If you are looking for that next great international experience of a lifetime, you might consider teaching English abroad.
With approximately 1 billion people learning English worldwide, no field offers more opportunities to live, work, and travel abroad, and guess what – you don’t need prior experience or a background in teaching. In fact, if studying abroad is “International Experience of a Lifetime 1.0”, then consider teaching English abroad “International Experience of a Lifetime 2.0+.” Here’s why:
It’s a great job market that will enable you to get paid to live in a foreign country.
Chances are that you (or your folks!) spent thousands of dollars for you to study abroad, but from China and Thailand to Spain and Costa Rica, demand for English teachers is so high that virtually any English speaker can teach English in dozens of countries around the world and get paid doing so. In most countries in Europe and Latin America, English teachers make enough to live a comfortable lifestyle, but don’t typically save substantial sums. However, in East Asian countries like Japan, Vietnam, and Taiwan, English teachers make enough to save 30%-50% of their salary after expenses and often receive benefits like free airfare and housing.
Experience a foreign culture as a local!
As an English teacher abroad, you will become a full-fledged member of the local community in a foreign country. You’ll likely live in a typical neighbourhood, you’ll shop at local markets, and you’ll hang out at neighbourhood cafes and bars. You’ll also enjoy unique opportunities to experience national customs and rituals like weddings, festivals, and national holidays, and you’ll have great opportunities to travel both locally and regionally.
Learn a foreign language
Whether it’s Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, or Arabic, the best way to learn a foreign language is to live in a culture where you will be immersed in that language on a daily basis. Teaching English abroad provides a perfect opportunity to live and study a language in that environment.
Great Travel Opportunities
If you’re teaching English in Prague, Czech Republic (sounds fantastic, doesn’t it), you can easily hop on a short flight or train ride and visit nations like Germany, Hungary, and Austria for the weekend – how awesome is that? Or, imagine yourself as an English teacher in Korea – you’ll have the ability to zip down for a week of sun and fun on the beaches of Bali or Thailand, take a quick excursion to Tokyo, or explore other great Asian treasures like Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the Great Wall Of China.
Boost your resume for graduate school and future employment opportunities
In an increasingly globalized economy and an ultra-competitive job market, teaching English abroad provides real international work experience that is highly sought by employers in nearly every sector. In addition, graduate programs, including law schools and MBA programs, increasingly seek “real world” work experience and those with an international background. Teaching English abroad provides exactly that.
What’s the catch?
The “catch” is you have to go do it! Living overseas isn’t for everyone, but for those who want the adventure of a lifetime, it is THE option. The other catch is you have to research your options, learn about job markets around the world, and be prepared to travel! You also need a TEFL certification course that will provide you with the training you need to become an effective foreign language teacher and a credential that thousands of schools and language institutes seek when hiring new teachers.
A TEFL certification course is the golden ticket to get paid to teach English around the world. TEFL classes can be done in 4 weeks full time or 11 week part time online.
