Teaching English Abroad: Short- and Long-term Jobs

Is it possible to find jobs teaching English
for only a few months?

For a few years? For the rest of my life?

Yes!

Short-Term EFL Teaching Jobs

In many countries there are considerable costs for schools, in terms of money as well as in time and headaches, to get their EFL teachers legal residence visas and work permits. Therefore, you will find a smaller pool of TEFL employers who wish to employ you for short-term employment.

In the last few years though more and more short-term positions are becoming available. Some even include airfare. Head over to TEFL Temp to scout short-term jobs. If you have trouble finding short-term work (less than one year) in countries where you would like to be located, consider volunteer work in those same countries. TEFL Temp has a page on volunteer programs as well.

One Year – or a Life Time Teaching English Abroad

One-year TEFL jobs are very easy to find and if you wish to spend the rest of your life teaching EFL around the world you will find it quite easy to do so.

One caveat is that age discrimination is much more open in most of the world, but as I write this page, at 58 years of age, with white hair and a wrinkled face, I would not have trouble finding good jobs in several countries. I started in EFL at the age of forty and had no problem at that time either. But, know that the older you get, you may need to use more direct tactics, such as showing up on the scene and interviewing personally rather than applying from abroad.

What about Older EFL Teachers?

Many EFL teachers start teaching English at an older age. I did. In Korea a few years ago I saw many teachers in their 40s, 50s and even a few in their 60s. The same is true in Thailand, Taiwan, and China. If you are concerned, go on the discussion boards and ask about the countries in which you are interested.

Typically, the people who ask get positive responses from older people already teaching there or who have taught there before.

Younger EFL Teachers?

Even more demand for them! Though, you may sometimes find yourself stereotypically slotted for teaching younger students. They will think that you have the energy that kids require and schools often worry that younger teachers will not command respect from their adult students. As the great majority of students at languages in most countries are children, you are all set.

TED’s Tips™ #1: Short-term or long-term, it’s up to you. Go get it!

TED’s Tips™ #2: Older teachers, let’s say 50s and up, might need to show up on the scene to interview to avoid blatant age discrimination. Interviewing in person gives you the opportunity to demonstrate that you are energetic and positive and it will not be unusual to be offered a job on the spot.

What’s up in China? Learn what kind of jobs are on offer if would like to Teach English in China

How to Teach English Overseas and Secrets to Success Abroad
TEFL eBooks is offering a free download of their new publication Seven Secrets of Success Abroad - and along with it comes a bi-weekly installment and revision of their eBook called How to Teach English Overseas.

Great reviews for the Secrets of Success eBook – in spite of the hokey name – and the How to Teach English eBook is being updated and rewritten and sent out in installments as it is ready.

Here they are – click on the eBooks to get your FREE copies! Great information and the price is right, from our friends at TEFLeBooks.

Please let me know what you think of the ebooks – use the comments section below.

I confess both eBooks are written by yours truly – hoping to inspire others to head overseas and live life BIG out in the real world. I would value your feedback!

Finding a Job Teaching English Abroad #1

The Job Search in TEFL

I hope you already read the previous post about finding a TEFL position that fits well with the skills and experience you may already have. That approach is simple and moves you in front of the pack of people just looking for “any old job” teaching English.

The point I want to make today about the job search, and it was mentioned in the previous post too, is to not apply only to schools that are advertising. In fact, your best strategy is to apply to schools that are not advertising. I landed three of my last four college/university teaching positions at schools that were not advertising at the time

There are many reasons why this is the best strategy, but I will highlight the two most important ones.

Schools often don’t like to advertise and interview candidates.

Schools don’t usually have human resources staff who take this time-consuming task for them. The person responsible for fielding applications, questions and sorting out interviews and hiring is already busy with their full-time job teaching. Other teachers are not usually too excited about being asked to “sit in” on interviews either.

So . . . interviewing and looking for new people is not a favorite task among teachers – at any school. The department head would be very happy to have a qualified candidate walk in the door and present themselves for the opening that may be coming up soon or that already exists. Or have your resume/CV and smiling photo arrive in the mail.

The Numbers Game

I had a friend once who was looking for a job in a language school in a city that had about ten major schools. Most of those schools had about four to eight teachers. Those schools rarely advertised as they were looking for a native-speaking foreigner and most of the schools had no idea how to get one without using a recruiter.

Yet my friend was hesitant to knock on a couple unadvertised doors.

Let’s look at the numbers though. Ten schools with an average of about six teachers each. That means sixty teachers all rotating in and out. That means – on average – one opening every week.

Most people will give a month’s notice for that kind of job and so we have at least four openings that schools know about at any one time. So about a 40% opportunity that any school you go to will have an opening coming up or an opening right now that they need to fill.

And won’t they be relieved that they don’t have to do a load of interviews?

Ted’s Tips™ #1: Don’t wait for a job to be advertised. Beat the crowd and just go get it.

Ted’s Tips™ #2: Schools and especially colleges and universities often know when other schools have openings. If you are polite and conduct your search in a way that reflects well on your – they will often tell you about another school that has an opening if they don’t.

Why fight the competition? Just out think them.

Using Current Skills to Teach English

Find your Special TEFL Skills

Most people just grab the first TEFL job that comes their way – I certainly did. No big deal.

But, the really smart people (I said I didn’t do it, remember?) analyze their previous job experience and try to find a TEFL job related to that.

This is assuming, of course, that you enjoyed something you did in the past.

What you Already Know is Powerful Stuff

Believe it or not, I have taught with, and taught (as a teacher-trainer) petroleum engineers, accountants, lawyers, nurses, ship’s pilots, factory managers, artists, designers, social workers, journalists, travel agents, and many other people from very diverse backgrounds.

All these people had very specialized skills that are needed in the TEFL world. They had in-depth knowledge of specialized vocabulary, processes and procedures that schools and businesses value. You too, probably have such skills.

The Best Way to Market Yourself in TEFL

One very nice way to upgrade where you might teach, is to go and find a college, technical school or university that teaches that special skill your work history has given you.

Wouldn’t an engineering school or tech company prefer an engineer to someone with no knowledge of their field? I know nothing of design and mathematics!

Wouldn’t a nursing school or international hospital prefer a nurse or medical assistant who knows the specialized vocabulary of the field?

Wouldn’t a large international accounting firm prefer an experienced accountant?

Wouldn’t a college or university prefer someone who knows exactly the stresses and challenges their students are facing? Of course they would.

Other Benefits of this Job Search Method

Other than the fact that teaching ESP (English for Special Purposes) almost always pays better than teaching General English, you will also find people with whom you share similar interests and knowledge.

And where better to find friends in your new country?

If you can’t find such a job at first, don’t forget to keep looking. They are out there, usually pay better – and you will enjoy yourself more.

My Good Luck

I’ve had the good fortune to teach ESP classes in every country in which I have worked. They always paid more and they were always more interesting.

Ted’s Tips™ #1: Search the Internet for colleges and universities and large corporations in your target country that specialize in what you already know. Approach them first and be sure you have highlighted your related skill in your resume/CV.

Their students are always more motivated because you are literally there to help them do a better job with their English speaking customers and sometimes even their English speaking boss(es).

Ted’s Tips™ #2: Just because a school isn’t advertising doesn’t mean they aren’t looking for a teacher and/or don’t need you.

Smart people approach schools when they aren’t advertising – and avoid the flood of applicants. It is a way to lessen the competition for that ESP job you want.

Teaching English and Job Security

Is there job security when teaching English abroad?

People often ask me this question and my answer is usually, “Yes, and No.”

To a large extent it depends on your employer and the country in which you decide to work. The English teaching world is not really any different from working in your home country, there are excellent employers and there are shady characters you hope you never work for.

So, just like back home, take your time and select your employer carefully. See Checking your Employer’s Reputation on this blog.

It is up to you to create your “security”.

Easy enough answer, no?

There are many people in this business, and I am one of them, who will tell you that you should always consider yourself a “private contractor”. That you should always think of yourself as working for yourself. Don’t count on any one employer looking out for you or assuring your future. If you do, you will surely be disappointed.

Case in point: My best friend worked for a university in Korea for over ten years, only to find that they had decided to implement a policy which would limit foreigners to THREE years. At first, he was told that they would “grandfather” him into his position.

But the reality was that he had to leave. He had put down roots in the town where the school is and had made himself very comfortable in a good job. He did his best every year for the students and school. Yet, he found himself hustled out the door. Boooooo, bad school!

Year-to-Year Contracts

Year-to-year contracts are the norm in this industry and that should tell you something. Namely, that you should be prepared to hunt down a new job every year (but you won’t really have to). Some jobs, in some countries offer longer contracts. they are not rare but they are not really common either.

Though contracts for teaching English tend to be year to year, lots of people work for many years at all kinds of schools. If you do a decent job, you will usually be renewed.

It’s not all that bad

The good thing about all this is that, as noted in one of the subheadings, you will have to learn to create your own security. You will find a deep sense of satisfaction in building your own employment and financial world that is independent of your employer(s).

Don’t find yourself in the same boat as the people who worked for Enron or Worldcom, CitiBank, Bernand Madoff or even those who relied on defined benefit retirement plans from some of the largest corporations in the world. Take care of your future.

TED’s Tips™ #1: Learn to take care of yourself. It’s not a bad idea, it’s a GREAT idea.

If you intend to spend more than just a year or two abroad or if you surprise yourself and end up spending longer than you thought you would, get moving at educating yourself for long-term financial security.

I bought and paid off several rental properties to help provide for my old age (Yeah! You can do that while teaching English and seeing the world!) I am not rich but I don’t have to worry about my former employer(s) going bankrupt and failing to pay my living expenses.

TED’s Tips™ #2: Find out about medical plans independent of the minimal plans offered by your employers.

While you are young and healthy this may not be too much of an issue, but life can throw surprises and challenges at you at inconvenient times.

Because the cost of medical in many countries is much lower than in Western countries, you may find good quality insurance much less expensive than you had thought.

Carrying your own insurance usually makes it portable, so you are covered even while traveling outside the country in which you are working, which is rarely the case with employer provided insurance. That portability can also mean you are free to change employers and countries when and if you wish and still be covered – even between jobs.

Disclaimer: Sorry, but you know how the world is . . . so here I will say – don’t follow my advice, nothing is my fault if you create problems in your life and please read our legal disclaimer.

Types of TEFL Jobs

What kinds of TEFL jobs are out there?

What TEFL jobs exist? What might I look for?

More types of jobs exist than you or I can imagine.

Almost every area of international business and industry, when operating overseas, needs some level of EFL instruction. Most non-English speaking countries have large EFL industries teaching English to children and/or adults. Universities in non-English speaking countries around the world have EFL programs for their students. Major international hospitals need EFL training for their doctors, nurses, receptionists, call centers.

International airlines often need EFL training for their staff, as do travel agencies, resorts and hotels, tour guides, scuba instructors, as just about everything that has to do with the hospitality, travel, and tour industries.

Even the armies, navies, and air forces of the world need EFL instruction, as do police forces in countries and cities where English speaking tourists and/or residents are common.

What this means

This is all good for the “newbies” in the TEFL world – as it means that there may well be a teaching job out there that is related to your previous employment and for which you would be a “natural” and the preferred hire – having knowledge of the special vocabulary and needs of that type of job.

Keep your mind open

So many possibilities exist that you need to be creative in looking for them. Not all of them will be traditionally advertised and many are not regularly advertised as they have difficulty finding the specialists they need. Not all of them will be familiar to the typical poster on the Internet’s TEFL discussion boards, so be careful when you ask there. All these options exist in addition to all the traditional school-based TEFL jobs – that are, in fact, very easy to find and land.

TED’s Tips™ #1: Search for and find the job that best fits your skills and experiences.
Almost everyone has a unique set of skills and experiences. Exploit them for all they are worth, and they are often worth a lot. If you have special skills and talent, why not use them?

TED’s Tips™ #2: Don’t expect the BEST job for you to be traditionally advertised.
And certainly don’t expect the right job for you to be consistently advertised. One of the best examples is the resort and hospitality industry.

Many major five and six star resorts do not bother to advertise their openings as when they do they are usually swamped with applicants wanting to work in such an idealized setting. If you have resort/hospitality experience (waiter/waitress, hostess and many other roles) don’t hesitate to personally call on (even cold call) major resorts.

An example: LeMeridien Resort on Phuket Island a several years ago advertised for an English teacher. Sixty people applied, but only twenty were willing to go to Phuket to interview. Only THREE showed up! Can you get the job if you have experience and know what to teach? You bet!

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I want you to succeed.

EnjoY!

Ted