Esl Interview

Although it is common for some ESL job interviews to take place over the internet or phone from within the teacher’s home country, many employers still prefer to interview in person on the school premises. Each job interview you have is likely to be a little different from the last, but there are a few simple guidelines you can follow to ensure you give yourself the very best chance of success. It is a well known idea that we form a first impression of someone within seven seconds of the first meeting. Because of this it is crucial that you are aware of some basic interview techniques to avoid blowing your chances before the interview has really begun. The first thing you should always do for every interview is turn up in plenty of time. Once the interview begins don’t forget to...  [Read more]

ESL teaching jobs can be found in almost every part of the world, but what is the best way to find a job to suit you? As the approach to recruitment varies from one region to the next, there is no simple answer to this question. Below we outline the main job hunting strategies that TESOL qualified teachers can use to find their dream job. Online job hunting is increasingly common, particularly if you are looking for a position outside of the country where you are currently residing. A quick online search will reveal several job boards that post vacant teaching positions from all over the world. In many cases, these jobs will be in areas where the demand for teachers is so high that employers choose to hire foreign teachers without actually meeting them in person. Jobs in this...  [Read more]

Thailand is one of the undisputed top destinations in Southeast Asia for ESL teachers. Jobs are relatively easy to find in many areas of the country, although the average salary is not as high as in several other countries across Asia. However, many teachers still flock to Thailand to enjoy the laid back lifestyle, vibrant culture, and extensive entertainment options. In years gone by it was common for teachers to work in Thailand without an official work permit, however, things have moved on and you will now need to meet the set requirements if you want to earn a good income. The main requirement for gaining a work permit is a university degree in any subject. A TESOL qualification is not officially required, although without one you may struggle to find a job with a reputable...  [Read more]

When you are ready to start applying for teaching jobs, at home, abroad, or online, it is important not to underestimate how crucial your resume is. Your resume is your chance to make a good first impression and is often the difference between getting an interview or being cast aside. The document you send along with your application needs to be highly professional in appearance and it needs to contain everything the employer needs to know. Put simply, if the information is not there in the first place the employer is unlikely to chase after it. Now we have established the importance of your resume, what do we actually need to include in it? One important thing to be aware of is that many countries around the world have less restrictions on obtaining personal information through job...  [Read more]

An interview for an ESL position is much the same as any other interview situation. It can be a scary prospect for many people, but if you have prepared for the most likely questions you should have little to worry about. Although it is impossible to predict exactly how an interview will unfold, most will be based on a similar range of questions that are designed to assess whether you would fit into the existing workforce. One of the main purposes of any job interview is to get some understanding of you as an individual person, so you should expect questions such as: What do you like to do in your spare time? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Where do you see yourself in five years? If, like many ESL teachers, you are applying for jobs outside of your home country you should...  [Read more]

Although a large percentage of ESL jobs are filled following face-to-face interviews, there are many countries where it is common practice for schools to recruit teachers from within their home country. This scenario can be a very convenient option for teachers without any previous experience and anyone who is new to international travel. All contact is usually done via email, with the actual interview taking place via phone or webcam. One big benefit of getting a job in advance is it usually means the employer will take care of the paperwork such as visas and work permits. In many cases they will also provide free or subsidized airfares, health insurance and accommodation. The one main downside of this recruitment method is the time it can take to complete the whole process. You...  [Read more]

As the internet is largely anonymous by nature, it is easy for unscrupulous characters who are looking to make easy money to prey on unsuspecting job hunters. While it is true that the quality of schools and the teaching contracts they offer can vary enormously, the vast majority of advertised jobs whether good or bad will be completely genuine. However, to avoid the small number of jobs that might be dubious, there are a few simple rules you can follow. Research is always the best defense against job scams when looking for ESL jobs online. By spending a bit of time researching the typical salary, expected benefits, working hours, and visa requirements in your chosen destination, potential scams should stand out like a sore thumb. The bottom line here is, if it sounds too good to be...  [Read more]

This question is one of the most common asked by TESOL course trainees and one of the most difficult to answer as there are so many variables that can affect it. The main thing to realise when considering this question is that the vast majority of our TESOL course graduates go on to find a teaching job either at home or overseas within a reasonably short space of time. Your choice of destination is one of the most significant factors as demand for ESL teachers varies from one area to the next. In countries such as China, the demand far outweighs the available teachers in many places which is great news for first-time teachers who have no experience to put on their application form. The simple fact is, if you are TESOL qualified and would like to teach in China, you will have little...  [Read more]

If you are TESOL qualified and you have a university degree you will have a huge choice of options for teaching English all over the world. For those without a degree, the options are more limited but still plentiful. Recently, some of the more popular countries for teaching English abroad have begun to demand that teachers have a degree in order to qualify for a work visa. In particular, some of the big Asian markets for teachers such as South Korea, Japan and Taiwan now require a degree to obtain the necessary paperwork to stay and work long-term. Most of the high-salary Middle East countries are also difficult to crack without a certain level of formal qualifications. Despite these examples, there are still many options open for non-degree holders if you are flexible in where you...  [Read more]

Although Greece has been popular with ESL teachers for many years, the recent economic downturn has had a significant impact on the number of jobs available. Despite this, teachers continue to be drawn to the country due to the great climate, stunning beaches, and the general culture. As there are less jobs available than in the past, employers can afford to be a little more picky when it comes to the hiring process. Also, recent changes to immigration laws have made it harder for non-EU citizens to obtain the necessary work visa. As a consequence of these factors, many employers choose to only hire teachers with an EU passport. The basic requirements expected when applying for most teaching jobs are a university degree and a TESOL qualification. Greece has a large network of...  [Read more]

Singapore is a very attractive destination for teaching English as it is both modern and safe, as well as exotic and exciting. Although this island city-state is one of the smallest countries in Asia, it still has plenty to offer including a year-round warm climate, high quality cuisine, world-class shopping, and a culture that is inspired by countless countries around the world. Singapore?s rapid development has been nothing short of miraculous and it is now one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Compared to most of its regional neighbors, salaries for ESL teachers in Singapore are very high at around $2,700 to $3,500 per month, depending on previous experience and teaching qualifications. A standard week in most jobs would involve around 20 to 25 teaching hours, with...  [Read more]

In some situations, ESL teachers are recruited from within their own country via an interview using a phone or webcam. However, in many countries employers prefer to interview potential teachers in person within their own school complex. Although every interview is likely to vary to some degree, there are a few simple rules you should stick to in order to have the best chance of success. It is commonly believed that people form a first impression of someone within the first seven seconds of meeting them. With this in mind, it is very important that you get a few basic interview techniques right to avoid ruining your chances before you have even started answering any questions. It may seem obvious, but being late for the interview has been the downfall of many job hunters. Once you...  [Read more]

Asia and Latin America both have a strong demand for English language teachers and you will always find a wide range of opportunities whether you are an experienced teacher or looking for your first classroom job. To help you decide which is the better option for you, you should take a look at the following points. Although you should be able to earn enough to live comfortably, most teachers in Latin America will find it hard to save much (if anything at all) of their monthly income. The average salary should take care of your rent and utilities, and leave enough to enjoy a good social life and even to cover some travel in the region. However, if you are looking to pay off debts or you want to save up for a travel fund, this might not be the region for you. Unlike much of Latin...  [Read more]

In many areas jobs are available throughout the year due to the high demand for foreign teachers. However, in some regions and individual countries there are specific hiring seasons when the bulk of the jobs are filled. If you are set on teaching in a particular country it is vital that you know the best time to start the job hunting process. In general, private language centers across much of Asia will hire teachers at anytime of the year. This applies to all of the most popular destinations in the region such as China, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and Taiwan. The situation in public schools is often a different story. In South Korea, the EPIK Program recruits thousands of native-English speakers each year to work in state run schools. The interview process for this scheme...  [Read more]

  At ITTT one of our major commitments is to help all of our course graduates find a teaching job that suits them, in a location that they want to be in. Thanks to our lifetime job assistance program you can get all the practical help you need to find the right jobs and apply for them effectively. The job assistance program has a range of services that includes exclusive access to our huge database of potential employers, as well as leads on worldwide jobs that are not advertised anywhere else. We are also able to lend a hand when it comes to constructing an effective CV/resume and cover letter, which can have a big impact on your chances of securing an interview. Once you have compiled a list of the jobs that appeal to you, we can provide expert advice and guidance on interview...  [Read more]

The Southeast Asia region continues to boom in terms of demand for foreign ESL teachers and Vietnam is no exception. In recent times the salaries being offered have begun to improve as schools look to attract more teachers to the country. Within just a few years, Vietnam is likely to become one of the most popular teaching destinations in the region. Official work permits for teachers in Vietnam are restricted to native English speakers who have a bachelor?s degree. It is also common for individual employers to insist on teachers having a TESOL certificate of at least 120-hours duration. Classroom experience might also be required when applying for jobs at the very top end of the pay scale, although these are small in number. Often you can bypass this requirement if you conduct a...  [Read more]

There is no single answer to this question as it can refer to different areas of the English teaching world. However, below we try to answer the most likely questions regarding the purpose of TESOL. The simple fact is that the vast majority of ESL employers around the world expect their teachers to have the minimum qualification of a 120-hour TESOL or TEFL certificate. There are three main reasons for this: Teaching is a profession and as with all professionals, we can expect that they have at least had the minimum required training to do what they do. The main purpose of a TESOL certificate course is to give you an introduction to language awareness (English grammar and so on) and some basic teaching skills. Under these two headings a typical 120-hour course will include: There...  [Read more]

As an ESL teacher you are likely to apply for multiple jobs and in most cases head overseas, both of which require a variety of documentation. Some things cannot be sorted out until you are actually in your country of choice, however, it is essential that you organize all the documents you can in advance so you have them to hand whenever they are needed during a job interview or when applying for a visa. In most cases, anyone traveling outside of their home country will need a passport that is valid for a minimum of six months or even a year. To avoid any problems while you are overseas the best advice is to make sure you have at least two years left on your passport before you head off. In some countries you also need to apply for an entry visa before leaving home, while some will...  [Read more]

Some of the biggest markets for foreign ESL teachers are restricted to native English speakers only, including Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. However, if your first language is not English there are still many exciting destinations all over the world where there are no such restrictions. It is worth noting that the term 'native English speaker' typically refers to teachers from the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. As the demand for foreign ESL teachers is very high in most parts of Asia, there are a wide range of options for non-native English speakers. Thailand is a particularly popular choice due to its widely popular culture and cuisine, and the beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. In order to get a work permit you need...  [Read more]

If you conduct some simple online research about teaching English abroad you might well come across teachers talking about bad experiences they have had with employers. Although the vast majority of schools worldwide treat their teachers well, there are always going to be a few badly run establishments that you will want to avoid. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure you ask the right questions during your job interview. So what are the right questions to ask the employer during an interview? Every school has its own expectations when it comes to the amount of extra work that is required outside of normal classroom hours. You might have to write regular reports on your students, attend staff meetings, meet with parents to discuss progress, present lesson plans to management...  [Read more]