Daydreaming about living abroad? Jet-setting around the world while earning a living? You’re not alone.
It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out in your teaching career or you’ve already amassed years of experience. Most educators have faced the daunting task of searching for that one teaching job abroad. You’ll see a lot of people who left their home countries, secured a teaching job overseas, and are now living their best lives abroad.
The reopening of the education job market around the world after the global pandemic has certainly allowed people to live that life. Teaching abroad can be a transformative experience, and learning how to apply for it is crucial for a positive outcome.
How to get a teaching job overseas?
Securing a teaching job abroad is a step-by-step process. You won’t just click on apply for a job online, get called in for an interview and be on the jet to the Maldives. It’s a lot more than that. So let’s dive into how you can land a teaching job overseas.
First, you’ll need to get a teaching certification. The most common certifications are English teaching certificates like TESL, TEFL, TESOL, and CELTA.These certifications help people teach English to others.TESL stands for teaching non-English speakers in an English-speaking country. TEFL is for teaching non-English speakers in a non-English-speaking country. TESOL is a mix of TESL and TEFL and is for teaching in both types of countries. Meanwhile, CELTA is the most recognized certificate and is for teaching adults.
Second, fix your CV. As you’ve gained experience, and have received your certification, it’s important you include it in your resume. Employers need to know what your recent experience is. It doesn’t matter if it’s not related to teaching. A clean and readable resume allows for an employer to understand where you come from. It also allows them to see what value you bring to the job.
Third, look for teaching job vacancies and apply. Although networking and individual connections made during a TEFL or TESOL program can be helpful in finding a job, it is often best to explore all available options. There are various resources available for finding teaching jobs abroad. Some popular ones include online job boards, international education recruitment agencies, and social media groups focused on teaching abroad. It is also a good idea to research the job market in the country or region you are interested in.
You can visit the EDU Jobs and get access to 1,500+ job opportunities in more than 40 countries across the globe.
Fourth, ace the interview. It is important to prepare in advance to do well in the interview. Familiarize yourself with the platform being used for the interview and ensure that your technology is working properly. Practice speaking confidently and clearly in front of a camera, as you may be asked to submit recorded answers to questions. Research the school or organization beforehand and prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview.
Fifth, prepare your documents, pack your stuff and fly. Once you get confirmation that you’ve secured the job, you can prepare your stuff and start packing up to move abroad.
It’s important to have all your relevant travel and work documents in place. You don’t want to get panicky once you’re required to give them to the relevant people.
It’s also important just to pack what’s needed, don’t over-pack and carry a burden. Learn a bit about the region you’re traveling to, to be aware of the customs and traditions.
Sixth, you have now arrived at your destination. Visit the school you had applied to, familiarize yourself with the administration, and they’ll help you settle in. You can discuss your requirements as a foreign traveler, and they may be able to help in whatever way possible. Settle down in your accommodation, learn a bit about your neighborhood and the local hangout spots.
Can you get a TEFL certificate without a degree?
Teaching abroad may sound impossible without a degree, but it is not necessarily the case. While some countries may need a degree for work visas and some employers may prefer it, don’t worry if you don’t have one.
It won’t exclude you from having a fulfilling teaching experience. You can start your teaching career and find great teaching jobs abroad. You’ll need an accredited TEFL certification that doesn’t really need you to have a degree.
Teaching may seem like a stressful job in itself, adding a foreign country into the mix may sound like a recipe for disaster. More than often, that’s not the case.
What’s important is to be aware of the country you’re traveling to. Considering you’re already familiar with your profession, that part may not be as problematic. Knowing about the country you’ve traveled to is important because it can help with a lot of future inconveniences.
Educators may experience homesickness, language barriers, traditional barriers as well. But all this can be overcome if you’re familiar with your country and the people you’ve associated yourself with. Teaching abroad in general is an amazing experience that allows you to connect with new people.
It also allows you to connect with an entirely new place, and with a new cultural experience in itself. Want more free resources? Sign up now and join our community.
