Category Archives: Getting a Job
Teaching English Overseas, a way to Escape the Economic Downturn
Fly off to career opportunities overseas. Image by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer via Flickr
The labor market in many of the world industrialized and western nations has been difficult to say the least in the last few years. Countless numbers of people have lost there jobs and some even losing their homes. With the labor market so difficult and the social safety net seemingly lacking teaching overseas has become an even more attractive option to many people.
Teaching overseas has long been a career route of recent graduates looking to travel and be paid at the same time. There is also a large group of teachers who view it as a long term career choice. Now there could be a new group those unable to find suitable employment in their home nation.
Companies operating English schools have generally escaped much of the problems associated with the recession, with education still being high on the list of priorities for parents and Students. There have been some noticeable instances where the global market for English teachers has been effected by the global down turn (failure of several large companies operating English academies in Japan) however demand for teachers is still strong.
Reasons to Consider Teaching Overseas
Teaching ESL is not the best paid job in the world however certain locations can offer distinct advantages. In several locations such as Korea and Japan you earn far more than you will spend (even without strict budgeting). Using Korea as an example it does not take a huge amount of effort to be able to send around $1000(US) home each month and still have a good standard of living. This may not be a huge sum of money however it can keep the credit and loan companies at bay. In Korea your accommodations will generally be paid for and income tax is around 3-5% so your only expense are utilities and day to day living costs so the more frugally you live the more you can save.
As mentioned previously there is a large availability of work so even with no experience you should be able to find a position. Obviously the more the skills and experience you have is relevant to teaching the better the job and salary you can get.
(see our article “Benefits of teaching English abroad” to find out more about the advantages of teaching ESL)
Can I Teach English Overseas?
Obviously there are requirements that can restrict your opportunity to teach overseas. Generally you will be required to have a college degree in any subject, however some nations do allow the issuing of Visa’s to those without a degree, however your choice of destination will be limited. If you have a criminal record it is also highly unlikely you will be issued a Visa. You do not generally have to have a teaching qualification although this would help and increase your job prospects and earning potential.
Is Teaching Overseas Right for me?
Teaching overseas is not for everyone. Adjusting to a new culture can be difficult and daunting. Living in a foreign culture can take you out of your comfort zone and force you in to new situations. By doing your research and knowing what to expect in your chosen destination you can lower your chances of culture shock
To find out more about how to get a job teaching overseas read our article “How to get a job teaching overseas”
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Teaching in Asia: Korea or Japan?
Image via Wikipedia
Where Should I Teach? Korea or Japan?
The two most popular destinations for ESL teachers building there careers are Japan and Korea. Both offer a good entry level of pay. The benefits package in both countries tend to be excellent and there is a large amount of positions available to all levels of teachers? But which destination is right for you?
Here is a useful video you may find helpful comparing life in the two countries
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZYwbu2YJds
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How to get a job as an English teacher abroad
Picture provided by http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldendragon613/
Teaching English as a Second Language has many benefits. It offers new experiences in foreign lands, the ability to travel in different regions of the world, and best of all get paid to do it. But how do you get a job Teaching ESL?
You can find jobs on-line, through recruiters and various other avenues but before you start your job search it is important you look at the skills you have and the destinations you would like to work in. Each specific location has its own set of academic requirements that can dictate where you are able to work. Most destinations will require you to have a university degree in any subject and be a native speaker of English. If you have neither of these your list of possible destinations will be greatly diminished. Some destinations will also require you to have teaching experience and a formal teaching qualification. To find these requirements it is quickest to visit a esl job site such as Dave’s esl or tefl.com to and look at job adds from different countries which will give an overview of basic requirements. Once you have have decided on your destination you have a choice to make whether you will get an ESL teaching qualification and if so which one and where form.
After deciding upon a destination you have the decision of whether or not to use a recruiter. A recruiter is someone who will act on your behalf guiding you through the whole process from job application to getting a work VISA. Using a recruiter can be very helpful, especially for first time teachers or those who have not taught in the particular country before. When choosing to use a recruiter it is worth bearing in mind that they may only fill positions with certain employers, this could limit your choice of jobs, also they earn their money by placing teachers in jobs. This can mean that a recruiter may fill positions with less than reputable schools, just to get the commission. If you follow this path do your research on the recruiter or the company they represent. Not using a recruiter also presents its own set of problems as it can mean you are flying blind as you quickly have to learn the whole process specific to that nation.
Teaching English overseas is a rewarding and interesting career choice that will create memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. All you have to do now is do your research and begin your adventure.
How Should You Take Your TEFL Course – Online Or in the Classroom?
Image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/iriaflavia/
To study online or in the classroom – that’s the question. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so a little bit of research is required before you make a decision. The choice you make should be as much about you and how you learn as anything else. So have a read and see which one’s the best fit.
Your lifestyle
First things first, ask yourself a couple of questions:
• How much spare time do you have?
• Will you have to fit your TEFL course around work?
• Are your weekends free?
• Does your spare time vary from week to week?
The answers to these questions will help you decide if you should study online or in the classroom. You see a weekend course is intensive but short. You’ll need to free up a whole weekend; in fact, you’ll probably want to keep your evenings free too. Its fun work, but its hard work, so you really should make sure you’re awake and alert.
If you can’t free up a whole weekend and need to fit your course around your life, online TEFL courses will be a much better choice. You can do it in small doses or in a couple of long sessions, the choice is yours. And because you’ve got a good few months to complete your course, you can take your time.
So basically, if your time is short, but your weekends are free – a weekend course might be the thing for you. And if you’ve got a flexible timetable or want to spread your course over a couple of month – an online course might be a better choice.
Your learning style
Here’s another set of questions for you:
• Do you need to read things for yourself to take them in?
• Do you enjoy working in groups or by yourself?
• Do you like to in-depth study with lots of information to get your teeth into?
• Do you revise in short sharp bursts or have one long session before the exam?
• Do you learn more when you’re tested or when you do practical activities?
Right then, if you’re one of those people who likes to get involved, have a go and generally get your hands dirty, you might want to consider a classroom course. You’ll be in a group of about twenty people, which means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make new friends and have a laugh. What’s more, you’ll learn something then try it out in practice. So not only will you know you’ve learnt it, but you’ll get some hands-on teaching experience too.
On the other hand, if you like to take your time, read everything for yourself and work alone, an online course might suit you better. You’ll have plenty of time to take in all the information and you’ll be working with an online tutor, which will make it much easier to identify the areas you need to work on.
Other considerations
There’s one more option you might want to consider – doing both. It’s the best of both worlds. You’ll get the practical experience of a classroom course and the in-depth study of an online course. The initial investment will be a little higher but there are bonuses. Most combined courses come with an extra grammar module, so you can give this tricky topic a little bit of extra attention. And of course, combined courses look absolutely great on your CV.
So those are your options. Ask yourself some questions, answer them honestly and decide which course suits you best.
Catherine Luff – Online TEFL courses with over 20,000 course graduates each year, international accreditation and certification recognised by schools worldwide.
To Teach English abroad is the perfect opportunity for any English speaker to explore the world and immerse themselves in new cultures. Whether you’re a trained teacher or a complete beginner, a TEFL qualification is your ticket for the journey of your life.
Contacts
For interviews, images or comments contact:
Catherine Luff
Marketing & PR
Email: catherine.luff@i-to-i.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Catherine_Luff
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The benefits of Teaching English Abroad
Photograph by seemoreplaces.com
Living in a foreign and exotic country is a dream for many people and teaching English overseas is one of the most accessible ways to do this. Teaching English overseas is a great way to travel and earn money whilst doing so. It can allow you to travel extensively with the ability to spend months not weeks in various locations integrating with local people and really exploring the culture. Usually these teaching positions are paid and you will generally be compensated well above the local average salary, meaning you can live well. There are also a large number of volunteer teaching positions around the globe with the aim of improving people’s lives and opportunities. For many people it is an attractive and lucrative career choice with genuine opportunities for progression and improvement. It is a career that can give you tremendous job satisfaction and feel you are making a difference. Teaching English overseas could be a possible land of opportunity for you too.
When deciding to teach overseas you must weigh up what you want to gain and achieve from your experience. Each destination has its own set of benefits, and to make the most of your experience you need to find the best fit for you. Some destinations such as Korea and Japan offer a very competitive salary package that can allow you to save a good amount of money during your contract. A large amount of people are teaching in these countries for the sole reason is that it gives them the ability to have enough surplus money to pay down their student loan debt. Other locations such as Thailand do not offer a high level pay, but you earn enough to live comfortably in on of the most beautiful tropical locations in the world. If you are looking to make a real difference there are an abundance of teaching positions in developing nations, where you will be volunteering your skills to help others. By doing a quick Internet search you will be able to find an abundance of teaching positions across the globe and look at the types of positions on offer.
Teaching in a foreign culture also gives you the opportunity to meet, become friends with local people and interact with their daily life. It gives you a great insight into the mannerisms, culture and history of that nation, something you would never be able to do on a two-week trip. You are also able to meet fellow teachers from around the globe and build friendships and bonds that last well after you or they have left the country.
Teaching English as a second language is a rewarding and life changing experience. Whether it is just a way to travel or how you intend to build a new life and career, it is a choice I would recommend to anyone.
