The 4 Steps to Start Teaching Overseas

Teaching overseas opens you up to, literally, a world of opportunities. You can explore countries across the globe, interact with different cultures, and experience meaningful work teaching students. Living internationally will change who you are as you travel and live in a different culture. However, before you get started with the adventure of a lifetime, you have to work on some of the details. 

Step 1: Research your destination

The first step of this adventure is deciding where you want to go. As the world continues to globalize, there is a higher and higher need for native English teachers around the world. Countries are desperate to get their children speaking English which has created a booming job market for native English speakers willing to forgo the comforts of home to teach English abroad. 

So you have a lot of choices. The major markets are Asia, South East Asia, and Europe. The most popular destinations, with a brief description, are as follows:

• Asia (China, Japan, South Korea): These countries are more advanced and affluent. There is a particularly huge job market in China. They tend to require a greater degree of education, but you can still get a job with a non-educated degree relatively easily. The pay is usually higher in these countries, but so is the cost of living.
• South East Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia): These countries are quickly emerging into modern societies. With this comes a greater need for English. These countries have a huge market for English teachers. The pay is lower when compared to Asia and Europe, but the cost of living is significantly lower making up for the difference.
• Europe is by far the most difficult place to find an English teaching position. Like Asia, they usually require technical English training, but it isn’t uncommon to find a position that doesn’t require an education degree. The countries the require English teaching are also limited (mainly Spain, and countries in Eastern Europe). The pay is moderate in comparison to the cost of living. 

Once you decide what sort of experience you want to have, then you will need to make sure you get the qualifications for your position. 

Step 2: Get your TEFL

Other than a college or university degree from your home country, the only other training you need for most of these positions is a TEFL certificate. A TEFL is a “Teaching English as a Foreign Language” certificate. It essentially takes you through the basics of teaching and lesson prep, while focusing on working with non-native speakers. This certificate can be earned through a 120-hour course either online or in person. 

Online or In person? 

Should you get your TEFL online or in person? That’s a question that can only be answered by your circumstances. Here are the pros and cons:

Our recommended TEFL course: Let’s TEFL 120-hour online course

Once you receive your TEFL certificate, then you can begin looking for a job!

Step 3: Finding a job

Finding a job in your home country can be complicated, which may make finding a job overseas seem impossible. But take heart, it is very, very possible. You just need to know where to look. There are two major avenues you need to be aware of:

Placement Agencies

• Placement agencies are usually online groups that offer TEFL training and placement. You will pay a premium for these services, but you will usually receive training before leaving the country, in country support, and a sure position. While this is the most expensive option, it is the simplest and most supported. You will be working with professionals who help you transition in the new job.

Online postings

• This is much less expensive than using a placement agency. In this option, you will contact schools directly through job postings. Most schools will help you transition once you arrive in-country, but this method requires you to put in the work of putting together a CV and resume, finding the right job, and going through the interview process. The benefits of this option are that you can negotiate your own pay and choose where you want to go. But, it’s the option that offers the least assistance. 

Step 4: Getting your documents in order for teaching abroad

Once you find a job, the last step is to get your documents in order.

Every country will require slightly different things, but usually you will require these key documents:

• Your degree (potentially certified for foreign use which can be a long and arduous process)
• Your Passport
• A security check (sometimes at a nationwide level)
• Transcripts from your school
• TEFL Certificate
• Professional references
• A marriage certificate (if married)

It is important to research the documents required for your specific job in the specific country in which you teach. These will vary from country to country and can even vary from school to school, so be sure to contact your job about what you will exactly need. Once you get all of the documents in place, you will be prepared to teach abroad and be ready to start the adventure of a lifetime. 

👋 Take your next steps:

Are you ready to start job hunting, or do you need to get your teacher training?