Teaching English abroad and travelling the world is as rewarding as you want it to be.
For many people, the thought of travelling the world and never looking back is an ideal but not a reality. Having the motivation and drive to do it is one thing but you have to consider the practicalities. Being able to truly experience a country and absorb a new culture involves more than a couple weeks of holiday. Anything longer might be too expensive, or your current job won’t allow it. Well, if the cost of traveling is holding you back, let us explain why you should consider teaching English abroad as one of the most practical ways to travel the world!.
You can qualify to teach English in less than 6 months after enrolling on a TESOL (Teaching English to speakers of other languages) course. With a qualification from an accredited provider like The TEFL Org, the world is your oyster.
English teaching jobs available worldwide
Worldwide, students are encouraged to learn English. And with such emphasis comes a need for qualified teachers! As an English teacher abroad you could finally put some of your long-time travel plans in place, pack a suitcase and see where the job could take you.
Maybe you see yourself teaching in a tropical climate, where you’re never too far away from a beach. Or perhaps the thought of being in a vibrant city full of culture is more up your street. Even living life off the beaten track, discovering hidden gems and experiencing rural life away from the crowds is an option. Being TESOL certified really can take you anywhere.
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Types of TESOL teaching
One of the many great things about teaching English is not only the amazing travel opportunities, but also the career choices you have from the very beginning. There are multiple different types of ESL teachers: those who teach kids in a traditional classroom, others who tutor night classes for adults, some who teach professionals the ropes of Business English, and some who teach English online. Having options takes the pressure off working out what your niche is right away.
However, it’s worth keeping in mind that certain types of teaching jobs will be better suited to your travel plans. Choosing what kind of TESOL teacher you should be depends on what “travelling the world” means to you. Maybe it means settling in one country, immersing yourself completely in a new place, experiencing it like a local and travelling further on your days off. Or perhaps it means seeing as much of the world as you possibly can, and checking off destinations from your bucket list on a regular basis. If you’re the former, finding a long-term contract at a school or language centre is a great option. And if you’re the latter, your TESOL role needs to offer you a great deal of flexibility.
Why teaching online gives you the most flexibility
If flexibility is key for you, then it’s definitely worth considering teaching English online. Making a career of teaching English online gives you the chance to take charge of your own career. You don’t have to show up to the same place or work the same hours from week to week. You work whenever and wherever you choose. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection.
Online teaching companies list jobs regularly throughout the year, plenty of which are entry-level, so you don’t have to worry too much about having previous teaching experience. An online teaching company is the best place for first time online English teachers to focus their efforts. They’ve already built a platform and can connect you to students while taking care of the admin side of things. You just have to manage your own schedule.
What else do you need to teach English abroad?
What you need to teach English abroad all depends on where you want to teach.Some countries will have visa specifications that require a degree while others won’t. Some requirements may be set by employers or visa regulations so make sure you are aware of both. These could include whether you’re a native English speaker, have a passport or degree from an English speaking country, have previous teaching experience or simply just have a TESOL certificate.
If you’re teaching English online you’ll need technology you can rely on, as you need to be able to deliver high-quality, uninterrupted lessons. So, whatever type of ESL teaching you want to do, and wherever you want to do it, it’s necessary that you do your research. You might not be eligible for your first pick but that’s not to say you won’t have plenty of other options! Research is incredibly important right from the get go to avoid disappointment.
Teaching English abroad and travelling the world is as rewarding as you want it to be. What you get out of the experience will all depend on what you put in but rest assured, with a quality TESOL qualification, you’re already on the right track!
