Teaching Abroad General Info and Questions to Consider

• What opportunities exist for me and what credentials must I have?
• I keep hearing about TESL, TEFL, and TESOL. What's the difference?
• Aside from teaching experience or certification, what personal characteristics do I need to have?
  How can I gain experience while I'm still a student?
• How much money will I earn? How much money do I need to take with me when I go abroad?
• How much time will I need to commit to working abroad?
• How do I start this process in the United States?
• What should I include on my resume and cover letters?
• How do I prepare for interviews or recruitment fairs?
• What questions should I ask?
• When should I start the application process?
• How do I find a job once I'm abroad?
• What if I decide I can't or don't want to do this after all? Are there any opportunities in the United States for similar employment?
• What other opportunities are available?

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR ME AND WHAT CREDENTIALS MUST I HAVE?

Your background, experience, and interests as well as your choice of geographic location will determine
what teaching positions will be best suited for you.
Decide if you plan to teach a subject area (such as biology or history) or if you plan to teach English as a
second language. If you plan to teach a subject area, you will generally need to be certified to teach in the
United States. You will likely need teaching experience as well.
Investigate the requirements for teaching in your country(ies) of choice.
English is rapidly becoming an international language and thus opportunities are great for finding jobs
teaching English as a foreign language.
Teaching English as a foreign language is usually the only option for Americans who do not have teaching certificates.

If you plan to teach a content area:

• Overseas private schools generally seek someone with a bachelor's degree and teaching certificate. Two or more years experience is preferred and usually required. Does this mean if you don't have certification you're out of luck? No, but your options may be more limited.
  As with most fields, the more credentials and experience you have, the better job and pay you'll receive.
• There are three types of overseas international schools: International American schools which
  serve the diplomatic community, international business families, and some natives; Company
  schools, run by a large corporation for its employees; and Proprietary schools, which are private
  businesses and operate for profit.
• Certification requirements are usually less stringent in poorer countries, so if you strongly desire
  an overseas teaching position and you don't have the certificate or the experience, consider
  teaching in a third world country. Third world countries do not have the same stringent require-
  ments, but you must be willing to go where you are needed and stay one or two years.
• International schools can be found on military bases, in large cities, and other areas where there
  is a concentration of American citizens.
• You will likely teach your courses in English to children of Americans who are living abroad.

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If you plan to teach English as a second language:

• In many cases you do not need the Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate to
  get a job teaching English. What is needed most is the determination and desire to teach in a
  foreign country. However, the TEFL certificate can open more doors, particularly in Europe.
• Jobs in Europe may be particularly hard to come by as the European community can be easily
  served by citizens from the British Isles, and there's a preference for the British style of English.
  The exception is American business English and conversation style.
• Americans interested in TEFL in Europe should consider studying at a British teacher training
  center. The certificate and/or diploma you receive will be more fully accepted by the European
  countries.
• The TEFL certificate is generally preferred or required by language schools throughout the world
  and is recognized by corporations as well.
• Only a few countries reject English outright: Iran, Burma, and Albania. There is little call for Eng-
  lish instruction in India, while there is interest but little money for positions in Russia and Eastern
  Europe.
• Some corporations in Japan will hire English teachers.

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I KEEP HEARING ABOUT TESL, TEFL, AND TESOL. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

They all refer to the teaching of English to non-English speaking people and are used interchangeably.
TEFL training programs exist in both the United States and Great Britain.

• TESL is the American term for Teaching English As a Second Language.
• TEFL is the British/European term for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. TEFL courses are usually designed for people who need to speak English for a particular purpose such as business or tourism.
• TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and is actually the name of an organization devoted to this area. You can get a Master's degree in this field.

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ASIDE FROM TEACHING EXPERIENCE OR CERTIFICATION, WHAT PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS DO I NEED TO HAVE?

The most important thing to remember is that teaching abroad is teaching. The pay varies, the work is
uneven, and your experience will vary greatly from country to country, so you must enjoy the idea of
teaching to overcome some of these obstacles. Be prepared to make a major adjustment in terms of your
standard of living. If you have not lived abroad previously, expect to experience some culture shock. But
if you enjoy the work and the people, and are able to establish a good teaching relationship with your stu-
dents, you will find teaching abroad an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

In general, good candidates for international teaching:

are flexible and optimistic
stay calm despite craziness around them
are committed to teaching
have a strong sense of humor
are patient
have a genuine interest in people
understand the culture of the country
have an extroverted personality

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HOW CAN I GAIN EXPERIENCE WHILE I'M STILL A STUDENT?

There are many ways you can begin to develop your teaching skills before you go abroad. In addition to
the obvious resume benefits, these experiences will help you determine if teaching is for you. Obviously,
if you plan to teach as a profession, or would like to teach a content area, you can enroll in a certification
program while still in college. Other activities you can do include:

• Offer to work with international students who need assistance with their English language skills.
• Take a literacy training course and asked to be assigned to someone who is learning English as a
  second language.
• Take courses in English as a second language at a local college or university.
• Take a training course for volunteer ESL tutors.
• Read books on English as a second language.
• Volunteer at an agency working with immigrants.
• Volunteer as an ESL aide to a teacher.
• Consider volunteering to teach (tutor) English to local immigrants.
• Tutor or serve as a teaching assistant in a foreign language department.
• Check with the local public school to see if there are any children who need assistance with Eng-
  lish as a second language.

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HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I EARN? HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED TO TAKE WITH ME WHEN I GO ABROAD?

If your plan is to make a lot of money you will be disappointed. Generally speaking, teaching abroad is a
break-even proposition. Even when you make more money than you spend, travel costs and the return
trip home can eat up your savings. You will need some savings to live on, particularly if you are going to
a country without prearranged employment. Take enough money to live for at least 30 days without in-
come. Always travel with enough money to support yourself.

• If employed by a school, you may get housing and your return airfare for the end of your contract
  period and just enough money to support yourself.
• Some agencies require you to pay a fee (for example, Princeton In Asia programs) which then
  covers your living and housing expenses.
• Startup costs can be high. For instance, if you find a job in one country, you often have to leave
  the country to get the work permit. You'll have to pay the cost of traveling to another country,
  waiting the required number of days while you apply for the work permit, and then returning to the
  country where you want to work.
• In general, you will make the most money if you go with a formal TEFL program in Japan, such as
  JET.
• If you're considering volunteering, working or studying in a developing country you may want to
  investigate the scholarship opportunities through the Council on International Educational Ex-
  change which will cover your transportation expenses.

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HOW MUCH TIME WILL I NEED TO COMMIT TO WORKING ABROAD?

Some programs have a contract for a fixed amount of time, usually one to two years. Even if you're not
employed by a school and are offering freelance services, it will take some time to establish a client base.
Count on spending at least nine months abroad.

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HOW DO I START THIS PROCESS IN THE UNITED STATES?

In general, there are three ways to search for a teaching position while still in the United States: directly
applying through the internet or classified ads; using an agency; or writing to the schools directly.

To apply through the internet or a classified ad in a newspaper or international journal:

Read the job description and make sure you have the credentials or are highly qualified for the position. For example, if certification or particular language skills are required and you don't have the certification or the language skills, don't waste your time. On the other hand, if the position requires one year of professional experience, and you have one year of volunteer or related experience, consider applying anyway.
Note how the position description is written and the type of person they want to hire. Adjust your cover letter and/or resume to fit the position. Assume the skills mentioned first in the ad are the most important.
Explain how and why you would fit into the position.
For information on cover letters, resumes, and answering want ads use the Career Center website

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To use an agency:

Review the agency's web page. "Google" the agency's name with the word "problem" and see if you discover any negative information about the agency. Example: If you're researching Joe Bob's International Job Mecca, you would type into the Google search bar: "Joe Bob's International Job Mecca problems" (don't use quotations). You can also check the Better Business Bureau in the city in which the organization is located.
Read the material and make sure you meet the qualifications they require before you apply.
Make sure you know what fees are charged (not just the application fee) and why you're being charged.
Fill out the application and send any fees as requested.
Follow up as the agency indicates. You may be able to attend a job fair through an agency, so read the answers to questions "How do I prepare for interviews or recruitment fairs?" and "What questions should I ask?" before you go.

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To apply directly to a school:

Create a list of schools in the geographic location you desire. The LACS library has some books which can help you get started.
Try to locate the phone book yellow pages for your geographic area to get a listing of schools. (Hint: ask at the off-campus studies office or ask a friend who's abroad to photocopy it for you or check with the phone company to see if you can order the phone book.)
Create a strong cover letter and resume, in English and in the language of the other country if possible.
Send a letter and resume before you go abroad. This improves your chances of getting a job even if you get no response from the school.
Address your letter to the headmaster or superintendent of schools.
Provide your full portfolio (see "How do I prepare for interviews or recruitment fairs?"), and an international postal reply coupon (available from the post office).
Consider sending an audio file and a photo if you think they will help your case. You can have a Career Counselor conduct a mock interview on the tape so that the school can hear your responses to typical questions. You can explain your teaching ideas and methods and indicate why you want to teach abroad.
Any hint of interest by the employer should be followed up with a phone call or fax. See if the school has a contact in the States with whom you could interview.
Do some research on TESL: learn the jargon ("notional", "communicative based", "total immersion", etc.) so you can communicate effectively.

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WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE ON MY RESUME AND COVER LETTERS?

Your resume should follow the standard guidelines for any good resume: neat, well organized, perfect
spelling, etc. See the Career Center resume writing guide for standard formats. Be sure to indicate on your job objective that you desire a teaching abroad position. If you want to specify a particular country or continent, you can, but only do so if you're unwilling to work elsewhere.
Enclose a cover letter with every resume you send. Your cover letter should stress your teaching
strengths, the reasons why you want overseas employment, the areas and level at which you'd teach,
and your extracurricular activities, including coaching. It's usually best to waive your right to see your let-
ters of reference for positions abroad.
If you have strong foreign language skills you may want to translate your resume into another language.
For example, if you're planning to teach English as a second language in Russia, you might want to write
your resume in English and Russian to facilitate your employment.

As you prepare your resume, be sure to focus on:

• Education/Training you've received related to teaching and/or international areas.
• Teaching/Training experiences you've had, particularly emphasizing international areas.
• Coaching or athletic experience.
• Administrative experiences such as fundraising, club management, or admissions guide.
• Extracurricular activities such as volunteer work, leadership roles, etc.

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HOW DO I PREPARE FOR INTERVIEWS OR RECRUITMENT FAIRS?

You can expect the typical interview questions you would get for any teaching position, so you can pre-
pare for these interviews the way you would prepare for any interview. You should also be prepared for
more personal questions or inquiries which would be illegal in the United States, such as your marital
status or the number of children you have. Answer them anyway. Failure to answer the questions or re-
sponding in a manner which indicates that these questions are illegal will likely result in no job offer.
Create a portfolio of your credentials which you can give to a potential employer at your interview. Keep
the set of original documents with you in case you need to show the originals to someone. Your portfolio
will contain photocopies of your original documents. If you keep several portfolios ready, you can quickly
handwrite a cover letter and give it to a school when you walk in.

Each portfolio should contain a copy of your:

• Resume
• Birth certificate
• Transcript
• Teaching certificate
• References
• Passport picture
• College Diploma

Review typical English instruction programs, and be familiar with the vocabulary so you can
"speak the language" of the field.

Dress conservatively, be well-groomed, and use clearly spoken English. Most foreign countries are more formal than the United States when it comes to interviewing.

Information interviewing and networking can help you find a job. Look for potential contacts. Does the international school have a local contact you could interview with? Is there a former teacher located near you in the United States?

Follow up any response you receive from a school with a phone call or fax.

An extroverted personality and pleasant demeanor are extremely important, particularly in Japan. Japanese employers look for outgoing, friendly workers.

Don't be surprised if you have several phone interviews and don't actually meet your employer
until you're abroad.

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WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK?

Prepare a list of questions based on your knowledge and interest in the school, and consider asking
some or all of the following questions, if applicable:

• Will I receive a salary or hourly pay? What is the average pay for your teachers?
• What benefits will I receive?
• Is health insurance available?
• Will I need to arrange a work visa or can you do that for me? What do I need to do to obtain a work visa?
• Will you cover the cost of my airfare? Roundtrip or just the trip home?
• Do you provide any housing for your teachers? What type of housing situation is it? Will I room
  alone or with other people? Do I have to reimburse you for housing expenses?
• What transportation should I use to get back and forth from home to school? Does the school
  pay for my transportation?
• Will I teach a regular schedule or will I be on call?
• How many hours per week will I teach? Will that vary?
• Will I teach on the same site or at different locations?
• Will I be expected to teach a set curriculum with preassigned textbooks, or am I expected to
  create my own lesson plans and select a textbook?
• What audio materials will you provide?
• Are the classes creative or structured?
• What type of support will the administration provide?
• What will the age of my students be?
• How many students can I expect in a class?
• Am I expected to teach any specialty areas such as business English?
  
  

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WHEN SHOULD I START THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

As soon as possible. It's important to begin early the beginning of your senior year if possible, but no later
than December 1 for the following year. Many of the formal programs have early deadlines; for example,
the JET applications are due in January.
The London Times educational supplement is published weekly and most September openings are listed from March to July.
Regardless of when you start, keep trying there are many jobs which open up between June and
September.

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HOW DO I FIND A JOB ONCE I'M ABROAD?

Look for leads from anywhere where Americans can be found:
Start by reading the local papers and the classified ads.
Check community bulletin boards often found at American churches, English language bookstores (be
sure to look at the ESL materials there), youth hostels, bi-national centers, and pubs/bars.
Transcribe a list of local schools from the yellow pages.

Advertise your services:

It takes time to build contacts and network for private tutoring. Self-promotion is essential. Neatly printed
notices or hand made posters can be placed on community bulletin boards and the locations mentioned
above. A small newspaper ad offering tutoring services might help. Your potential customers must be
able to reach you, so establish access to a phone. This is potentially illegal in some countries so check
out the laws before you pursue this option too actively.

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WHAT IF I DECIDE I CAN'T OR DON'T WANT TO DO THIS AFTER ALL? ARE THERE ANY OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES FOR SIMILAR EMPLOYMENT?

There are a lot of ways to use your international education interests in the United States. You may want
to consider teaching in a state which has a high number of non-English speaking residents such as Flor-
ida, Texas, or California. You could work for a program which sponsors and assists new immigrants to the United States. Consider social service agency work; many clients will have international backgrounds
and may need your help with English. Some agencies specifically work with immigrant populations such
as migrant workers. You could also work or volunteer for a cultural program which focuses on a particu-
lar country.

Another aspect of international education to consider are the opportunities in higher education.
You've probably considered the obvious positions such as teaching a foreign language at the college
level, but there are many other opportunities to work with international students and programs. Consider
the study abroad field where you can work with American students and help them plan their international
study. You can also become a counselor to international students, a foreign student adviser, or an inter-
national admissions expert.

Typical higher education offices where you would interact with international students include off-campus
study, admissions, student services, housing, and foreign language departments. Typical tasks in these
offices include advising, planning and managing orientation programs, providing student programming,
serving as a liaison to faculty and other administrators, providing public relations for the program and the
students, managing an office, and planning and budgeting.

Consider volunteering or doing an internship in one of these offices. There may be paid student positions
available as well, but don't forget the value of experience even if you aren't paid. You can also meet for-
eign students by joining clubs related to multicultural activities.

In general, people who work with international students in the higher education setting have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related field. They are enthusiastic, care about people, have tremendous pa-
tience, are nonjudgmental, and free of multicultural bias. An advanced degree, proficiency in a foreign
language, international specialization, extensive experience in another country, and previous higher
education international experience will strengthen your chances in the job market.

Depending on the field in which you specialize, you will need to develop a knowledge of immigration law
and regulations, transcript evaluation and foreign grading systems, opportunities for studying abroad, and
strong office skills (including computers and management).

For more information on international careers in higher education, contact:

NAFSA Association of International Educators

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WHAT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE?

There are numerous volunteer and Peace Corps type experiences which are beyond the scope of this
guide. For more information, see the international volunteer resources in the Career Center library.

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Content for this page provided by:
Dr. Kate Brooks, Director, Liberal Arts Career Services, University of Texas at Austin