3 Things You Probably Don't Know About Teaching English Overseas

By Author: Ti Ron Gibbs
Total Articles: 7
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If you're dreaming of a career where you can see the world and truly make a difference, you need to take a serious look at teaching English overseas. While you may know some of the basics about how these jobs work, there are 3 things you might not know:

1. You don't need formal teaching experience

Even though you'll be considered an English teacher to your students, you don't need a special teaching degree -- or even a college degree, although a degree is preferred -- to get one of these jobs! Instead, you need your TEFL certification.

How do you get it?

You have to take a 150-hour course (130 hours are in the classroom and 20 hours are hands-on student teaching) from an accredited program. Once you pass, your certification never expires -- meaning you can teach English all over the world for as long as you want, without having to take any kind of continuing education courses.

2. The job market is totally different than the one here at home

If you don't want to get caught up in the pink slips that are plaguing all of your friends here at home, teaching English overseas ...
... is a great way to get around them! There is such a demand for TEFL certification professionals that you should have no trouble finding a job.

And, in order to make things even easier, a good TEFL course will offer lifetime job placement assistance.

3. You don't have to head to a big city

When you hear the words "Teach English abroad", you probably think of a bustling city somewhere on the other side of the world, where everyone wants to learn English so that they can advance their own career objectives. That's certainly the case for many of the students.

However, that's not why all of them want to learn English.

There are also plenty of people who want to learn English for other reasons -- like being able to watch English TV shows and movies, or being able to sing along with English songs, or for the sheer enjoyment of learning something new. And, in many cases, these people live outside the hustle and bustle of a big city -- meaning there are plenty of teaching opportunities in suburban and rural areas.

For some teachers, they wouldn't have it any other way! By getting out of the big cities they can learn more about their country. They can get more of a small-town feel and learn just as much from their students as their students learn from them.

So, if the thought of heading to a giant, unfamiliar city scares you, don't let that stop you from pursuing a career teaching English overseas. There’s a lot to be said for small towns.

About the Author: Ti Ron Gibbs is CEO and President of TEFL Institute. Teaching English overseas is what he did in China, Argentina, and Mexico. In addition, he has taught both online and onsite TEFL Programs in Chicago, Shanghai, New Delhi, and more. To become certified to teach English overseas, contact TEFL certification Institute.