Do you ever feel like you are stuck in your own little corner of the world? For many teachers, traveling abroad and seeing the world is a dream. Most teachers put off achieving that dream because they feel that it will be too expensive, and that they cannot possibly take the necessary time off of work to do what they desire. However, you can achieve this dream and earn money at the same time. You may wonder how this is possible, but the answer is quite simple. Teach English as a second language or ESL as it is commonly referred to, abroad. 

The English speaking countries in the world dominate the economy. Because of this, many countries require students to take English lessons. Schools will often seek native English speakers to teach English courses to their students. After all, who better to teach English than someone who speaks it as his or her native language? If you wish to take advantage of the opportunities offered in teaching ESL, you should consider a number of factors.

Firstly, you need to consider your educational experience. If you hold a teaching degree, securing an ESL job will be incredibly easy, but if you don’t, there is no need to despair.  As long as you have earned a bachelor’s degree at a college or university, you will likely be a desirable ESL candidate.

After considering your educational experience, you should take into account the types of schools where you may find employment. There are a number of school types that may wish to hire ESL teachers. Regular schools, which make up the majority of schools internationally, are frequently looking to hire ESL teachers. These schools are sometimes referred to as government schools and are traditionally funded by the state or local government. Private schools, or schools that charge a fee to attendees and receive a smaller subsidy from the government, may also be interested in your services.

Other less traditional school types can be advantageous. Frequently, schools that use less traditional means of educating their students are particularly interested in hiring a native English speaking ESL teacher. When considering taking a job teaching ESL, consider the following school types: Bilingual schools, international schools, Montessori Schools, and Language Schools. Each of these schools prides itself in providing their students with a unique and specialized educational experience.

Once you have weighed the pros and cons of teaching ESL, it is time to get the job, and doing so can be quite simple.  To optimize your success, be sure to do these three things:

  1. Become TESOL Certified – TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Most schools require their ESL teacher to be TESOL certified.   Adding this certification to your resume can be surprisingly simple. Some programs allow you to earn the certification in as little as one week. More extensive programs require a 100-120 hour course. Whichever program you select, becoming TESOL certified will greatly increase your chances of acquiring an ESL job, so it is more than worth your time.
  2. Decide where you want to go. What country have you always dreamed of calling home? You can teach ESL in almost any English speaking country, so don’t be too hasty in making your decision. Carefully consider which country you would like to teach in and contact the embassy or consulate in the country you select, to acquire information about teaching in that country. Frequently, the embassy has information about teaching jobs that may be available in that country. Use this information to your advantage to make an informed decision.
  3. Spread the word! If you are serious about getting a job teaching ESL, post your resume on ESL job sites and try to attract potential employers by highlighting your credentials and unique skills. By performing a simple Internet search, you can come up with many ESL sites on which you can post your resume.

By preparing and planning properly, you can find a great ESL teaching job and perhaps travel the world teaching English!

If you require more information or have any questions - Contact Candace at A+ Resumes for Teachers by clicking here or call toll-free 1-877-738-8052.

 

 

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Candace Davies ACCC, CRW, CIC, CPRW, CEIP, CECC
Find out more about Candace here.