finding work.
Here you will find a wealth of information on getting your first job overseas and the teaching
opportunities in different countries.
You will learn:
● how to write a successful CV/resume
● how to write a letter of application
● how to prepare for a job interview
● what different countries have to offer to EFL teachers
What kind of things did you come up with? Did you consider the following?
● First impressions are important. Have a friendly manner.
● For a face-to-face interview dress appropriately. Don't look too informal.
● Be honest with the interviewer. Don't lie.
● If they ask you a question and you don't know the answer, admit it but add that you are
willing to learn and that the only way that you get real teaching experience is to stand in
front of a class.
● Inject a bit of humour into the interview if you can. Language school owners appreciate
teachers with a cheerful disposition because humour is an important part of a good
lesson.
●
Experience, interests and skills
● Where were you born? Which countries have you lived in?
● What are your hobbies and interests?
● Do you speak other languages?
● What special skills do you have that will help you in teaching?
● What are some of your strengths and weaknesses and how could they affect your work
as an English teacher?
Motivation
● Why did you choose to teach?
● Why do you want to work as an English teacher?
● Why do you want to live and work in this country?
● Why do you want to work at this school?
● Which levels would you prefer to teach? (e.g. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
● Would you prefer to teach adults or children?
Teaching methods and techniques
● Do you prefer to use textbooks or your own materials? Which textbooks have you
used?
● Have you ever taught or what do you know about examination classes? (e.g. PET, KET,
First Certificate)
● How would you interest a group of adolescents?
● How would you settle a group of lively/rowdy students at the beginning of a lesson?
● How would you present/teach the present perfect simple tense (or another language
point)?
Future plans
● How long do you intend to stay in the country?
● Where do you see yourself in 2/5/10 years?
● Do you plan to stay in teaching long-term?
Here are several other questions you may consider asking the interviewer:
● What will I have to do exactly (or words to this effect)?
● Will I have anything else to do apart from teaching?
● Is there any sick/holiday pay?
● How much notice do I have to give if I don't like the job?
● Is it easy to get a work permit?
● Will I get a contract and if so what type?
● What kind of health insurance do teachers have?
● How many of my contract hours are contact/teaching hours and how many are allotted
for lesson preparation, materials development and/or training?
● Is there any in-house training?
TEFL jobs are available worldwide, however in some places the demand for teachers is higher
than in others. When choosing the country where to teach, apart from its general attractiveness
you should consider:
● the salary
● the taxes
● the accommodation
● the cost of living
● the qualification requirements for teachers
● the teaching conditions
● the visa requirements
Why choose China?
● Beautiful and fascinating with plenty to see
● The chance to experience a country undergoing major cultural change
● The food!
● High wages and low living costs
● Lots of teaching posts
China is one of the world's oldest civilisations but one of its newest industrial powerhouses. Its
attractions lie as much in the past as they do the future, from the ancient sights of the Forbidden
City and the Great Wall to the buzz of Beijing.
The demand for TEFL teachers in China is very high. There are over 400 million English language
students across this vast country.
TEFL jobs are available all year round and can last from 1 month to 12 months and longer.
The main TEFL regions in China are: Shanghai, Guiyang, Hangzong, Kunming, Yinchaun, Yan'an,
Yanliang, Weinan, Xianyang, Lianyungang, Wuhan, Zhengzhon, Dalian, Jinan, Xian, Dandong,
Shenyang, Tangshan, Beijing; and many other smaller towns and cities and rural areas.
The following is a list of institutions you can teach at in China:
● State and private secondary schools: General English
● Colleges and universities: General English, Business English
● State and private primary schools: General English, English for Younger Learners
● Foreign language institutes: General English, Business English
● Teacher training colleges: General English, English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
● In-house company training: General English, Business English, ESP
● Private tuition: General English, Business English, ESP
●
Why choose Japan?
● Polite, friendly people
● Safe
● Fascinating culture
● Enigmatic mix between the modern and the traditional
● Plenty of teaching opportunities
Mount Fuji is the perfect analogy for modern Japan: symmetrical, beautiful, but with a fiery heart
raging under the surface. Walking around the sanitised streets and grand shopping centres,
you're never far from a sight that will get your heart racing - whether it's the magnificent imperial
palace or a man in a green dress casually shopping for food.
The demand for TEFL teachers in Japan is very high.
The main TEFL regions of Japan are Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Kobe and Kyoto. The academic year
starts in April, which is also when most 12-month contracts start. Usually teachers get a 6-12
month contract, although there is a range of short-term jobs that can be arranged in-country.
There are several places where you could teach in Japan, these are:
● Private language schools: General English, Business English
● State and private schools: General English
● State and private kindergartens: English for Young Learners
● Corporate in-house Language Programs: General English, Business English
● Private tutorials (conversation lounges, "ladies' classes", etc.): General English,
English for Specific Purposes
Why choose South Korea?
● Rich culture with friendly people
● A very safe place to live
● Easy to get around
● Low cost of living with high salaries
South Korea is on the rise having developed from being one of Asia's poorest countries to one of
its richest. The country's economic success is matched by its cultural richness and nowhere is
this more evident than in Seoul. Amongst the skyscrapers and hotels, centuries-old palaces and
shrines remain intact and there's a sense of history that goes back to the Joseon Dynasty of the
14th century. Added to all this is its lively social scene and breadth of shopping opportunities.
There is a very high demand for native English and especially American teachers in South Korea.
The main TEFL regions in South Korea are Seoul and Pusan. There are teaching jobs available all
year round and the contracts usually last from 6 - 12 months.
There are several institutions in South Korea where you could teach, these are:
● Private English language institutes (hagwans): General English, Business English
● University academic departments: General English, English for Specific Purposes
(ESP)
● Government & private research institutes: General English, ESP
● Corporate in-house language programs: General English, Business English
● State & private kindergartens: English for Younger Learners
Why choose Hong Kong?
● Vibrant, 24-hour city
● Exciting events year-round
● Easy access to other East Asian countries
● High salaries and good job opportunities
As an ex-British colony and gateway to China, Hong Kong is a city of contrasts perfectly
demonstrated by its trade history: from soft silk in the 16th century and intoxicating opium in the
18th and 19th centuries, to the hi-tech electronics of today.
The demand for English teachers is high in Hong Kong.
Since being handed back to China in 1997, Hong Kong's Chinese-speaking state school system
has adopted the Native English Teacher (NET) scheme, which recruits many overseas teachers.
You can get a contract for 3 months up to 24 months.
There are several institutions where you can work in Hong Kong, these are:
● Private language schools: General English, Business English
● In-company: General English, Business English
● English-medium schools: General English, English for Younger Learners
● 'English clubs': General English, Conversation English
● State secondary schools: General English
●
Why choose Taiwan?
● Plenty to do, whether you prefer the city or the countryside
● Excellent public transport
● Lots of teaching posts
● Good opportunity to save money
Being controlled by the Chinese, Dutch and Japanese at different points has left a country in
search of its own identity. Gleaming metropolises with bright neon signs have risen from the
ashes of dictatorship, making Taiwan the model for progress in Asia, but with a great respect for
its history.
The demand for TEFL teachers in Taiwan is high. There is a preference for North American
teachers, but reputable schools will employ other nationalities as long as they speak clearly.
The main TEFL regions in Taiwan are Taipei and Kaohsiung. There are peaks in demand at the end
of June and late August. The length of the contract varies depending on when you start, but it
usually is 2-12 months.
There are several types of places where you can teach in Taiwan, these are:
● In-company: General English, Business English
● University English departments: General English, English for Academic Purposes
(EAP), English for Specific Purposes
● Private primary & secondary schools: General English, English for Younger Learners
● State primary & secondary schools: General English, English for Young Learners
● Private language schools (buhsibans): General English, EAP, Business English, TOEFL,
GRE (university entry)
Why choose Thailand?
● Beautiful country
● Friendly people
● Cheap cost of living
● Lots of teaching opportunities
Thailand's position as a getaway for the rich and famous and a gateway for budget travellers
hasn't diminished its charms. Hedonism and spirituality are covered in large doses, from the
excess of all-night beach parties through to the serenity of ancient temples. Thankfully, the
infusion of tourist Baht has not overrun the traditional way of life: Buddhist monks remain a
regular sight and most of the population still makes its money from the land.
The demand for English teachers in Thailand is very high.
The main TEFL regions include Bangkok, Chiang Mai and, to a lesser extent, Hat Yai, Songkhla
and other provinces. The length of a contract can vary between 3 and 12 months.
There are several types of teaching you can do in Thailand, these include:
● Private & public universities: General English, EAP, ESP, TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT
● State primary & secondary schools: General English, English for Younger Learners
● Teachers' colleges: General English, EAP, ESP, IELTS, TOEFL
● International private secondary schools: General English, English for Younger Learners
● Summer camps: General English, English for Younger Learners
● Private language institutes: General English, Business English, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC,
English for Younger Learners
Why choose the United Kingdom?
● Plenty to see and do
● Lots of jobs
● Teach students from every nation
The United Kingdom is a diverse combination of native communities and people from across the
world - the entire Commonwealth condensed into one small group of islands. From Lands End in
the south to John O'Groats in the north, you'll never want for something to do: exciting nightlife,
historic buildings, quaint villages and rolling green fields will fill your days to bursting point.
The demand for English teachers in the UK is high but competitive. British speakers are more in
demand, especially the UK natives, as the students who arrive here normally want to learn British
English.
The main TEFL regions in the UK are London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Bournemouth, Brighton,
Hastings, Edinburgh and smaller towns and cities. TEFL jobs are available all year-round. You can
usually get a contract for 3-12 months.
There are several types of institutes where you can teach, these include:
● Private language schools: General English, Business English, Cambridge PET, FCE,
CAE, CPE, IELTS
● Summer schools/study tours: General English
● Migrant English programs: General English, English for Younger Learners
Why choose the United States?
● Vast country with lots to see and do
● Easy to get around
● Huge variety of students
● Lots of jobs for those able to work here
There are innumerable slices of the American pie and the country's most visited destinations, like
New York and Florida, only go some way towards characterising this world superpower. Covering
6 times zones, 50 states and all the major climate zones from tropical to polar, America feels like
several countries rolled into one. The thrill of seeing such iconic imagery as New York yellow taxis
and the Hollywood sign up close is matched by discovering parts of the country and its people
that are among its best kept secrets.
The demand for EFL/ESL teachers in the United States is high and competitive. American English
speakers are more in demand.
The main TEFL regions include all major cities, particularly New York, Washington, San Francisco,
Los Angeles, San Diego and Miami. You can work here for a period of time from 3-24 months.
There are three main types of schools in the USA where you can teach English. These are:
● ESL private language institutes: General English, Business English, TOEFL, ECCE
● University language programs: General English, TOEFL, English for Specific Purposes
● Migrant English programs: General English, TOEFL, English for Specific Purposes
●
Why choose Australia?
● Massive country with lots to see and do
● Amazing, varied flora and fauna
● Lots of job opportunities
● Better salaries than many western countries
Similar in size to the USA, Australia has only a fraction of the population and all the wild-roaming
space you could possibly need, complete with stunning scenery and all manner of wildlife. Long
before European explorers trail blazed their way through the country, the Aboriginal people, one
of the world's oldest civilizations, thrived and there has been a concentrated effort in recent years
to preserve their culture. Meanwhile, a cultural mix has penetrated the cities which are enriched
with people from across the globe, including Chinese and Greek communities.
The demand for English teachers in Australia is high, but very competitive.
The main TEFL regions include Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Cairns and Melbourne. The busiest TEFL
periods are from September until June. Most teachers work on a 13-week contract.
There are several types of teaching you can do in Australia, these are:
● ELICOS language schools: General English, Cambridge (PET, FCE, CAE, CPE),
Business English, EAP, IELTS, TOEIC
● University ELICOS centers: General English, EAP, IELTS
● Private non-ELICOS language schools: General English, Cambridge (PET, FCE, CAE,
CPE), Business English, EAP, IELTS, TOEIC
● TAFE colleges: General English, ESP
● AMES: General English, EAP, ESP
●
Why choose Europe?
● Magnificent scenery
● Lots of jobs
● Reasonable salaries
● Plenty to see and do
● Beautiful cities
The demand for TEFL teachers is probably the highest in Poland, Greece and the Czech Republic,
although these countries are very popular with teachers so it might not be easy to get a job here.
In Eastern Europe, the demand for TEFL teachers is moderate to high. In Western Europe, the
demand is relatively lower, with the exception of Scandinavia and the southern countries like
Greece and Spain.
The main TEFL regions are usually the capital cities and other major cities. There are many
different types of places where you could teach. These differ from country to country.
Why choose South East Asia?
● Beautiful countries
● Intriguing scenery
● Low cost of living
● Plenty to see and do
● Fascinating cultures
The demand for English teachers is high in most South East Asian countries. In Vietnam, the
demand for English teachers is probably the highest, since there are not enough people to fill the
positions. There are a lot of English teachers in Malaysia and Singapore, which makes it hard for
TEFL teachers from abroad to find a job here.
Why Choose Asia?
● Fascinating cultures
● Interesting countries
● No income tax!
● Intriguing scenery
● Plenty to see and do
The demand for English teachers is moderate to high in most of Asia. The market in Saudi Arabia
is very competitive, although it is nearly impossible for women to teach here due to cultural
differences.
Why choose Africa?
● A whole continent to explore
● Lots to see and do
● Lots of volunteering opportunities
● Very rewarding work
From the world's highest free-standing mountain to a lake whose depths reach 150m below sea
level, you could search high and low and never find a more varied and enchanting place to visit.
Here you will find more types of climate, culture and landscape than anywhere in the world, so it's
no wonder that so many travellers fall in love with this continent.
The demand for TEFL teachers in Africa is high. Most opportunities are on a voluntary basis. Paid
work is generally only available in the more developed countries. You can teach general English
and English for Younger Learners at primary and secondary schools. You can teach general
English and Business English at private language schools.
Why choose Latin America?
● Beautiful countries
● Lots of job opportunities
● Plenty to see and do
● Many different cultures
● Rewarding jobs
● Low cost of living
The demand for TEFL teachers in all of Latin America is high. In Ecuador and Guatemala the
demand is very high. However, there is a lot of competition from American TEFL teachers.
