region guides
WESTERN EUROPE
Visa
No visa requirements for EU nationals or European Passport holders. Often British and Irish National are preferred by schools for this reason. Many schools will not want to finance and support a lengthy or complicated visa process for other nationalities. Residence permits are required for all and are mostly straightforward and organised on arrival.
What you get
Schools in Europe rarely offer much. Teachers are usually responsible for funding their own travel there. A return flight at the end of a contract may be available. Some assistance with accommodation is offered but generally schools want teachers to be able to organise independently (some language skills are therefore required). There are no contributions made to health insurance during the contract. New teachers receive in house training on arrival to the schools specification.
Qualifications
Great emphasis is on CELTA and/or DELTA qualifications. A degree is generally not compulsory but maybe the requirement of certain schools. A B.Ed degree or PGCE qualifications will strengthen any application. It is not unusual for many schools to want a minimum of 1 years previous teaching experience.
Contract
Hours: Expect a schedule of 20-30 contact hours per week organised at any time through the day and evening. Working at the weekends is also expected. The average length of lesson is 45mins - 1 hour.
Length of contract: one academic year from September - June.
Students
Mostly adults but there is a growing teenage (13-19) market. Business English is a main focus in certain countries such as France, Netherlands, Germany etc. Syllabus and teaching is based heavily on developing grammar skills and preparing for certificate examinations etc.
Money
Salaries vary according to qualifications and experience but an average monthly gross salary is EUR 1,000 - 1,300 (GBP 690 - 880).
Difficult countries to get work in: France, Germany, Netherlands, Scandinavia - due to the standard of their education systems and a lower demand for EFL.
Reasons to go
Teaching a year or more in a western European school provides a teacher with some solid experience, a good working knowledge of industry textbooks and exam courses; experience required of any teachers who want to carry on to do DELTA.
Some interesting cultures on offer and an opportunity to learn "manageable" languages.
Close to the UK for those who do not want jump in at the deep end and have to cope with big culture shock at the time as going into the classroom for the first time.
Reasons not to go
The financial package is not the most dazzling and there is little or no welfare support offered by schools.
EASTERN EUROPE
Visa
No Visa requirements for EU nationals or European Passport holders. Some non EU countries, such as Russia, however, involve a lengthy visa process. Schools in these countries will assist with this process. Residence permits are required for all Eastern European countries and like western Europe are straightforward and organised on arrival.
What you get
Most schools tend to offer a one way or return flight as part of the contract. Schools either have flats to rent to teachers or can assist teachers in getting basic accommodation as this can be quite difficult in some Eastern European countries. Teachers are given, generally, more welfare support on arrival. Schools can also throw in "perks" such as free music lessons, free gym membership or free language classes.
Money
An average gross monthly salary is USD 400 - 800 (GBP 250 - 450) per month. All salaries are paid in an equivalent local currency.
Contract
Hours: A standard teaching schedule is 15-20 contact hours a week with lessons lasting an average of 45 mins each.
Contract length: one academic year from September - June
Students
Similar to the classrooms of western Europe with roughly 70% adult students and some teenagers. In countries such as Russia and the Ukraine, there is more of an emphasis on Business English.
Qualifications
Basic requirements is a CELTA and/or DELTA qualification. A degree is generally not compulsory but maybe the requirement of certain schools. Eastern Europe is a good place to start for newly qualified teachers. No previous experience is required especially in countries like Poland.
Difficult countries
The Baltic Countries (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) and Romania, countries that are expanding in their need for EFL but at present offer more voluntary work experience opportunities.
Reasons to go
Will provide a good academic years experience for those just starting out. Like countries in Western Europe, an opportunity to live and experience a historically rich countries and learn some interesting "do-able" languages.
Reasons not to go
Winters can be harsh. Standard of living such as accommodation is low. Both aspects can lead to teacher depression!
MIDDLE EAST
Visa
Teachers go through a full visa process prior to arrival. This usually involves necessary paperwork being organised and sent from the school directly to the teacher who is then responsible for getting it processed in the embassies. Schools cover visa costs. Tourist visa's are not allowed and teachers cannot arrive in the country until this process is fully complete. Departure delays can, therefore, be unavoidable.
What you get
Possibly the best in the TEFL world! Lots of Holidays (40+ days a year), generous tax free salaries, free return flights, free accommodation, perks such as transport and Insurance and the list can go on.
Money
The best salary generally available to a TEFL teacher. Gross annual salary ranges from USD 18,000 - 47,000. Salaries are often tax free.
Contract
Contract length: 1-2 years
Hours: ana average of 30 contact hours per week and further administrative hours
Students
Often all male classes or all female classes. The main teaching opportunities are in state schools, post secondary schools and universities, therefore the average age group ranges from 13 - 24 years.
Qualifications
Most schools are in a position to demand a lot from candidates, only considering highly experienced and qualified candidates. TEFL Certs (CELTA/DELTA), MA in TESOL/Applied Linguistics are some qualifications sought along with 2 years or more teaching experience.
Difficult countries
Iraq, Iran and Lebanon, for the obvious reasons.
Things to stop you from going
Female teachers need to be fully aware of Middle Eastern societies perception of females . There is a strict social code and lifestyle regime for all. These countries generally have limited leisure activities to offer.
Things to make you go
An undeniably amazing financial package with great perks and a guaranteed capacity for saving. Teaching and living in the middle East offers an extraordinary insight into a complex culture.
ASIA
Visa
All Asian countries require working visa's. Schools organise a working visa valid between 1 -3 years. Sometimes it is necessary for a teacher to arrive in the country, initially on a tourist visa but the process is started immediately thereafter. A degree is an essential requirement for the visa application.
Contract
Minimum of 12months. Schools in Asia recruit teachers all year through, therefore, contracts can start at any time of the year
Hours: 20-30 contact hours per week with 45 min- 1 hour classes.
What you get
A one way / return airfare (depending on the school) is usually reimbursed to the teacher after the first few months of employment. Schools organise health insurance and accommodation but the teacher covers these costs from their monthly salary. In house training and general orientation provided on arrival especially with regards to teaching younger learners.
Salary
Monthly salaries will vary from Asian country to Country e.g. Thailand to Japan, but they tend to be always sufficient to live comfortably according to the standard of living of the country. In Japan, a gross monthly salary ranges from JPY 60,000 to 80,000 a month; sufficient to combat the high cost of living and also save. This is also true of countries like Taiwan and Korea. In China and Thailand, gross monthly salaries are lower at GBP 800 but are relative to the lower cost of living in these countries.
Students
In Asia, the majority of students are younger learners, some as young as 3 years old, Kindergarten level. Teachers should expect to teach at least 60% Younger learners (3-16 years). There are adult classes too in which there is a greater requirement for the development of speaking and conversational skills.
Qualifications
A degree is a compulsory requirement for most Asian schools due to Government requirements for the visa. A CELTA is preferable but there are some schools that offer positions to unqualified teachers, providing a comprehensive training programme themselves. No previous experience required. A good starting place for newly Qualified teachers and those who want a year abroad before doing something non-teaching related.
Difficult countries
Hong Kong where there are more international schools requiring PGCE, Bed qualified EFL teachers.
Things to stop you going
The number of Younger learner classes that would be compulsory to teach. Starting your first TEFL job in the midst of absolute culture shock! Not having a degree.
Things to make you go
The excitement and the extreme case of something completely different that Asian countries generate.
For those who love working with children or are considering a future in primary education, the experience in invaluable.
Good salaries and good welfare support to allow you to get the most out of a year or more in Asia.
LATIN AMERICA
Visa
Visa should be applied for in the country of origin, however, due to restricting recruitment budgets, most schools are unable to recruit from outside their country. Big chain schools who can recruit from abroad organise the visa process which can take 3-4 months. Most teachers go to Latin America unofficially and often work there without an official visa as a result.
Contract
Contract length : When arranged before hand e.g. with a big chain school, contract lengths require 18 months - 2 years commitment but on the spot (getting a job once you have arrived in your chosen country) contracts can be as short as 3-6 months. The school term begins in February and March following the summer holidays.
Hours: With a full weekly schedule 25-30 contact hours is the norm.
What you get
The reason that not many schools recruit their teachers in advance from abroad is that they do no have to the money to do so. Very rarely will a school pay things like flights and insurance. Some assistance may be given with accommodation but this is more likely to do with the fact that they are nice people and not their obligation or duty as employer to the teacher. Lots of opportunities to live with families though and the school will have connections. A knowledge of Spanish is hugely beneficial.
Money
Usually sufficient in keeping with the cost of living of the country but of little worth outside Latin America. Can range from USD 2 per hour (Bolivia, Argentina) to USD 10-15 (Chile, Brazilian cities) an hour, the equivalent paid in the local currency. Lots of private teaching opportunities available in order to supplement incomes.
Students
A high demand for American English than anywhere else and schools, therefore, tend to favour north American teachers as opposed to British or Irish. Teaching involves mainly adults but the younger learner market (8years +) is growing. Latin American students tend to be very lively but teachers need to be flexible in their time management as students all function on a different time zone to that of the teacher!
Qualifications
Standard requirements for the big chain schools are a degree and CELTA. The CELTA/TESOL qualification, however, is not widely recognised so there are opportunities to teach unqualified.
Difficult countries
Most countries in South America offer teaching opportunities. Areas like central America and the Caribbean are more difficult with only volunteer work attainable.
Things to stop you going
No flights, no health insurance and poor salaries. Political and social instability in some Latin American countries. (e.g. Colombia, Bolivia).
Things to make you go
A rich culture of music and dance, all countries (except Brazil) are Spanish speaking. A warm welcome on offer to any foreigner wanting to live and work there.
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