| While opportunities for teaching abroad abound, there | | | | experience. Childless couples have a better chance of |
| are far more of them for individuals who have been | | | | getting jobs than those with children; couples with |
| certified through specific teaching programs. Most of | | | | children take precedence over singles without children. |
| the opportunities are available for those qualified to | | | | and single people with children have almost no |
| teach linguistics, communications, and cultural skills. | | | | likelihood of being hired. |
| Native English speakers who would like to start | | | | The competition for jobs teaching abroad at the best |
| teaching abroad can increase their chances of finding | | | | schools means that you will need an excellent resume, |
| jobs by completing the TEFL--Teaching English as a | | | | and be prepared to be active in extra-curricular |
| Foreign Language program; many countries are | | | | activities. If you have already traveled internationally or, |
| desperate for native English speaking teachers. | | | | even better, lived abroad for a while, and are bi-lingual, |
| Another program, TESL, or Teaching English as a | | | | your chances of getting a job will improve even more. |
| Second Language, will enable you to find employment | | | | You'll need to impress on your prospective employer |
| in countries where English is the primary language, but | | | | your love of children. |
| there is a significant non-English speaking immigrant | | | | Becoming An Ambassador |
| population. With both types of training, your | | | | And, if you are an American interested in teaching |
| opportunities for teaching abroad will span the globe. | | | | abroad, teaching English as a second language will give |
| You will have an advantage over those without | | | | you the chance to appreciate the cultures of the |
| certification, because your willingness to get formal | | | | country in which you are teaching. But it will also |
| training will be an indication of your motivation when | | | | expose your students to the American culture, and in |
| you apply for positions teaching abroad. | | | | that sense you will be acting as an ambassador for |
| The Competition Is Stiff | | | | the US. |
| Because there are many more applicants for positions | | | | Depending where you are teaching abroad, you may |
| teaching abroad than there are positions--some | | | | be able to travel to nearby nations and broaden your |
| estimates are as high as twenty candidates for each | | | | experience even further. You will not only give your |
| position at the better schools--overseas applicants | | | | students confidence in their English-speaking abilities; |
| need to have at the least a Bachelor's Degree and | | | | you will grow in your own confidence as an |
| teaching credential, with a minimum of two years' | | | | international traveler. |