Is Being A Teacher A Good Job

This is actually an easy question to answer. A level 4 TESOL is certainly a good qualification to have for anyone who wants to teach English as it is generally seen as the starting point for new teachers entering into the world of teaching online or overseas. With a TESOL level 4 certificate you will be able to confidently apply for a wide range of ESL jobs knowing you have a high enough qualification to satisfy the majority of schools, language centers, and online platforms. The different levels of TESOL are designed to rank the many courses available into an easy to understand pyramid of qualifications. Potential teachers, and those with previous experience can use the table to compare their options and to make an informed decision on which courses are best suited to them and their...  [Read more]

During our own school days we probably all encountered more than one teacher who didn’t appear to be in the right job. Some might have been keen to dish out heavy punishments for minor offenses, some were probably extremely dull and uninteresting, while others simply failed to listen to the feedback of their students. Despite these negative influences, most of us will also have better memories of teachers who actually had a positive impact on our learning. So what actually made these teachers stand out? We think there are several skills and traits that can be combined to ensure a teacher is remembered for positive and not negative reasons. If you can manage to develop most if not all of these yourself, you should find your future students will remember you as a great ESL teacher....  [Read more]

It is important to remember when looking at the raw figures presented here for TESOL teacher pay that the figures are all relative to the cost of living in the country or region in question. A salary of US$2,000 a month in rural Cambodia is certainly not the equivalent of the same salary in Tokyo, Japan. Additionally, the raw salary does not indicate other financial and non-financial benefits, such as who pays for your permits and licenses, who pays for your accommodation, do you get holiday pay or free flights, etc? So do not just take the figures at face value. Do some of your own research on the general living costs in the country you are interested in and scan the job adverts for additional benefits. Five main factors related to TESOL teacher pay: Taking each of these in turn;...  [Read more]

If we look back on our own school days, most of us will remember some of our teachers more than others. In some cases this will be because they were terrible at their job and didn’t provide the environment we needed to reach our full potential. The worst traits are often things such as failing to listen to students, lacking enthusiasm, and being overly strict. However, most of us will also have good memories of one or more teachers who actually had a positive impact on our school experience. There are a wide variety of reasons why these particular teachers stand out. If you are already teaching or plan to teach in the future, there are several things you can focus on that when added together make up a memorable teacher. If you can manage to add all of these to your everyday...  [Read more]

  Japan has been a popular destination amongst English language teachers for many years due to its widespread job opportunities, good salaries and fascinating culture. Whilst there are other countries in the region where the cost of living may be lower and the wages a little higher, nowhere provides such an incredible mix of modern development and ancient traditions as you will find in this extraordinary country. If you are looking for excitement and adventure, look no further than Japan. In order to work legally you will need to be eligible for a work visa. The good news is the criteria is not as tough as many other countries as you simply need to possess a degree in any subject. The only other qualifications you need are a fluency in the English language, a professional approach...  [Read more]

The worldwide demand for English language skills is rapidly growing, which means there are always plenty of job options out there in a variety of different teaching environments. However, it should be pointed out that being a native English speaker is no longer the only qualification you need to be offered a good teaching position. The continuous increase in demand for foreign English teachers has led many countries to introduce certain restrictions on who is eligible for a work visa. Many individual employers have also raised their expectations when it comes to employing foreign English teachers. On top of this, the rise in popularity of teaching English overseas and online means there is an ever growing level of competition for the best positions. The main thing to remember is...  [Read more]

With its unique position overlapping Europe and Asia, Turkey has been popular with international travelers for many years. The country is also rapidly becoming popular with ESL teachers as demand for the English language continues to grow at a fast rate in many areas. Big cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir are home to the majority of teaching jobs, but smaller numbers can be found elsewhere. In theory, a degree is required for all teaching jobs in Turkey, however, a shortage of teachers means that a TESOL certificate is often enough to secure many jobs. As Turkey is a big country with different levels of economy in different regions, the average monthly salary ranges from $800 to $1,800, depending on the individual employer, your qualifications, and level of experience. Most...  [Read more]

Jordan is known to have one of the most progressive school systems in the Middle East. The country has stated its aim is to become a fully bilingual country as soon as possible and that is probably not very far away. There is a particular demand for teachers who are experienced in working with young learners as nearly a third of the country?s population is under the age of 15. Although you will not be offered the same level of pay that you would get in countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, teachers in Jordan will benefit from a lower cost of living that means your income will go much further. Standard tutoring jobs typically pay between $800 and $1,500 a month, although teachers with the relevant qualifications can apply to international schools that pay up to $3,000 a month...  [Read more]

  TEFL related jobs are available in cities, towns and beach resorts in dozens of countries spread right across the world, but what is the best way to secure the right position for you? Unfortunately there is no simple answer as it varies from one region to the next. Here we look at the main job hunting strategies that you can use to find and land that dream job teaching English abroad. Online Job Application If you are looking for a job outside the country you are currently in, then using online searches is a common option. There are many jobs boards online that post available positions from countries worldwide. The majority of these jobs will be in regions where the demand for teachers is so high that employers are happy to hire teachers without the need for a face-to-face...  [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]

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]

Taiwan is an increasingly popular teaching destination as it offers good salaries and a relatively low cost of living, as well as a highly developed infrastructure and a stable economy. If you are a native English speaker with a TESOL certification you should have no problem landing a teaching job in a public school or a privately owned language academy. Positions can be found in all parts of the country, but the largest markets are in big cities such as Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Tainan. Your expected salary in Taiwan will be heavily influenced by your qualifications and your previous teaching experience. It is quite common to pay an hourly rate rather than a fixed salary, with rates starting at around 600 NTD (currently $20 US). If you have plenty of experience, you might be...  [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]

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]

Whatever your long-term career plans, adding a TESOL qualification and some teaching experience to your CV/resume can bring a range of different benefits. If your teaching experience also includes some time spent living and working overseas, then you will add even further weight to your resume, regardless of the type of jobs you are applying for. These days it seems like every vacant job has a large number of applicants and every one of those applying can boast a degree or other high-end qualifications. In this tough work environment, having overseas classroom experience can often be the difference between getting that all important interview and being put to the bottom of the pile of applications. So what are the major benefits that teaching English abroad adds to your CV/resume?...  [Read more]

As the USA is such a big country with a relatively large and steady flow of immigrants, there are always plenty of opportunities available for TESOL qualified teachers. As well as permanent immigrants from all over the world, you will also find there are a huge number of potential students among the country’s millions of migrant workers and the large number of international students who flock to the US to study at colleges and universities countrywide. Business professionals who move to the United States on assignment is another area that is full of possibilities for ESL teachers. Most official English language teaching jobs in the US will require a university degree. Jobs advertised in state and public school districts typically also require a state teaching license or...  [Read more]

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It is also commonly used to refer to the qualification that teachers need in order to be eligible for most good quality teaching jobs in countries all over the world. If you want to take advantage of the huge worldwide boom in English language learning, you will certainly want to have this certification on your CV/resume. Equally, if you are learning the English language you will also want your teacher to have a TESOL qualification to ensure they have the knowledge needed to provide a good standard of tuition. As mentioned, a TESOL certificate is the standard qualification required by employers for anyone who intends to work as an English language teacher at home, overseas, or online. The main benefit is that as a...  [Read more]

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It is also the name of the course and subsequent qualification that teachers need in order to apply for ESL teaching jobs around the world. With a TESOL certificate in your back pocket you will be eligible for a wide range of different jobs that will allow you to live and work wherever you choose. It will also give you the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this unique teaching environment. There are many reasons why TESOL is important to both the teacher and their students and here we look at just a few. A TESOL certificate is widely regarded as the entry point for ESL teaching jobs all over the world, which is the main reason why it is important for potential teachers. In years gone by it was often possible to...  [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]

Spain has many attractions that draw a large number of teachers every year. The warm climate, relaxed lifestyle, world class beaches, and world famous cuisine are just a few. Many people also take the opportunity to learn Spanish while living and working in a modern, international city such as Madrid or Barcelona. If Spain is on your list of potential destinations, take a look at the following tips that should help you on your way. The main requirement for teaching English in Spain is a TESOL qualification. The vast majority of employers that offer a decent salary will expect their job applicants to have completed an internationally recognised teacher training course. A relatively small number of teaching jobs can be secured from within your home country via a government recruitment...  [Read more]