For an individual seeking to experience a different culture while earning a living and assisting students, the opportunity of moving to another country with the purpose of teaching English is an exhilarating venture. As there seems to be a global shortage of English teachers, this opportunity enables teachers to work, travel, engage in unique cultural experiences, and do impactful work abroad. This article addresses how to live abroad and teach English, how to go about it, and some strategies for success in this profession.
Why Choose to Live Abroad and Teach English?
The great majority of people who don’t seem to struggle with the option of teaching English overseas seem to have the common desire for some form of adventure whilst learning something new and growing while doing so. Listed below are some of the main areas which motivate people to take this step:
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Wander and Explore the Local Culture
Residing and working as a teacher in a foreign country allows one to explore it up close and personal. Unlike most forms of tourism which only touch the surface, teaching gives the chance to be an integral part of the community by providing a perspective on what the people, their traditions, and their daily lives are like.
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Career Progression
If you teach English overseas, it could be an added asset to your resume as it exhibits skills such as being flexible, being able to communicate with people from different cultures, as well as teaching languages. A number of teachers believe that their overseas learning experience helps them secure future positions in the education sector, business, or even international relations.
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Self-Development
Moving to a new country is a perfect way to create new situations that allow one to develop, be more resilient, and push oneself. According to a popular narrative, time spent working and living abroad fosters confidence and self-sufficiency, both important for personal and professional advancement.
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Shortage of English Teachers
A lot of countries tend to emphasize English Language learning so as to be able to compete in the global village and hence the demand for English teachers is very high. From Asia to Latin America, and parts of Europe and the Middle East, varieties of teaching jobs cut across all levels of teaching experience.
Getting Started: Qualifications and Requirements
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Education and Certifications
Bachelor’s Degree: Even if there are differences from one country to the next, a bachelor’s degree is usually a minimum requirement for any position that involves teaching English. Some regions may provide some leeway in this regard, especially in relation to voluntary activities or internships.
TEFL/TESOL Certification: A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate is strongly advised, if not obligatory. These programs give you basic and foundational concepts in teaching so that you can be confident enough to manage a class.
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Requirements on Experience
There are a number of entry-level opportunities that do not need any prior teaching, but it is usually helpful if you have absolutely some working experience in language tutoring or even volunteer teaching. For competitive slots, more so in overseas employment, some amount of teaching may be an added advantage.
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Visa and Work Permit
Work visa policies differ widely across countries. Please note, there are many countries with special visas for English teachers but make sure you note the specific requirements for that specific work visa. Schools or teaching programs often help in the visa application process.
Most Common Countries and Places to Teach English Around the World
For those looking to teach English however, they are theirs for the taking, and across all continents, each offering its own unique set of experiences as well as stories to tell. Some of the more sought-after regions include the following:
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Asia
South Korea: South Korea offers some of the best earnings and package benefits and this is the reason why it is so attractive to English teachers. EPIK (English Program in Korea) is one of the programs that provide working in public schools and other benefits such as accommodation.
China: One of the countries that have seen a high demand for English teachers, China allows its teachers to teach in private schools, public schools, and language centers. Common placement for these teachers is in large cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
Japan: One of the best and most popular programs for teaching English in Japan is the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program. English-speaking teachers in Japan are immersed in a conglomerate of cultures, exquisite food, and the old and new world.
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Europe
Spain: Spain is one of the countries that has several programs for public school English teaching assistants and enables teachers to experience living in beautiful places like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. One such exciting opportunity is Spain’s “Cultural Ambassadors” program.
Czech Republic: The Czech Republic is also classified as a country with a very high demand for English teachers and provides opportunities in schools and language academies. It is also at the heart of Europe making it a great starting point to venture into the continent.
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Latin America
Mexico: Learning English in schools has been gaining prominence in Mexico, which has consequently increased the need for teachers across the country, especially in cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara.
Chile: A great way to live and teach in South America is through the English Open Doors program by Chile which allows public schools in its country to have native English speakers as teaching assistants.
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Middle East
United Arab Emirates: The high remuneration packages on offer also compel teachers with good work experience to seek jobs in international and public schools in the country. However, for a foreign teacher to work in the UAE he/she must have almost all the documents and experience of having taught abroad.
Saudi Arabia: For teachers who are qualified, there are good documents to work in Saudi Arabia, and some may offer accommodation and flight tickets but one has to be ready to shift to a more orthodox way of living.
Difficulties Of Living And Working In A Different Society
Teaching English in a foreign land is a good opportunity but it has challenges too. Here are a few of these challenges that you should be aware of:
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Finding The Right Balance
It may take time to settle down in a foreign nation and what Americans may consider normal may not be the same in a foreign country’s institution, in fact, it may be the complete opposite. This may affect views in the classroom, to ease the transition one should learn their language and other cultural aspects.
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Missing Family Back Home
Especially during special occasions for family and friends, it can be tough being away from them. Finding new friends locally, using the internet to stay in touch, and participating in activities and social events in the locality can help one feel better.
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Financial Considerations
There are various degrees of financial burdens attached to teaching positions abroad, especially if one decides to travel. As such, planning one’s budget is more than crucial, and such decisions become all the more important in case one decides to move to areas with a high cost of living.
Tips for Success When You Live Abroad and Teach English
Learn the Local Language: Even the slightest effort in learning the host language enhances communication on a day-to-day level, shows an effort to integrate into the host culture, and opens up more opportunities for creating deeper relations with local individuals.
Be Adaptable: Every institution has its own set of rules, which means when entering a new classroom the students have certain expectations and it would be best practice to modify your approach in order to fulfill those expectations in line with the aims of the school.
Fellow Teachers Will Be Your Allies: Try to locate the local expatriate community, become a member of teacher associations, and teach other teachers. These communities form a valuable platform from which advice and experiences of dealing with various obstacles can be shared as well as socializing.
Be Aware of the Local Laws and Policies: Always remain aware of the status of your official documents such as the visa and the work permits among others. Due to the nature of some countries, work visas are strictly controlled which makes it imperative to keep regulations.
In conclusion
Deciding to move to a foreign country and work as an English teacher is a thrilling adventure full of new experiences, career advancement, and maturation. Regardless of whether your aim is Asia’s industrialized metropolises, Europe’s cultured habits, or students from Latin America, English teaching grants you the chance to achieve many things. It is evident that with patience, proper preparation, and flexibility, this career allows you to do good in society and travel in ways that few professions allow.
