Teaching English Abroad

Teaching English overseas (English as a Second Language (ESL)) can be a rewarding career and a unique lifestyle choice or it can be a means to earn as you travel.

It is not for everyone and there are some things you should consider before making a decision.

Practical matters

• research life in your chosen country - websites such as www.daveseslcafe.com has forums where you can get information on the living and working conditions in your preferred country.
• consider your financial circumstances.
• will you need to obtain a visa to enter and work legally in the country?
• ensure you have adequate medical and travel insurance, as medical treatment overseas can be costly.
• make sure you have enough savings to support yourself until your first pay cheque.

Qualifications

It is possible to teach in some countries without any certification but this can mean settling for bad working conditions and low pay. Reputable schools require you to have the relevant qualifications. A course (TEFL) usually teaches the basics of English grammar and the theory for teaching ESL and can be obtained online or on a weekend course. www.tefl.co.uk

Finding a job

Finally, you need to find your first job. www.guardian.co.uk has pages dedicated to ESL teaching.

Before accepting a job

You should research the school on the internet and ask prospective employers the following questions:

• Is the job hourly paid or salaried?
• How much will you be paid per hour and when?
• Does the school provide accommodation? Is it shared?
• Will the school get you the necessary work permits or will they expect you to work illegally on a tourist visa?
• What hours will you be expected to work?
• Do you get any holidays?

I was a 30 year-old business graduate, who had worked in financial services for eight years and was facing redundancy. I was unsure what I wanted to do next when I stumbled across the world of ESL teaching.

I had a well-paid job, a nice apartment and a good social life but had always wanted to live abroad. I decided to take the plunge and enrolled on an on-line TEFL course and did the course in my free time.

I finished work on Friday and boarded a flight to my new life on Sunday. The enormity of what I had done only hit me late that night when I was shown to my new room in the teachers’ lodgings of my new employer. It was the size of a shoebox and I was sharing a bathroom with six other teachers!

It was scary 2 days later, walking into the classroom for the first time, but the students were a nice crowd of people and I started to relax and enjoy myself. Nearly two years later, I am still here. I live in Istanbul, which is a bustling cosmopolitan city and every day is different. I enjoy my job and have had the opportunity to meet lots of great, interesting people and experience a different culture. Some of the friends I have made will be good friends for life.

Clare Jones, Istanbul