Jobs That Teachers Can Do From Home

Although some people grow to love the lifestyle of an ESL teacher so much that they never return to work in their home country, the majority will head home at some stage. In many cases this can be an unsettling experience as you are no longer the same person that left home in the first place. So many things can feel strange, from the everyday language and time zone, to the climate and cuisine. One way to tackle this reverse culture shock is to find a job that allows you to use the new skills and knowledge that teaching English abroad has given you. The obvious answer might be to simply carry on working as an ESL teacher. Most cities will have language schools and community colleges that provide English lessons to a range of clients, whether it is foreign students, immigrants, or...  [Read more]

The simple and straightforward answer to this question is: No, you do not need a degree to take a TESOL course or to land a teaching position abroad. While it is true that having a degree means you will have a wider choice of job options, those without one still have plenty of great options available in a wide range of countries across the world. Whatever your academic background, teaching English in your home country, overseas, or online is still a very realistic option. Whether a degree is required to teach English is usually determined by the authorities of each individual country. Some countries where ESL teaching is very popular have imposed restrictions on foreign teachers that insist they have a degree in order to qualify for an official work permit. In these situations,...  [Read more]

This is one of the most common questions asked by our TESOL course trainees and the answer is quite simple. Yes, you can teach ESL without a bachelor’s degree. Anyone who is TESOL qualified will have a wide array of destinations to choose from all over the world, regardless of their previous educational record. If you have a degree in any subject you will certainly have a few more options, but non-degree holders are in no way excluded from ESL teaching in many parts of the world. In recent years some countries have made it compulsory for foreign teachers to have a degree if they want to obtain a work visa that allows them to work legally as an ESL teacher. This is most noticeable in Asia where some of the biggest markets for teachers such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan...  [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]

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]

There are many reasons why fully certified teachers decide to leave their home country to teach overseas. It can often be difficult for newly qualified teachers to find a suitable job and teaching abroad is a great way to gain valuable classroom experience. More experienced teachers often feel like they need a new challenge and teaching in a new country can certainly provide that. Whatever the reason, the teaching profession is unique as it offers you the chance to develop your skills and knowledge and increase your experience and employability, while travelling and exploring the world. If you start searching online for English teaching jobs around the world you will quickly see that many employers expect their job applicants to possess a TESOL certificate. This applies to all...  [Read more]

Whether your overseas teaching adventure is part of a gap year abroad or you are planning to leave your old life behind and start a new career in the classroom, the huge continent of Asia is hard to ignore. A large percentage of people who decide to teach English outside of their home country choose this region due to the countless potential jobs on offer and the wide range of cultures there are to explore. The requirements needed to teach in Asia vary considerably, but all you definitely need is a strong understanding of the English language and a TESOL certification from a respected course provider such as ITTT. Although there are nearly 50 countries spread across Asia, these are the ones that we think offer the very best options for teaching English right now. South Korea has...  [Read more]

ITTT is dedicated to assisting you throughout your TESOL training and to providing you with a means of support during your ensuing teaching career. If you have any questions regarding our courses, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section below. Our TESOL FAQs should be able to answer most of your questions, but if you have any other queries do not hesitate to contact us by submitting them using the form at the bottom of this page. What does TESOL mean?   The acronym TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The term is commonly used when referring to certification courses that provide the skills necessary to teach the English language to non-native speakers in your own country or abroad. Read more What is the difference between TESOL...  [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]

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere it is likely that you have endured many years of cold, dark winters. If you would like the opportunity to experience living in a climate that is warm all year round, why not complete a TESOL certification course and start a new life living and working as an English teacher in the exotic tropical zone? Thousands of people every year take advantage of this opportunity and very few end up regretting their decision. All you need to do is decide which tropical country is right for you. Costa Rica is small in size, but it has a very large market for TESOL qualified teachers. Most teaching jobs are found in private language centers that are located in most of the larger towns and cities. Private tutoring of English students is also a popular way to...  [Read more]

If you have discussed teaching English abroad with friends and family, it is likely that you have heard remarks such as ?that sounds like fun, but what will you do when you get back?? Unfortunately, teaching English as a foreign/second language is seen by some as not really a ?proper job?, just something that young people do for a bit of adventure before settling down to a real job. Although many ESL teachers do only teach in the short term and some are only in it for fun, there are many others who take it seriously and go on to enjoy a long and lucrative career as an English language teacher. YES, you can certainly choose to make a long-term career out of teaching English. Most people?s TESOL journey begins with the idea of seeing a bit of the world while earning some money in the...  [Read more]

Turkey occupies a unique position at the junction between Europe and Asia and it is rapidly becoming one of the region?s boom destinations for ESL teachers. Jobs are easily found in major cities and popular tourist areas as the English language is becoming more and more vital in many types of employment. While it is still possible to land a job without any specific qualifications or experience, these positions are not likely to pay very well or offer the best working conditions. To ensure you are eligible for the most sought after jobs, a TESOL qualification is usually required. Some positions will also specify a degree and/or previous classroom experience. Many employers will give preference to teachers whose TESOL course included teaching practice over those who only have an online...  [Read more]

Demand for TESOL qualified teachers in Hungary has grown steadily since the country joined the EU in 2004. Today there are a large number of jobs available across a diverse range of employers. Although many employers are keen on native English speakers, there are also plenty of opportunities for non-native speakers who have a good standard of language skills. Big cities such as Budapest, Debrecen, Miskolc, Szolnok, and Szeged are where the majority of jobs are located. Monthly salaries in Hungary range from $700 to $900, although teachers at college or university level might be able to earn significantly more. Classroom time averages around 20 to 25 hours per week, which provides enough free time for many teachers to take on a few private students to bump up their income. In many...  [Read more]

Located at southern most point of Africa where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet, the city of Cape Town is one of most multicultural cities in the world. With the magnificent Table Mountain dominating the landscape and areas of outstanding natural beauty surrounding the city, Cape Town has plenty to offer visitors from all over the world. Cape Town is the oldest city in South Africa and is known as “the Mother City”. It has a long history dating back to the fifteenth century when Portuguese explorers first noted the region where Cape Town now lies. Visitors to the city can discover its history and immerse themselves in South African culture. The city has a well-developed urban center and is surrounded by natural beauty providing a great mix of city life and relaxing nature. Cape...  [Read more]

If you are considering Spain as a location for teaching English, you certainly won't be alone as it has long been one of the most popular destinations in Europe. However, before you buy a plane ticket why not take a look at Latin America as many teachers find that this amazing region is actually a better option for them. For many people, the opportunity to learn a new language is one of the great benefits of teaching English abroad. When it comes to learning Spanish, the assumption that Spain is the best place to do so is certainly a common one. However, in reality the type of Spanish used in Spain actually uses accents and slang terms that are vastly different to the language spoken in other Spanish speaking countries. In fact, many native Spanish speakers from outside of Spain...  [Read more]

In some countries where teaching ESL is popular there is a clear path for obtaining a work visa or permit that allows you to live and work long term, while in others the process can be overly complicated, expensive or simply nonexistent. However, as the demand for teachers is so high in many countries, the need for a work visa can often be ignored by employers. The truth is that thousands of people are currently working as ESL teachers in countries worldwide without a formal work visa or work permit. In two of the most popular ESL teaching destinations in Europe, Italy and Spain, it is very common for Americans and other non-EU nationals to start work as teachers with nothing more than a tourist visa in their passport. A standard tourist visa is valid for 90 days and there is no...  [Read more]

Many people decide that an in-class TESOL certification course is the best way to prepare for life in a foreign classroom, however, is it best to take it within your home country or once you arrive at your ultimate teaching destination? Either choice has its pros and cons, but on this page we focus on the reasons why taking a TESOL course before you leave home might be the best option for you. If you are planning to head to one of the most popular teaching destinations there is a good chance that you can secure a job before you get on the plane. In areas where demand for teachers is particularly high, employers routinely advertise vacant positions online via job boards and recruitment companies. If your application is successful you will typically have an interview over a webcam...  [Read more]

There are a few reasons why we think taking a TESOL course is more than worth it. Firstly, many employers all over the world now require their job applicants to be TESOL certified in order to qualify for their vacant positions, as they rightly believe that some form of training is required in order to give the students the best chance of reaching their goals. It is also increasingly common for whole countries to require potential teachers to hold a TESOL qualification to be eligible for an official work visa. Without a recognized qualification in these countries you will have no chance of securing a job legally. The other main reason why we recommend all teachers get TESOL certified is so they learn all the essential skills and knowledge needed to plan and deliver quality lessons...  [Read more]

India is currently undergoing an economic boom in many areas including information technology and customer service outsourcing, which are two areas that provide opportunities for TESOL qualified teachers. Despite English being an official language in India, the level at which it is taught in mainstream schools is generally very poor. Because of this, there is a strong demand for ESL teachers in many areas of business across the country. Unlike many other countries in Asia, good salaries are thin on the ground in India. Many people opt for volunteer positions that often provide accommodation and meals and the chance to gain some classroom experience, while also providing some much needed English language skills that help people get into better jobs. Paid positions do exist, although...  [Read more]

Every year tens of thousands of people from all over the world and from all different backgrounds choose to sign up for a TESOL certification course, and each one has their own personal reasons for doing so. Many are looking to change their whole life direction and intend to use English teaching as their new path, while for many others it offers a great way to earn some cash while traveling the world. For every one person that takes the leap there are many others who are still weighing up their options. If this applies to you, here are some of the most common reasons why we think it is time you made the move into TESOL. No matter what your job or career path, it is common to hit a point where it all becomes mundane and repetitive. What better way to make a change to the humdrum than...  [Read more]