Imagine standing in front of a class in Japan, helping students perfect their English, or exploring cities in Spain on weekends after teaching eager learners during the week.
Image by kimmi jun via Pexels
Teaching abroad is an amazing way to experience new cultures, grow as an educator, and see the world!
But where do you start? Let's figure it out together!
Step 1: Get Certified
You'll need the right qualifications to land an English teaching job abroad.
Most countries require a Bachelor's degree in any field, but a degree in education or English would be a plus!
Photo by RUT MIIT on UnsplashYou'll also need TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA certifications with 120+ hours. These certifications ensure you know the basics of teaching English as a foreign language.
But what's the difference?
TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language): focuses on teaching English in non-English-speaking countries a. It tends to be cheaper and cam be done online.
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages): is versatile and accepted in domestic and international jobs.
CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults): highly recognized and focuses on teaching English to adults, though skills can apply to teaching other age groups as well. It puts a strong focus on practical experience.
Pro Tip:
Do your research and make sure the institutions offering TEFL or TESOL courses are accredited before signing up. Having accreditation assures future employers that you're properly trained and educated.
It's also a plus to have some teaching experience — as a tutor, teaching assistant, or a volunteer — but it's not a prerequisite.
However, if you're looking at working at international schools, becoming a certified teacher in your country with some teaching experience under your belt will really help with your job search.
You're looking for a teaching job abroad and see two offers.
School #1 requires only a TEFL certification, while School #2 insists on CELTA and offers higher pay. You have a TEFL certification and are unsure if you should take the CELTA course or just apply to School #1.
What should you consider before making your decision?
A. Applying to School #1 is the best option, since it’s quicker to start and doesn’t require extra certification.
B. Taking the CELTA course and applying to School #2 is the best option because the certification will boost your qualifications and lead to better long-term opportunities.
C. Your choice depends on whether you plan to teach long-term or short-term and the type of school you want to work in.
D. Both certifications are the same, so it doesn't matter which job you take.
Quiz
What should you consider before making your decision?
Step 2: Pick your Destination
Choosing where to teach is key!
Sure, you might like to travel to Japan because you love the food or to Spain because of the relaxing lifestyle. But each country has its own rules, benefits, and working conditions, so you need to do your research.
You might have a better chance at success with your application if you're a citizen of a native English-speaking country:
Canada
U.S.A
U.K.
Ireland
South Africa
Australia
New Zealand
Image by brgfx on Freepik
If you're a non-native English speaker, not to worry!
It's possible to still teach but you may need extra requirements like taking tests like the TOEFL or IELTS to prove your English abilities, being a certified teacher, or getting a different teaching/working visa.
Another option for non-native speakers is to choose destinations without this strict requirement like India, Cambodia, Argentina, China, Latin America, and more.
When choosing your destination, weigh your pros and cons.
Some questions to ask yourself:
Do you like a relaxed lifestyle?
Do you prefer benefits that include free housing, paid airfare, and medical insurance?
Do you like being able to travel cheaply to nearby countries?
Do you want to work at public schools, private academies, or international schools?
Do you want to work in the city or in rural areas?
Do you prefer high salary or long vacations?
Step 3: Start Job Hunting
To get you started on your search, try these below.
For South Korea, check out the EPIK program for public school placements, or apply directly to hagwons (private academies) using sites like Dave's ESL Cafe, Korvia, or even Facebook groups for Teaching Jobs in Korea.
In Japan, there's the JET program for public schools or AEON for private English schools.
In Spain, check out Auxiliares de Conversación Program and Indeed for North America.
But networking is just as important!
Join online teaching groups or attend virtual job fairs for international schools. Some positions are word of mouth, so it'll be good to connect with a lot of people.
Step 4: Prepare
A huge part of any job application process is the resume.
Crafting a strong resume customized for teaching English abroad is an art.
Read this blog post by TeachAway about writing a strong resume and cover letter to help you with your application.
Photo by Resume Genius on UnsplashAnother thing to prepare is a lesson plan or lesson demo.
Schools can ask you to submit a lesson plan with your application, and/or they can ask you to prepare a 5-10 minute lesson demonstration to present at the interview.
Choose a simple topic for your demo lesson: fruits, numbers, animals, or simple grammar concepts like this vs. that.
Once you've applied and got an interview, it's your chance to shine!
Schools want to see that you can adapt to new environments and handle different classroom situations.
Pro Tips:
Be ready to talk about your teaching philosophy, how you'd manage diverse classrooms, and work with local teachers.
Discuss how you'd handle cultural differences in the classroom, and why you want to teach abroad
Ask questions about the school's support systems — housing, orientation, etc.
What type of housing is available and what furnishings are included?
Will there be training/orientation provided?
Is there a coordinator responsible for handling foreign teachers' affairs (i.e. setting up bank account, phone, etc.)?
To learn more about preparing for interviews, check out these resources:
Step 5: Review your Contract
Got a job offer? Great!
But before signing anything, make sure you understand the contract terms. Some contracts include housing, health insurance, and airfare, while others may have hidden costs.
Key Contract Points to Check:
Working hours and overtime
Housing and living expenses
Visa sponsorship
Vacation days and benefits (health insurance, flight reimbursement, etc.)
Additional duties: Look for vague terms in the contract, such as "additional duties" or responsibilities that aren’t clearly defined. Make sure you know exactly what’s expected.
Photo by Scott Graham on UnsplashAnother important thing to keep in mind: salary!
Salaries for teaching abroad can vary depending on the country and type of school.
For example, in Korea, EPIK public school salary goes from about $1,500 to $1,900 USD per month based on qualifications/experiences and school placement. Meanwhile in Japan for the JET program, 1st year salary is around $1,800 USD per month and 4th-5th year salary is about $2,100 USD.
Salary and benefits between public and private schools/academies can also vary. For example, EPIK has set salary brackets, teaching hours, and longer vacations while hagwon salaries can be negotiated to be higher with longer teaching hours and shorter vacations.
It'll be a good idea for you to make sure that your salary can cover your living expenses in your chosen country and you consider lifestyle factors when making your decision. Keep in mind that some of these programs also offer benefits like housing or stipends, airfare reimbursement, health insurance, pensions, etc.
Photo by Eutah Mizushima on Unsplash 
You've been offered two teaching jobs — one in Japan and one in the U.K. Both are interesting for different reasons. Japan offers a higher salary and covers housing, while the UK gives you more freedom in your teaching style and is closer to home if you're from Europe.
What's the most important factor to think about when making your choice?
A. How much vacation time each job offers.
B. The cost of living in Japan vs. the U.K.
C. How easy it is to get a visa in each country.
D. How comfortable you'll feel adjusting to a new culture.
Quiz
What's the most important factor to think about when making your choice?
Step 6: Get Your Documents in Order
After landing a job, you’ll need the right documents and visa to work abroad.
Work visa: Most countries require a specific work visa. Your employer will often help with this process, but do your research!
Key documents: Have copies of your degree, teaching certification, and passport ready to go. Look into notarizing and/or obtaining an apostille to verify these documents.
Criminal background check: Depending on the institution, this can take a day, a week, or months.
Timeline: Visa applications can take weeks or even months, so start documenting this process early!
Each school or program has its own processes, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get your documents ready.
Photo by Oxana Melis on UnsplashStep 7: Adjust to New Cultures
Moving to a new country means adjusting to a new culture, lifestyle, and work environment.
Learn basic phrases. Even if you’re teaching English, knowing basic local phrases can help.
Be open to new experiences. Embrace the food, customs, and traditions.
Network with fellow expats. Join local expat or teacher communities to make connections and get support.
Photo by note thanun on UnsplashTake Action
Here are a few final tips to help you succeed in landing a teaching job abroad:
Be flexible. You might not land your dream job immediately, but stay open to different opportunities.
Stay organized. Keep track of all your application documents, interview dates, and visa information.
Build your network. Connect with current and former teachers who have taught abroad for advice and support.
Ready to start your journey? Here’s a quick checklist:
Your feedback matters to us.
This Byte helped me better understand the topic.