Head In Latin

If you are considering Spain as a location for teaching English, you certainly won't be alone as it has long been one of the most popular destinations in Europe. However, before you buy a plane ticket why not take a look at Latin America as many teachers find that this amazing region is actually a better option for them. For many people, the opportunity to learn a new language is one of the great benefits of teaching English abroad. When it comes to learning Spanish, the assumption that Spain is the best place to do so is certainly a common one. However, in reality the type of Spanish used in Spain actually uses accents and slang terms that are vastly different to the language spoken in other Spanish speaking countries. In fact, many native Spanish speakers from outside of Spain...  [Read more]

Asia and Latin America both have a strong demand for English language teachers and you will always find a wide range of opportunities whether you are an experienced teacher or looking for your first classroom job. To help you decide which is the better option for you, you should take a look at the following points. Although you should be able to earn enough to live comfortably, most teachers in Latin America will find it hard to save much (if anything at all) of their monthly income. The average salary should take care of your rent and utilities, and leave enough to enjoy a good social life and even to cover some travel in the region. However, if you are looking to pay off debts or you want to save up for a travel fund, this might not be the region for you. Unlike much of Latin...  [Read more]

Latin America attracts a large number of teachers from all over the world who are looking for fun and adventure. Across the region there are a wide variety of opportunities available in a diverse range of countries. By doing your own research and following a few simple tips, most people should have no trouble finding a good teaching job that will lay the foundation for a trip of a lifetime. The Latin America region typically has less restrictions on teachers than any other part of the world. There is generally no requirement for teachers to have a degree or previous classroom experience which makes it a perfect choice for first-time teachers. One thing that most employers will expect however, is for you to have completed a reputable TESOL training course. In many cases an online...  [Read more]

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]

As the UK is an English speaking country it does supply a large number of TESOL qualified teachers to work in countries all over the world. However, due to the high cost of living, many of these complete their training through an online TESOL course or at a training center located overseas where the overheads are less and the demand for qualified teachers is particularly high. The truth is that the vast majority of first-time teachers from the UK head abroad to find teaching jobs initially as positions within the UK itself will normally be snapped up by experienced teachers who are returning from teaching overseas. Due to economic factors there are less in-class TESOL courses available within the UK as there were a few years ago. However, there are still plenty of different options...  [Read more]

It is not uncommon to find friends or couples enjoying the shared experience of living and working abroad as ESL teachers. Despite this, there are still a few things that you will both need to consider before you jump on the next plane. The most important thing to consider if you plan to head overseas to teach with a friend or partner, is that you need to choose a destination where you both have a realistic chance of securing a suitable job. Many people dream of relaxing in a hammock under the palm trees between lessons, but the limited number of jobs in these locations might make it difficult for both of you to earn a good income. In contrast, big cities in most parts of the world generally have a high demand for ESL teachers, which means that finding good jobs should be relatively...  [Read more]

If you plan to head overseas to teach English, one important factor to consider is the amount of cash you will need to cover your initial start-up costs. Depending on where you end up teaching, your are certain to have some unavoidable expenses that might include the cost of a TESOL certification course, travel to your chosen destination, and funds to support yourself until you get your first paycheck. The cost of your initial TESOL training will depend on which type of course you choose to take. At ITTT our popular online courses start at less than $200, while an intensive in-class TESOL course costs in the region of $1500 to $2000, without flights, accommodation, and other daily expenses. However, your choice of course should not be based entirely on its cost as there are several...  [Read more]

Latin America is a large and diverse region that covers over 20 million square kilometers and around 20 countries. It also provides a huge number of opportunities for ESL teachers in large bustling cities, popular tourist resorts, small country towns, and everywhere else in between. Due to its wide choice of destinations there are countless options for adventure, exploration, entertainment, and relaxation, and the development of lifelong memories is almost guaranteed. However, as this is such a big region, how do you know which countries are the best for teaching ESL? We highly recommend you complete your own research to ensure you cover all the things that are important to you, but we can also offer the following list of destinations that we think offer the best opportunities right...  [Read more]

While preparing for your overseas TESOL adventure you will probably have plenty of things to think about and organize including travel arrangements, visas, vaccinations, and a leaving party or two. Even if the only thing you have to do is pack your bags, you still need to decide what to take with you and what to leave behind. Despite the fact that most people now own a mobile phone with a built-in camera, you might still want to consider investing in a separate, high-quality camera. Mobile phones are reliant on their battery life which can often be quite short if you are away from a powerpoint and taking a lot of pictures. It is worth remembering that during your time away you are likely to do plenty of exploring, often in areas that are short on mobile charging stations. One...  [Read more]

If you plan to Teach English as a Second Language (TESOL) in your home country, overseas, or online, you will find there are usually a few requirements laid down by employers that can vary from country to country or job to job. In some cases, teaching positions can be restricted to native English speakers only. However, the good news is that the demand for English teachers is very high in many areas, which means there are typically plenty of jobs available for all fluent English speakers. So what are the main requirements when it comes to non-native English speakers teaching ESL? Before you start looking at potential jobs around the world, the first thing you will need to do is complete a TESOL certification course. With a TESOL qualification in your back pocket you will be taken...  [Read more]

Making the decision to leave behind your old life to head overseas as a TESOL qualified teacher will probably be one of the best you ever make. However, you then need to decide which TESOL certification course will suit your plans and give you the level of qualification and knowledge you require to hit the ground running. This is not always a straightforward choice as there are many courses to choose from and each one has its own length of study. All of ITTT’s in-class TESOL courses require a full-time commitment of four weeks at one of our training centers. If you are able to fit it into your schedule and you have sufficient funds to cover all the necessary expenses, this type of course certainly provides the most rounded and in-depth option out there. In theory, you could...  [Read more]

Although it is not particularly unusual for teachers with children to head overseas to live and work, there are several important things to carefully consider before you decide if it is the right option for your family. Wherever you live in the world, bringing up children is typically an expensive undertaking. With that in mind, you need to make sure that teaching English abroad is financially viable for you before deciding to leave home. Teacher?s salaries vary greatly from one country to the next so where you decide to teach can have a huge impact on your prospects. Popular regions such as Europe and Latin America have plenty of job opportunities, but most teachers would find it hard to earn enough to support children in these areas. In contrast, Asian countries such as China,...  [Read more]

Yes, it is safe for women to teach English abroad. Not only is it safe, it is also extremely popular as around 150,000 women work as ESL teachers in countries all over the world at any one time. Of this number, most will live and work in modern, cosmopolitan cities that have a similar level of infrastructure and amenities as they would find in their home countries. Whether in Europe, Asia or Latin America, first time teachers will usually be able to find an expat community of English speakers who are able to provide local knowledge and information that will help them to settle into their new community. It is impossible to say that any particular place will be 100% safe all of the time, but by employing some simple precautions single women can confidently head overseas to teach...  [Read more]

There are many different locations available to anyone who is looking to teach English abroad. Some people make their decision based on the potential salaries on offer, while others might be more focused on cultural aspects or lifestyle. There are pros and cons to be considered for every region and individual country, so below we have outlined the most popular options to help you towards your final decision. In terms of job numbers, Asia is by far the most popular region for ESL teachers. This huge continent offers a wide variety of opportunities across all kinds of environments. Jobs are plentiful in major modern cities such as Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing, while those looking for a slower pace of life are equally spoilt for choice in parts of Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, to mention...  [Read more]

Just when you thought that choosing the right TESOL course would be simple, you realize there are various different levels to choose from! In fact, TESOL certification comes in a variety of levels, including TESOL level 4, TESOL level 5, and TESOL level 6. Before selecting a TESOL course, it is critical to understand what each of these TESOL levels entails. This will assist you in evaluating what level is best for you to achieve your goal and what courses you need to get the teaching job you want. It is important to understand that TESOL certification levels are based on the UK credentials framework. This framework is categorized in levels 0 through 8. See the diagram below to see what kind of qualification each level relates to: The AS and A levels in the United Kingdom are equal...  [Read more]

Asia attracts tens of thousands of TESOL qualified teachers every year, however, some countries have certain restrictions in place that you need to be aware of before choosing a destination. For example, a 4-year university degree is required in some countries and others will only issue work permits to native English speakers. Another issue that teachers might need to be aware of is that there are age restrictions that apply in some situations. Some of the most popular TESOL destinations in Asia have a strict retirement policy that applies to both local and foreign teachers. In countries such as China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea, government schools are not allowed to sponsor work visas for teachers who have reached the retirement age of that country. The retirement age...  [Read more]

The timeframe you need to consider in order to complete a TESOL certification course and actually start working as an English teacher will be decided by the style of course you sign-up for, the location you choose to work in, and how much time and effort you are willing to put into your studies. As a rough guide we would suggest you allow in the region of four to six months from the day you start your TESOL course to actually starting a teaching job. However, if you are in a real hurry, there are ways to lower this time frame. If you want a quick way to get your teaching career up and running, this is often the best way to go about it. Theoretically, you could sign-up for an in-class TESOL certification course a day or two before it starts and be fully certified and ready to...  [Read more]

This is one of the most common questions asked by our TESOL course trainees and the answer is quite simple. Yes, you can teach ESL without a bachelor’s degree. Anyone who is TESOL qualified will have a wide array of destinations to choose from all over the world, regardless of their previous educational record. If you have a degree in any subject you will certainly have a few more options, but non-degree holders are in no way excluded from ESL teaching in many parts of the world. In recent years some countries have made it compulsory for foreign teachers to have a degree if they want to obtain a work visa that allows them to work legally as an ESL teacher. This is most noticeable in Asia where some of the biggest markets for teachers such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word inflammable. This word is used as an adjective and refers to something that is easily set on fire. The word originates from Latin inflammare. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. In Unit 11, The Receptive stage is something I was aware of before reading this chapte. However, learning about the skills Readers and Listeners use, understanding that there are 5 of them, will help me make...  [Read more]

The list of potential teaching destinations for 2022/23 is long and exciting, with something to suit all preferences. The most important factor when choosing where to teach will vary from one person to the next as we all have different priorities. The most important factor for some is the salary on offer, while others are drawn by cultural attractions or even nightlife. We should also acknowledge the ever increasing popularity of teaching English online that has become even more prominent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of the possible options have pros and cons, so take a minute to read through this brief guide to the most common TESOL destinations. The simple answer to this common question is Asia. The Asian continent is vast in size and diversity and it is also home...  [Read more]