| First, I will assume that you have completed college or | | | | and Commercial schools. These may be private and |
| university and earned a degree. If you don't have a | | | | offer a general curriculum in line with regular schools |
| degree and want to teach overseas, don't be | | | | but geared towards trades (technical) or business |
| discouraged. Read my article "How to Teach | | | | education. |
| Overseas Without a Degree". You should however be | | | | Universities - There are usually government run |
| at least 21 years old. | | | | universities and private ones. Before applying, you |
| This article is intended for people who want to teach | | | | need to find out if they hire foreign teachers. Some do; |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) in a country | | | | some don't. An email to the Dean will usually get you |
| where English is not the first language. | | | | an answer. |
| First, let's look at the different types of schools that | | | | Now, the big question...How do you find a teaching |
| hire foreign teachers: | | | | position? |
| Regular schools - These are sometimes referred to | | | | Step one - Whether you have a degree or not, you |
| as government schools and usually teach primary and | | | | should get TESOL Certification. TESOL is an acronym |
| secondary grades... possibly Kindergarten as well | | | | for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. |
| (K-12). Some hire foreign teachers, some don't. | | | | More and more schools are asking for this qualification. |
| Private school - These offer an alternative to | | | | The want to know that you have training in the |
| government schools but essentially teach the same | | | | specific area you are applying for. You may see some |
| subjects. They are usually good candidates to hire | | | | schools asking for CELTA. This is a British qualification, |
| foreign teachers. | | | | similar to TESOL but it focuses on teaching adults. You |
| Bilingual schools - Here some subjects are taught in | | | | need a wider qualification to start. You can earn this in |
| the native language while others are taught in English. If | | | | as little as a week, though a 100-120 hour course is |
| you can teach Math or Science, you have an edge | | | | recommended. Some immigration departments, |
| here. They are usually good candidates to hire foreign | | | | schools or school boards require this. |
| teachers. | | | | Step Two - Decide where you would like to teach. |
| International schools - These schools are usually | | | | China and South Korea have the greatest need and |
| accredited overseas (England, Canada, USA, Australia, | | | | so there are many, many positions available and offer |
| New Zealand) and subjects are taught in English. | | | | full package deals. If there is an embassy or consulate |
| Salaries are often much higher but the requirements | | | | near you, they may have a list of schools looking for |
| are tougher as well. They often expect a teaching | | | | teachers. They will also be able to tell you what you |
| license from 'back home'. If they follow a British | | | | need in order to go to that country for an extended |
| Curriculum, that usually means the UK, though they | | | | period. Most teaching contract are for one-year. Get to |
| may consider valid qualifications from other English | | | | know as much as you can about the country in which |
| countries. | | | | you want to teach. If you can, talk to or correspond |
| Montessori school - These schools specialize in | | | | with someone who has 'been there, done that'. There |
| teaching to young children. They are usually good | | | | is nothing like personal experience. |
| candidates to hire foreign teachers. | | | | Step three - Post your resume on as many ESL job |
| Language schools - These are private schools | | | | sites as you can. Search Yahoo or Google for "ESL |
| teaching English (sometimes other subjects, especially | | | | Job sites". That will keep you busy for some time! |
| computer skills). If you are a computer whiz, you have | | | | There are lots of them. For a good, all-round look at |
| an edge here. Many overseas teachers work at a | | | | what is available out there, go to Dave's ESL |
| regular school during the day and moonlight evenings | | | | Café at |
| or weekends at a local language school. There are a | | | | To summarize, 1) Get qualified, 2) Look at your options. |
| number of language school chains that operate in | | | | 3) Get your name out there where recruiters and |
| many countries. These schools definitely do hire | | | | schools can find you. It can happen quickly so be |
| foreign teachers. | | | | ready. |
| In some countries, there are also Technical schools | | | | |