified teachers to find a suitable job and teaching abroad is a great way to gain valuable classroom experience. More experienced teachers often feel like they need a new challenge and teaching in a new country can certainly provide that. Whatever the reason, the teaching profession is unique as it offers you the chance to develop your skills and knowledge and increase your experience and employability, while travelling and exploring the world. If you start searching online for English teaching jobs around the world you will quickly see that many employers expect their job applicants to possess a TESOL certificate. This applies to all...  [Read more]