Jobs Outside Of Teaching

The simple and straightforward answer to this question is: No, you do not need a degree to take a TESOL course or to land a teaching position abroad. While it is true that having a degree means you will have a wider choice of job options, those without one still have plenty of great options available in a wide range of countries across the world. Whatever your academic background, teaching English in your home country, overseas, or online is still a very realistic option. Whether a degree is required to teach English is usually determined by the authorities of each individual country. Some countries where ESL teaching is very popular have imposed restrictions on foreign teachers that insist they have a degree in order to qualify for an official work permit. In these situations,...  [Read more]

With its unique position overlapping Europe and Asia, Turkey has been popular with international travelers for many years. The country is also rapidly becoming popular with ESL teachers as demand for the English language continues to grow at a fast rate in many areas. Big cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir are home to the majority of teaching jobs, but smaller numbers can be found elsewhere. In theory, a degree is required for all teaching jobs in Turkey, however, a shortage of teachers means that a TESOL certificate is often enough to secure many jobs. As Turkey is a big country with different levels of economy in different regions, the average monthly salary ranges from $800 to $1,800, depending on the individual employer, your qualifications, and level of experience. Most...  [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]

Before we go any further with this question, we first need to make an important distinction. Your number of teaching hours (known as contact hours) will not be the same as the number of hours you will be expected to actually be in school (known as contract hours). Most teaching jobs include admin duties on top of the actual teaching time. We also need to make it clear that different types of ESL teaching jobs have different typical classroom hours. Here we look at the three most common types of jobs available. In the majority of cases, overseas schools work normal office hours. This means that you should expect to be in school, Monday to Friday, from around 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. This rough timetable adds up to around 40 hours per week. Of course, not all those hours will be...  [Read more]

Although Greece has been popular with ESL teachers for many years, the recent economic downturn has had a significant impact on the number of jobs available. Despite this, teachers continue to be drawn to the country due to the great climate, stunning beaches, and the general culture. As there are less jobs available than in the past, employers can afford to be a little more picky when it comes to the hiring process. Also, recent changes to immigration laws have made it harder for non-EU citizens to obtain the necessary work visa. As a consequence of these factors, many employers choose to only hire teachers with an EU passport. The basic requirements expected when applying for most teaching jobs are a university degree and a TESOL qualification. Greece has a large network of...  [Read more]

The Czech Republic has been at the forefront of ESL teaching in Europe for several years and its popularity continues to grow. The country has many attractions for foreign teachers, including a unique culture, a relatively low cost of living, and a strong job market in all its main towns and cities. Prague is at the center of the country?s job market where you will find as many teaching opportunities as almost anywhere else on the continent. Other cities with good potential for jobs are Brno, Ostrava, Liberec, and Plzen, which is famous throughout the beer drinking world as the birthplace of Pilsner lager. As the country has such as diverse range of employers in many different areas, the average salary can vary considerably from 18,000 to 30,000 CZK (currently US$700 to $1,200) per...  [Read more]

An interview for an ESL position is much the same as any other interview situation. It can be a scary prospect for many people, but if you have prepared for the most likely questions you should have little to worry about. Although it is impossible to predict exactly how an interview will unfold, most will be based on a similar range of questions that are designed to assess whether you would fit into the existing workforce. One of the main purposes of any job interview is to get some understanding of you as an individual person, so you should expect questions such as: What do you like to do in your spare time? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Where do you see yourself in five years? If, like many ESL teachers, you are applying for jobs outside of your home country you should...  [Read more]

Although a large percentage of ESL jobs are filled following face-to-face interviews, there are many countries where it is common practice for schools to recruit teachers from within their home country. This scenario can be a very convenient option for teachers without any previous experience and anyone who is new to international travel. All contact is usually done via email, with the actual interview taking place via phone or webcam. One big benefit of getting a job in advance is it usually means the employer will take care of the paperwork such as visas and work permits. In many cases they will also provide free or subsidized airfares, health insurance and accommodation. The one main downside of this recruitment method is the time it can take to complete the whole process. You...  [Read more]

As the USA is such a big country with a relatively large and steady flow of immigrants, there are always plenty of opportunities available for TESOL qualified teachers. As well as permanent immigrants from all over the world, you will also find there are a huge number of potential students among the country’s millions of migrant workers and the large number of international students who flock to the US to study at colleges and universities countrywide. Business professionals who move to the United States on assignment is another area that is full of possibilities for ESL teachers. Most official English language teaching jobs in the US will require a university degree. Jobs advertised in state and public school districts typically also require a state teaching license or...  [Read more]

The Taiwan government has recently stated its ambition is for the country to become bilingual Chinese ? English by the year 2030, which is certainly going to provide a huge amount of opportunities for ESL teachers. As well as having a booming job market, Taiwan also offers high salaries, excellent benefit packages, a relatively low cost of living, and an international reputation as one of the world?s most friendly nations. In order to work as an ESL teacher in Taiwan you need to be a native English speaker from the USA, the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia. You must also be over 20 years old and possess a degree in any subject. A TESOL qualification is not a legal requirement for finding a teaching job, however, the majority of employers expect their...  [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]

Thailand is one of the undisputed top destinations in Southeast Asia for ESL teachers. Jobs are relatively easy to find in many areas of the country, although the average salary is not as high as in several other countries across Asia. However, many teachers still flock to Thailand to enjoy the laid back lifestyle, vibrant culture, and extensive entertainment options. In years gone by it was common for teachers to work in Thailand without an official work permit, however, things have moved on and you will now need to meet the set requirements if you want to earn a good income. The main requirement for gaining a work permit is a university degree in any subject. A TESOL qualification is not officially required, although without one you may struggle to find a job with a reputable...  [Read more]

Like several other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Bulgaria has drastically improved its infrastructure since joining the EU. In that time, the market for foreign ESL teachers has also grown considerably to meet the demand from local people who need to improve their English skills in order to move up the career ladder in many different fields. The country has plenty of attractions to offer teachers, including the famous Black Sea coastline, ski resorts at a fraction of the price of most others in Europe, and stunning natural scenery. Bulgaria is certainly not somewhere to teach English if you want to save a large amount of money or live a lavish lifestyle, but that doesn?t stop people from coming here to enjoy the country?s culture, history and natural environment. The...  [Read more]

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]

Finding TESOL teaching jobs in less popular destinations can be a rewarding experience that allows you to immerse yourself in a new culture while gaining valuable teaching experience. Here are some tips to help you secure a teaching position in a less popular destination: 1. **Research Potential Destinations**: Start by researching potential destinations that may not be as popular for English language teachers. Look for countries or regions that have a demand for English teachers but may not be as well-known in the TEFL community. 2. **Utilize Online Job Boards**: Use online job boards that specialize in advertising teaching positions in less popular destinations. Websites such as Dave's ESL Cafe, TEFL.com, and TESOL.org often have job postings for a wide range of locations. 3. **Network...  [Read more]

With a job market that is booming, a widely popular culture, a diverse and stunning landscape, and great food, Mexico is unsurprisingly popular as a teaching destination. The country?s close ties with it northern neighbor the USA ensures that the current demand for the English language is only set to rise in the coming years. The average salary for ESL teachers in Mexico varies considerably depending on the type of job you have and where you choose to live. However, most teachers can expect to earn between $500 and $1,000 per month. While this might not sound like much, the low cost of living ensures it will go much further than the same figure earned in many other countries. When job hunting in Mexico it really pays to shop around as the hourly rate offered by schools can vary...  [Read more]

Greece has traditionally been one of the top destinations for teaching English abroad in Europe. Unfortunately, after the global financial crisis in 2008 the country suffered a severe economic downturn that had an adverse effect on all sectors including ESL teaching. Despite this, many people still head to Greece due to its reputation for having a warm Mediterranean climate, amazing beaches and islands, and a relaxed way of life. The biggest market for teachers is in the capital Athens, although other cities such as Thessaloniki, Larissa, Heraklion, and Corfu are also worth looking at. Teacher?s salaries have not really changed much in the last decade, although the average monthly salary for a first-time teacher of around 800 to 1,000 euro per month should still be sufficient to get...  [Read more]

  TEFL related jobs are available in cities, towns and beach resorts in dozens of countries spread right across the world, but what is the best way to secure the right position for you? Unfortunately there is no simple answer as it varies from one region to the next. Here we look at the main job hunting strategies that you can use to find and land that dream job teaching English abroad. Online Job Application If you are looking for a job outside the country you are currently in, then using online searches is a common option. There are many jobs boards online that post available positions from countries worldwide. The majority of these jobs will be in regions where the demand for teachers is so high that employers are happy to hire teachers without the need for a face-to-face...  [Read more]

If you choose to take an online TESOL course you will have the luxury of choosing exactly where and when you study. You can work through your course at home in the evenings and on the weekends, or you could fit in what you can during your lunch break or when traveling to and from work. This kind of flexibility is one of the main reasons why our online courses are so popular. However, if you choose to attend one of our training centers to complete an in-class TESOL course, you will also have plenty of options. Our in-class course is currently available in a number of different countries, in most corners of the world. You could choose the training center that is closest to your home location, or you could choose one that is located close to where you would most like to live and work...  [Read more]

If you conduct some simple online research about teaching English abroad you might well come across teachers talking about bad experiences they have had with employers. Although the vast majority of schools worldwide treat their teachers well, there are always going to be a few badly run establishments that you will want to avoid. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure you ask the right questions during your job interview. So what are the right questions to ask the employer during an interview? Every school has its own expectations when it comes to the amount of extra work that is required outside of normal classroom hours. You might have to write regular reports on your students, attend staff meetings, meet with parents to discuss progress, present lesson plans to management...  [Read more]