The worldwide job market for TEFL qualified teachers includes many different employers, such as state schools, private language centers, colleges, universities, and private companies. In Europe and Latin America the vast majority of jobs are found in private language centers, while government schools offer a large number of options across many parts of Asia.
Should I teach English in a private language school?
Privately owned language schools come in many different shapes and sizes and make up the largest proportion of employers in the world of TEFL. Ranging from one classroom to multinational organizations, private language schools often provide classes to a wide range of ages and abilities. Although some also specialize in one area such as young learners or business English. The xact working conditions you can expect will vary, but an average week would be around 25 to 30 classroom hours with a further 10 to 15 hours for planning and admin work.
Many classes are aimed at students who have school or work commitments that mean they can only attend during the evenings or at weekends, so teachers need to be prepared to work at these times. Class sizes can be anywhere from a single student up to 15 or more. Many of these centers in Europe and Latin America are aimed at adult students, while it is more common to focus on young learners in many Asian countries.
Should I teach English in a public school?
Public or state run schools are another big employer of TEFL qualified teachers worldwide. The largest markets for this type of job are in Asian countries such as South Korea and Japan where the role usually involves working as an assistant to a local teacher. Public schools generally run to a typical school timetable such as 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. This type of school often sets a high standard for its teachers, with many only taking on native English speakers with a degree. If you meet the specific requirements of a school you can expect to receive a competitive salary and a few extra perks such as health insurance and a good amount of paid holidays. Many positions also come with high-end benefits including return airfares and free or subsidized accommodation. Most positions in this category are filled in advance from within your home country.
Should I teach English in a summer camp?
English language summer camps are a popular option for ESL teachers who are looking for a short-term contract. Summer camps typically run for around four to six weeks and involve school children of all ages. These camps are particularly common across much of Europe, although a smaller number can be found throughout Asia and Latin America. The most numerous opportunities in this sector are in Spain, France and Italy. Summer camp jobs are often aimed at teachers under 30. These jobs are mostly filled in person, however, some of the bigger employers do advertise vacancies online.
Should I teach English in a university?
ESL teachers who have plenty of previous experience and a high-level of academic qualifications might be eligible to work in universities in some countries around the world. The number of opportunities in this sector are relatively small, but the salaries are often superior to those offered by public schools or language centers. Students in this environment are likely to be at an advanced level of English ability.
Should I teach English on a voluntary basis?
Volunteer teaching can be a great way to spend time in fascinating parts of the world that are often off of the beaten track. It also provides a chance for teachers to make a real difference to the lives of children and adults who have no other way of gaining English language instruction that can lead to jobs in the tourism industry and elsewhere. Many volunteer teaching jobs are based on short term stays of between one to four weeks, although longer term options are also possible in some areas. This type of teaching role is most likely to be found in less developed parts of Asia, Latin America and Africa.
