Teaching Abroad In Africa

Yes, it is entirely possible to teach English abroad without any previous teaching experience. In countries across the world there is a huge demand for English language instruction and often not enough teachers to fill the available positions. Every year, tens of thousands of teachers go abroad to work in schools and language centers and as few as 10% of these will have had any form of prior classroom experience. Regardless of the country you are working in, you will almost certainly teach your students using the method known as total immersion. This worldwide teaching method simply means that English is the only language used in the classroom, from the start to the end of each lesson. The fact is, most students are unable to move to an English speaking country in order to 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]

If you plan to head overseas to teach English, one important factor to consider is the amount of cash you will need to cover your initial start-up costs. Depending on where you end up teaching, your are certain to have some unavoidable expenses that might include the cost of a TESOL certification course, travel to your chosen destination, and funds to support yourself until you get your first paycheck. The cost of your initial TESOL training will depend on which type of course you choose to take. At ITTT our popular online courses start at less than $200, while an intensive in-class TESOL course costs in the region of $1500 to $2000, without flights, accommodation, and other daily expenses. However, your choice of course should not be based entirely on its cost as there are several...  [Read more]

Details such as the age, background, and general motivation of your ESL students will vary considerably depending on the location and type of school that you work for. Your class could be full of university students, businessmen, or hotel workers, all of whom will be looking for a different type of lesson. Alternatively, teachers in government run schools will have a class full of children whose could be aged anywhere from five to sixteen. Whatever the individual group, they will have distinct characteristics which may or may not appeal to different teachers. It is worth remembering that by completing a TESOL certification course before you start teaching, you will learn all the skills you need to be successful in any classroom environment you are likely to come across. Many people...  [Read more]

Within our wide variety of online TESOL courses, our Diploma in TESOL is the most advanced online qualification that we offer. The course is designed to be taken by anyone who wants to start their teaching career with a higher level qualification than the majority of other first-time teachers in the job market. With this qualification on your CV/resume you will be able to apply for more prestigious teaching positions that typically offer a higher salary and greater responsibility. The diploma course begins with our standard 120-hour online TESOL certification course which covers all the basic subjects that new English teachers need to be aware of. Thanks to this base level start to the course, the Diploma in TESOL is open to anyone regardless of their previous classroom experience. There...  [Read more]

While preparing for your overseas TESOL adventure you will probably have plenty of things to think about and organize including travel arrangements, visas, vaccinations, and a leaving party or two. Even if the only thing you have to do is pack your bags, you still need to decide what to take with you and what to leave behind. Despite the fact that most people now own a mobile phone with a built-in camera, you might still want to consider investing in a separate, high-quality camera. Mobile phones are reliant on their battery life which can often be quite short if you are away from a powerpoint and taking a lot of pictures. It is worth remembering that during your time away you are likely to do plenty of exploring, often in areas that are short on mobile charging stations. One...  [Read more]

Most people who choose to teach English abroad will feel a certain amount of anxiety about the prospect of moving somewhere where they have no friends or family. However, the reality is that the vast majority of teachers soon get over their initial concerns once they are settled into their new environment. It is unlikely that you will be the only foreign teacher in your school or wider neighborhood and you are almost certain to meet a range of local people in the community who are keen to welcome you and make you feel at home. Your new workplace is one area where you are sure to meet like minded people. Most schools employ more than one foreign teacher so the chances are there will be other people at your new school who are in the same boat as you. Also, any teachers who have been at...  [Read more]

While researching teaching English abroad you will probably come across a variety of companies that offer to arrange a guaranteed job placement for a fee. This can seem like a good option to many people as it takes away all the hassle of applying and interviewing for jobs. However, you need to consider a few things before you decide to go down this route. Put simply, the worldwide demand for qualified ESL teachers is huge. It is estimated that over a billion people are currently learning the English language around the world, with around 300 million of those in China alone. With such a large number of potential students, the number of teaching positions available is in the hundreds of thousands. In some areas the number of job vacancies is far higher than the actual supply of...  [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]

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]

One of the many benefits of teaching English abroad is the unique opportunity it provides for learning a second language of your own at the same time. If you want to improve your Spanish language skills or start them from scratch, there are several great destinations to choose from. Around half a billion people speak Spanish as their first language spread over twenty countries worldwide, and many of these have a decent market for foriegn ESL teachers. For many people who want to immerse themselves in the Spanish culture and language, the obvious choice might well be Spain itself. The country is well known for its historical sites, stunning beaches, and its relaxed attitude to life. Jobs are also easy to find in most major cities and popular tourist resorts, although the largest...  [Read more]

Having adequate health insurance is clearly an important issue wherever you are living and working around the world. Whether health insurance is covered by your employer or not is something that varies from one situation to the next so it is important to confirm this whenever you are interviewed for a teaching position. Here we take a brief look at health insurance within the ESL teaching world. In most of the big ESL job markets across Asia such as China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam, health insurance is typically included in a teaching contract. In most cases the cost will be fully covered by the employer, although a small sum might be deducted from your salary in certain situations. In other less developed markets, health insurance is less likely to be...  [Read more]

Teaching English abroad continues to grow in popularity and salaries are on the rise in many parts of the world. Your potential for earning big salaries depends on several factors including your level of qualifications, previous teaching experience and the region or country where you choose to work. When evaluating the salary offered by any particular teaching job it is important to consider both the figure itself and the cost of living in the specific country where you will be living. A monthly income of $1000 in Peru would be enough to provide a very comfortable lifestyle, while the same amount in a major city such as Rome would probably not be sufficient to provide the kind of lifestyle you were hoping for. Any additional benefits included in your contract are also worth...  [Read more]

Our 170-hour TESOL course with online specialization has been designed for those who would like to gain a qualification to enter the ESL employment market and wish to maximize their options. Through this course we will give you the knowledge and skills needed to teach English in both classroom and online settings. The course is taken in two parts: First, our 120-hour certification is completed. This is followed by a further 50-hours of study looking at the particular skills needed to teach English online. One added benefit of the course is that on completion you will gain access to a unique graduate network, connecting you to ITTT alumni currently employed by many of the major employers in online teaching. The 120-hour TESOL course must be taken and completed first, followed by the 50-hour...  [Read more]

People have many different reasons for wanting to teach English abroad. For some it is the adventure, while others are looking to experience a new culture, or even just to escape the daily 9 to 5 grind. Whatever your reasons, the financial side of heading overseas as a TESOL qualified teacher is also likely to be of some importance. Although the majority of teachers have no problem finding a job that pays them enough to live a comfortable lifestyle, for some it is also essential that they are able to save some of their income to put towards future travel or to pay off student loans etc. Despite being an automatic first choice destination for a large number of TESOL qualified teachers, Europe is often one of the hardest places to save money while teaching English. If you decide on...  [Read more]

Making the decision to leave your home country to teach English can be a big move for many people and it inevitably brings some concerns along with it. One of the most common issues that can cause some degree of worry is the fear of losing close contact with friends and family. Those you leave behind might also have similar concerns, so it is likely to be good for everyone if you are able to maintain your close relationships while you are enjoying your overseas adventure. Although human nature often leads us to make excuses when it comes to maintaining long distance relationships, it is really down to you as the one hitting the road to make the effort. Those left at home will understandably have little concept of your new work schedule, the time zone changes, and the simple...  [Read more]

Financial reward is not the main priority for everyone who chooses to teach English abroad, however, the ability to live comfortably and to enjoy all that you new home has to offer is certainly something most people consider. To ensure you are able to earn a good income and have the option of saving some of it to fund travel or to pay off student loans, there are a few things you can do before you leave home and after you arrive in your new country of residence. Probably the most important thing you can do to help your earning potential before leaving home is to complete an internationally recognized TESOL certification course. TESOL certification is rapidly becoming an essential qualification in many of the most popular teaching destinations worldwide, particularly those that offer...  [Read more]

Yes, the opportunity to learn a new language is one of the highlights of teaching English abroad for many people. It?s a well known fact that being fully immersed in a foreign culture and continually surrounded by the language is the best way to learn it quickly. During your time teaching in a particular country you will inevitably have daily opportunities to practice and develop your new language skills. While you will probably pick up a certain amount of the language in your day to day life, you should also find that local language courses are available at more affordable rates than in your home country. Another benefit is that the language you will be exposed to on a daily basis will be the real language used by local speakers rather than what you might learn from a textbook. By...  [Read more]

There are many reasons why you might need to send some of your income back home while teaching English abroad, including to pay off student loans, to cover a mortgage on a house or apartment, or to simply help your family. Whatever your reasons, you might find it is not always straightforward as there are a few things to take into account, such as transfer fees, exchange rates, and the time it takes to process the transaction. Depending on where you are teaching, a local bank might be a safe and reliable option. In well developed countries that have a large market for foreign teachers, such as Japan or South Korea, banks can often be a good choice as their transfer fees are usually quite low and it only takes one or two days for the transaction to go through. In contrast, banks...  [Read more]

Working as a private tutor on top of a regular teaching job is common practice for thousands of people all around the world and some are able to make it a full time job once they have built up a strong client base. In some EU countries where non-EU citizens often struggle to get a work visa, working as a private tutor is the most common form of income for foreign teachers. For example, in Spain it is usual to find large numbers of American teachers working as private tutors in cities such as Barcelona and Madrid where demand is especially high. Whether private tutoring is your main job or a means of increasing your income, it is certainly an option to consider wherever you are teaching in the world. Completing an internationally recognized TESOL course is probably the most important...  [Read more]