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Teaching English
With the emergence of English as the global language the demand for
learning English in non- native countries and countries with immigrant
population has increased many folds and therefore also has the demand
for English teachers. Counties like Thailand and China have taken up the
task of making English the second language like a crusade in order to
compete with the rest of the world. Till very recently any one who was a
native speaker was expected to be an English teacher but soon it was
realized that just the ability to converse in a language was not enough
to teach. Teaching requires certain skills and knowledge so now it is
nearly mandatory to have a TESOL/ TEFL qualification in order to teach
English in schools, language centers or at corporate levels. Often the
best jobs with the best salaries are reserved for TESOL/ TEFL certified
teachers. And in an increasingly competitive environment, it's an
absolute necessity at certain schools and in certain locations.
So before you embark on a search for a ESL/ EFL teachers job you may
want ot look at the following queries:
Teaching
English Abroad
The best way to talk about teaching English is to deal with some
frequently asked questions. Here are a few:
1. Do I need to have a college degree to get a teaching position
overseas?
2. Is it necessary that I speak a foreign language to teach English
abroad?
3. Can I
teach abroad with an online certificate?
4. Do you offer job
placement assistance?
5. Will I save
money while working overseas?
6. What kind of benefits/assistance can I expect from schools abroad?
7. Will I be able to support myself working for only one school?
8. Will I need to sign a contract, and if so, what are the general
obligations?
1. Do I need to have a college degree to get a teaching position
overseas?
The majority of schools around the world prefer that you have a college
degree; many will not hire a teacher without one. In most locations in
Asia—as well as in some other countries—it is a requirement in order to
receive a work visa. However, in some places, teachers without degrees
can qualify to teach English. If you do not have a college degree, it is
best to ask about the specific location in which you are interested.
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2. Is it necessary that I speak a foreign language to teach English
abroad?
No. Some schools do appreciate it if you know the native language, if
for no other reason than to be able to handle yourself more comfortably
in the environment. In some cases, you may even be offered more money.
However, if you've completed the TESOL course you should be able to
teach English successfully in any country in the world, whether you know
the language or not. Furthermore, many schools offer language classes
and social activities to help familiarize their teachers with the local
culture.
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3. Can I
teach abroad with an online certificate?
Yes. TEFL Online qualifies you for many of the thousands of teaching
positions overseas. While some schools in some countries prefer teachers
with on-site experience, the most important thing for many language
centers is that you be certified. TEFL Online gives you a solid
foundation in classroom management, grammar awareness, and teaching the
basic language skills so that upon completion you are ready to teach
overseas. For more information, please visit :
www.onlineteflcourse.com
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4. Do you offer job
placement assistance?
Yes. TEFL International includes a comprehensive module on professional
development and employment. You will receive a job database with
specific contact information for organizations that hire English
teachers, a list of the best Internet sites for researching TEFL, and
job search advice. For more information, please visit
www.esl-teachers.net .If you
would like us to find you a guaranteed job abroad, please visit
www.esl-teachers.net.
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5. Will I save
money while working overseas?
A lot depends on the location you choose, the cost of living, and how
you budget. The higher paying jobs are generally in Japan, Korea, and
Taiwan. However, the cost of living is generally higher in these
locations as well. Some schools in Korea provide housing for teachers,
allowing you to save extra money.
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6. What kind of benefits/assistance can I expect from schools abroad?
Most schools offer housing assistance for their teachers. Some actively
place teachers in subsidized housing where they live with other foreign
teachers. Other schools have a staff member dedicated to helping
teachers find accommodation. In many locations, you will be expected to
pay for your own transportation to the country, as well as health
insurance. However, some schools and programs in Asia provide insurance
and reimburse you for your airfare upon completion of a long-term
(6-month to 2-year) contract.
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7. Will I be able to support myself working for only one school?
Again, this depends greatly on the location in which you are teaching.
In Asia, or elsewhere if you work full-time for a public school, you are
likely to sign a contract with a guaranteed salary. You should be able
to live comfortably on this salary, and maybe even save some money,
especially if the organization subsidizes housing. However, in many
situations it is difficult to support yourself working for just one
school. Teachers usually compensate for this by teaching private classes
on the side, working for several schools (if permitted by local
visa/contract laws), or having some money saved up before they venture
abroad.
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8. Will I need to sign a contract, and if so, what are the general
obligations?
Contracts vary depending upon the organization and on the labor laws of
each country. The points covered by a contract may include the minimum
number of guaranteed hours, amount and frequency of pay, length of
service, hours the teachers must be available to teach, whether teachers
can teach classes outside of the school, and conditions under which the
contract can be broken. Be aware that schools in certain countries will
ask you to teach on the basis of a verbal contract only. If this is the
case, be sure that you and the administration are clear on the
conditions of your employment, so there are no surprises later on.
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