Teaching abroad – business and pleasure

Traveling from one place to another in search of amazing sights and adventures is great, but no matter how hard you try, you simply cannot get to really know a country and its culture unless you are willing to spend more than a few weeks there.

And if you are set on spending at least a few months in a distant place, far from home, friends and your job, you need the funds for it; so unless you’ve been thoroughly saving up for the past few months or years, you need to get a job. The easiest way to earn your living while abroad? Well…hello, teacher!

Native speakers of English, and people who can speak English fluently, automatically have an advantage. English is sought after is schools all over the world, and in the vast majority if cases you don’t need any previous experience in order to become a teacher of English as a foreign language. It pays for your bills abroad, it’s fun, and most importantly, it gives you the opportunity to really get to know people and make lots of friends. There are tons of programs for teaching English (and other subjects) abroad, especially in Asia and South America.

Before you decide to embark on such a program, there are a few things you need to consider. Teaching abroad programmes usually last for at least a year, so you have to ask yourself if you are willing to take a break from your regular life for such a long period. Next, the country: speaking the language is rarely a requirement, but of course, it will make your lie much easier. Anyway, you can enroll in a language course once you get there, and often your employers will arrange for you to go to beginner’s courses and to try and learn the language of the country.

A bit of background knowledge of the local language will also help you communicate with your students, and you’ll be able to better explain grammar problems, for example. So this is the moment when those Spanish, French, Japanese  high school classes really come in handy :D. Also, if you have a bachelor’s degree, you have better chances of getting hired, and if you have a degree in TEFL, then you’re as good as hired already.

Now, the payment. You obviously won’t get rich by teaching English abroad, but that’s not the point of the programme anyway. In some countries, your wages will cover the cost of living, and sometimes you’ll even have some money left over for a night out or two – so if you want more than that you will have to rely on your savings. In other countries, like China, for example, your wages will ensure a pretty high standard of living, even if in your home country it wouldn’t seem much at all.

Depending on the programme, you may or may not have to pay for your transportation to your chosen country. While some years ago it was a pieces of cake to find a teaching job abroad AND get the school to pay for your transport and accommodation, nowadays it could be a bit difficult to find a school that will pay for all your expenses.

Teach Abroad is a good place to start your search, and they also offer lots of tips that can help you. Immerse yourself in the culture of a foreign country, travel as far as you want and experience the most exciting and rewarding adventure of your life.

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