5 Steps to Teach English Abroad
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Teaching English is one of the best ways to live abroad, and get paid. Follow these 5 steps, and you’ll be on a plane to your dream teaching job in no time.
Figure out where you want to teach abroad
It’s helpful to first consider a region and then narrow down by country as your explore what opportunities are available. What are your goals? Do you want to learn Spanish? Or Chinese? Where do you want to travel on the weekends and during vacation? What type of food do you love to eat? What type of weather do you prefer? All of these questions boil into one important question: Where in the world will your curiosity fuel you to embrace every single day and be the best teacher you can be?
Be sure to check out our Destination Series for country profiles and advice on how to get to your dream destination!
Get the right credentials
In addition to a Bachelor’s degree and Native English Fluency, for most teaching jobs you will need to be TEFL Certified to teach English as a foreign language. Sign up for a TEFL certification course as you start your job search to ensure you have the professional qualifications needed to land the job you want. Need help with research? Read our helpful post on how to choose the right TEFL certification class for you.
Get the job
Whether you are applying to positions directly through job boards or going through a Teach Abroad program provider like CIEE’s Teach Abroad Programs, getting a job abroad can take time. Applying directly can be a frustrating process, which is why many people decide to work with a program provider that already has established relationships with schools, universities, and Ministries of Education abroad. It can take anywhere from 1 month to 4 months to land the job.
Get ready
For most jobs, you will “get the job” but you won’t actually start the job for 3-4 months. During this time, you will have the opportunity to complete your TEFL Certification course, do some practice teaching, apply for a visa, and tie up all loose ends before packing your bag and getting on the plane. Read our post "Things You Should Know Before You Go Abroad" for advice.
Go abroad!
The day you leave to teach English abroad will be one of the most thrilling days of your life. You will leave everything you know and step out of your comfort zone to have one of the most transformative experiences of your life. Don't forget to find out how to travel like a champ and prepare to be a successful EFL teacher.