English Language, or ESL teaching jobs, are hands down one of the most sought-after and coveted ways to travel the world and make a life for yourself as an expat. The demand for English language speakers around the world has skyrocketed and with it, the demand for ESL teachers! So if you’ve thought about ESL teaching jobs but had no idea if you qualified, or where to look or what it’s really like to be an ESL teacher abroad, then you’re in luck because this is your ultimate guide! In this article, we’ll be covering all things ESL teaching jobs, from the requirements you need to qualify to the best places around the world where you can typically find work, to the kinds of jobs you can expect once you get there, to the best tips and tricks for securing your first ESL teaching gig abroad! So if you’re contemplating an ESL teaching jobs career move, stay tuned! This is your ultimate guide.
What Are ESL Teaching Jobs?
An ESL teaching job is giving lessons in the English language to foreigners or non-native speakers mainly outside the country of the native language where the teacher is from. Job of ESL teacher requires assisting foreigners in developing a good command of English. ESL teachers teach foreigners English in the forms of conversation, reading, writing and listening. They work with young kids, teenagers, young adults and even to other adults. Wherever they teach can be at schools, language academies or even online.
Why Choose ESL Teaching Jobs?
Teaching ESL: travel opportunities – live and work abroad, soak up the culture.
Job satisfaction: You have the opportunity to directly contribute to students learning English and therefore helping them improving their lives and prospects.
Pay and Benefits: Competitive (dependent upon the country and employer) salaries, accommodation, health insurance and return airfares.
Higher Pay and Visa Sponsorship: Some schools offer financial incentives to teachers who commit to a longer period of time in their country. You can also apply for a work visa if you plan to stay for a year or more. Some schools will sponsor your visa on the condition that you fulfil your contract. Added Responsibilities: Once you’ve spent time at a school and built some experience and followership, you might be asked to work as a site director or a test prep instructor. Career Growth: ESL can be a stepping-stone to more advanced roles such as teacher training, curriculum evaluation, or administration.
Qualifications for ESL Teaching Jobs
Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree is essential in order to find a job teaching ESL.
TEFL/TESOL Certification: A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification is highly recommended and in many situations required. They teach you the methodology and what you need to know to be a good teacher.
Native or Fluent English Speaker: Mandatory requirement ‘Native’ or ‘Fluent’ English Speaker – You need to be a native or a fluent English speaker to apply to most ESL teaching jobs as they don’t want to listen to a non-native teacher speak broken English, and neither would they want their students to do that.
Past Teaching Experience requires a certain amount of secondary-school or post past teaching experience is generally not a plus on your CV but rather something that makes you more competitive as a candidate compared to those who have no teaching experience.
Top Countries for ESL Teaching Jobs
South Korea: High need; nice pay and benefits, including free housing and airfare.
China: If you want to have a real job in this booming ESL market that pays well with bonuses and lots of vacation time, go to China.
Japan: Japan is an interesting cultural country and pay lots of money. Living cost could be high too.
Vietnam: A restless and growing ESL market, Vietnam is one of the less expensive countries to live in, with tasty local cuisine and a multitude of opportunities to teach.
Europe: Spaniards have become increasingly enthusiastic about learning English, so it might be worth finding out about opportunities to join their growing army of language teachers.
Where to Find ESL Teaching Jobs
Online job boards: Teach Away and Dave’s ESL Cafe had several job listings, as did ESL Job Feed.
Recruitment Ag help you to secure workres overseas, and takework burden (eg: visas) for you.
Going direct: You can write directly to schools, language-teaching institutions or other organisations who want to employ ESL teachers.
How to Prepare for an ESL Teaching Job Interview
Know Your Grammar: Interviews will try to trip you up with questions about English grammar.
Simple etiquette Consider: a little bit of cultural research goes a long way: if you’re going to work in a country abroad, learn about the culture of the country so you can demonstrate respect for their customs.
Demo Lessons: You will likely be asked to give a demo lesson to provide an opportunity for the employer to see your teaching style and personality with the students.
Questions to Ask: Inquire about class sizes, lesson planning expectations, and support for teachers.
Job Expectations for ESL Teachers
Lesson Planning: You will be required to plan and deliver motivational lessons to suit the English language level of the students.
Classroom Management: Effectively managing classroom behavior and creating a positive learning environment.
Assessment: Regularly assessing students’ progress and adapting lessons as needed.
Cultural Sensitivity: Respecting and understanding the cultural context of your students.
Benefits of ESL Teaching Jobs
Flexible Schedules: Many ESL jobs offer part-time, full-time, and online teaching opportunities.
PERS musician: Being a musician who has lived and worked overseas helps to develop new ways of coping with adapting, problem solving as well as culturally intelligence!
Networking: You’ll connect with other educators from around the world, expanding your professional network.
Tips for Success in ESL Teaching Jobs
Be Patient: Teaching ESL can be challenging, especially with beginners. Patience is key.
Adapt Your Teaching Style: Be ready to adjust your methods based on students’ needs.
Embrace the Culture: Live the local culture deeply, in an effort to understand your pupils.
Continuous Learning: Always seek opportunities for professional development to enhance your teaching skills.
Conclusion
Many ESL teaching jobs are a means to an end: a way to support yourself while you travel the world, meet different cultures, and change people’s lives. For those looking to break into the field straight out of college, or to change careers, ESL teaching opens up a world of adventure, life experience, and education. Get yourself the right qualification, and you have a real shot at a teaching career abroad.
FAQs
1. Do I need to speak the local language to teach ESL?
No, it certainly is not. You don’t have to speak the local language to speak the local language, though it helps to be en vrai a vast quantity du temps et de l’extérieur de la classe.
2. Can I teach ESL online?
Correct, there are many opportunities to teach ESL online, and you can be working from home anywhere with an internet connection.
3. What is the average salary for an ESL teacher?
Salaries can differ greatly between countries and between institutions, but most ESL teachers can expect to earn between $1,500 to $3,000 a month.
- Is it necessary to have a TEFL certification?
A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate is not a requisite for every job, but it is strongly advised, as it helps you obtain a job teaching English and also assists you in teaching more effectively.
5. Can I find ESL teaching jobs without experience?
Yes, most jobs don’t require previous experience, although demonstrating that you have some can make you a more attractive candidate.
This guide should, by now, have given you a good understanding of ESL teaching jobs, and things to bear in mind and prepare for as you move into teaching English abroad.