Graduate's Guide To Teaching and Travelling Abroad

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Commissioned by:
!
A Graduate’s Guide to
Teaching English as a
Foreign Language…
With the job market still struggling to recover from the
recession and graduates finding greater employment
challenges than at any time in recent history, TEFL
offers you the chance to earn a decent wage, cut your
living costs, improve your employability… and have
an amazing time living and working overseas. With
the British Council estimating that more than one billion
people are learning English worldwide, the opportunities
for graduates are virtually limitless*.
*British Council Learning. August 2009. www.britishcouncil.org/learning-faq-the-english-language.htm
2
Contents
1 Opportunities
TEFL Opportunities for Graduates 5
Graduate Opportunities Worldwide 7
Worldwide TEFL Requirements 8
2 Training
TEFL Training for Graduates 11
Which TEFL Course is Right for You? 13
Online TEFL Courses 14
Classroom TEFL Courses 14
Combined TEFL Courses 15
Trinity and CELTA Courses 15
Grammar Quiz 16
Specialist TEFL Training 18
3 Finding Work
How to Find a TEFL Job 21
Creating a Good TEFL CV 22
Creating a Good TEFL Cover Letter 24
Finding Work Yourself 26
Finding Work With Recruitment Agencies 28
Types of Teaching Institutions 29
Arriving Overseas 31
How Will TEFL Help Your Career? 34
4 Destinations
Where Can TEFL Take You? 37
North Asia 38
South East Asia 43
Western Europe and the Med 47
Central and Eastern Europe 54
Central and South America 57
The Middle East 61
Africa 65
The Indian Subcontinent 67
TEFL Glossary 70
A Few Last Words 72
Some Space for Your Notes 73
3
1 Opportunities
1 Opportunities
TEFL Opportunities for Graduates 5

Graduate Opportunities Worldwide 7
Worldwide TEFL Requirements 8
4
TEFL Opportunities
for Graduates
As a recent graduate, finding a job teaching English
as a foreign language overseas is relatively easy. In
some cases you really only need the ability to speak
English fluently to find work.
In fact, people have been teaching English abroad for decades with nothing more than wanderlust and
their knowledge of the English language. However, over the last few years the market has become far
more competitive and school requirements have increased to the point where the vast majority of the
more reputable schools now require teachers with an accredited TEFL certificate.
So we’ve created this guide to tell you exactly what you need to know about the TEFL industry, the courses
available and the types of opportunities there are for graduates worldwide. It’s an up-to-date view of the
world of TEFL based on our experiences of teaching abroad and training other people to do the same. It
should serve as the perfect guide for the start of your TEFL adventure.
Enjoy!
Caption
aption
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1 Opportunities
5
“ Siobhan’s Story
Siobhan Torrens took an i-to-i
TEFL course after graduating. Her
course took her all the way from
Southampton to China…
I arrived here in China in October 2009, so I’ve

been here almost a couple of months now. This
trip started way back in May. I was nearing the
end of my dissertation which was about how
to teach programming when I decided that I
needed a break from computing. I love travelling
so I looked at jobs where I could go abroad. I
remembered thinking about teaching but I didn’t
want to teach in a school in England or spend
a year training to find out that I didn’t like it. The
solution was simple - I decided to teach English
as a foreign language.
”
Siobhan Torrens
stories at
Read more TEFL
board.com
www.tefl-chalk
1 Opportunities
6
Graduate Opportunities
Worldwide
English is the international language of business, politics,
science and communications. The British Council estimates
there are over a billion people learning English worldwide.*
About three quarters of these people live in non-English-speaking countries where TEFL courses are
accepted and qualified TEFL teachers are in huge demand. In other words, every country needs English
teachers - there are even foreign TEFL teachers in North Korea!
Europe Asia
200,000,000+ 300,000,000+
learners learners
South America Middle East

150,000,000+ 50,000,000+
learners learners
There are hundreds of websites dedicated to TEFL jobs. It’s estimated that there are over 20,000 new TEFL
jobs listed each month and one of the best known sites – eslcafe.com – can have over 2,000 listings at
any given time. As a graduate you’re in a great position to find work overseas and you’ll find it easy to
get working visas for some of the most lucrative TEFL markets in the world, such as the Middle East, Japan
and South Korea.
However, in some places the demand for TEFL teachers is so huge that many schools will employ teachers
with no teaching qualifications or degree. This does depend on the country, the school and the individual
employer – you may need to be qualified or degree educated to get a working visa in some countries.
Also, the question of whether you want to teach without some training needs serious consideration (see
1 Opportunities
page 11) as does whether you’d want to work for a school that has such low standards that they’d
employ a teacher with no experience and no training.
*British Council Learning. August 2009. www.britishcouncil.org/learning-faq-the-english-language.htm
7
Worldwide TEFL Job
Requirements
The list below gives you a rough idea of the regional
requirements for TEFL teachers looking for work
abroad.
Region General Requirements
North Asia Degree required and TEFL certificate preferred
South East Asia TEFL certificate required
Western Europe & the Mediterranean Degree and TEFL certificate required
Central & Eastern Europe TEFL certificate preferred
Central & South America TEFL certificate preferred
Middle East Degree required
Indian Subcontinent Degree and TEFL certificate required
Africa TEFL certificate preferred
English speaking countries Degree & CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL required

1 Opportunities
8
“ Rozel’s Story…
Rozel Le Cornu is an i-to-i Teach in
China intern. She headed East after
graduating and had an amazing
time…
Sometimes bubbles of joy and excitement just

cannot be contained and I begin to smile, or
jump up and down, or laugh – or all three
simultaneously! I get moments like this often
here, like just now, walking back from the school
canteen. I hear the cry of ‘Rozel!’ followed by
a small Chinese girl running towards me, arms
outstretched for a hug. Then after talking to her,
I continue walking to have one of my grade 3
boys literally hurtle towards me, hug me, take
my hand and then spin around with the biggest
smile on his cheeky face! Wow, I’m going to
”
miss this place when I head home!
Rozel Le Cornu
stories at
Read more TEFL
board.com
www.tefl-chalk
1 Opportunities
9
2 Training
TEFL Training for Graduates 11

Which TEFL Course is Right for You? 13
Online TEFL Courses 14
Classroom TEFL Courses 14
Combined TEFL Courses 15
Trinity and CELTA Courses 15
2 Training
Grammar Quiz 16
Specialist TEFL Training 18
10
TEFL Training for
Graduates
One of the main questions people ask about Teaching
English as a Foreign Language is ‘Do I really need a TEFL
qualification if I’ve already got a degree?’ And the simple
answer is no!
But a word of warning: although a TEFL qualification isn’t absolutely necessary for finding teaching work
abroad, having a reputable TEFL course does make finding work loads easier. And there’s a lot more to
TEFL training than just improving your employability and bumping up the wages you can demand.
Even a short 20 hour TEFL course will increase your confidence and give you some guidance on how to
manage a classroom, prepare activities and teach a lesson. Obviously longer TEFL courses will give you a
deeper understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching English as a foreign language
and give your students the level of education they deserve.
In conclusion then, even though it is possible to get teaching work without a TEFL qualification, if you have
one it’ll be easier to find work, you’ll be able to do a better job and you’ll be less likely to get caught out
by your own students when teaching them the intricacies of the present perfect tense!
2 Training
11
“ Niha’s Story
I graduated in 2009 but found it
hard getting a job, which led me
to i-to-i. I then decided to do a TEFL
course to gain further teaching
experience and to explore new
opportunities and challenges that
I might not get a chance to do
normally. I’m currently signed up for
the China Internship and I know that
it will bring me new prospects, new
friends and help me to learn more
about myself and other cultures. It’s
very exciting to know that a TEFL
course can take you anywhere in the
world, a chance that you might not
get in other careers.
”
Niha Chaudry
stories at
Read more TEFL
board.com
www.tefl-chalk
2 Training
12
Which TEFL Course is
Right For You?
Choosing the right course for you can be a tricky business.
There are loads of different course providers offering loads
of different types of courses. TEFL courses. TESOL courses.
Online courses. Weekend courses. Combined courses.
CELTA courses. Trinity courses. And with prices starting
from £160 and going all the way up to around £1,000, it’s
important you choose a course that suits your budget and
the type of teaching you want to do. So to help you find
the course that’s best for you, we’ve created this quick and
easy guide…
TEFL Tip
2 Training
As a rule of thumb, the more hours of study you do, the better your prospects of finding
work overseas!
13
Online TEFL Courses
Online TEFL courses range from cheap and cheerful 40 hour
courses all the way up to in-depth 120 hour courses that are
accepted by schools worldwide.
They cover all the key theoretical aspects of TEFL and offer loads of online learning resources, so they’re
ideal if you already have practical teaching skills. If you prefer to study alone and at your own pace, or if
you can’t make it along to a classroom TEFL course, they’re a perfect choice.
✔ Pros ✗ Cons
l Study whenever suits you l No face-to-face contact with tutors and other
TEFL students
l Inexpensive
l No teaching practice
l Study from anywhere on the planet
l There are some dubious online course providers
l In-depth theoretical study
so choose carefully
Classroom TEFL Courses

Short, classroom-based TEFL courses are ideal if you’re
looking for a quick taste of TEFL or just need a basic certificate
to improve your teaching CV.
They’re ideal for people who prefer to learn by listening and practicing in a classroom. With some providers,
you can upgrade this basic TEFL course to a more in-depth course by adding online course modules to your
classroom TEFL course. So if you catch the TEFL bug, you can improve your qualification quickly and easily.
✔ Pros ✗ Cons
l The best classroom courses are respected l There’s no official worldwide accreditation
worldwide body, so check the company thoroughly
l Meet TEFL tutors and other TEFL students l Course content can be superficial
l Can be a fun way to learn l No teaching practice with real students
l Can include peer teaching experience l Little attention to language and grammar
2 Training
analysis
14
Combined TEFL Courses
Courses that combine online and classroom TEFL training are
a great way to get a really comprehensive TEFL certificate that
will make it easy to find work overseas.
They combine the theoretical aspects of online study with the practical lesson planning and teaching practice
aspects of a classroom based course. Combined TEFL courses range from entry-level 40 hour courses all the
way through to really comprehensive 140 hour courses with specialist training and loads of extras.
✔ Pros ✗ Cons
l In-depth language and grammar study l No teaching practice with real students
l Practical face to face learning l There’s no official accreditation body, so check
the company thoroughly
l Up to 140 hours of study
l Meet TEFL tutors and other TEFL students
l The best ones are respected worldwide
Trinity and CELTA Courses

Cambridge Certificate (CELTA) or the Trinity Certificate in
TESOL provide an intensive introduction to teaching English
with a full-time four week course.
If you have four weeks spare and the money to pay for the course, these courses can be a good option,
especially if you are thinking of TEFL as a long term post-graduate career, want to teach in an English speaking
country or are interested in moving up the career ladder into management or Director of Studies positions.
However, if you’re thinking of heading overseas to teach for a limited amount of time, as a post university travel
experience or CV building exercise, a Trinity or CELTA course may not be necessary.
✔ Pros ✗ Cons
l High prestige l Very intensive
l Graduates can use it to teach in English l Very expensive
speaking countries
l Can be stressful
l Independently audited and accepted worldwide
2 Training
l Inflexible delivery model

l Practical teaching content
l You’ll need to take a month off to study
l Teach real students and get feedback
15
You’re Obviously Pretty
Smart, But How Good is
Your Grammar?
So you’ve gone to university and you’re obviously pretty smart. But
how much do you know about English grammar? Take this quick
test, and then check the answers on the next page to see how
smart you really are!
Instructions: Match the word in bold to its grammatical name by choosing a, b or c. Simple eh? Yeah right!
1 I live in a big house now. It’s the best house that 6 I live in a big house now. It’s the best house
I have ever lived in. that I have ever lived in.
a) subject a) adjective
b) object b) article
c) possessive noun c) noun
2 I live in a big house now. It’s the best house 7 I live in a big house now. It’s the best house that
that I have ever lived in. I have ever lived in.
a) adverb a) present perfect
b) verb b) present simple
c) adjective c) past simple
a) preposition a) superlative
b) article b) comparative
c) adjective c) relative clause
a) quantifier a) passive
b) adjective b) conditional
c) article c) relative clause
5 I live in a big house now. It’s the best house 10 I live in a big house now. It’s the best house that
that I have ever lived in. I have ever lived in.
a) adjective a) past simple
b) verb b) present perfect
c) article c) past perfect
2 Training
16
So How Good is Your
Grammar?
The Answers
1 a) subject
2 b) verb
3 a) preposition
4 c) article
5 a) adjective
6 c) noun
7 b) present simple
8 b) comparative
9 c) relative clause
10 b) present perfect
How Did You Do?

Less than 5 out of 10
Don’t worry, there’s more to teaching than knowing what a relative clause is, but you
should think about taking a short grammar course before you start teaching overseas.
You wouldn’t want your primary students knowing more about English grammar than
you, would you?
5 to 9 out of 10
Good effort. You’re pretty good at grammar, but you might want to consider taking a
short grammar course on top of your TEFL course to get you fully up to speed.
10 out of 10
You’re a grammar genius. The world of TEFL is missing out every day you’re not
teaching. Get yourself a TEFL qualification, book your plane ticket and get yourself a
teaching job as soon as possible.
2 Training
17
Specialist TEFL Training
A good way to make your CV shine and improve your
employability is to take a short specialist teaching certificate
on top of your TEFL course. There are short courses available
in everything from Teaching Business English to Teaching
Young Learners.
They’re a great choice if you’re hoping to specialise in a specific area of English teaching, such as the
profitable business English market. Take a look at the ‘Where can TEFL take you?’ section for more
information about which countries are crying out for people with specific types of specialist training.
There are loads of different specialist TEFL certificates out there including…
Grammar Awareness
Didn’t get a great score on the Grammar Quiz? This is the course for you!
Teaching Business English

A great introduction to the lucrative business teaching market.
Teaching Large Classes

Especially useful in Asia and the Far East.
Teaching Young Learners

If you want to teach kindergarten or primary kids, this is a great choice.
Teaching One-to-One
Useful if you want to make loads of money as a private TEFL tutor!
Teaching with Limited Resources

Especially useful if you plan to teach in South Asia, Latin America or Africa.
2 Training
18
“ Leigh’s Story
After graduating with a Bachelor of
Science and spending a year as a
laboratory technician, something that
I had hated from day one, I decided
there has to be something more. I heard
about i-to-i TEFL courses by chance
through a travel agent while I was
looking at options for a gap year. I
realised this could be a way of fulfilling
my dream of travelling to Eastern Europe
as well as being a viable career option!
With nothing to lose and everything
to gain, I threw myself at it and found
that it was a lot of fun and gave me the
confidence and tools to get out there
and do it. I start my new TEFL job in the
”
Ukraine in 3 weeks!
Leigh Turnbull
stories at
Read more TEFL
board.com
www.tefl-chalk
2 Training
19
3 Finding Work
How to Find a TEFL Job 21

Creating a Good TEFL CV 22
Creating a Good TEFL Cover Letter 24
Finding Work Yourself 26
3 Finding Work
Finding Work With Recruitment Agencies 28

Types of Teaching Institutions 29
Arriving Overseas 31
How Will TEFL Help Your Career? 34
20
How to Find a TEFL Job
There are loads of different ways of finding work overseas.
You can find yourself a teaching job from home, job hunt
while you’re in-country, or even sign up to a TEFL recruitment
agency and let them to do the leg-work for you. There are
pros and cons to each.
Search from Home

Sorting out a job from home allows you to get visas, travel arrangements and all the important stuff back
home sorted safely in the knowledge that you have a job lined up at the other end.
See page 26 for more information
In-country Job Searching

Looking for work in-country allows you to check out the area, inspect the school and meet other teachers
before you sign up to a contract. However, taking time to travel isn’t always possible and it can get pretty
expensive.
Using TEFL Job Agencies

This is probably the easiest way to get a job overseas, as long as you take the time to choose an agency
that is trustworthy and reputable.
TEFL Tip
3 Finding Work
Many employers choose their staff a few months before they’re needed, so most schools advertise
between April and July for jobs starting in September. So if you want to land yourself a job
overseas these are usually the best times to start looking.
21
Creating an Impressive
TEFL CV
There’s no such thing as a CV that works for all TEFL jobs.
You’ll need to create a basic template and then tailor it for
each application, so the CV meets each employer’s selection
criteria and works with your cover letter. Take a look at these
hints and tips for more in-depth information.
Make sure everything on your CV is relevant. Remove anything that doesn’t shout ‘I can do this teaching job
really well’. Keep it succinct and punchy.
• Use the same font as your cover letter. It creates a good impression – you’ve made the effort to present a
professional package.
• Start with your most recent qualifications and experience.
• Key skills should be nouns. For current responsibilities use verb+ing. For previous jobs use the past tense.
• Make sure you’re consistent with word forms and punctuation. Use full stops after all or none of the items
in a bulleted list – not just some of them. This level of care and consistency is especially important for an
English teacher. If your CV is sloppy, the employer will think your attitude and your work in the class will
be sloppy too!
Key resources
For TEFL CV tips:
www.tefl.net/esl-jobs/resume-tips.htm
For suggestions regarding tricky issues such a lack of experience:
http://susanireland.com/resumework.htm
3 Finding Work
22
A Great Example of a
TEFL CV…
RESUME
Janet Baldwin 412 Iseya-cho, Kamigo-ku Kyoto 602-0873
Telephone: 075-212-6342
Email: janet_baldwin999@gmail.com
KEY SKILLS
• Qualified and experienced TEFL teacher
• Coordinator of sports and activity programs
QUALIFICATIONS
2009 TEFL Certificate
i-to-i
Melbourne
2008 Bachelor of Arts (Major: History)

Monash University
Melbourne
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Jan-Jul 2009 TEFL Teacher, Universal English College, Kyoto
• Teaching Conversational English at all levels
• Teaching Business English to executives
• Organising out-of-class language activities
Mar-Oct 2008 Activities Officer, Student Activities Committee, Monash University

• Planned and managed sports clubs and events
• Designed promotional materials and checked for errors
• Completed records in a timely and accurate manner
Jul-Nov 2007 Freelance Tutor

• Tutored high school students in English and History
INTERESTS
Japanese language & culture; sport & outdoor activities
REFEREES
Professor Jane Scott Mr Tim Michaels
History Department Tutor
Monash University i-to-i TEFL Certificate
jane.scott@monash.edu.au tim_michaels_1978@hotmail.com
3 Finding Work
(+613) 9275 2978 (+613) 9352 3998
23
Creating a Unique TEFL
Cover Letter
Ready for the harsh truth? Most employers look at a cover
letter for less than 10 seconds! After that they’ve already
decided whether you’re a ‘maybe’ or a ‘definite no’! First
impressions are very powerful and the following hints and
tips should help you get past those all important first 10
seconds.
Hints and Tips for a TEFL Cover Letter

• Make sure that the cover letter includes the selection criteria in the job advert. These should be obvious,
if they’re not it may be worth emailing them to see what kind of training and experience they’re after.
• Use ‘Dear’ followed by the person’s name, and finish with ‘Yours sincerely’.
• Keep your letter short and to the point.
• Keep the language simple and clear (you will be judged on the clarity and precision of your writing).
• Be courteous and direct – there’s no need to beg. ‘This is an application for…’ is much better than ‘I
would really like to apply for…’.
• In business letter styles, do not punctuate dates, ‘Dear…’ or ‘Yours Sincerely’. Leave a line space
between paragraphs and do not indent the first line. The text should be left justified.
• Use a clean business like font, such as Arial or Verdana.
• Most importantly, check every word of your application at least three times. Then get a friend to check it
too. English teachers really shouldn’t be making errors in application letters, it just looks sloppy!
Key resources
Useful advice for letters and CVs
www.eltworld.net/blog/2009/04/6-simple-reasons-why-your-tefl-resume-sucks
For more ideas and the difference between post and email etc…
3 Finding Work
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobapplications/job_applications.htm
24
A Good Example of a
TEFL Cover Letter
Ms Sawako Wakita
Principal, Foundation English Kindergarten
3-2-6 Ogimachi, Kita-ku
Shinagawa
Osaka
20 July 2009
Dear Ms Wakita
This is an application for the position of English Teacher, as advertised on

www.eslcafe.com.
I am a qualified and experienced English teacher. I have an i-to-i TEFL Certificate, and
have been working for six months as a TEFL teacher at the Universal English College,
Kyoto.
In addition, I have designed and organised sports and activity programs. While at
university I worked for the Student Activities Committee, coordinating a number
of sports clubs for students.
I would be very grateful for the opportunity to discuss my application further. Please
find my resume attached.
Yours sincerely
J.Baldwin
Janet Baldwin
3 Finding Work
25
Finding Work Yourself
If you want to find work without using a recruitment
organisation you’ve got two choices: search from home or
look for a job when you’re in the country.
Finding Work Abroad from Home

Having a job sorted before you leave home obviously has lots of plus points. It cuts out much of the anxiety
of leaving home without a definite job lined up. It allows you to get your working visa. It gives you a little
time to get lesson plans and materials together. And it means you can get your accommodation fixed up so
you’ll have somewhere to lay your head when you get off the plane. There’s a list of resources on the next
page which should make finding a job from home a lot easier.
Finding Work at Your Destination

Although it can be a little stressful, many people prefer to do their job-hunting once they arrive in their
chosen destination. This allows you to meet the employer, check out the school’s facilities, check out the TEFL
opportunities in the area and get insider information from other teachers who are working out there. Most
employers recruit staff a few months before the courses start and advertise locally between April and July
for jobs starting in September. So you’ll need to do a reconnaissance trip around this time or just take your
chances when you land.
3 Finding Work
26
“
Daniel’s Story…
I took my TEFL course after graduating; I was stuck in a dull, well-paid
job, dreaming of doing something more exciting with my life. My sister
was teaching in South Korea, and a couple of months after receiving my
testimonial
certificate I went to visit her. I enjoyed visiting Seoul and seeing the lifestyle
”
that my sister lived so much that I flew home to quit my job and a month
later flew back to find a teaching position. I had several interviews with
schools and accepted a job on New Year’s Eve!
Daniel Deacon
Useful Resources
Newspapers and publications
Tuesday: TEFL Classifieds in the Guardian Education section
Thursday: Jobs pages in The Independent
Friday: The Times Educational Supplement
Recommended job sites

www.eslcafe.com
www.tefl.com
www.eslgazette.com
www.jobs.tes.co.uk
Information about jobs overseas

www.transitionsabroad.com
A quick word about job adverts

3 Finding Work
Pretty much all TEFL job ads state that TEFL training and experience is required. But that doesn’t
always mean that it is, so don’t feel too disillusioned if you lack TEFL experience. A well written
CV and cover letter plus an internationally recognised TEFL qualification can often soften their
selection criteria.
27
Finding Work with
Recruitment Agencies
There are loads organisations that can help you find English
teaching work overseas. They range from international
educational foundations, voluntary organisations and charities
to international language school chains and agencies that act
as recruiters for independent language schools.
Finding work through a recruitment organisation can make finding work with a reputable employer a lot easier
and a lot less stressful. However, it’s worth checking around to make sure that the recruitment organisation has a
good reputation. And because many of the larger organisations often require a top level TEFL qualification and
some teaching experience, they can be tricky to get registered with.
Useful Resources
Check any of the recommended job sites on the previous page, most of the top recruitment agencies advertise
on them.
Reputable Recruitment Organisations

www.onlinetefl.com/tefl-jobs-abroad
www.footprintsrecruiting.com
www.reachtoteachrecruiting.com
“
Paul’s Story… Tokyo, Japa
n
After graduating all I had was a degree with no idea what to do next.
By doing the 120hr TEFL course it not only meant I was now able to
”
teach English with the newly learnt skill and know how but also see the
world. I have been able to use my TEFL qualification and my degree to
get a job in Japan. My adventure has only just begun, who knows what
will happen now that the world is truly my oyster.
Paul Dixon
3 Finding Work
28
Types of Teaching
Institutions
As a graduate, there are lots of different types of institutions
and language schools where you may be able find work.
The following pages should give you a better understanding
of the kinds of places you could find work and the type of
work you could be doing.
Language Schools, Academies and Institutes

Language schools, academies and institutes are generally for-profit businesses. They can be small or large
with branches located in one city or several around the world. They are probably the most widespread of
institutions and the easiest places to find work. Most will require teachers to hold a TEFL/TESOL certificate
but might not require a degree. Such institutions do not always offer the best salaries but they are excellent
places to start: you’ll learn a great deal by teaching a wide variety of student age groups and by working
alongside more experienced teachers from around the world.
Summer Programmes
Summer programmes may be affiliated with a language school, academy or even a public or private
institution. Others are businesses that run only during the summer months and offer programmes both in the
students’ home country and/or abroad. These programmes are usually set up to offer English classes in the
morning and sports or social activities in the afternoon. Teachers are usually required to organise and take
part in these afternoon activities. These schools can also be residential.
International Schools
International schools are usually private institutions with a mixed population of both expatriate and local
children. Since these schools are usually accredited with different national and international educational
organisations or government offices, they may have stricter hiring policies. In most cases, they will require a
PGCE, QTS or State Board Teacher Certification for a full-time position. However, they may offer contracts
for part-time work or extracurricular English classes and in countries where there is a shortage of English
teachers a TEFL certificate will often be sufficient for a full-time teaching position.
3 Finding Work
29
Universities
Work at a university is usually better paid but harder to come by. It is often offered on a short-term or
course-by-course basis. Part of the reason for this is that most universities require higher degrees of their
university lecturers. And even these higher degrees usually need to be officially translated and evaluated by
a governing body before a longer term contract can be offered.
Service Schools
Service schools are for children of people in the military services (often primary and junior age). As these
schools usually follow the official curriculum of whatever country they serve, teacher certification is usually
required.
Expatriate Schools
Expatriate schools are schools run in a similar way to schools in the UK or the US. Like international schools,
they are usually accredited with national or international educational organisations and tend to have stricter
hiring policies.
Working for Businesses

Multinational companies such as British Petroleum and large banks like HSBC employ teachers and
language trainers, often on a freelance basis. Knowledge of and background in the company’s area of
expertise are often prerequisites for the job.
Private Teaching
Working for yourself can be very lucrative (as it’s often cash-in-hand) though it can be unreliable. Work is
found through word-of-mouth, local advertisements and recommendations. It is usually easy to find work as a
3 Finding Work
private teacher if you are in a place that lacks native English speakers and the demand for English is high.
30
Arriving Overseas
Once all the training, job hunting and organising is done
and dusted, it’s time to get packed, organise your going
away party, jump on the plane and head overseas. These
hints and tips should come in handy.
What To Take With You

The general rule when packing to teach abroad is to pack what you think you need, then get rid of half of it
and the chances are you’ll still be taking too much! The majority of things you need can generally be bought
when you arrive in country, so try to avoid over packing. Do some research on the area you will be living
in and make sure you only take clothes that are suitable for the climate for the time of year you’ll be there. A
good blog to check out for travelling light is www.onebag.com. Another tip is to make sure you think about
what is acceptable teaching attire. For instance, teachers in China are given a lot of respect, so make sure
you cover up and stick with neat, tidy outfits and you won’t go too far wrong!
A handy tip for teaching abroad is to be prepared! Take a notebook full of classroom activities and games
and the age groups or levels you think they are suitable for (a reputable TEFL provider should be able to
provide with a few of these). Flashcards, photographs and coloured pencils are also a few things that you
might find useful, and are still small enough to stash in your suitcase! One thing you might want to consider
taking is a laptop, which is not only a great way for keeping in touch with friends and family from back
home, but really useful for creating lesson plans and activities while you’re in country.
3 Finding Work
31
“
Asia in particular provides so many opportunities to teach abroad and
certain countries such as China and South Korea are really developing
now. I think they’ll be crucial in terms of the world economy later on, so
it’s exciting to think that we can get involved in that. I’d really recommend
testimonial
”
this career path to graduates, as it’s so easy for us now to get up and go!
What really appeals to me with TEFL is that you’re able to live somewhere
and actually meet local people and experience something a lot deeper
than a tourist’s perception of a place.
Kelly English
Culture Shock
Immersing yourself in a new culture and surrounding yourself with the unfamiliar can be unbelievably
rewarding, but if you’re not prepared it can also give you a nasty case of culture shock!
Knowing what to expect when you arrive can be the best way to protect yourself. So make sure you
research your country well before leaving home, whether it be learning some of the lingo to help you get
by or researching your local neighbourhood.
Once you’re out there, make an effort to explore the area and make new friends, you never know, you
might find someone else who feels the same way! If you’re feeling homesick, try to take it one day at a
time, things can only get better! Remember to stay in touch with people from home, take advantage of
sites like Chalkboard – the network for TEFLers abroad (www.tefl-chalkboard.com), and Facebook (www.
facebook.com) to keep in touch with friends and family. And if you’re feeling down, just remind yourself that
everyone’s just a phone call away.
Check out the following article for some more top tips:
http://www.tefl-chalkboard.com/travel-guides/181-How-to-Cope-With-Culture-Shock-While-Teaching-English-
Abroad
Visas
Where to start? There are more types of visas in the world than there are people living in China!
Well, maybe not quite that many, but the visa application process can be pretty complicated if you don’t
know where to begin. But don’t panic, your new employer should be able to guide you through the
application process.
Watch out! Any TEFL employer that recommends you work on a tourist visa is probably not a credible
employer, as this is illegal. There are thousands of TEFL websites out there, so make sure to check on the
internet for more information regarding visas and employers – the last thing you want is to be banned from
3 Finding Work
your dream destination due to working illegally!
32
Money
While there are some initial costs that need to be taken into consideration when planning your move, the
cost of living in most TEFL destinations will be a lot lower than at home. However, you’ll need to think about
the following costs.
Unless accommodation is provided by your school, you’ll usually have to put a deposit down, so make sure
you have enough money to pay around two months’ rent upfront. Don’t forget, you’ll probably need enough
money to get you by until your first pay day. If you work out what you might need to pay for before your first
pay check arrives, you should have no problems.
Meeting New People

Making new friends in a new country can be daunting, but putting in a little effort can make the world of
difference! Get yourself out there and visit local attractions, attend local events or join a group such as a
language class or a gym, all of which are great places to meet new people.
One way to make new friends is to tell your adult students that you don’t know much about the local cuisine
or what places you can visit in the area, then stand back and watch the invites roll in! If you want to make
friends with the locals, make an effort to visit local shops, restaurants and bars. The more you go to one
place regularly, the more chance the locals will start to chat to you. Try not to spend all of your time in tourist
traps, make the effort to try the local food and socialise in local bars… but don’t beat yourself up if you can’t
resist the lure of a Big Mac once in a while!
3 Finding Work
33
How Will TEFL Help You
When You Get Back
Home?
Teaching English as a Foreign Language after graduation
can improve your job prospects and give you loads of
transferable skills that are in demand in the domestic jobs
market. So, even if you’re not thinking of teaching as a long-
term career, spending time teaching overseas can be really
beneficial to your future employability.
Improve Your Communication Skills

When you teach overseas you’ll spend much of your time teaching in front of a class or preparing lessons.
This will improve your communication skills and your confidence in presenting to a group, both of which are
really useful in all forms of business. And because you’ll probably be teaching in a non-English speaking
country, you’ll also learn to communicate effectively with people who don’t speak your language - a really
useful skill if you’re planning on a career in multinational business.
A Challenge Like No Other

From the second you step off your outbound flight until the moment you say a tearful goodbye to your
students, you’ll be challenged almost constantly (don’t worry it’s not as scary as it sounds). You’ll need to
learn how to function in a foreign country, how to navigate your way around a new city, how to build new
working relationships and ultimately, how to survive outside of your comfort zone. If you write your CV
properly, future employers can’t help but be impressed.
International Networking
While you’re overseas you’ll cross paths with people from all walks of life: from foreign tourists and
backpackers to local businessmen, university professors and government officials. If you make the effort to
stay in touch, there’s every possibility that something may come of it. Life throws up all sorts of opportunities,
it’s just a question of recognising them and using them to your advantage.
3 Finding Work
34
Open New Doors and Broaden Your Horizons
Many people head off to teach for six months or a year and never come back: they find new opportunities
and follow a new path in life. i-to-i TEFLer, Robert Clarke, set off to Indonesia in 2009 for a one year
teaching experience. That one year has now turned into a whole new life abroad! He fell in love with
another TEFLer and has since then gotten engaged and now lives in Dongguan, China with his fiancé
teaching English in a public school! Don’t believe it? You can check out his story here: http://www.tefl-
chalkboard.com/robertclarke. You never know where TEFL may take you until you make that all important
first step, you could leave after three months or end up living on a remote tropical island having the time of
your life!
How Will TEFL Help Back Home

Imagine it for a second. You arrive in a small city in South East China for the first time. Everything is foreign.
You don’t know a soul for a thousand miles. You don’t know a word of the language. You’re not even sure
what to order in the local restaurant. Now jump forward a few weeks. That foreign city is now home. You
hang out with all the other TEFL teachers at your school. You pick up the evening newspaper for the old guy
who lives next door. You can order a meal and have a short conversation in the local language. And you’re
on first name terms with the family who owns the local restaurant. That is what teaching overseas gives you:
independence, resilience and the belief that no matter how big the challenge, you’ll do alright!
Improve Your CV and Impress Employers

A quick question! If you were an employer, whose CV would impress you more? A university graduate with
a 12 months’ unrelated experience in a junior role in the UK or a graduate who’s a fully qualified English
teacher with proven presentation and communication skills and 12 months’ experience of living and working
3 Finding Work
overseas? For most employers it’s a pretty obvious choice.
35
4 Destinations
Where Can TEFL Take You? 37

North Asia 38
South East Asia 43
Western Europe and the Med 47
Central and Eastern Europe 54
1 Opportunities
Central and South America 57

The Middle East 61
Africa 65
The Indian Subcontinent 67
36
Where Can TEFL
Take You?
With a degree and a reputable TEFL course behind you, there
are a virtually limitless number of teaching jobs available
around the world. Some of the most lucrative TEFL destinations,
such as the Middle East and Japan, require a degree,
and even those that don’t actually require one, look more
favourably on graduates.
The following pages will give you a pretty thorough introduction to the most important information about
teaching in all the key regions and each country within those regions. We haven’t talked about salaries and
teaching conditions as they’re likely to change over time. However, it is worth doing your research online before
you make a decision on where you want to teach.
Asia
ica
Afr
4 Destinations
S. America
37
North Asia
China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan
Why Choose North Asia?
l Possibility of saving money in Japan, South Korea,

Taiwan and Hong Kong
l Good teaching packages in China
(airfare, accommodation, travel bonus)
What Jobs Are There? l Private schools & universities

l Enormous demand in China and South Korea
l Not so much in Japan (after recession and the collapse of
Nova, the largest private English teaching company in Japan)
Times Jobs
What of Year?
Are There? l Private schools: year-round
l Universities: Japan/South Korea/Taiwan – before start of
semester in Aug/Feb, China/HK – before start of semester in
Sep/Feb
Challenges Solutions
l Conservatism l Don’t fight it - first impressions are crucial
(e.g. dress, respectful manner)
l Sexism l Status as teacher and foreigner helps
l Stories of badly managed schools l Do research (e.g. teacher forums)
l Stories of bad agents l No need for an agent, go to schools directly
4 Destinations
l Political sensitivities l Avoid them
38
China ’Ni hao!’
Types of Work
l Huge demand
l Government schools and ‘normal’ (teacher training universities)
l Private language schools (for adults, students and children)
l Chain private schools (English First, Shane, Wall Street etc)
l Lots of opportunities for TEFL certified graduates
l Foreign campuses
Conditions Official Requirements

Monthly salary: l Employment visa (Z Visa). Need visa notification from an authorised
Chinese employer
Hourly rate: l Degree preferable
Insider Information
Other benefits: l Such demand that schools may not require a degree – stress
your experience as an alternative.
Living expenses: l Many expats find work on a tourist visa and the school
arranges the employment visa while you remain in the country.
Hong Kong ’Lay ho!’

Types of Work
l Strong demand for teachers willing to sign one-year contracts
l Most demand at private schools with children
l Part-time teaching on top of a full-time job especially lucrative

Monthly salary: l Degree
l Working visa
Hourly rate: l Working holiday visa available for 18-30 year olds from Australia
Insider Information
Other benefits: l Anything to sell your expertise is useful – TEFL/TESOL certificate,
4 Destinations
experience with children.

Living expenses:
39
Japan ’Konnichi wa!’
Types of Work
l Demand for English teachers exists but less because of the
recession, and competition for work after the collapse of Nova
l Numerous private schools and chains (e.g. GEOS & ECC)
l Conversation classes
l Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g. while
working at a school)
l Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) when you work
as an assistant in a junior or senior high school (must have degree
and be under 40)

Monthly salary: l Work visa sponsored by employer
l Degree
Hourly rate: Insider Information
l Enter Japan on a 90-day tourist visa and look for work. Once you’ve agreed your
Other benefits: contract, your employer will arrange your work visa.
l We do not advise that you work until your visa is finalised, but many teachers choose
to, and schools may call it ‘training’. You then need to apply to an embassy outside
Living expenses: Japan (e.g. Seoul).
l You can enter Japan on a ‘cultural visa’ for study, which allows you to work up to 20
hours per week.
South Korea ’Annyong hashimnikka!’

Types of Work
l Huge demand for a English teachers
l Most work opportunities are teaching young children and adolescents
l Private hagwons (language schools) in cities
l Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g. while working
at a school)
l English in South Korea Program (EPIK), similar to JET, which places
native speakers in schools & education offices

Monthly salary: l Need E-1 Visa (for large schools) or E-2 Visa (as conversation instructor) sponsored
by employer
l Evidence of fluency in English (if you’re not from an English-speaking country)
Hourly rate:
l Degree
Insider Information
Other benefits:
l Most teachers recommend job hunting on the ground to find better schools and
4 Destinations
conditions.
Living expenses:
40
Taiwan ’Ni Hao!’
Types of Work
l Huge demand for teachers willing to sign one-year contracts
l Most work is with children in private language schools and cram
schools. Seem willing to sponsor teachers
l Government schools often advertise

Monthly salary: l Working & residency permit, only obtainable with a one-year contract
l Bachelor’s degree with TEFL/TESOL certificate
Hourly rate: l Passports only from English-speaking countries
Insider Information
Other benefits: l You can enter on a 60-day Visitor Visa, and then apply with a signed contract.
Living expenses:
Key resources
South Korea
China
www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea
www.eslcafe.com/jobs/china www.hiteacher.com
www.tefljobs.cn www.worknplay.co.kr
Hong Kong Taiwan
www.hkjobs.com www.eslisland.com
Japan www.englishintaiwan.com
www.eltnews.com
www.jobsinjapan.com
4 Destinations
41
“ Honor’s Story
When I first decided to teach in China, I wasn’t
thinking about how it would boost my future
career. The idea of experiencing life in a different
culture and meeting lots of new people was
enough to sell a few months in the People’s
Republic to me.
But in between the teaching and exploring,
something rather unexpected happened: I
managed to massively boost my confidence,
public speaking and communication skills, not
to mention just grow up a bit. And although I
realised teaching wasn’t the long-term career for
me (I’m way to impatient!), the skills I gained have
stayed with me, and my time in China never fails
to impress employers. They like that I’ve worked
(and survived) in another country, as well as
the fact that it’s made me a more rounded and
independent individual. I reckon it was certainly
”
the deciding factor with my current employer.
Honor Baldry
4 Destinations
42
South East Asia
Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam
Why Choose South East Asia?

l Low cost of living
l Relaxed lifestyle
l Many countries allow foreigners to stay up to 90 days without a
visa
l Students respect teachers and see the value of education, so
class management is rarely a problem
l Travel opportunities
What Jobs Are There? l Many jobs in private schools (but lower pay than North Asia)
l Jobs available teaching all ages of students
NB It’s very difficult to find work in The Philippines and the Indian Subcontinent
(as most students learn English at school). Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei source
teachers from Britain through official channels
Times of Year? l Year-round, especially school holidays, when many secondary

and university students take extra English classes (Thailand mid-
Mar to mid-May)
l Schools may insist on a British or American accent l Sell your different accent as ‘international’
l First impressions are very important – bad for l Dress smartly with a professional resume and
teachers to lose face references
4 Destinations
43
Indonesia ’Selamat siang!’
Types of Work
l Medium demand
l English First chain schools
l Otherwise largely ‘back-street’ private schools

Monthly salary: l No degree required
l Tourist visa is 90 days max
Hourly rate: l For longer work and stay (VITAS) permit you need sponsorship
l Passports only from English-speaking countries
Other benefits: l TEFL course very useful
Insider Information
Living expenses: l Authorities are very strict about visa regulations.
l However, schools like English First generally arrange VITAS for you.
Thailand ’Sawatdi krap! Sawatdi ka!’

Types of Work
l Strong demand, especially in cities other than Bangkok e.g.
Hat Yai, Chiang Mai and Songkhla
l Chain schools
l Small private schools
l Many opportunities with universities, teachers’ colleges and
private business colleges
l Private tutoring (especially after making contact, e.g while
l Most schools source teachers locally rather than arranging jobs
in advance

Monthly salary: l Degree and TEFL certificate
l Teacher’s license, working permit, and one year working visa
l For work at a university/college, you need a bachelor’s degree in Education + Thai
Hourly rate: cultural awareness course OR any bachelor’s degree + Thai education exam
Insider Information
Other benefits: l Many EFL teachers in Thailand teach on a tourist visa but this is illegal and there is
threat of a crackdown.
4 Destinations
l Universities and larger language schools might apply for a work permit for teachers
Living expenses: willing to sign one-year contracts.visa while you remain in the country.
44
Vietnam ’Chao ong! Chao ba!’
Types of Work
l Strong demand
l Universities
l Chain schools e.g. ILA
l Many small private schools, often specialising in business English,
TOEFL etc
working at a school). Lucrative with children of expats from
Japan, South Korea etc

Monthly salary: l Degree in any field
l Sponsorship from employer for work visa
l Tourist visas can be changed easily to work visas in-country.
Other benefits:
Living expenses:
Key resources
Indonesia
www.eslbase.com/jobs/indonesia
Thailand
www.esl-teachers.net
www.ajarn.com
Vietnam
www.eslbase.com/jobs/vietnam 4 Destinations
45
“ Gareth’s Story
“I have no regrets about deciding to teach in
Thailand at all, it’s the best thing I ever did!!”
It’s 7pm on a Sunday evening in Bangkok. I’ve had quite

possibly the easiest week of my entire working life, I’m about
to pour myself a nice whiskey and coke and I’m going to sit on
my balcony trying my best to write something interesting that
will hopefully stir up some interest in you about this amazing
place.
My name is Gareth, I’m twenty-four years old and I’m a
kindergarten teacher in Bangkok. Why did I decide to
leave England to teach English in a far-flung corner of the
planet? Imagine the scene: recently graduated from Lancaster
University; I’ve studied hard my whole life; I did well in school,
college and university and now I find myself sat in my second
9-5 telesales job in the space of four months selling insurance,
possibly the dullest thing a person can buy. That was not
where I envisaged myself when I graduated. I had two
options: I could stay in the telesales job whilst looking for some
dream job to come along in rainy Bolton (during an imminent
recession); or I could get out there and make the most of
the fact that I was still young, I had no major commitments
keeping me where I was (kids, mortgage, wife etc) and there
”
was a whole world out there that needed to be seen…
Gareth Openshaw
Gareth's blog
Read the rest of
lkboard.com
at www.tefl-cha
4 Destinations
46
Western &
Mediterranean Europe
France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain,
Switzerland, Turkey
Why Choose Western & Mediterranean Europe?
l High salaries (esp. Northern Europe)

l Cosmopolitan lifestyle
What Jobs Are There? l Many chain schools (e.g. Berlitz, Wall Street, International
House)
l Summer schools (but this is now hard to get a hold of)
l Universities
l Freelance work (esp. for companies/private tutoring), often via an
agency – useful to have contacts and to know the language
Times of Year? l Private schools/freelancing: year-round, but peak in most

countries Sep/Oct
l Summer schools in Mediterranean: Jul-Aug
l University: depends on country’s academic year
l Very difficult for non-EU passport holders as l Working holiday visas for 18-30 year-olds (from
workplaces are reluctant to sponsor them (employer Australia, NZ, Canada)
must prove no EU national is suitable) l Student visas often allow part-time work
l Employers (esp. in Mediterranean) may offer cash- l Build relationships with potential employers when
in-hand with no work permit visiting for other purposes (e.g. during a holiday)
l Strict requirements regarding qualifications & l Be very cautious of employers offering you cash-in-
4 Destinations
experience hand – you may be exploited, and if you are caught

l High cost of living (and housing rarely supplied) it’s big trouble
l Worth considering other options if you haven’t got
any qualifications or experience
l Teachers often combine one main job with freelancing
47
France ’Bonjour Madame! Bonjour Monsieur!’
Types of Work
l Private language schools
l University language centres

l EU nationals preferred
l Business qualifications and/or experience is useful
Other benefits:
Living expenses:
Germany ’Guten Tag!’

Types of Work
l Agencies delivering corporate work
l Language assistants in government schools
l Adult education courses

l Specific requirements for different states
Hourly rate: l EU nationals preferred
Insider Information
Other benefits: l It’s easier to find work than it looks.
4 Destinations
Living expenses:
48
Greece ’Geia sou!’
Types of Work
l Frontisteria (secondary cram schools)

l EU nationals or teachers from Greek background preferred
Hourly rate: l Certificate of Proficiency in English
l Application for work permit must be in applicant’s country of residence (can be a slow
Other benefits: process)
Insider Information
Living expenses: l Most teachers say it is better to look for work on the ground in Greece and then leave
the country to apply officially.
Italy ’Buon Giorno!’

Types of Work
l Chain schools

Hourly rate: l Work permits for non-EU nationals now almost impossible
Insider Information
Other benefits: l Many teachers work illegally but this is very risky.
4 Destinations
Living expenses:
49
Portugal ’Ola!’
Types of Work
l Frontisteria (secondary cram schools)

Insider Information
Hourly rate: l Because of demand, a degree may not be necessary. When you find a teaching job
you can apply for permits locally.
Other benefits:
Living expenses:
Spain ’ ! Buenos d’as!’

Types of Work
l Boom for teaching adults has passed
l Private language schools (but most unwilling to arrange official
permits and will pay you cash)
l Growing area: pre-school and children

Monthly salary: l No degree required
Hourly rate: l Application for work permit must be in applicant’s country of residence (can be a
slow process)
Insider Information
Other benefits:
l Many teachers work illegally but this is very risky.
4 Destinations
Living expenses:
50
Switzerland ’Guten Tag! Bonjour! Buon giorno!’
Types of Work

l CELTA/TEFL + teaching experience
Hourly rate: l EU nationals preferred
Insider Information
Other benefits: l The law is strictly enforced.
Living expenses:
Turkey ’Merhaba!’
Types of Work
l Strong demand (especially for evening and weekend work
teaching adults)
l Many private language schools
l Chain schools
l Colleges/universities (require MA)

l Work permit
l Schools rarely help with work permits.
Other benefits: l Many teachers are on 3-month tourist visas, which is illegal.
4 Destinations
Living expenses:
51
Key resources Portugal
http://www.lisbon-guide.info/facts_visitor/
France working
www.tefljobsinfrance.com Spain
Germany www.eslbase.com/jobs/spain
www.tesall.com/germany.html Switzerland
Greece http://www.jobsabroad.com/Switzerland.cfm
www.tefl.edu.gr/faq.htm#a9 Turkey
Italy turkeyjoblink.com
jobstefl.com/esljobsitaly.asp
4 Destinations
52
“ A Spanish
TEFL Interview:
Emma Ryan
Why did you decide to start teaching English?
After nearly 20 years as a civil servant, I realised that I was
entirely unfulfilled and was looking for a challenge. I’d always
enjoyed training and teaching, and I love languages. It seemed
like the obvious combination of my passions.
Did you do a TEFL course before you started
teaching?
I took the weekend TEFL initially, with the intention of doing the
full one, once I had the time though, as yet, I haven’t actually
done so! What I learned on my weekend course has been
invaluable, though.
How are you finding the experience of teaching in
Spain?
I honestly don’t have a bad thing to say about it. Madrid is a
fantastic city, easy to live in, friendly, reasonably cheap and
teaching here has been great fun.
What would be your advice for someone thinking
of teaching in Spain?
Do it! Come here with no pre-conceived ideas, and throw
”
yourself into it wholeheartedly. You won’t be disappointed.
Getting in with a school or an academy is probably the best
way to do it, though private students have their advantages
too, so don’t discount anything. You will find the Spanish to
be welcoming, friendly and enthusiastic and, with English fast
becoming the “must-have” ability for their jobs, you’ll find that
being a native speaker makes you very, very popular!
4 Destinations
53
Central &
Eastern Europe
Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia
Why Choose Central & Eastern Europe?

l Good lifestyle with cafes, nice food, beer and wine
What Jobs Are There? l Many private language schools

l Strong demand for teachers outside the big centres (i.e. Prague
and Budapest) and especially in the former USSR
l Business/technical English with corporate clients (through a
school or as a freelancer)
Times of Year? l Year-round, but especially winter when tourist teachers return
home
l In much of the region, standard of living is low, so l Supplement school salary with freelancing
you’ll receive low salaries
l Be professional (in appearance and approach to
l Locals have high expectations of teachers and are teaching)
wary of foreign hooligans
l Specialise (e.g. in English for Business or IT/
l Competition – lots of British and American teachers, network with other teachers)
4 Destinations
especially in Prague
54
Czech Republic ’Dobry den!’
Types of Work
l Chain schools
l Freelancing with companies
l Lots of opportunities in provinces, but stiff competition in Prague
l Lots of stories of badly managed schools – do some research

Monthly salary: l Any bachelor’s degree (but TEFL helps)
l Work permit
l Where demand is strong (e.g. small cities), a degree may not be necessary and
Other benefits: schools will arrange paperwork.
Living expenses:
Hungary ’Jo napot k’vanok!’

Types of Work
l There’s demand but language schools rarely provide full-time
work – many teachers need to work at several schools
l Chain schools

Monthly salary: l Most schools say TEFL/TESOL certificate + year’s teaching experience
l Work permit
l Smaller schools find it difficult to get teachers. Degrees may not be necessary and
schools will arrange paperwork
Other benefits:
4 Destinations
Living expenses:
55
Russia ’Zdravstvuitye!’
Types of Work
l Chain schools
l Strong demand for business English. Private schools send
teachers to client’s workplace

Monthly salary: l Most schools say degree + CELTA
l Work permit
l Demand for teachers is so strong that many schools will hire native speakers without
Other benefits: qualifications.
l Good references are as important as qualifications.
Living expenses:
Key resources
Czech Republic Russia
www.eslbase.com/jobs/czech-republic www.englishfirst.com/trt/esl-jobs-in-russia.html
Hungary
http://www.esljobs.com/teach-english/hungary
4 Destinations
56
Central &
South America
Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico
Why Choose Central & South America?

l Slower pace of work
l Colour & excitement
What Jobs Are There? l Many private schools

l Universities & colleges (better conditions but may be strict with
qualifications)
l Companies may employ English teachers (for Business/
Technical English) directly
Times of Year? l Private schools: year-round, but especially autumn

l Universities: school year generally starts at the end of March
l Low pay, rarely with accommodation l Latin America is for lifestyle, not making money
l Security l Act sensibly
B once you start working at a school, it’s often possible to

N
negotiate a higher salary
4 Destinations
57
Brazil ’Ola!’
Types of Work
l Chain schools
l Government schools

Monthly salary: l Bachelor’s degree
l Degree
l There are a lot of Brazilian students studying in English-speaking countries. Ask them
Other benefits: for recommendations and contacts.
Living expenses:
Chile ’ ! Buenos d’as!’

Types of Work
l Private language schools, especially in Santiago
l Chain schools

Monthly salary: l Bachelor’s degree
l Need signed contract for work visa
l Most teachers start teaching on a 3-month tourist visa (which is illegal but
widespread) while they look for a longer-term contract which will get them a year-
Other benefits:
long work visa.
4 Destinations
Living expenses:
58
Costa Rica ’ ! Buenos d’as!’
Types of Work
l Chain schools

Monthly salary: l Only bachelor’s degree required if you undergo an interview in person
l If apply from offshore, you need a bachelor’s degree and TEFL/TESOL certificate
l Making contact in person is effective.
Other benefits:
Living expenses:
Mexico ’ ! Buenos d’as!’

Types of Work
l Strong demand because of NAFTA (North American Free Trade
Agreement)
l Chain schools

Monthly salary: l TEFL/TESOL certificate
l No degree required
Hourly rate: l Need a sponsor for work visa
Insider Information
Other benefits: l Some private language schools will take teachers with the certificate only, while
others require nothing more than native-level fluency.
4 Destinations
l Schools often prefer to interview teachers in person. Many positions are never
Living expenses:
posted online.
59
Key resources Costa Rica
www.escapeartist.com/efam/64/Teaching_
Brazil English_In_Costa_Rica.html
www.eslbase.com/jobs/brazil Mexico
Chile www.teachenglishinmexico.com
www.teachingchile.com
4 Destinations
60
The Middle East
Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Why Choose The Middle East?
l Can be highly lucrative. May be tax free. Often accommodation

is supplied and free schooling for children
l Sponsoring schools arrange all paperwork
l Longer contracts 2-3 years (but only 1 year in Saudi)
What Jobs Are There? l Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and
Jordan have the highest demand
l Most jobs through colleges & universities
Times of Year? l Sep/Oct is the start of the academic year in most countries
l Laws are strictly enforced (e.g. no pork or alcohol is l These laws are no joke! You have to accept them
allowed in Saudi) before accepting a job
l Strict social ‘rules’, especially in Saudi Arabia l Again, you have to accept this if you want to live
& Kuwait – e.g. no public display of affection there
between a man and a woman, no discussion of l Many jobs ask for a male or a female teacher,
family members in class, no reference to decadent depending on the gender of students – both men
4 Destinations
behaviours in class and women will receive respect in a teaching

l Sexism context
l Anti-Semitism l Israeli passports and teachers with ‘Jewish’ sounding
names may be refused a visa
61
Jordan ’Marhaba!’
Types of Work
l Colleges & universities
l Private schools

Monthly salary: l Generally a degree is required
l Must be sponsored
l The law is strictly enforced.
Other benefits:
Living expenses:
Kuwait ’Salaam!’
Types of Work
l Some foreign institutes

Monthly salary: l Generally a degree is required
l Must be sponsored
Other benefits:
4 Destinations
Living expenses:
62
Saudi Arabia ’As-salam alaykum!’
Types of Work
l The demand for native-English speaking males is strong.
Colleges offer high tax-free salaries, free transportation and
accommodation, along with other perks
l You will have to organise a job before going there because there
are no tourist visas for Saudi Arabia

l Must be sponsored
Other benefits:
Living expenses:
UAE ’ Aahlan wa sahlan!’

Types of Work
l Private schools

l Must be sponsored
Other benefits:
4 Destinations
Living expenses:
63
Key resources Saudi Arabia
www.jobsabroad.com/SaudiArabia.cfm
Jordan
UAE
www.esljobs.com/teach-english/jordan/
www.eslbase.com/jobs/uae/
Kuwait
www.esljunction.com/TEFL/TEFL_Jobs_Kuwait.
html
4 Destinations
64
Africa
Egypt, Sudan
Why Choose Africa?

l Volunteering is very fulfilling work – teachers report Africa is
‘life-changing’
l You are directly helping people in difficult circumstances
l Sense of adventure
l Because of lack of resources, Africa will quickly develop a
teacher’s skills & creativity
What Jobs Are There? l Demand for volunteer teachers is very high
l Some international schools are present, but the requirements
for qualifications & experience is very strict
Times of Year? l Year-round
l Very few well-paid teaching positions in Africa l Do not consider Africa for making money
l Difficult living conditions l This will be a meaningful experience – just have
realistic expectations
l Hard to get work permits in many countries
(employer needs to show no local can do the job l Volunteering is a much easier option
and there are many high-level English speakers in
l Learn about possible classroom activities with
4 Destinations
Africa)
limited resources – check out any training courses
l Lack of teaching resources that specialise in this
l Security (crime and terrorism) l Act sensibly
65
Egypt ’ Aahlan wa sahlan!’
Types of Work
l Private schools
l Volunteers for various international organisations
l Foreign institutions like the American University in Cairo and the
International Language Institute Heliopolis

Monthly salary: l Work permit & work visa (school arranges) before arriving
Insider Information
Hourly rate: l Making contact in person is effective.
Other benefits:
Living expenses:
Sudan ’Salaam aleikum!’

Types of Work
l High demand for volunteers through various international
organisations that work directly with Sudanese institutions

Monthly salary: l Work permit plus letter of recommendation
Insider Information
Hourly rate: l Ensure you are emotionally prepared if you’re volunteering – as much of the
population is below the poverty line.
Other benefits:
4 Destinations
Living expenses:
66
The Indian
Subcontinent
India, Nepal
Why Choose The Indian Subcontinent?

l Culturally exciting
l Cities like Mumbai are booming
l You can directly help people in difficult circumstances
What Jobs Are There? l Volunteering

l Niche jobs such as accent modification
Times of Year? l Year-round
l Paid jobs are scarce. There are many local English l Have a point of difference – e.g. Business English
teachers – English is a national language in India – experience
and many foreign teachers looking for work
Low salaries
l
l
Be emotionally prepared
l Poverty & crowded conditions
4 Destinations
67
India ’Namaste!’
Types of Work
l Strong demand for volunteers
l Business English
l Interesting work such as accent training for call centres

l Work permit for paid work
l Most teachers are volunteers and have entered on a tourist visa.
Other benefits: l Not many paid positions are advertised on the internet. You generally need to be on
the ground and look for opportunities. To get a work permit you need a letter from
your employer.
Living expenses:
Nepal ’Namaste!’
Types of Work
l Strong demand for volunteers
l Short-term work at private schools
l Interesting work such as teaching at monasteries

Monthly salary: l Work permit for paid work
Insider Information
Hourly rate: l Most teachers are volunteering and have entered on a tourist visa.
l Established schools may help you get a work permit.
Other benefits:
Living expenses:
Key resources
4 Destinations
India Nepal
www.esljobs.com/teach-english/india http://www.tefl365.com/country/nepal
68
“ Jodie’s Story
I’m Jodie, I graduated from Birmingham Uni in July ‘09.
Whilst recovering from hip surgery and looking for jobs
I stumbled across TEFL. Never in a million years did I
imagine myself teaching in Thailand, but I’m going, in
May for 5 months. I’m super scared because I know
nothing about teaching, but im also really really excited
about going – this is my chance to do something
different and meet loads of new people and I cannot
wait to meet fellow TEFLers and travellers. I’m hoping
to save enough to do a bit of travel afterwards as well,
this is the reason for the one way ticket! I am 21, live
in Kidderminster and I absolutely must have something
to keep me occupied all of the time as im very easily
bored. I work full time as an administrator but I fill any
free time with aerobics, gym, swim, reading and music,
but I am especially fond of a good old night out with
friends, partial to a drop of vino and love meeting
new and exciting people. Get in touch fellow TEFLers/
”
travellers - would love to hear about your experiences!
stories at Jodie Taylor

Read more TEFL
board.com
www.tefl-chalk
4 Destinations
69
TEFL Glossary
Communicative Classroom A classroom where students often interact and speak with other students
EAP English for Academic Purposes; teaching students planning to study at university
ESP English for Specific Purposes; teaching students in a specialised field,

e.g. engineering or health
General English English with no specialised focus
Ice-breaker A student-to-student speaking activity at the start of a class; also

called a warmer
Learner’s Dictionary A dictionary specially designed for learners
Methodology An approach to teaching (e.g. the communicative methodology

believes students should speak to each other in class)
Reference Grammar A book for looking up grammar rules
Teaching Practice A lesson a trainee teaches on a teacher training course
Test Preparation A course for students who are going to take an important test
Young Learners Teaching English to children
Language Analysis Examining the structure and meaning of language
Macro Skills The four primary language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking
Native-Speaker Someone who learnt a language from early childhood
Non-Native Speaker Someone who learnt a language after early childhood
CELTA The Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, run by Cambridge University
TEFL Certificate The entry level of qualification for the TEFL industry
TEFL Glossary
70
Chain School A school with a number of branches in different cities or countries
Diploma A higher level of qualification than a certificate; only required for positions of responsibility in a
school
EFL English as a Foreign Language; generally used to mean English for work or study
ESL English as a Second Language; generally used to mean migrant English
ESOL English as a Second or Other Language (used mainly in the UK); any English
teaching to non-native speakers
Split Shift A work schedule with a long break in the middle (e.g. 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the
evening)
TEFL Teaching English as a Foreign Language (used mainly in the UK); generally used to mean English for
work or study
TESOL Teaching English as a Second or Other Language (used mainly in the US,
Australia and New Zealand); any English teaching to non-native speakers
Trinity CertTESOL A certificate in TESOL run by Trinity College, London
TEFL Glossary
71
Are You Ready to Get
Started?
You’ve got all the information you need to get started as a
TEFL teacher. All that’s left is to make the decision and get out
there, so here’s a quick recap of the main reasons why you
should ditch the 9 to 5 for a while, get TEFL qualified and see
the world as an English teacher.
Five Reasons to
Get out There
1 There are more TEFL jobs than there are TEFL teachers
2 You can get fully qualified quickly and affordably
3 You’ll see the world and have a real adventure
4 You’ll improve your CV
5 There will still be plenty of time to spend nine hours a
day sat in an office… if you ever decide to come back
from teaching abroad!
A Few Last Words
72
Space for Your Notes
73
74
Join Chalkboard & Chat to Other
Graduates TEFLing Abroad!
Join i-to-i’s Chalkboard – the world’s first social network
dedicated to TEFL and you – and you can chat directly to
other TEFLers all around the world! You’ll be able to:
• Chat to other TEFLers about teaching abroad
• Get tips & expert advice on all things TEFL & travel
• Check out blogs, pictures and videos from TEFL trips abroad
• Get free teaching resources
• Find out how teaching abroad can help enhance your CV and career potential
Sign-up today at
2 Training
www.tefl-chalkboard.com
75
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TEFL Opportunities for Graduates 5

I arrived here in China in October 2009, so I’ve

South America Middle East

*British Council Learning. August 2009. www.britishcouncil.org/learning-faq-the-english-language.htm

Region General Requirements

North Asia Degree required and TEFL certificate preferred

South East Asia TEFL certificate required

Central & Eastern Europe TEFL certificate preferred

Central & South America TEFL certificate preferred

Middle East Degree required

Indian Subcontinent Degree and TEFL certificate required

Africa TEFL certificate preferred

English speaking countries Degree & CELTA/Trinity CertTESOL required

Sometimes bubbles of joy and excitement just

TEFL Training for Graduates 11

Classroom TEFL Courses

Trinity and CELTA Courses

l Inflexible delivery model

How Did You Do?

Teaching Business English

Teaching Large Classes

Teaching Young Learners

Teaching with Limited Resources

How to Find a TEFL Job 21

Finding Work With Recruitment Agencies 28

Search from Home

See page 26 for more information

In-country Job Searching

Using TEFL Job Agencies

2008 Bachelor of Arts (Major: History)

Mar-Oct 2008 Activities Officer, Student Activities Committee, Monash University

Jul-Nov 2007 Freelance Tutor

(+613) 9275 2978 (+613) 9352 3998

Hints and Tips for a TEFL Cover Letter

This is an application for the position of English Teacher, as advertised on

Finding Work Abroad from Home

Finding Work at Your Destination

Recommended job sites

Information about jobs overseas

A quick word about job adverts

Reputable Recruitment Organisations

Language Schools, Academies and Institutes

Working for Businesses

What To Take With You

your dream destination due to working illegally!

Meeting New People

Improve Your Communication Skills

A Challenge Like No Other

How Will TEFL Help Back Home

Improve Your CV and Impress Employers

overseas? For most employers it’s a pretty obvious choice.

Where Can TEFL Take You? 37

Central and South America 57

Why Choose North Asia?

l Possibility of saving money in Japan, South Korea,

What Jobs Are There? l Private schools & universities

l Political sensitivities l Avoid them

Conditions Official Requirements

Hong Kong ’Lay ho!’

Conditions Official Requirements

experience with children.

Conditions Official Requirements

l Possibility of saving money in Japan, South Korea,

Times of Year? l Year-round, especially school holidays, when many secondary

l High salaries (esp. Northern Europe)

Times of Year? l Private schools/freelancing: year-round, but peak in most

l Low cost of living

What Jobs Are There? l Many private language schools

l Low cost of living

B once you start working at a school, it’s often possible to

l Can be highly lucrative. May be tax free. Often accommodation