Teaching English Abroad
There’s much more to it than knowing your ABCs.
By Amber Sasse
Two students, one looming language barrier, and an apprehensive undergrad 4,600 miles away from her comfort zone. When Alicia Loberias, 20, volunteered to teach English classes while studying in Spain last fall, she had no idea this eccentric equation would add up to the most memorable part of her time spent abroad.
“Over time I really saw the kids open up and start to converse more,” Loberias says. She tells, for instance, the story of one student who showed major improvements in comprehension over the course of her instruction. “Now he will laugh when it is appropriate to laugh or smile when it is appropriate to smile, and it’s really rewarding to see those developments.”
According to an estimate by the British Council, a company that places British citizens in a variety of jobs abroad, more than one billion people speak or are attempting to learn English. As native speakers, many Americans take for granted the preeminence of our mother tongue. The globalized world is saturated with our culture, with everything from pop songs to air traffic control commands broadcasted in English.
The high demand for English teachers abroad, then, is not surprising; and with a sluggish domestic job market, some Americans’ desire to teach overseas compliment the international demand for English teachers. But for those interested in finding out more about instruction opportunities abroad, the world of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is awash with arcane acronyms and lots of questions. Here are the fundamentals of TESOL, spelled out in plain English.
Becoming An International Educator
Sometimes the only qualification necessary to land a teaching position is native fluency in English. Many countries and programs, however, require applicants to go through a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification program. TEFL certification increases your marketability to potential employers, and in some countries, like Turkey, TEFL certification is a prerequisite for obtaining a work visa. Many TEFL training centers also have contacts with recruitment agencies or language schools abroad and can help place you in the country of your choice upon completion of the course.
More practically, TEFL classes give you a basic understanding of how to teach the language you already speak. They provide instructions for lesson planning and familiarize novice teachers with various educational resources available to them. While TEFL certification is widely recognized, no single degree or certificate qualifies an individual to teach English in all countries. Job requirements are specific to the position, the country, and the employer, so be sure of the qualifications for your program of choice before you apply. A bachelor’s degree is a must for most full-time positions, and although speaking a second language is not essential to most programs, it is immensely helpful to understand the language and culture of your target country.
Picking A Program
While it’s possible to secure a teaching position abroad on your own, most Americans go through a placement agency that arranges some or all of their employment, accommodation, and travel. Different agencies vary greatly in the training and services they provide as well as the fees they charge, so make sure to do your research before settling on one organization.
Start by determining what is included in the initial fee for each agency. Some programs cover airfare, housing, and work permit fees while others offer only placement services. Before applying, make sure you have a good understanding of the position: Who will you be teaching? Will it be elementary school students or adults? Where will you be teaching? At a public school, a private school, or a language lab? All these variables can produce drastically different experiences, even in the same country, so you should have an idea of who and where you want to teach before looking into different programs. Be sure to compare your pay with the local cost of living to guarantee that your salary, if you’ll get one, will support you while abroad.
Next, research what kind of resources or in-country assistance the program provides. When confronted with the challenges of teaching in your host country you may need some hand-holding; it’s a good idea to know whether the program offers teaching materials, an introductory orientation, or on-site staff support.
Last, but perhaps most importantly, make sure you have adequate health insurance. Outside the United States, domestic plans do little good, and you don’t want to be sick or injured in a foreign country without a means to pay for proper medical care. Health insurance policies vary by program, but some are included in the program fee or may be available for a separate price.
If your program does not offer health insurance, the socialized medical programs available in many countries may cover you. Regardless of your destination country, it may be wise to purchase an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) or International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC). Available at most travel agencies, the card includes a decent health insurance policy that covers emergency medical transportation, accident medical expenses, emergency dental expenses, and up to 61 days of hospital benefits. The card is also good for student discounts in 103 countries and, for $22, you can’t beat the peace of mind it affords.
Going It Alone
To skip the fees and red tape of an organized program, it is always possible to land a teaching job on your own. Be forewarned, however: getting a job and taking care of all the logistical details associated with working abroad can prove difficult.
Loberias worked through a program while teaching in Spain and says she is glad she did. “There are definitely benefits to working through a program,” Loberias says. “I work closely with a professor, which without the program wouldn’t be possible. Plus, the teaching materials offered through the course are incredible.”
Without an intermediary, simply finding a teaching position abroad can prove nearly impossible. Securing a work permit on your own can be difficult, and if you hope to work in a country that belongs to the EU, you’ll face a bureaucratic mess. Independently contracting a teaching job is one way to avoid program fees, but the total up-front investments (housing, airfare, work-visa fees) can still be quite hefty.
The International Center at the University of Michigan, which advises its students who are looking to continue their studies or work abroad, recommends applying through a U.S.-based organization rather than seeking an on-site job, due to uncertainty of employment and hidden expenses.
Motivation
Finally, you have to make sure you are considering teaching English abroad for the right reasons. If you are looking to experience a different culture, gain proficiency in a second language, or try your hand at teaching, TEFL is a wonderful option. But be forewarned: while teaching English abroad is extremely rewarding, it is also demanding, and most organizations view their programs as a form of cultural exchange not a headhunter service for well-paid overseas employment. If you are only looking for a decent salary or a way to severely offset travel costs, it may be more lucrative to pursue another field.
Although TESOL positions are generally not well paid, they make large returns on warm fuzzies—for in the end, it is the little moments of enlightenment that prove the most gratifying.
“This is kind of a small thing, but it was a big deal for me,” Loberias says. “[One of my students] finally learned the days of the week. Every class, we would repeat: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…but he didn’t understand what we were doing. Then we finally found a calendar and everything just clicked. The last class he even told me what day it was. That was really incredible.”