Japan provides many opportunities for teaching English abroad
Teaching English abroad can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Some choose to take a year after college to teach abroad, travel and learn a foreign language before returning to their home country. Others make a lifestyle out of English teaching and choose new countries to teach in every few years. English teachers are required in nearly every country. Even in countries where English is the native language, teachers are in demand to teach to immigrants. Before you embark on this life-changing adventure, there are some items to consider when choosing your first country to teach in.
Instructions
1. Determine your financial needs. English teacher salaries can vary greatly from country to country. When looking at the salaries offered in different countries, be sure to check if the money you make will be enough to cover living expenses, or if you will be able to save some each month. Most countries will provide enough for you to live on in the country but not to save or travel. Others may offer salaries that are considered low by US standards but high compared to average local salaries, allowing you to create some savings. The International Job Forum message board on the website Dave's ESL Cafe can put you in touch with teachers currently working around the globe. There you can get specific answers regarding cost of living and salary expectations for specific countries and cities.
2. Research the credentials required for teaching. In certain countries, you only need to be a native speaker of English and have a college degree, though most countries will require a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate as well. More competitive countries that offer higher salaries and attractive benefits, such as some Middle Eastern Gulf countries will require extensive experience and a Masters degree. You can get an idea about relative requirements for different positions in different countries by looking at the International Job Board postings on Dave's ESL Cafe.
3. Consider the time commitment. Some countries offer summer teaching programs, though most English schools require a year's commitment from their teachers. Some schools require a two-year commitment. Many schools abroad offer in-school TEFL certification. You can go to a country you are interested in to receive your training. When the course is over you can decide whether you would like to remain in the country to find a job or use your certificate to seek employment elsewhere.
4. Consider the country lifestyle and language. If you wish to learn another language, living, working and immersing yourself in a foreign country is an excellent way to attain fluency. However, it's not a good idea to choose to live in a country if you're not interested in learning the native language. You will be frustrated by simple daily tasks and will only be able to make friends with other English teachers.
5. Take your travel aspirations into account. Do you want to be able to travel to many different countries, or are you content to stay in one place and immerse yourself in that culture? Japan, Taiwan and Korea feature rich cultural offerings in-country, but international travel can be expensive and time-consuming. However, Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Egypt, Morocco or Tunisia are located a few hours from Europe, Asia and other African countries, offering easy and relatively cheap travel to diverse cultures. Though it is difficult to impossible for American citizens to find legal employment in the European Union, some Eastern European countries regularly hire Americans. Working and living in countries like Poland or the Czech Republic will allow you to travel to many different European countries.
6. The country of Turkey offers excellent cultural and travel experiences
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