Teaching English is not an easy vocation, but it has seen a huge surge in popularity over the last decade as it becomes increasingly important in the international business sector. Since English is the language of international business, many countries want their children to learn the language at an early age. This demand for English instruction has led to a huge demand for native English speakers in foreign classrooms. Teachers can now find jobs in South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. There are excellent opportunities for good money in Asia and the Middle East, and it has become very popular during the financial crisis as a convenient way to pay back debts such as school loans and consumer credit cards.
Most foreign schools require that their English teachers have some form of certification, usually in the form of a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) or Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification. Courses for both certifications utilize a combination of in-class instruction and online resources, and some TEFL classes can be taken entirely online. The cost of classes varies by company, but most that combine in-class and online portions range from $1000-1200 USD. These certifications are accepted worldwide, and in some cases demand is so high only a college degree is required, no matter what subject.
In most countries teachers have a lot of control as to what level they will be teaching to, be it kindergarten all the way to working professionals. As mentioned above, the best-paid areas for English teachers are the Middle East and parts of Asia. Benefits in these areas usually include, free housing, reimbursed round-trip airfare, covered or 50% of medical insurance, and salaries ranging from $24,000 to $36,000.
It is important to keep in mind that these jobs are often challenging and should not be viewed as an easy paycheck. Language barriers and lack of teaching materials are common complaints, and disinterested students can plague teaching younger classes. Lesson planning and office hours can add work time beyond just being in the classroom, so it is important to take the drawbacks into consideration before deciding to teach in a foreign country, because contracts are often ironclad for one year. I am not discouraging prospective teachers from trying their hand at it, just laying out the facts so that informed decisions can be made.
To get a feel for what teaching in a foreign country is like, Dave’s ESL Café is the best website on the Internet. Formed a lifelong ESL teacher, its forums are full of teachers from all over, and they can tell you exactly how things are where you are considering teaching. Recruiters and schools can sometimes paint an overly rosy picture of the teaching situation, so it is good to have an objective view from the ground.
Teaching English continues to be an excellent option for those looking to travel and live in foreign countries while making competitive wages, and while it can be challenging the rewards are significant
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