| Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), is a | | | | language of business and one of the three internal |
| term used to describe the teaching of English to | | | | languages used by the EU there is a high demand for |
| non-native speakers in a country where English is not | | | | teachers in Europe. Positions are available in both the |
| the first language (see ESL/ESOL/EFL/ELT, which | | | | private and public sectors and offer a good standard |
| explains the differences between the many acronyms | | | | of living for well qualified tutors. |
| you are likely to encounter in English language | | | | Teaching in Asia |
| teaching). It is possible for TEFL to happen within | | | | Hong Kong |
| English speaking countries, in language schools for | | | | As a former colony of the British Empire, the English |
| example, but teaching tends to takes place in a | | | | language is still very important to people in Hong Kong |
| student's native country. There, TEFL is used within | | | | and is taken very seriously. Graduates will find an |
| state school systems, private language schools and | | | | abundance of part-time teaching positions that pay |
| even by freelance teachers. Teachers can be either | | | | very well. |
| native or non-native speakers. | | | | Japan |
| Qualifications | | | | The JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) programme |
| There are institutions that provide TEFL certification | | | | offers teachers the opportunity to work as a teaching |
| across the globe, but there is no internationally | | | | assistant in Japanese schools. It is also possible to find |
| recognised independent accrediting organisation that | | | | employment in private language schools and |
| overlooks the issuing of these qualifications. TEFL | | | | universities. |
| providers tend to get their certificates accredited by | | | | South Korea |
| organisations within their region that are able to | | | | There is a huge demand for teachers in South Korea. |
| approve teaching qualifications. | | | | Employers are often willing to offer high rates of pay, |
| Finding Employment | | | | free accommodation and even cover the costs of a |
| Take a look at Jobs Abroad with i-to-i. More Info | | | | round-trip airfare in order to secure the services of |
| Wages Worldwide | | | | teachers. |
| As with all jobs a TEFL teacher's rate of pay depends | | | | It should be noted that the demand for teachers is |
| on length of service, experience and the employer. | | | | partly due to the terrible reputation that South Korea |
| There are other more specific factors that apply to | | | | has for exploiting foreign teachers. Be careful and find |
| teaching abroad, such as the threat of terrorism or | | | | yourself a school with a good reputation. |
| military action, duration of the teacher's contract and | | | | Taiwan |
| the economic status of the country. Do not always be | | | | Taiwan has a very well regulated and organised ELT |
| put off by what appears to be a low wage; it could be | | | | industry with a wealth of opportunities for qualified |
| enough to provide a high quality of life. | | | | teachers. Teachers can usually find employment in |
| The highest pay for teachers on short-term contracts | | | | private cramming institutes or 'bushibans' which teach |
| is in the Middle East. Demand for English classes far | | | | younger students for university entrance examinations. |
| exceeds the number of teachers so Taiwan, Japan | | | | The average wage is around $2000 USD a month. |
| and South Korea are all popular locations for travelling | | | | Thailand |
| teachers. | | | | Due to restrictions on foreigners taking up non-skilled |
| Be aware that in some countries it is possible to set up | | | | jobs in Thailand, teaching English is often the only way |
| private language schools without any restriction on | | | | to make money. Thailand does have a good range of |
| teaching standards or staff wages. Unscrupulous | | | | employment opportunities and although salaries are |
| businesses use these schools to exploit both teachers | | | | fairly low, people are attracted by the lifestyle. Recent |
| and students, so be careful and research any school | | | | controversy involving foreign teachers in Bangkok has |
| you are considering working for. | | | | led to the Thai authorities tightening visa and work |
| Teaching in Europe | | | | permit regulations. |
| Since English is widely regarded as the international | | | | |