Posts Tagged ‘travel’

How To Get A Job Teaching Abroad

Teaching abroad is an excellent way receive a pay check while you travel and experience another culture.   However, to do so successfully, you must have the right motivation.

You must have an interest in teaching, and interest in helping others to improve their lives, a genuine desire to understand other cultures and how they relate to your own, a desire to extend your own education, and a willingness to share your skills and knowledge, while adapting to and respecting another way of life.

To teach successfully abroad, you must have good communication skills, be a good listener, be patient, tolerant, open to new ideas, and be able to adapt to new situations, and new ideas.

There are literally thousands of  positions available for teachers abroad.  There are jobs in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

Before you make any final plans, consider your options.  In what country would you like to teach?  Once you have decided this, do some research on the country itself.  Learn about the history, the geography, the politics, the customs, the language, the living standards,  etc.  This may confirm, or question, your choice.  Once you have confirmed your choice, do more research, and learn some of the language.  Having even a rudimentary knowledge of the language will help to get the job.

Education

Most teaching jobs abroad require a college education.  The most preferable applicants are those with a teaching degree, however, any degree is an asset.  There are English Second Language courses available which are also a decided asset.  Teachers, and non-teachers alike should take a certified ESL course.  Some of these courses have a placement service.

In addition to a degree, the best qualification you can have is experience.  You may have already taught, but if not, you can get some experience as a volunteer English teacher for immigrants.  Contact your local volunteer organization to find out where volunteer English teachers are needed.

Most overseas contracts are for one or two years.  Before you make any final decision, ask questions.  Make sure you understand what is expected of you, when and where you will be living, when and where you will be teaching, and what your salary will be.  Your salary may be zero if you are volunteering strictly for room and board or, your salary may be excellent, but you may be required to pay your own living expenses, and live in a compound, deprived of the luxuries to which you are accustomed.  Make sure you understand exactly what to expect, and what is expected of you, for the life of your contract.

Once you have your contract in hand, pack your bags, and get ready for an experience that will definitely change your life.

After teaching abroad, you will find it easier to get a job here at home, or, you may decide to make a career out of teaching abroad.  Many have found this a successful and rewarding choice.

For more information on teaching abroad, and teaching in specific areas check out the following sites:

http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/

http://www.teachabroad.com/search.cfm