Teaching Abroad FAQ

The following guide will answer most of your Teach Abroad questions. If you don’t find what you're looking for here, email us and we’ll do our best to find the answer.

What are all these acronyms?
What qualifications do I need?
Where can I find a job?
Who will I be teaching?
How much money can I make?
This sounds like work. Who can help me?
Do I need to sign a contract?
Important questions to ask a prospective employer
Useful Websites

What are all these acronyms?
EFL – English as a Foreign Language. English as taught in a region where the native language is not English.

ESL – English as a Second Language. English as taught in a region where the native language is English, to someone whose first language is something else. In the UK, Ireland and New Zealand, ESL is called ESOL – English for Speakers of Other Languages.

TESL/TESOL/TEFL – The disciplines of Teaching English as a Second Language/for Speakers of Other Languages/as a Foreign Language. May also refer to various certificates qualifying one to teach in the respective area.

CELTA – Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. Issued by an institution affiliated with Cambridge University, this is probably the most widely recognized and widely obtained teaching certificate.

What qualifications do I need?
Most employers require a Bachelors Degree (almost any field is okay) to teach abroad. A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification is usually a good idea, but not always required. A TEFL certificate will certainly help you find work, and if you are considering teaching as a career, it’s a necessity. There are many different certification programs to choose from, but you should make sure that you get actual teaching hours to practice before you leave. The biggest thing you’ll gain is confidence in your teaching abilities.

To get credentialed, your options range from online certificate courses lasting a few hours to a two-year Masters in Applied Linguistics. Costs vary just as widely. Most teachers opt for a CELTA, which takes four weeks of intensive study or a few months part-time, and costs about $2,500 (tuition varies according to location). Some CELTA schools, such as Bridge-Linguatec Language Services, will offer free, guaranteed job placement for their students, which can very helpful for a novice teacher.

Most programs prefer all instruction to be conducted in English, so local language ability isn’t an absolute necessity. However, a few key words can be most helpful at the market, in the bars, and in front of the police.

Where can I find a job?
Jobs can be found anywhere there is a need to learn English, but most will find jobs at private instruction centers or public schools and universities. Just about every non-English speaking country is looking for native English speaking teachers, so you have a lot of options. Check GoAbroad.com, DavesESL.com, and StudentTraveler.com to search for Teach abroad opportunities. It is difficult for Americans to secure a position teaching in Europe because British and Irish teachers don’t need work permits to teach in other European Union countries. It is still possible to get teaching jobs in Eastern Europe. You can often find work being a private tutor for college students or others- check local universities for available opportunities.

Who will I be teaching?
Your students may be young children, college students, business men, or housewives. Most programs will enroll all ages and backgrounds, so be ready for anything.

How much money can I make?
How much money you make depends largely on your qualifications, the type of institution where you teach, and the country you are teaching in. The best money can usually be made by experienced teachers qualified to teach in their home countries, with advanced degrees or knowledge of specialized areas, and the most lucrative positions are generally in developed nations of the Middle and Far East. Other salaries can be very low by U.S. standards, but enough to live on in the local economy.

Many teachers make extra money through private tutoring on the side, but some employers forbid their teachers from tutoring on the side so check in advance. Moreover, teaching freelance is almost guaranteed to be illegal. However, this can be the most lucrative and flexible way to make money while living in a foreign country.

Don’t plan on saving much while you are teaching abroad. You should be able to afford a comfortable lifestyle while you are there, but you probably won’t take much home. You might consider spending your extra cash on traveling to neighboring cities and countries. Not only will you get a fun break from your teaching schedule, but you will gain a better understanding of the culture and the language of your host country.

This sounds like work. Who can help me?
There are many services that can help you find the right teaching job abroad. For a fee, they make sure that the school is reputable, provide orientation information, arrange airport pickup, and provide a contact in the community. They should also help you find housing and secure the necessary paperwork, such as visas and work permits.

Do I need to sign a contract?
Most schools require you to sign a contract, and it is in your best interest to get your obligations and benefits in writing before you head out. Shady dealings are common in the world of teach abroad, particularly with private instruction centers. If you are nervous about signing on for a year, ask if you can talk to former teachers about their experiences, or ask around about the school on Dave’s ESL Café.

Important questions to ask a prospective employer

• How many hours per week will I be teaching?
• How many classes will I teach?
• How big are the classes?
• What level are the students at?
• Can I speak to past teachers for more information?
• How long has the school been around?
• What are my housing options?
• What paperwork do I need? Will you help me to get it?
• Do you have textbooks, dictionaries, stationary and teaching materials? Do you have a copy machine?