Long-Term Jobs Abroad
Many ESL Jobs Available for Uncertified Teachers
By Anthony Hand and William Nolting
Teaching abroad is one of the most accessible and popular options for paid or inexpensive long-term stays overseas. Considerable cultural immersion is possible, especially if you already have some knowledge of the host country's language. But proficiency in the local language is rarely a requirement for obtaining a position. Here we review the great number of possibilities for those without teaching credentials.
The bulk of overseas teaching opportunities are for English teachers. As the world rushes to acquire the new lingua franca of international commerce, diplomacy, and higher education, your "credential" is simply being a native speaker of the English language. That may be all you need to obtain a job and a work permit in areas such as Asia and Eastern Europe. In addition to native fluency in English, many programs are now requesting experience in Teaching English as a Foreign (or Second) Language, known by the acronyms TEFL, EFL, TESL, ESL, or even TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).
Formal credentials in TEFL can be gained in a one-month course (see Susan Griffith’s book on Teaching English Abroad). This could open doors in extremely competitive areas like Western Europe. Those with a Master's in TEFL, available through a one-year program at many universities, can teach virtually anywhere.
Qualified teachers have still another range of options--see the chapter Teaching Abroad in Transitions Abroad’s Work Abroad.
Other teaching possibilities, some of which we list here, exist for those with knowledge of special fields such as business, health, math or science (through the Peace Corps and Teachers for Africa) or for graduate students (through the Civic Education Project).
Earnings can be good in the relatively wealthy countries of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. In China, Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Newly Independent States, pay may be high by local standards but not sufficient for savings. Africa and Latin America are primarily served by volunteer organizations. Western Europe presents dim prospects for Americans, even those with formal credentials, because British and Irish teachers do not need work permits as members of the European Union.
In general, if your main motivation in teaching is to make a lot of money, you will likely be disappointed. In some cases the experience may even cost you more than you earn, but this is usually still far less than the cost of study or travel abroad. (Student loans can often be deferred during volunteer work; inquire through your loan and program sponsors.)
Before You Begin
Before you begin your search, determine what you hope to gain from your overseas experience. Are your goals to experience a different culture? Gain language proficiency? Try out teaching as a career? How important is money--do you hope to make a lot of money, is it okay to break even, or can you spend more than you might make for the sake of the cross-cultural experience?
The answers to your money questions may limit your choices. The highest number of well-paying teaching jobs are in Asia.
Next, try to narrow down your geographic preferences to a few countries or regions. Do you hope to tie your experience to career objectives? How does this affect the money issue?
About a year before you would like to begin teaching abroad, think about getting TEFL experience or a certificate. You will be glad you did the first time you face a class thousands of miles from home. Opportunities are available as a literacy volunteer or through local ESL programs for international students or refugees offered by colleges, schools, and religious organizations almost everywhere.
Finding a Job
There are several strategies for finding an overseas teaching position. One is applying through a U.S.-based organization. These usually arrange placement and provide for logistical matters, such as housing and a work permit.
The second strategy is to write directly to overseas schools. Chances of success are limited without going to that country for an interview.
The third strategy is to go to the country where you want to work and apply in person. The major downside to this is cost: airfare, housing (possibly paying several months’ rent up front), and the need to travel to a third country to get a work permit once you land a job. The total up-front investment required by this last approach could easily be $2,000-$3,000 or more--something to keep in mind when evaluating program fees.
We generally recommend applying through U.S.-based organizations rather than seeking a job on-site because of the uncertainty and expense of the latter two strategies.
Most U.S.-based teaching placement organizations are small nonprofits, some staffed by volunteers. All (except for private language schools) view their primary mission as cultural exchange, not as overseas jobs.
Choosing a Placement Program
Programs vary widely in the fees, services, and assistance they offer. When choosing a program, inquire about: fees, salary, job placement, work permit, health insurance, housing, teacher training and materials, whether there is an orientation, and level of on-site support. It is better to be clear about these basics before you apply than to turn up and find you do not have a legal work permit.
Fees. What exactly do they include?
Placement. Find out who you will be teaching (elementary, high school, university students, or adults?) and where (a state school, private school, or for-profit language institute?).
Salary. How much and how often will you be paid? Compare your salary with the local cost of living.
Health insurance may not be provided by program fees, or you may be covered by socialized medicine available only in-country. Consider special comprehensive coverage for educators provided by such organizations as John Hancock (800-767-0169), Seabury and Smith (800-331-3047), or Wallach and Company (800-237-6615). Costs begin at approximately $50 per month.
Materials and training. If they don’t provide materials, what do they recommend to bring with you? Even if some training is provided, would it still be useful to get experience teaching or tutoring in the U.S.?
The following list includes a wide variety of options through U.S.-based organizations. For comprehensive listings, see the recommended books in the sidebar. Most organizations prefer a commitment of one academic year. A bachelor's degree is a minimum requirement for most positions. Unless otherwise indicated, participants are responsible for round-trip transportation and health insurance.
Worldwide Positions
Alliance Abroad Group. Variety of overseas placements including work placements in the U.K. and Australia, teaching in Spain, China, Chile, and Argentina; volunteer placements in Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Peru. Participants pay fees to cover placement, accommodations, and emergency insurance. Contact: 1221 South Mopac Expressway, Suite 250 Austin, Texas 78745; 512-457-8062 or 888-6-ABROAD; info@allianceabroad.com, www.allianceabroad.com.
English Language Teaching Assistant Program [ELTAP] (Univ. of Minnesota, Morris, MN 56267; 320-589-6406; craig@eltap.org, www.eltap.org). Participants sent to 25 countries on four continents to teach English for 4-10 weeks throughout the year. Placement fee, course fee, and travel expenses total $4,200-$4,700. Accommodation and board provided by host schools. Available to students and non-credit certificate option for adults. Placements made year-round.
Friends of World Teaching (P.O. Box 301994, Escondido, CA 92030-1994; 760-233-0073; e-mail: grof@fowt.com, web site: www.fowt.com). Lists English-language K-12 schools in over 100 countries. Teacher usually pays airfare; housing, stipend and/or health insurance may be provided depending on country. Most positions are salaried. Applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree and be able to demonstrate teaching ability. For $20, you receive school listings for three countries (choose countries when submitting request). Application deadlines vary. Of approx. 500 people requesting information per month, an estimated 10 to 25 percent get offers. For a descriptive brochure, please send self-addressed, stamped envelope to Friends of World Teaching, PO Box 301994, Escondido CA 92030-1994.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships (See your campus Fulbright advisor or contact: U.S. Student Programs Division, Institute of International Education, 809 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017-3580; 212-984-5330, www.iie.org). One-year positions available for Belgium and Luxembourg (2), France (40), Germany (50), Hungary (2), Korea (30), and Taiwan (3). Bachelor’s degree required. Strong preference given to majors in appropriate foreign language who intend to be teachers. Deadline is late October for applicants at large. For Austria (6 positions), applicants must apply directly to: Austrian Fulbright Commission, Schmidgasse 14, A-1082 Vienna, Austria, 011-31-55-11-2685. (Deadline is March 1).
Global Routes Internship Placements (1814 7th St., Suite A., Berkeley CA 94710; 510-848-4800, fax 510-848-4801; mail@globalroutes.org, www.globalroutes.org) places pairs of teaching interns 17 years of age and older in local schools in remote villages in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Thailand, Kenya, and the Navajo Nation. Interns live with host families and teach full time in the local schools. They are also expected to complete a community service project. Two-month summer and three-month academic term placements. $3,550 for summer, $3,950 for academic term, not including airfare. Registration fee $45. No deadline, limited to space available. All in-country expenses included in fee.
The International Partnership for Service Learning (815 2nd Ave., Suite 315, New York, NY 10017; 212-986-0989, fax 212-986-5039; pslny@aol.com). Programs for summer, semester, or year combine academic courses for credit with unpaid service work in human services, health care, special education, TEFL, or community development. Locations in the Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, France, India, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, the Philippines, Scotland, and South Dakota (with Native Americans). Deadline 2 months prior to starting date. $250 application fee (refunded if not accepted and deducted from program fees if accepted). Program fees range from $4,000-$7,000 excluding airfare. Also offers a one-year MA degree program in International Service.
U.S. Peace Corps (Peace Corps, PRU Box 941, Washington, DC 20526; 800-424-8580, ext. 1; www.peacecorps.gov). All expenses paid, extensive training, and a "resettlement allowance" of approximately $5,400 after completing 2-year assignment. Placements in over 90 countries. Positions available in teaching English, though math and science teachers especially in demand. Jobs in agriculture, business, health, skilled trades, etc., also available. U.S. citizens only. No upper age limit. No deadline, but allow 9 months between application and placement.
WorldTeach (Harvard Institute for International Development, 1 Eliot St., Cambridge, MA 02138-5705; 617-495-5527, fax 617-495-1599; worldteach@hiid.harvard.edu, www.hiid.harvard.edu). Places volunteers into 1-year teaching positions in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Lithuania, Namibia, Poland, Thailand, and Vietnam. Six-month placements available in Honduras, Mexico, and Yantai, China. Summer placements in Shanghai, China. Bachelor's degree plus 25 hours of TEFL experience required (except for Shanghai). No application fee. Program fees $4,400 (year) or $3,600-$3,800 (short-term) include international airfare, 3-4-week orientation, training, health insurance, on-site support. Room and board and a small stipend provided on-site by the employer. Deadlines vary. One-half to one-third of applicants are accepted. 20-75 placements in each country annually; approximately 300 total per year.
Regular K-12 Teaching Positions at International Schools. The only placement service for teachers with certification but without experience is the "New Perspectives" program of International Schools Services (P.O. Box 5910, Princeton, NJ 08543; 609-452-0990, 609-452-2690; edustaffing@iss.edu, www.iss.edu/edustaff/jobs.html ). Very selective program entails interviewing at an International Recruitment Center (IRC) after passing the initial screening by ISS. $100 application fee, no placement fee, $150 per person per IRC. Must have bachelor's degree, teaching certification, experience living overseas, and be willing to go to any country for a 2-year contract. Areas in special demand include math, science, computers, library science, and elementary teaching. Apply by December 1 to register for the IRCs. Of 2,000 candidates per year, approximately one third obtain positions.
K-12 Job Listings. A job vacancy bulletin listing K-12 positions which may be open to those lacking experience or certification is Overseas Academic Opportunities (72 Franklin Ave., Ocean Grove NJ 07756; Tel./fax 908-774-1040, $32 per year to subscribe). Positions are regularly available in all subject areas throughout the world. English is the only language required.
Student Teaching Programs. Study abroad programs for academic credit which include a student teaching component are available for summers or semesters. Listed in Academic Year Abroad and Vacation Study Abroad, directories published by the Institute of International Education, available in university study abroad offices.
Positions in Africa
Teachers for Africa (5040 E. Shea Blvd. #260, Phoenix, AZ 85254; 602-443-1800, fax 602-443-1824; Ms. Julie Johnson: jsul@primenet.com). This mentoring program places an ethnically diverse group of experienced American administrators, school teachers, non-professional teachers with special skills, and college professors in formal and informal educational institutions in sub-Saharan African countries. Volunteers spend one academic year helping to improve the educational system in areas such as curriculum and policy development, teacher training, and technical assistance. No participation fees. Work permit, health insurance, orientation and teaching materials provided. Stipend is U.S. $800-$1,000 per month. Application deadline is mid-March. No upper age limit. Seventy-five percent of participants have advanced degrees.
Eastern Europe, Russia, and the NIS
Camp Counselors USA (www.ccusa.com). Offers an "educational work-travel program" in camps and orphanages across the former Soviet Union. Placement in camp with full room and board and small stipend. Minimum requirements include experience with children, knowledge of a foreign language (Russian helpful).
English Teachers in Ukraine (Ukrainian National Assn., 30 Montgomery St., Jersey City NJ 07302; Tel. 800-253-9862, fax 201-451-2093). Places teachers for 4 weeks during summer in over 84 cities throughout Ukraine. Bachelor's degree in Education preferred but not required. Teach students of all ages (usually high school and adults) in any setting (language school, business, factory, etc.). Non-refundable $25 application fee. Room and board with a host family. Some teaching materials and one-day orientation workshop provided.
Project Harmony (6 Irasville Common, Waitsfield VT 05673; 802-496-4545, fax 802-496-4548; pharmony@igc.apc.org, www.projectharmony.org/). Placements for second semester or full school year in Russia, the Baltics, and the Central Asian republics; most placements outside of major cities. Knowledge of Russian required for Russia. Bachelor's degree required; teaching or tutoring experience preferred. Application deadline August 1 for full school year but has rolling admission so apply early. Program fee of $2,150 includes airfare, job placement, work visa, and housing; stipend equivalent to local teacher's wages paid on- site. Health insurance (approx. $35 per month) must be paid by participant.
Travel Teach (P.O. Box 357, Rigby, ID 83442; Tel./fax 208-745-7222). Program offers unpaid internships as English teaching assistants in Moldova and Lithuania. Opportunities available throughout the year for periods from 4 weeks to a year. Includes work permit, room and board, travel excursions, orientation, training. Application year round. Application fee $75. Program fee $450 (due 8 weeks before departure).
University Teaching in Eastern Europe
City University (contact Joe Flaherty c/o City University, 335 116th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA 98004 [Attn: Ms. Sandy Anderson, Human Resources Dept.]; 425-637-1010 ext. 3973, fax 425-637-9689; jflaherty@cityu.edu, www.cityu.edu). Sends experienced instructors to City University’s branches in Bratislava, Trencin, and Poprad, Slovakia to teach in one or more of the following areas: academic prep English, undergraduate business, and MBA programs. Masters degree or higher in subject area preferred. About 20 total placements (EFL and credit courses) annually out of 120-140 applicants. A few teachers occasionally needed mid-year. Airfare, stipend, housing, health insurance provided. Apply by April for fall.
English Teaching in the Far East
Appalachians Abroad Teach in China (Marshall Univ., 212 Old Main, Huntington, WV 25755; 304-696-6265; cip@marshall.edu, www.marshall.edu/gochina). Participants teach English at K-12 and higher education institutions in Shanghai or Beijing, but placements in other areas also available. Minimum requirements are a bachelor’s degree. Job placement, work permit, international airfare, housing, health insurance, domestic travel stipend, and paid vacation provided. Salary varies depending on qualifications.
CIEE Teach Abroad Programs, 300 Fore St, Portland, ME 04101; 1.800.407.8839; teach@ciee.org, www.ciee.org/teach. CIEE places participants in English teaching positions in China, Chile, Spain, and Thailand. CIEE handles contract negotiation, visa procurement, and health and accident insurance; conducts a week-long orientation to acquaint you with the local language, culture, and teaching techniques; and have staff on the ground in all locations to assist and advise you while you are there.
Colorado China Council (4556 Apple Way, Boulder, CO 80301; 303-443-1108; www.asiacouncil.org). Places everyone from BAs to PhDs in teaching positions in the PRC and Mongolia in universities and secondary schools. Degrees in English, TEFL, journalism, business, sciences, engineering especially welcome. No Chinese necessary. Housing, health insurance, stipend paid; some schools will reimburse airfare home.
English Program in Korea—EPIK (Education Attach, Korean Consulate General, 3243 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010; 213-385-9300, fax: 213-385-1849; epik@msn.com. NY or Korean Education Center, Korean Consulate General, 460 Park Ave. at 57th St., 5th Fl., New York, NY 10022; 212-752-1700, fax 212-750-8727; edu@koreanconsulate.org, epik.knue.ac.kr). Administered by the Korean government, this is a one-year program for teaching English in Korean schools or provincial in-service training centers. Basic requirement is bachelor’s degree, but salary increases with experience and/or TEFL certification. No participation or application fees. Airfare, work permit, health insurance, orientation, and housing provided.
JET Program (JET Office, Embassy of Japan, 2520 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008; 202-238-6772, 202-238-6773 or 800-INFO-JET; eojjet@pop.erols.com, www.jetprogramme.org). Administered by the Japanese government, this is a one- to three-year program for teaching English in junior or senior high school. Bachelor's degree and U.S. citizenship required. Airfare, salary (3,600,00 yen per year), orientations, health care, and some teacher training provided. Housing arranged with host institution. A background in Asian Studies, previous experience abroad, teaching experience or other experience with groups of children seem to be advantages. For those with at least intermediate command of Japanese, Coordinator of International Relations positions are available. Required interviews are given at Japanese consulates throughout the U.S. Application deadline first week in December. Early application advised.
Overseas Service Corps of the YMCA. One-year contracts to teach English at YMCAs in Taiwan. Monthly stipend, housing, insurance, orientation, paid vacation, and return airfare are provided or reimbursed. Bachelor's degree required, teaching experience preferred. Minimal teacher training provided but some teaching materials provided through local YMCA. Contact: kpsmile@flash.net.
Princeton-in-Asia (224 Palmer Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544; 609-258-3657, fax 609-258-5300; pia@phoenix.princeton.edu, www.princeton.edu/~pia). Paid internship programs for college graduates, usually teaching English, for one or two years in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam. Teachers may be responsible for transportation. Salary very much country-dependent; housing and health insurance arranged.
Private Language Schools in East Asia
JAPAN. AEON Intercultural Corporation (Three offices in the U.S. 203 N. LaSalle St., #2100, Chicago, IL 60601; 312-251-0900, fax 312-251-0901; aeonchi@aeonet.com or 1960 E. Grand Ave., #550, El Segundo, CA 90245; 310-414-1515, fax 310-414-1616; aeonla@aeonet.com or 230 Park Ave., Suite 1000, New York, NY 10169; 212-808-3080, fax 212-599-0340; aeonnyc@aeonet.com) Recruits teachers for their 306 schools in Japan. Hires year round, 1-year contracts. Must have bachelor's degree or above, must attend interview process in US, Canada or Australia. Five-day work week is 36 hours, of which 25 are teaching hours. Salary is 255,000 yen per month. Furnished apartment, health insurance, teaching materials, teacher training, work visa, and airfare back to USA provided. $200USD deposit upon signing of contract is reimbursed in Japan. Send resume and essay about why you would like to live and work in Japan to nearest regional office. For more information, visit their website at www.aeonet.com.
GEOS (Simpson Tower 2424, 401 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario M5H 2Y4, Canada; 416-777-0109; fax. 416-777-0110; toronto@geoscareer.com, www.geoscareer.com). A language school chain with over 500 locations throughout Japan and worldwide. Salary, housing, insurance, teaching materials and ongoing teacher training are provided, along with airfare back to U.S. upon completion of contract. Hires year-round, requires 1-year contract with 26 teaching hours per week. Must attend orientation and training at GEOS office. Bachelor's degree, enthusiasm, and flexibility required; overseas living experience or teaching/business experience desirable.
TAIWAN. Hess Language School (Hess Educational Organization, No. 107, Sec. 2, Minquan East Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City 104, Taiwan 011-886-2-2592-6998; fax. 011-886-2-2586-3829; hesswork@hess.com.tw, www.hess.com.tw. ). Recruits teachers for their 75 locations around Taiwan; 18-22 hours per week. Must have a bachelor's degree and passport from an English-speaking country. Experience working with children and living in a large city strongly preferred. Salary, assistance in finding housing, health insurance, teaching materials and paid teacher training, and "survival" Chinese classes provided. Hires 4 times per year for 1-year contracts. No fees; typically hires 55-65 percent of applicants.
KOREA: ELS Language Centers, An international chain of language schools with 25 schools in the U.S. and 50 overseas. Greatest need is in Korea; www.ybmhr.com, but also across Asia; www.els.edu/International/Centers/default.els?ISO=en. Minimum requirements are a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate of 130 hours or more. ELS offers its own 1-month TEFL certificate course; hiring preference given to graduates of this course. Monthly salaries vary from $800-$2,400. Availability of work permit, health insurance, and housing depends on school. Applications accepted year round. Send cover letter, resume, and two references. Indicate availability and preferred country.
ANTHONY HAND is an alum of the JET Program. He is a Peer Advisor at the Overseas Opportunities Office at the Univ. of Michigan International Center and a graduate student in the School of Information. William Nolting is the Study, Work, & Travel Abroad and Peace Corps Manager at the University of Michigan International Center and International Educational Editor for Transitions Abroad.
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