What Is It Really Like to Teach English Abroad?

Are you looking for a new challenge in life? Perhaps you’re seeking an exciting new career path that gets you out of the rut of the daily grind. Or maybe you’ve just left school or college and want to get off the beaten track with a position that gives you the adventure that you crave. Teaching English abroad could be just the solution you’ve been searching for.

Whether you’re eager to change lives or just want to leave your hometown for pastures new, a career as an overseas English teacher offers a unique working experience. But how do you know if it’s the right choice for you? What is it really like to teach English abroad?

What Kind Of English Teaching Jobs Can I Find Abroad?

Depending on your experience, qualifications, and preferences, you can choose from various types of overseas English teaching jobs.

Some roles involve working in schools, working with children of all ages, while others involve working with adults. You may find a position teaching whole classes or large groups of learners, or alternatively, you could work on a one-to-one basis, tutoring individuals tailored to their specific needs. You could even secure a post teaching business English to employees.

While teaching English in a traditional school or college will typically require you to work standard hours, if you take a job at a language school or provide individual tutoring, you may need to deliver lessons during the evening or weekends to accommodate your students’ schedules.

Your first thought is probably of in-person classes when you bring to mind overseas English teaching, but a surprising number of learners are now choosing to take online classes. That gives you even more freedom to teach English as a foreign language while you travel overseas, choosing to deliver classes at a time that best suits you from any location of your choice.

What Can I Expect From An Overseas Teaching Job?

What to expect from your overseas English teaching job will depend on the country you choose to base yourself in and the type of job you take. Teaching English to young children will naturally be completely different to delivering business English classes to professionals. However, there are a few experiences that are likely to be common to all overseas English teachers, regardless of their position or location.

Challenges

You’re sure to experience some challenges in your new role. Whether they involve delivering classes to address the needs of learners at different levels of experience, handling the logistics of classroom management, or just getting to grips with a different culture and lifestyle, every day will bring something new.

Effort

Perhaps the most crucial thing to realise when you teach English abroad is that you’re not on holiday, you’re working! You’ll need to put effort into planning and delivering your lessons, making sure you keep to your schedule and committing yourself to doing your best for your students.

Opportunities to Explore

The best thing about your overseas English teaching job is that you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore and discover your destination. No matter where you’re based, what type of teaching role you take, and how many challenges you face during your working day, you’ll still have ample time to enjoy sightseeing and visiting all of the best attractions nearby and even further afield. As you’ll also be earning an attractive salary, you’ll have sufficient money to ensure you don’t miss out on any activities you want to do.

Why Choose Overseas English Teaching As A Career?

If you’ve always dreamed of doing a job that allows you to travel while earning a salary, then overseas English teaching is ideal. There are plenty of good reasons to opt for this career path.

Rewards

One of the top reasons to choose overseas English teaching is that it’s extremely rewarding. Yes, you’ll be earning a salary, but there’s far more to it than that. You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re making a real difference in your students’ lives. By equipping them with English language skills, you’re opening up opportunities for them to improve their finances and their lives.

Availability of Work

English is the worldwide business language, making it a popular choice amongst overseas learners who want to maximise their earning potential. With that in mind, you’ll find a vast amount of work available in countries all around the globe, so wherever you long to travel, you’ll be able to secure a position.

Full Cultural Immersion

Heading abroad on holiday is fun, but you’ll never fully experience your chosen destination that way. When you work overseas, you’ll be fully immersed in a completely different environment, living and working alongside local people and learning about their culture and way of life.

No Experience Needed

Although some English teaching jobs abroad require candidates to have a degree or prior experience, many more ask for neither of these things. Simply being a native English speaker with enthusiasm and passion for imparting knowledge is often sufficient to make an application.

Nevertheless, if you’re wondering how best to find a job teaching English in a different part of the world, it is recommended that you make yourself as appealing as possible to prospective employers by obtaining a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification. This certification is recognised all over the world and demonstrates your knowledge, skill, and commitment to your chosen career.

Are you ready to find out more about how to become a TEFL teacher in Europe? Then make TEFL.Org your first port of call. You can be confident that you’ll obtain a qualification that’s accredited by a reputable organisation while also benefitting from outstanding tutor support every step of the way. You can also be sure that your certification will stand you in good stead to secure your dream English teaching role, getting you off to the best possible start in your chosen career.