GoinGlobal

February 23, 2023
By Nick Mireles, Brenna Swanston

Teaching English abroad is a great way to work and travel simultaneously. Whether you want to pursue a career in teaching or travel the world doing something meaningful, teaching abroad can become an unforgettable experience.

We’ve compiled a step-by-step guide on how to teach English abroad, including a breakdown of TEFL and TESOL certifications. We also include tips on how to manage a classroom and get to know your students.

Why Teach Abroad?

Teaching abroad is a great way to immerse yourself in another country and create new experiences. Traveling the world and getting paid for it is an enticing alternative to a typical 9-to-5 job, not to mention the lifelong connections that come with being a part of a new community.

How to Teach English Abroad

Preparing yourself to teach abroad is critical. There are crucial steps to take and information to understand before making teaching abroad a reality.

Research Your Options

Establish a list of places you would love to teach from, and research each area. Every place has pros and cons, so make sure you know what you’re getting into before applying for teaching jobs.

How long do you plan on teaching in a single country? Maybe you prefer to spend one year in Spain and the next in Taiwan. Relevant certifications for various countries differ in price and requirements; make sure you know which ones apply to you.

Sort Out Your Priorities

What are your personal and financial goals for teaching abroad? Teaching abroad is a big life experience that requires a fair amount of planning. If you are pursuing a career in education, teaching abroad is a great way to diversify your teaching experience. If your goal is long-term travel, teaching English can help finance that adventure. Whatever the case, sort out your priorities before making any big decisions.

Create a Timeline

Timelines help keep you organized and on track when fulfilling the requirements needed for teach-abroad programs. Certifications take some time to complete—for example, 120 hours of training is required for an accredited TEFL certification, which usually takes four to six weeks to finish. Schools in different countries have different start dates, too, so keep that in mind when applying for jobs. Effective time management gives you a clear idea of what is achievable.

Make a Budget

Making a budget is just as crucial as creating a timeline. The cost of living varies by country. Teachers’ salaries range depending on where they teach and which certifications they hold. Some teaching-abroad programs provide housing as an included accommodation, so check to see if yours offers this option. Factor in all your expenses and save accordingly.

Get Certified

The program you choose may require you to earn TEFL (teaching English as a second or foreign language) or TESOL (teaching English as a second language) certification.

TEFL refers to teaching English as a foreign language in settings where English is not the dominant language. TESOL refers to teaching English to people for whom it is a foreign language, either in the U.S. or overseas.

Understand which certification your program requires and what you want from the teaching experience.

Connect With Alumni

Alumni connections are beneficial to any new teacher preparing to go abroad. Connect with alumni from your prospective program and ask about any information that is pertinent to you. Look out for opportunities through social media groups or meetups sponsored by your program.

Other Factors to Consider

Getting to Know Your Students

Building rapport is the cornerstone of any teacher-student relationship. Take time to research the culture your students engage in daily. Set aside time each class period to open the floor to games and activities.

Teachaway.com recommends games like 20 questions when building a relationship with new students. Choosing a subject relevant to your students’ culture and yours can be an excellent way to learn from each other and deepen the relationship between learner and teacher.

Classroom Management

As a teacher, it is your responsibility to maintain the integrity of your classroom. Good classroom management works when students know what is permissible and what is not. Effective classroom management happens well before the students come to school. Take time to establish classroom rules and stick to them.

Western Governors University lists seven techniques to help maintain classroom management. Focus on treating students with respect and fairness and offer affirmation to students freely to increase their willingness to engage.

Cultural Expectations

You will encounter cultural differences when teaching in a foreign country. Some differences may be hard to miss, but most are subtle. Try to avoid imposing cultural expectations on your students. Talk with fellow teachers and program alumni to better understand your students’ experience.

One example comes from a teacher working in South Korea, where students avoid eye contact with teachers as a sign of respect. This cultural norm contradicts customs in the United States, where eye contact is a sign of respect. Understanding these subtleties can prevent confusion for you and your students.

TEFL vs. TESOL

TEFL and TESOL certifications come from accredited training programs that prepare individuals to teach English to learners whose native languages are not English. The designations differ in the context of their use—generally, TEFL certifications are specifically for teaching abroad, and TESOL certifications may apply in the U.S. or overseas.

You do not necessarily need a degree to earn either designation. However, your TEFL or TESOL course provider may require you to hold a degree, and the country where you plan to teach may require a degree as well.

TEFL and TESOL courses are usually offered online and may take varying forms. Courses range in cost from around $200 to over $2,000; the more expensive options may satisfy more country requirements and offer more career support. Most individuals who aspire to teach abroad pursue 120-hour certification courses.

Which Certification is Best?

It is difficult to say which designation is best since training quality varies drastically by course provider. When deciding between the TEFL and the TESOL, consider your goals. The TEFL pathway can provide more information if you wish to teach abroad in multicultural classrooms. The TESOL route may be a better option for those who are already teachers in other subjects and want to acquire credentials to teach English as a second language.

Do You Need a Bachelor’s to Teach English Abroad?

The most common requirement to teach English abroad is TEFL or TESOL certification, which does not usually require a bachelor’s degree. Not all programs and schools have the same standards, however, and some may require a bachelor’s degree.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How to Teach English Abroad

- Can you teach abroad with just a TEFL?

Yes, some countries only require TEFL or TESOL certification and English fluency if you want to teach English. However, many countries and certificate providers also require a bachelor’s degree.

- Which country is in demand for English teachers?

As English grows more popular in other countries through tourism and job opportunities, English teachers are in high demand. GoAbroad.com offers a list of countries with the highest demand for English.

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/how-to-teach-abroad/