| Depending on the country and the urgency of their | | | | Canada. Don't even apply to these unless you have a |
| need, there are many schools that will hire you to | | | | BA or B Ed, a TESOL certificate and a teaching |
| teach English if you have a degree from a recognized | | | | license from 'back home'. The good news is that, if |
| college or university. It generally does not matter in | | | | they do hire you, you will likely be paid a good deal |
| what discipline you earned your degree, but the | | | | more than regular schools. |
| preference is education or arts/humanities. Having said | | | | On the other hand, if you want to teach at university |
| that, you will find that more and more, schools are | | | | level, you need to have at least a master's degree. A |
| asking for a TESOL or other ESL teaching qualification | | | | Ph D is preferred. The rule is that the instructor should |
| in addition to a degree. Just look at the ads in the | | | | be at least one step higher than the students. Many |
| newspapers and on the ESL websites. The reason is | | | | aspiring teachers go overseas hoping to teach in a |
| because they want to be sure that the person they | | | | university. After all, it is perceived to be more |
| hire has received professional training in the area in | | | | prestigious than teaching in a primary or secondary |
| which s/he will be employed, namely teaching English | | | | school. Prestige doesn't pay the bills though. Universities |
| as a Second Language. It makes sense when you | | | | are aware of the prestige factor and, depending on |
| think about it because the reputation of the school is | | | | the country and the institution, salaries at the university |
| on the line. The have school administrators, school | | | | level can sometimes fall short of their regular school |
| boards, parents and governments to answer to if the | | | | counterparts. Remember that prerequisite qualifications |
| quality of their teachers is not up to par. It is particularly | | | | are higher, too. Oh, and your TESOL certificate is just |
| important if they receive funding. | | | | as valuable as a door opener at the tertiary level as it |
| Suppose two candidates with degrees apply for the | | | | is in Primary and Secondary. |
| same teaching position. Suppose one also has a | | | | Teaching experience also helps but for most regular or |
| TESOL certificate. Guess which one will be offered | | | | language schools is not a prerequisite. Experience |
| the job? Right - the one with the additional qualification. | | | | teaching within the country in which you are applying |
| It goes without saying that the better your | | | | will be seen as a big plus especially if you can bring |
| qualifications, the more a school will be interested. This | | | | good references to the table. |
| is to your benefit as well. The better qualified you are, | | | | My recommendation is that you get TESOL certified - |
| the higher salary you should be able to command. I say | | | | even if you are still working on your degree. You can |
| should because while it usually is the case, it is not | | | | usually accomplish this within one term. Your TESOL |
| always so. | | | | course tuition will be a good investment that will pay |
| For a normal primary or secondary teaching position, all | | | | for itself very quickly once you start to apply for jobs |
| that most overseas schools usually ask for is a | | | | overseas. If you have time before your planned |
| bachelor level degree. If you have a master's degree | | | | venture overseas, and a little free time, why not get in |
| or doctorate, it probably won't get you more money in | | | | touch with a local community center and see if you |
| a regular school. Naturally there are some exceptions. | | | | can do some volunteer ESL teaching? Check, but it is |
| International schools teach a full English curriculum: | | | | doubtful that you need a teaching license and this |
| British, American or Canadian. They are generally | | | | counts as teaching experience. It adds additional selling |
| accredited by a school in England, USA, Australia or | | | | points on your resume or curriculum vitae! |