| l dream of traveling the world, but it takes a certain | | | | lean towards hiring British teachers for the same |
| kind of person to be interested in a lifelong career in a | | | | reasons that Asia and Latin America hire Americans. |
| foreign country. If you've decided to teach English | | | | That isn't to say that Americans can't get teaching |
| overseas, you should be proud of yourself--you've | | | | jobs in Italy or France- it's just a lot more complicated. |
| chosen an extremely challenging and rewarding career. | | | | If you're determined to try, keep in mind that you'll be |
| Of course, choosing to do it is just the beginning. A lot | | | | required to go through the lengthy process of applying |
| of questions are going to crop up during the course of | | | | for work visas, which British teachers don't have to |
| preparing for the job, and the number one question will | | | | face. Members of the European Union can more or |
| most likely be: Where will you teach? | | | | less travel back and forth freely, making it much more |
| Some people go into this job with a country already | | | | simple and cost effective for them to hire British |
| chosen, and some don't. Whatever your point of view | | | | teachers. This also works the other way around. If |
| is, it’s important to try and keep an open mind. | | | | you're British and you dream of teaching in Mexico, |
| Because requirements in every country are often | | | | you might be facing an uphill battle. |
| radically different, you might have some trouble if you | | | | Some other areas are open to hiring native English |
| insist on teaching in one area. | | | | speakers from any and all areas. If you're hoping to |
| The truth is, there will be some limits on where you'll be | | | | teach in Russia, the Czech Republic, or surrounding |
| able to go. Some countries have great need of native | | | | countries, congratulations- they can use you, |
| speaking English teachers, and getting a job there will | | | | regardless of your accent. |
| be incredibly easy. Other countries have more | | | | Of course, we don't mean to suggest that finding a job |
| restrictions- and some countries don't need you at all. | | | | in your dream country is an impossibility. Just keep in |
| For Americans looking to teach English, the main areas | | | | mind that some areas are more prone to hiring you |
| open to you will be Asia and Latin America. The | | | | than others. It's also possible that a few years of |
| reason for this is because these areas are tied closely | | | | experience will put you ahead of the pack no matter |
| to the United States- Asia through economics, and | | | | where you're from. So teaching in a country that isn't |
| Latin America through geography. These countries are | | | | your first choice for a year or two might be the best |
| intent on learning English, and they much prefer the | | | | way to earn yourself a ticket to another position. |
| "American" English that you'll be able to teach. Jobs for | | | | If you're open to new experiences and you're careful |
| Americans are plentiful, and chances are good that | | | | not to get your heart set on one particular part of the |
| your college or TEFL program will have multiple job | | | | world, teaching English overseas can be a fantastic |
| listings and connections to help get you there smoothly. | | | | experience. Even if you're not sure how you feel |
| If you choose to teach in one of these popular areas, | | | | about where you're headed, chances are that once |
| the good news is you won't be going through the | | | | you get there- and become a real, honest-to-goodness |
| process alone. | | | | working citizen- the situation will quickly win you over. |
| If, on the other hand, you're an American who dreams | | | | After all, it's an adventure like no other- and not many |
| of teaching in Europe, it is possible- it just won't be so | | | | people can say they've done what you're about to do! |
| simple. European schools and language centers tend to | | | | |