| Teaching English is not an easy vocation, but it has | | | | the way to working professionals. As mentioned |
| seen a huge surge in popularity over the last decade | | | | above, the best-paid areas for English instructors are |
| as it becomes increasingly important in the international | | | | the Middle East and parts of Asia. Benefits in these |
| business sector. Since English is the language of | | | | areas usually include free housing, reimbursed |
| international commerce, many countries want their | | | | round-trip airfare, covered or 50% of medical |
| children to learn the language at an early age. This | | | | insurance, and salaries ranging from $24,000 to |
| need for English instruction has led to a huge search | | | | $36,000. |
| for native English speakers in foreign schools. | | | | It is important to keep in mind that these jobs are |
| Teachers can now find jobs in South America, Europe, | | | | difficult and can burn some teachers out very quickly. |
| Africa, and Asia. There are excellent opportunities for | | | | Language barriers and lack of teaching materials are |
| good money in Asia and the Middle East, and it has | | | | common complaints, and disinterested students can |
| become very popular during the financial crisis as a | | | | ruin teaching younger classes. Lesson planning and |
| convenient way to pay back debts such as school | | | | office hours can add work time past just being in the |
| loans and consumer credit cards. | | | | classroom, so it is vital to take the drawbacks into |
| Most foreign schools require that their English teachers | | | | consideration before deciding to teach in a foreign |
| have some form of certification, usually in the form of | | | | country, because contracts are often ironclad for one |
| a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults | | | | year. I am not discouraging potential teachers from |
| (CELTA) or Teach English as a Foreign Language | | | | trying their hand at it, just laying out the facts so that |
| (TEFL) certification. Courses for both certifications use | | | | informed decisions can be made. |
| a combination of in-class instruction and online | | | | To get a feel for what teaching in a foreign country is |
| resources, and some TEFL classes can be taken | | | | like, Daves ESL Café is the best website on the |
| entirely online. The cost of classes varies by company, | | | | Internet. Built by a lifelong ESL teacher, its forums are |
| but most that combine in-class and online portions | | | | full of teachers from all over the world, and they can |
| range from $1000-1200 USD. These certifications are | | | | tell you exactly how things really are where you are |
| accepted worldwide, and in some cases demand is so | | | | considering teaching. Recruiters and schools can |
| high only being a native English speaker is required. | | | | sometimes paint an unrealistic picture of the teaching |
| In most countries instructors have a lot of choice as to | | | | situation, so it is good to have an objective view from |
| what level they will be teaching to, be it kindergarten all | | | | the ground. |