8 Things You Should Know About
Teaching English Abroad

Teaching English abroad entices all sorts
of people – the vagabonds, the
philanthropists, the folks suffering from
a mild case of midlife crisis; those
looking for a temporary change or those
seeking a lifestyle overhaul. Some
people want to teach abroad for a couple
months, and for others it is the last job
they will ever take! Whatever your
reason, here are 8 things that you should
know before you teach English abroad…
1. Actually know your English and
grammar
Do you genuinely know the difference
between past perfect and present
continuous? It goes without saying that
you should have the proper certifications,
but before you head abroad to teach
English, make sure that you actually feel
capable and confident imparting the
acquisition of a new language to
students. Learning English typically
represents huge opportunities for your
students, so make sure that you take
your job seriously and know what you’re
teaching – being a native speaker
doesn’t qualify you to educate others.
Depending on the company you work for,
you could be expected to generate your
own lessons, activities, and assessments,
so make sure that you know what you
are getting into and have the skills to
fulfill your students’ expectations.

2. Appearance is everything
Some institutions that teach English
abroad want parents and families to
believe that their students are receiving
the best possible education, and
sometimes that comes across very
superficially. For example, some
institutions require a recent picture for
their job applications, have rules such as
women teachers must wear skirts (no
pants), and tend to hire people that look
like native English speakers. Try to keep
an open mind and find a company that
aligns with your personal beliefs – that
behavior wouldn’t be tolerated in many
places, but it might be an obstacle that
you face when you are trying to pursue a
career teaching English abroad.

3. Scope out the job market before
you interview, accept a job, or fly

Researching the job market before you
head abroad will help you make an
informed decision when selecting a
company to work for. Read reviews from
other teachers, and compare salaries,
visa application process support,
holidays, insurance, benefits, and
possible perks like provided housing and
flights. Research what each company
needs for application, such as transcripts,
criminal record searches, or copies of
your degree to ensure that you have
everything you need. Make sure that you
interview with multiple companies
before you accept a job offer. If you’re
already overseas or feeling impulsive,
have your documents ready and your
background research done before you
start the job search.

4. Replacement jobs are easy to
come by
If you start working for a company and it
seems like a poor fit, chances are there is
another job waiting for you right around
the corner. As long as your qualifications
are in order, you could easily apply to
another company that fits your individual
needs. Make sure you study your contract
carefully before you sign or terminate –
there may be stipulations that make
leaving difficult, such as paying back
flight costs and losing the flight home.

5. You probably won’t get rich
teaching English abroad
Teaching English abroad doesn’t pay the
big bucks. That’s okay – although you
might not be making as much money,
typically the cost of living is lower places
where English is not the primary
language – so you can still save some
cash if you live within your means. But
really, most people teaching English
abroad aren’t doing it for the money;
they are doing it to explore a new
country and culture while helping others
learn and maintaining a steady income
stream to support their adventures. Soak
up the experience and live a minimalist
lifestyle – you might like it!

6. Be social and choose your friends
wisely
So you don’t know anyone. You have the
power to change that! Reach out to
other teachers, explore your new home,
and you’ll have friends before you know
it. Look online for expat communities in
your new home, and choose your friends
wisely – just because you have the shared
experience of living in a new location
doesn’t mean you have to be best friends.
Choose to explore your new home with
people who have the same level of
respect and intrigue for the country in
which you live. Great friends can make
exciting weekend adventure partners,
they understand what you’re going
through, and you can make lifelong
friends.