How to Teach English Overseas (for Canadians)
For those looking for a major change in environment or feel that they are in need of adventure, teaching English in a foreign country just might be the right choice. Teaching English overseas comes with many benefits — you are presented with an opportunity to travel to foreign lands and experience different cultures first-hand. In addition, you’ll accrue invaluable life experience and an understanding of cultures that greatly differ from yours. In order to embark on this new and exciting venture, read on for further information on how to get started.
What You’ll Need:
- A criminal record check
- Extensive medical check results
- Scans of all your credentials - TESOL certificate, college diploma/degree, and any other certifications you possess
- Scans of every page in your passport
- Passport pictures cut in the required sizing for the country’s Visa (your employer should provide information on this. If not, ask!)
Step 1: Do your Research!
So you’ve decided on teaching English abroad, but do you have any idea of where in the world you would like to go? Try making a list of possible destinations, listing them from the most to least desired country or city. Doing this will provide you with a clearer picture as to where you really want to go. Next, begin research on teaching positions in each country, and the qualifications each position requires. Depending on your credentials, you’ll be able to find out what positions you’re more suited for. You may begin to see the acronym(s) TESOL, TESL, and TEFL appear during your search (more on that in Step 3).
Step 2: Check your Qualifications
In order to be able to teach English in any foreign country, you need to have gone through postsecondary education and as a result have received a college diploma or university degree in any program of study. Some employers do also hire those who have taken a break during their course of study. It is worth mentioning that those with a university degree, degree equivalent, or equivalent work experience will be able to work virtually anywhere — there are a lot less restriction when it comes to work Visa processing. With that being said, those with college diplomas should not be deterred from trying to find a school that will hire them. It is definitely possible!
Step 3: Get TESOL Certified
All employers overseas look for this certification whenever they are on the search for new teachers, so it is imperative that you acquire this as well. This certification is a physical representation of your knowledge and ability to teach English as a second language. This course aims to get you prepared to teach English in a classroom setting — everything from lesson planning to managing classroom behaviour is covered in the course, including a refresher of grammar structures in both writing and speech. The certification requires a base commitment of 140 hours, though depending on where you enrol this could be increased. Many educational institutions facilitate the required courses for the certification, so for those who are still in college or university, it pays to ask representatives in your student union or research your school’s website for more information. There are many websites that allow you to take the courses online, should you not want to sit in a classroom.
Step 4: Get Your Picture Taken!
So you have been able to successfully complete your TESOL certification — congratulations! You are now ready to work as an English teacher in a school abroad. But before that, more needs to be done in preparation for the next step. Head to the closest photography studio and get some headshots done. Why? For two reasons: you need digital copies for your resume, and you will also need physical copies of the photos for passport and Visa processing. It is especially important to look your best for these photos, as your portrait will be the first thing a potential employer will see. As a note, make sure that the backdrop of your photos is white and that you are not wearing your glasses.
Step 5: Update your Resume
It is now time to update your resume. The traditional components of a resume will be present, but some minor changes and additions will need to be applied. Remember the digital copies of your pictures? Choose the best one and include that in the top left corner of your resume. It should be no bigger than 3 inches wide and four inches high, so as to not waste space. To the right of your photo, include your name and address. Next, your nationality, English speaking proficiency, age, marital status (single, married, etc.), and contact information including your Skype username (this is for interview purposes) needs to be included. There are many ways to format the header, but it is up to you to organize this information in a visually appealing way.
Now onto the body of your resume. First, start with a clear cut objective; what are you trying to accomplish, and what contributions do you want to make to your prospective school? Next comes education, where you list all of your credentials with your TESOL certification listed first. Under work experience, include any and all experience related to teaching. I would suggest limiting this section to six to eight solid experiences that showcase your teaching ability. If you have acquired any volunteer experience related to teaching, include this as well in the volunteer experience section of your resume.
Step 6: Update your Cover Letter
On your cover letter, include the same header as your resume. The idea here is generally the same as the objective, but more detailed: state why you want to work as an ESL teacher, and what you can bring to the table. Also include information on your past work experiences, and how they can help you bring out the best in your ability to teach foreign students. Don’t forget to include your contact information in the last paragraph of the letter, so as to reinforce further communication.
Step 7: Begin the Job Search
You’re all set to begin looking for work. Whichever company you chose to complete your TESOL certification should be able to help out with this, but when it comes to searching independently, there are some things your need to watch out for, such as fraudulent posts or schools that have been rated poorly. With every school you come across, ensure to research them before applying in order to avoid any surprises later on. Once you find a posting that you like, send an email briefly describing your interest in the position. Be sure to include your Skype username in the signature portion of your email — again, this is important should the employer want to keep in contact with your in the future. Dave’s ESL Cafe is a great resource for those who are searching for teaching positions, so be sure to check it out.
Step 8: Secure an Interview
The time has come for your first Skype interview. For many (including myself), any interview can be a nerve-wracking experience. Above everything else, make certain that you do not overthink your responses and relax. Dress professionally, and make sure that the room you’ll be conducting your interview in is tidy — the interviewer can see everything! Recall everything you’ve learned in your TESOL training and breathe. You’ll be fine! After the interview (that is to say if things go well), you should be in contact with your employer, where you will receive a contract for your review.
Step 9: Reviewing the Contract
When in talks with your employer after the interview, request to see the contract before agreeing to any offer of employment. It’s important to review any contractual agreement so as to avoid any unwarranted surprises later on, especially whenever it involves working in another country. Getting a lawyer to review your contract would be a good idea as he or she would be able to detect any concerning details within a contract that you may not have noticed before. Once everything reads well and your are comfortable with the contract’s terms, accept the offer and rejoice!
Step 10: Welp, I've Accepted the Offer... Now What?
Congratulations, you’ve been hired! Your employer will continue to be in talks with you regarding your next steps in getting your work Visa. In order to get the sponsorship documents sent to you, certain documentation needs to be provided on your end:
- A criminal record check
- Extensive medical check results
- Scans of all your credentials - TESOL certificate, college diploma/degree, and any other certifications you possess
- Scans of every page in your passport
- Passport pictures cut in the required sizing for the country’s Visa (your employer should provide information on this. If not, ask!)
Some of the previously mentioned documentation can be sent through email, and some will need to be sent by mail — your employer will brief you on this. Once your documentation has been received, you will receive sponsorship documentation in your mailbox. Then, you are all set to visit the nearest Visa processing office to get your foreign Visa processed.
Final Thoughts
Moving to a country that greatly differs from your own is not an easy thing to do, but you’re about to embark on a journey that you will remember for a lifetime. As with anything in life, you may encounter hardship and adversity during your travels. But as long as you carry a positive attitude, there will be nothing you cannot handle. Good luck!
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