Planning To Teach English Abroad? Here's What You Need To Do
Got tired of your regular job? Do you want to expand your horizons and teach English abroad? Do you want to put your skills to use in another country? If yes, what is holding you back? Well, you might be wondering about the requirements or how to get started with the teaching. We understand how challenging it is to go through multiple websites to find answers to your question. But you need not worry. We are here to help you with your overseas teaching job.
Teaching English is, indeed, a satisfying career, and there are thousands of positions vacant for teachers all across the globe. It is an incredible experience that allows individuals to share their knowledge and make money out of it while enjoying the new culture, learning a new language, forming beautiful new connections, exploring new landscapes, and more. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and comes with excellent planning. There’s a lot that needs to be considered in order to move things forward. One such consideration is basic requirements to teach English abroad.
To help you get started, we are sharing a checklist of the requirements you need to make your teaching abroad adventure come true. Let’s find out!
Basic Requirements To Teach English Abroad
A Bachelor’s Degree
You will require a bachelor’s degree to teach English on an international platform. The requirement of a degree is highly due to visa and government regulations and has little to do with teaching the students. This makes it evident that any degree, irrespective of the subject, will work well. However, the requirement might vary with the type of program you are planning to work with and the country you are looking forward to teaching. While it is not necessary to get a degree, having it will definitely help you with the entire process. It will be your option to choose from and safeguard you from future consequences.
TEFL or TESOL Certification
While many programs require a candidate to have a bachelor’s degree, others require a TEFL certification. This certificate demonstrates that the candidate has completed their training and is now professionally trained to teach English as a language. The TEFL or TESOL certification is considered a key requirement because the majority of employers across the world expect this accredited teaching training to be there on the resume. Completing the certificate makes it easier to look for a reasonable, well-paid job by opening up multiple opportunities worldwide.
English Fluency/ Native English Speaker
Being a native English speaker doesn't guarantee a job of teaching English abroad. What is important is to be fluent and have a good command of English to teach the language abroad. However, some countries prefer to hire a native English speaker over other candidates. Such countries include China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, etc. This makes it crucial to check the requirements of the place you are applying for. While a person can apply for jobs to teach English abroad without being a native speaker, they are required to pay extra attention to their level of language fluency, accent, and comprehensibility.
Financial Preparations
Before a candidate gets on a plane to teach English abroad, it is vital to be financially prepared. Money plays a crucial role right from the initial costs of getting the certification to the local cost of living. Traveling from your home country to a new landscape, applying for a visa, setting up a residence, acquiring required skills and training, and more; everything involves money. Hence, you must look for all the costs needed and then make a final decision of teaching overseas.
Passport With A Visa Stamped
Passport and visa are other significant requirements that you need to fulfill for moving and working in a foreign country. The requirement for a visa varies from country to country and usually takes a longer duration to obtain. It also requires you to pay a certain amount, attach multiple documents, and go through a complex procedure. So, make sure you apply for the visa beforehand and won’t keep it for the last minute. While applying, look for the right kind of visa as per the duration of your stay and also check the validity of it.
Country-Specific Documents
In addition to degrees, certificates, and visas, there are certain country-specific documents that are needed both for the job and living abroad. Every country has its own set of requirements which might include college transcripts, criminal background checks, health assessments, etc. In some cases, you might also be required to provide a bank statement or any other proof of your financial solvency. The country you are applying to will inform you about these documents beforehand and provide you with a certain amount of time to submit them.
Soft Requirements To Teach English Abroad
To move abroad and teach a language, besides educational and document requirements, you must also have courage and determination. It requires a heart to board a plane, leave your comfort zone, and travel far away from your home country. To bolster your experience of working abroad, here are some soft requirements that will help in making everything work.
Desire: First and foremost, you are required to have a passion and desire to teach in a foreign country. Before you sell all your earthly possessions, pack your bags, and leave to teach others, you must ensure that you are passionate about it. You should be prepared for all the adventures that might come your way and keep moving ahead. Make sure moving abroad and teaching English should not be an escape; instead, it should be what you actually want to do.
Support: If you are planning to teach English abroad, you should bear in mind the importance of having a solid support network. Right from settling in the new city to logistics to emotional needs, support is needed. Staying in a new country away from your friends and family, it is always essential to have someone by your side.
Different Ways To Teach English Globally
To our surprise, there are multiple ways of teaching abroad. You can choose any way to fulfill your passion for teaching on a global platform. Here are some of the ways that you must be aware of. Look into each of them before making a final call.
- Classroom English language teacher
- A TEFL teacher.
- Teaching in a language school.
- Living with a family and tutoring their children
- An English language camp counselor
- A conversation partner.
- An au pair.
- Teach online.
- Teaching in a "cram" school and more.
The Bottom Line
And this is it! These are the basic requirements that will help you turn your teaching abroad dream into reality. However, remember that it is not a solution that will work for all. These requirements vary from country to country as well as with the program you are applying for. So, make sure you double-check with your organization before you pack your bags and take a flight to teach English abroad.
FAQs
What are the benefits of teaching English overseas?
Teaching English abroad comes with great benefits. It is a rewarding professional career that allows the candidate to live and work in a different country and get a handsome salary to educate people. It also helps in gaining international work experience and makes the person learn a different language. Teaching abroad is an incredible opportunity to strengthen professional abilities and learn new skills.
Which countries do not require a university degree to teach English?
There are some countries where employers are more flexible with the degree requirements. They recommend the candidates only have a certification and skip the bachelor’s degree. Some of these countries are:
- Spain
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Romania
- Laos
What are the places where English teachers are most in-demand?
Well, every place where English is not a native language is perfect for teaching the language. However, there are some countries where English teachers are in high demand. Here are some of those countries where you can teach English abroad.
- ASIA: China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, & Vietnam
- CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA: Chile, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, & Argentina
- EUROPE: Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, France, & Czech Republic
- MIDDLE EAST: Egypt, Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, & Saudi Arabia