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Teaching English Abroad

Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) refers to teaching English to students whose first language is not English. TEFL usually occurs in the student's own country, either within the state school system, or privately, e.g., in an after-hours language school or with a tutor. TEFL teachers may be native or non-native speakers of English.

Are you suited to TEFL? - YES!

Where can you teach TEFL?

Europe

Opportunities vary considerably across Europe. Most cities in Western Europe have established language schools. These can be on-site, or operated as agencies that send teachers to various locations. September is the peak recruiting month, and many annual contracts last October through June. Employers prefer those with graduate-level academic qualifications, experience in Business English, or experience with younger learners.

Instructors from Great Britain and Ireland, countries within the European Union, do not need work visas to work in the EU, which reduces demand for teachers from outside. Immigration laws require that non-EU job applicants submit documents from their home countries in person after the European employer files an officially documented job offer. If the worker has traveled to Europe to find the job, this means they must return home and wait for some time. Even if they follow the process correctly, visa rejection rates are high. Many private-sector employers don't sponsor them at all, because they can meet staffing needs more easily from nearby countries.

International schools hire some non-EU teachers. These are more desirable positions that require significant experience and qualifications. Various countries' education ministries, such as those of France and Spain, offer opportunities for assistant language instructors in public schools. Part-time employment is usually allowed under an education visa, but this visa also requires proper attendance at an accredited EU college or university, institute, or other educational program. Other teachers work illegally under tourist visas.

Demand for TEFL is stronger in certain Eastern European countries because of the expansion of the European Union. Such locations also tend to have lower costs of living. Non-EU teachers usually find legal work here with less difficulty.

Far fewer instructors work in Scandinavia, which has stricter immigration laws and a policy of relying on bilingual local teachers. The Balkan former Yugoslav countries have seen recent growth in TEFL—private schools have recruited Anglophone teachers there for several years.

Cambodia

Demand for English teachers in Cambodia has grown over the past decade, though the country has a small population and is dependent on foreign aid for much of its economic development, limiting growth.

China

Many opportunities exist within China, including preschool, university, private schools and institutes, companies, and tutoring. The provinces and the Ministry of Education in Beijing tightly govern public schools, while private schools have more freedom to set work schedules, pay, and requirements. Outside of Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, salaries range between 3800 to 6000 yuan per month with an average of 4500 yuan. Public schools tend to offer fewer hours per week (12 to 18) with low pay but free on-campus housing, while private schools usually require more than 22 hours a week and may offer higher pay without free housing. Preschool and elementary schools may ask the teacher to work more hours, just as the Chinese teacher would do.

Most schools pay for some travel expenses to and from Asia, and typically pay round-trip for a one-year contract (usually 10 months), and one-way for a six-month contract. Public schools usually pay during vacations, but not for summer break unless the teacher renews the contract,while many private schools have shortened vacation schedules and may pay for whatever short number of days is allowed for vacation. Private schools may also require that teachers work weekends and evenings, which public schools seldom do. Both may have off-campus classes that require extra transportation time. Public schools provide an apartment with some extras. Most, but not all, private schools outside Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou also provide housing.

Company jobs vary, depending on the number of employees they want to train. They may employ a teacher for one or two classes, or a complete set of 14 to 16 hours a week. Tutoring also varies, as in some cases a whole family of students or just one family member.

Some teachers work successfully on an independent basis with several contracts for tutoring, individual college classes, and some company work. The majority of teachers accept contracts with schools. Public school contracts are fairly standard, while private schools set their own requirements. Schools try to hire teachers from Anglophone countries, but because of demand, others with good English language skills can find positions.

Hong Kong

Once a British Crown Colony, English language education in Hong Kong is taken seriously, as demonstrated by recent government-funded research.

Laos

English language has been increasingly important in education, international trade and cooperation in Laos since 1990s. There were some factors on the rise of English in Laos. One of those was that because Laos was marked as a market economy country, and then the government started to open and promote foreign direct investment. The introduction of Laos as an observer in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1992 was also the factor increasing the necessity of English language in the country because among the ASEAN nations English had been considered a common language to communicate for exploring understanding and potential areas of cooperation. Laos was considered as a full member of ASEAN in 1997. During five years until 1997, the government had to prepare human resources to have English knowledge and skills and ability to use it. This was an obligation to Lao government in order to be able to work with other countries in the fields of cooperation effectively. Later, high-ranking officials, business people and shareholders, key persons in administrative level eagerly have started to upgrade their knowledge and skills in English. English have been a language of interest for Lao society ever since Laos opened the country to the world market economy and became a member of ASEAN. The trend of the interest will be increased as English is considered and developed in the field of education as well.

Japan

In Japan, the JET Programme employs assistant language teachers to work in Japanese high schools and elementary schools. Other teachers work in private language schools, eikaiwa. The largest of these chains are Aeon, GEOS, and ECC. The industry is not well regulated. Nova, one of the largest chains with over 900 branches, collapsed in October 2007, leaving thousands of foreign teachers without money or a place to live. Other teachers work in universities. Agencies are increasingly used to send English speakers into kindergartens, primary schools, and private companies whose employees need to improve their Business English. Agencies, known in Japan as haken, or dispatch companies, have recently been competing among themselves to get contracts from various Boards of Education for Elementary, Junior and Senior High Schools, so wages have decreased steadily in the last four years.

South Korea

There is great demand for native English speakers willing to teach in South Korea. The U.S. Embassy, however, reports that teachers have sometimes come to Korea under contracts that promised generous salaries and benefits, but found actual conditions drastically different, and in some cases ended up with insufficient funds to return home. The expatriate English teachers in Korea have formed the Association for Teachers of English in Korea to provide support for teachers. As with Japan, Korea is also nurturing a government-run program for teacher placement called English Program in Korea (EPIK). In March 2009 EPIK reported that it recruited 3,377 foreign teachers into Korean public schools.

Institutions commonly provide round-trip airfare and a rent-free apartment for a one-year contract. Note that since March 15, 2008, visa rules have changed. Prospective teachers must now undergo a medical examination and a criminal background check, produce an original degree certificate, and provide sealed transcripts. On arriving in South Korea, teachers must undergo a further medical check before they receive an ARC card.

Though contracts usually include return flights, some schools offer cash instead. Severance pay equivalent to one month's salary is paid at the end of a contract as well. Citizens of the USA, Canada and Australia also receive back their pension contributions and their employers' part of the pension contributions on leaving the country.

There are four main places to work in South Korea: universities, public schools, private language academies (known in South Korea as hagwon), and private company Business English classes. Recently, small private schools have been opening after-school programs.

Taiwan

In the Republic of China (Taiwan), most teachers work in cram schools, known locally as bushibans or buxibans. Some are part of chains, like Hess and Kojen. Others operate independently. Such schools pay around $2,000 USD a month. End-of-contract bonuses equivalent to an extra month's pay are not mandated by law as in South Korea, and are uncommon in Taiwan.

Thailand

Thailand has a great demand for native English speakers, and has a ready-made workforce in the form of travelers and expatriates attracted by the local lifestyle despite relatively low salaries. Because Thailand prohibits foreigners from most non-skilled occupations a high percentage of foreign residents teach English for a living, and are able to stay in the country.

Poorly regulated recruitment made it relatively easy for native English speakers to find teaching jobs. However, the revelations in 2006 that John Mark Karr, the man arrested in connection with the murder of JonBenét Ramsey and subsequently released without charge, had been working as a teacher for a school in Bangkok prior to his deportation to the USA, put the profession in the spotlight. Thai authorities cracked down on schools that employed illegal workers, and tightened visa and work permit regulations. In recent months, however, it has become simpler for legitimate workers to obtain visas in-country.

United States

There are a large number of private ESL schools in the United States. The majority are in coastal cities that have a high number of foreign students. Los Angeles, New York, Miami, San Francisco, and Boston probably have the largest variety of such schools.

Many states fund ESL programs for adults. These are often taught in the evenings at public schools, and most large colleges and universities have ESL programs. School districts with high numbers of non-native English speaking students (LAUSD for example) often offer special bonuses and incentives for primary school teachers with ESL qualifications.

It's very difficult for a non-US citizen to obtain a work visa for a private ESL school. Highly qualified teachers may be able to get a visa through a state-funded program or a university.

Private ESL schools typically pay from $12 to $25 an hour. Most schools offer part-time employment and no benefits. Adult programs tend to pay a bit more—adult ESL in Los Angeles pays around $30–$40 per hour. Colleges usually offer part-time employment, though pay can exceed $70 an hour, and tenure track positions sometimes become available.

Vietnam

In Vietnam there is great and increasing demand for English teaching.

What to expect

As in most fields, the pay depends greatly on education, training, experience, seniority, and expertise. As with much expatriate work, employment conditions vary between countries, depending on the level of economic development and how much people want to live there. In relatively poor countries, even a low wage may equate to a comfortable middle class lifestyle.

There is a danger of exploitation by employers. This increases in countries with labor laws that may not apply to foreign employees, or which may be unenforced. An employer might ignore contract provisions, especially regarding working hours, working days, and end-of-contract payments. Difficulties faced by foreign teachers regarding language, culture, or simply limited time can make it difficult to demand pay and conditions that their contracts stipulate. Some disputes arise from cross-cultural misunderstandings. Teachers who can't adapt to living and working in a foreign country leave after a few months. Discussion forums tend to avoid the controversy because they lack complete information and fear potential liability issues.

Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teaching_English_as_a_foreign_language

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Teach English Abroad Course