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A year ago, I didn’t think I’d be teaching ESOL (Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages). I was writing for a content marketing agency. But here I am, 7,000 miles away from home, teaching cute, rambunctious cubs about food, saying ‘Please’, and everything in between. It’s been a challenge and it’s been a blast!
So you’re thinking about ESOL teaching and becoming a teacher, huh? Here are some steps you can take to get from Point A to A+ Teacher.
Step 1: Get ESOL Teaching Experience
Consider checking out your local library, community college or literacy programs to test out the teaching waters. These institutions often seek tutors and evening instructors, and many employers require at least one year of ESOL teaching experience and base salaries on experience.
Before commanding the whiteboard, I wanted to shadow a pro. An adult ESOL teacher at my local community college let me volunteer in her class. With minimum commitment, I determined I would be a good fit in the classroom and could serve students well. After a month, I applied for an adjunct position at that community college.
Step 2: Get TEFL-Certified
I paid for an online course that included 120 hours of coursework and a 20-hour practicum. I took 30 extra hours to learn more about teaching business English and English to kids, in particular. Most employers think 120 hours is the magic number.
Courses can be as cheap as $39 on daily deal sites like Groupon or thousands of dollars. You get what you pay for, so ensure your course is accredited, accepted by potential employers and well-liked by previous students. Luckily for you, if you apply to teach with EF English First and pass your interview, EF will sponsor your online TEFL course.
Step 3: Research. Research. And research
Be clear about your goals and desired lifestyle when researching teaching locations. China, South Korea and the Middle East tend to be the most lucrative for English teachers. I applied to two countries with decent salary ranges and low costs of living. Then I connected online with teachers in those areas to get the real deal about their experiences.
Step 4: Prep your CV/resume and Skype account
Spit-shine that ESOL teaching resume or international CV for applications and interviews. Include as many points about teaching as possible, including that volunteering gig at an elementary school in undergrad. Get a professional Skype handle and email address, too. Recruiters and hiring managers in other countries will most likely interview you on Skype.
Step 5: Sign up on job placement sites
Submit your resume or ESOL teaching CV to sites like Dave’s ESL Cafe or Teach Away and get job alerts from your desired areas. Also, check out reputable recruiting services like Adventure Teaching. SCAM ALERT: You shouldn’t pay anyone for recruiting services. Companies or schools pay recruiters to find you. Or take a look around the EF English First Website and find a job you like on there.
Step 6: Say ‘Yes!” to your job
Take your time when taking interviews and fielding job interviews. You really want to ensure you’ll be a good fit with the company and vice versa, and that staff will help you get a visa, health insurance, flight assistance, onboarding training and other support you’ll need in a new country. When you accept an offer, pat yourself on the back. You’re about to embark on an incredible journey!
