Why Teach Abroad?

Teaching English in another country can be a fulfilling, exciting, and rewarding career. Teaching English abroad allows you to:

• Travel and see the world
• Experience a different culture
• Learn a foreign language
• Gain international work experience for your resume
• Make a difference in the lives of others by helping them learn English

What Is Teaching Abroad Like?

Teaching in another country may be different from teaching in the U.S., so it is important to be flexible and adaptable. The types of jobs, hours, ages of students, English ability of students, and skills to be taught are diverse. In addition, the facilities, technology, and number of students per class can vary immensely.

A K-12 school may afford you time off during school breaks but may also have other administrative duties including committee work or serving as a homeroom teacher. As a teacher at a university, you may be the assistant to a professor, or you may be in charge of your own class. In some countries, particularly in Europe and Asia, you may work at independent language institutes. While you may teach a variety of subjects in these language institutes, you will most likely focus on teaching conversation.

While teaching may come with challenges, you will enjoy a flexible schedule, time off to travel, direct and immediate access to exciting cultural experiences, and the opportunity to build relationships that will last a lifetime.

What Do I Need to Know to Teach English?

Teaching English requires a special skill set and teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) jobs require special training programs or certificates. The Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) is the most widely recognized TEFL qualification, trusted by employers, language schools, and governments around the world. CELTA shows that you are ready to work in a variety of ESL teaching contexts across the globe and you have:

• gained essential knowledge of the principles of effective English teaching
• developed a range of practical skills for teaching English to adult learners
• demonstrated your ability to apply your learning in a real teaching context
• acquired skills to begin working in a variety of ESL teaching contexts around the world