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How To Get Started Teaching Abroad

There are two ways you can go about searching for teaching abroad jobs. Register with an agency that places teachers, or search job postings online.

Author: john milton
Date: Jul 29, 2013 - 3:28:13 AM

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Teaching abroad can be the start of an exciting adventure. There are a number of reasons why a native English speaker might want to teach English in a foreign country. He or she may be looking for an exciting change in life, a way to be exposed to a different culture, a way to help people, or the means by which to see the world while working and getting paid. There are a lot of benefits to teaching abroad, but the process of finding work overseas can be confusing for beginnings. This step by step guide will help you figure out the best way to proceed with your new job.

Step 1: Decide if teaching abroad is really what you want
There are a lot of things to consider before you decide definitively whether you want to teach abroad. Teaching jobs often last a minimum of nine months, during which time you may be hard-pressed to find the time to return home and visit family and friends. You may find yourself dealing with such issues as homesickness, culture shock, and minor illnesses brought on by a new environment. Think hard about whether you can really thrive in such a stressful environment before proceeding.

Step 2: Get TEFL certified
The vast majority of teaching abroad jobs require you to be certified to teach English as a foreign language. Getting a TEFL certificate is often done through special accreditation programs and usually requires about 120 hours of study. During the TEFL certification process you will learn classroom strategies, English grammar, and how to teach your native language in a way that non-English speakers can easily understand. Once you have a TEFL certificate in hand, a world of possibilities will open up.

Step 3: Search job postings
There are two ways you can go about searching for teaching abroad jobs. Register with an agency that places teachers, or search job postings online. Though you surely have strong preferences about what area of the world you would like to teach in, it is a good idea to stay flexible, especially when you are starting out. Staying open to possibilities allows you to get to work faster and start reaping the rewards of your new job.

Step 4: Investigate your new posting
Don’t automatically jump on the first job opportunity you get. While many schools are reputable and treat their teachers well, some have a reputation for underpaying their employees and providing few resources. Check online for reviews of the school that is offering you a posting. If they seem like a good place to begin teaching abroad, then feel free to proceed. However, don’t hesitate to hold out for a better offer either.

John Milton is offering intensive TEFL Teaching Abroad and Teaching English Abroad is an accrediting body of TEFL/TESOL courses and course.

View all articles by john milton

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