College Students & Grads: Teaching Abroad

As the world’s population increases each day, so does the demand for qualified teachers. In order to reach the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 — global literacy by 2030 — nearly 69 million teachers need to be recruited worldwide. Because English is an international language, native speakers can find a huge array of opportunities to put their skills to good use. Students and graduates curious about teaching abroad can use the following information, resources and insights from experts with international teaching experience to learn about teach abroad opportunities, destinations, financial aid and more.

Every teach abroad experience has something different to offer, but students and grads who take their teaching overseas can count on reaping personal, professional and global benefits along the way.

College students and recent grads starting to make teach abroad plans may be overwhelmed by the number of opportunities around the world. All things considered, having a lot of options is a good problem to have, but it can make choosing the right teach abroad program a little tricky.

Here are some factors prospective international teachers should consider when narrowing down their program options.

Credential requirements

Not all overseas teaching positions have the same requirements for educators, and even positions within the same teach abroad program can have different expectations of foreign instructors. Prospective educators should carefully read the position description to make sure they meet all requirements.

If you are a college student who has a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certification but the position also requires a bachelor’s degree, count that position out. Having a clear understanding of education and credentialing requirements can greatly help students and grads pare down their options.

Time commitment

It’s common for teach abroad positions to have a one-year commitment. Some programs, like many in the United Arab Emirates, require commitments of up to three years. Students looking to teach abroad for a semester or a summer might consider volunteer opportunities or teaching at summer camps.

Program credibility

Hopeful educators don’t have to look hard to find blog posts filled with teach abroad horror stories related to disorganized programs and scams. Doing extensive research, reading reviews and, if possible, talking to people who have gone through a particular program before applying can help students avoid a bad experience. Students and grads who notice any red flags with job postings or teach abroad programs can take those positions off their lists.

Location

Prospective teachers should look at countries that appeal to them, but they should also decide whether they would prefer to work and live in an urban or rural setting.

“When looking at jobs, be suspicious of locations that say ‘near Seoul’,” cautions Backe. “’Near’ a big city can mean ‘it’s an hour away by subway’. Ask for the specific subway station or specific district of the city to help clarify its location.”

It can also pay to keep your options open. “Everyone wants the jobs in the big cities. Look past them to the rural areas for a more authentic cultural experience and a lot less competition. In some cases, there’s a little bump in salary for moving to the less-desired area,” says Backe.

Costs and wages

When considering a position, make sure that any wage earned can cover the cost of living, if that isn’t already included in the position. Factoring in perks offered by potential programs, like stipends, rent assistance, plane tickets, health benefits and paid vacations can be useful in choosing the right teach abroad program.

Political and social climate

Sometimes the areas that need teachers the most come with their fair share of political unrest. Wars, persecution, severe ideological differences and high instances of crime should be considered, especially as a foreigner in an unfamiliar place.

Students and grads may also want to take into account social differences that can cause tension, or an unpleasant or even dangerous teaching experience.

For instance, some areas are not as open to women or LGBTQ teachers, especially in positions of authority. Prospective educators would be wise to figure out with what living and social conditions will make them safe and feel comfortable and avoid areas that don’t meet those conditions.

Program support

Some teach abroad programs offer guidance throughout an educator’s entire teaching experience, from filling out the application and arranging housing to facilitating lesson plans and extracurricular activities. Others are relatively hands-off. Those who choose to go through a teach abroad program rather than searching job boards and going it alone can read about how much program support to expect on program websites and in brochures.

Educator demand

Not all international educators will be able to use this criterion to narrow down their options, but those who are more experienced or credentialed should look into how in-demand teachers are in an area of interest. In areas with great demand, educators can afford to be more selective, since the first job offer they get likely won’t be the only one.

The wages and amenities available in these areas make them top picks for students and grads looking to teach abroad without breaking the bank.

Teaching abroad without going through a program is an option, particularly for college graduates looking for full-time, paid teaching positions. In fact, both Backe and Mills had successful international teaching experiences simply by searching job boards. However, going through a program may allow for more support and guidance, which many new international educators will find valuable.

Preparing to teach abroad doesn’t begin and end with location and program research. College students can begin planning for their international teaching experience by tailoring their class schedules and major pathways to give them better background knowledge and the skills necessary to not only get a teaching job overseas, but to thrive as an international educator.

The demand for English teachers is high, but there are plenty of opportunities to teach a range of subjects. Those who teach younger students may have to teach all general education subjects, but some teachers may also find positions specializing in certain areas, like computer sciences, art or economics. Those teaching at English-language or international schools may also be able to teach a range of subjects.

Education and certification requirements depend on the region and institution in which you decide to teach. Many volunteer positions only require English language proficiency, but many paid teaching positions require at least a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL/TESOL certification.

In general, higher-paying jobs in urban areas have more stringent requirements for foreign teachers, so prospective international teachers who have their eyes set on a specific region should be sure to check common education and certification requirements in the early stages of making their teach abroad plans.

Educators who want to focus on subjects other than English will likely need a degree in their intended subject. Majors related to language instruction may be a good option for those who do wish to teach English and can open up opportunities to receive grants related to language study overseas.

If you plan to teach English as a second language or teach multiple subjects in English, a TEFL/TESOL class is almost certainly a must. These courses help students understand the unique circumstances and methods of teaching students whose primary language is not English. If they plan on teaching a subject other than English, students should be sure to take courses in that area. Those who know where they want to teach might consider learning the region’s language beforehand, too.

In general, no, but certain high-paying and administrative positions may require or give preference to those who have prior teaching experience. Specific information about experience requirements should be available in the job post description.

Even students and grads who pursue paid positions abroad should prepare for the upfront costs of certification, travel and that stretch of time before getting their first paycheck. For volunteer educators, finding financial aid may be even more critical.

The following list of financial aid options for teaching abroad can help get prospective international teachers started. Those who go through a teach abroad program should also check to see if that specific organization offers aid for its participants, or if region-specific aid is available through educational institutions and governments.