What are the hiring seasons for teaching English abroad?
In many areas jobs are available throughout the year due to the high demand for foreign teachers. However, in some regions and individual countries there are specific hiring seasons when the bulk of the jobs are filled. If you are set on teaching in a particular country it is vital that you know the best time to start the job hunting process.
What are the hiring seasons for teaching English in Asia?
In general, private language centers across much of Asia will hire teachers at anytime of the year. This applies to all of the most popular destinations in the region such as China, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and Taiwan. The situation in public schools is often a different story. In South Korea, the EPIK Program recruits thousands of native-English speakers each year to work in state run schools. The interview process for this scheme takes place in the spring and early summer for placements that begin in August or September. There is also a secondary process that starts later in the year for positions that start in January, February or March. There is a similar program in Japan known as the JET Program. Applications for this scheme must be filed online by December 1st for positions that start in the following year.
What are the hiring seasons for teaching English in Europe?
Private language schools across Europe typically have two main hiring seasons when the majority of positions are filled. The main season is September and October, while a smaller season takes place in January. Somewhere in the region of half of all ESL teachers in Europe leave their jobs at the end of the school year which means that there is a huge demand for new recruits towards the end of the summer. If you plan to head to Europe to teach ESL, this is by far the best time to be on the ground looking for work. Opportunities for foreign teachers in state run public schools are generally thin on the ground in Europe due to government restrictions in many countries. However, both Spain and France have popular recruitment programs that place teachers in public schools. Online applications need to be completed by March for positions that start in September. In Turkey and Russia there are no specific recruitment seasons in any type of school so jobs can become available at anytime.
What are the hiring seasons for teaching English in the Middle East?
Jobs in private language schools can be found at anytime of the year across the Middle East region. In the public school sector, recruitment generally takes place during the spring and early summer for positions that start in August or September. This applies to all the most popular destinations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar. There are also some schools that have positions that start in January, February or March.
What are the hiring seasons for teaching English in Central America?
Competition for the top jobs can be high in many parts of Central America, so it is a good idea to be in the country ready to interview at the right time of year. The main hiring season for language schools takes place in June and July, while a smaller second season takes place in January and February. Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations in the region and many schools will interview candidates during December for positions that start in January. Mexico is another big employer of foreign teachers and due to the high demand jobs can be found at any time of the year.
What are the hiring seasons for teaching English in South America?
The best time to be looking for ESL jobs in South America is around February and March, although July and August are also good. The vast majority of schools in the region will only hire teachers following an in-person interview so you need to time your arrival in your chosen country to ensure you have the best chance of securing a good job.
