The Ins and Outs of Finding a Job Teaching English Abroad

Featured Image caption: ELI Senior Operations Manager and Language Pedagogy Junior Associate Amanda Samawi with students, 2015.

Teaching English in another country can be an exciting way to travel, experience a new culture, gain valuable teaching experience, and forge meaningful connections with others. However, it can be daunting to choose a job teaching English abroad given the magnitude and variety of different programs. How should you choose which program to pick? Are some jobs better than others? What should you look out for when researching a program? In this blog post, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of different jobs teaching English abroad. ELI staff and students who have taught abroad will also share key pieces of advice to follow when searching for a program teaching English in another country. 

There are two main avenues you can pursue to find a position teaching English abroad. The first, public sector jobs, are typically government-run programs that bring English speakers to other countries to teach English or work as English teaching assistants. The second route, private sector jobs, are positions with private companies that hire you as an English teacher. Both opportunities offer advantages and disadvantages. However, no matter which path you choose, you must do your research about your program of interest before accepting. Be aware of how the job handles things like visas, housing, work expectations, and language requirements. 

Public Sector Jobs 

English teaching jobs in the public sector are often organized by the government of a foreign country or affiliated with the American government. Typically, public sector jobs are the best way to go if you are new to teaching English abroad. Government-sponsored programs that invite near-native speakers to teach English usually offer more support and safety nets for their participants than private sector positions. Although the salary can be relatively low, finding a job teaching English through an official government program can be an excellent way to get your feet wet and get to know a country and a culture before jumping into the world of private sector teaching. Examples of public sector English teaching jobs include the Japan and Exchange Teaching (JET) Program, the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF), and the US Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award. Let’s take a look at these three programs more in-depth. 

Shane Dunkle, a Language Pedagogy Specialist with the English Language Institute, participated in JET out of college. The JET program is run by the government of Japan. JET participants work as assistant English language teachers, assisting a certified Japanese teacher of English in public schools. JET assistants are not allowed to teach their own classes independently but rather create activities to be integrated into the head teacher’s main lesson. JET participants work full-time but enjoy all of the public holidays in Japan. The JET program has several advantages. JET helps you acquire a visa for living and working in Japan, they help set you up with housing, and they provide insurance. In addition, JET offers language support to help participants improve their Japanese language skills. However, JET does not allow participants to choose their placement, meaning that assistants must teach in the city and schools they are assigned. Your experience can depend heavily on this assignment. JET is best for those who have at least some teaching experience, since the program does not offer much teaching support apart from a brief introductory seminar. You must be able to learn on the fly! 

Madeleine Roberts-Ganim, an ESL/EAL Programming Assistant for the ELI participated in TAPIF, the Teaching Assistant Program in France, this past year. Similar to JET, TAPIF participants work as English teaching assistants in French public schools or vocational schools. Teaching responsibilities typically include creating activities, games, presentations on American culture, and leading discussion groups. TAPIF is a great program for those interested in traveling and getting an introduction into teaching English. You do not need a teaching certificate to participate. Assistants only work 12 hours a week, which allows for ample time to explore France, travel to other countries, apply to graduate programs, or develop hobbies outside of work. In addition, TAPIF helps participants secure a visa to work in France. However, the TAPIF salary is extremely low, making it difficult to support oneself without savings. In addition, TAPIF does not help assistants locate housing. You may get subsidized housing by the school you teach at, but this is not guaranteed. On TAPIF’s limited salary, making rent can be challenging. Finally, your experience varies greatly depending on where you are placed, since like JET, assistants do not get to choose where they work.

“It made sense for me to choose a government-sponsored program like TAPIF! I taught with TAPIF right after college, so I really needed a program that was established and could offer me a lot of support as a recent grad.

Some advice: Be prepared to advocate for yourself! You will likely encounter difficult situations, and you will have to learn how to navigate the support systems at your disposal alone in a foreign country. Don’t be afraid to make your needs known and stand up for yourself!”

-ESL/EAL Programming Assistant Madeleine Roberts-Ganim

ELI Senior Operations Manager and Language Pedagogy Junior Associate Amanda Samawi with Students, 2015.Amanda Samawi, the ELI’s Senior Operations Manager and Language Pedagogy Jr. Associate, participated in the US Fulbright Program as an English Teaching Assistant in Bahrain. The Fulbright Program is funded by the U.S. State Department and sends students to different countries around the world. Fulbright English Teaching Assistants can choose the country in which they would like to work. ETAs are not intended to lead their own English classes, The main objective of the program is to foster cultural exchange, which allows participants to be immersed in their country of choice. Assistants work 20 hours a week, which provides a good work/life balance. There is a substantial amount of support for assistants, and they work directly with an in-country commission or local embassy. In addition, the program offers medical insurance. While Fulbright is an excellent program, your experience can vary greatly depending on your country or region. The stipend can also vary. Assistants are not offered much preparation in teaching, so while no experience is required, it is beneficial to have some experience in the classroom.

“My time abroad was formative in so many ways: I reconnected with my culture in a new way, I learned a lot about myself, I found a career path that somehow managed to fit many parts of my identity, and I made lifelong friends. It was scary and exciting but it was a very clear pivot point in my life.”

-Amanda Samawi, ELI Senior Operations Manager and Language Pedagogy Junior Associate

Private Sector Jobs

If you opt to pursue a job teaching English abroad in the private sector, you will be hired directly by a private company, rather than a government. Typically, you would teach the company’s own English classes, or you would be hired out to other places such as community centers or other firms. ELI Director Julie Matsubara and Language Pedagogy Specialists Déja Motley and Shane Dunkle have taught English with private companies in Japan such as Altia Central, AEON, and NOVA. 

“I was first recruited by a government program to teach in public elementary schools in South Korea. I then changed to private schools known as after-school academies. Then I went on to teach at a university as a professor, all while living in South Korea. I was very happy because I got to experience all 3 levels and finally landed in one that was my career goal. This led me to working with universities in other countries. 

Some advice: Try all avenues. There are many opportunities. Don’t get stuck in one location with one school. Experiment and find your niche.”

-Déja Motley, ELI Language Pedagogy Specialist

While it might initially be challenging to start your journey teaching English abroad with a private company, there are some key advantages to working in the private sector. When teaching through a company, you will typically be the head teacher, rather than an assistant. This is ideal for people who already have experience teaching English. In addition, private companies often provide you with teaching materials to use in the classroom. The salary is also typically higher with a private firm than with a government program, and you have the option to negotiate your salary. However, there are key disadvantages to working in the private sector. Companies are not always looking out for their employees and typically offer less support than public programs. Unless you have advanced language skills and cultural knowledge about the location you are working in/at, private companies can be difficult to navigate at first. 

The most important thing to remember when exploring work with a private company is to do extensive research. Investigate these three questions to make sure you are joining a reputable organization that will support you: 

1. How established is the company? How long have they been around? 
2. How does the company support its employees, both before and during employment? Do they offer employees housing, a car, teaching materials, etc? 
3. Does the company issue a visa for their employees? 

Getting answers to these important pieces of information will help ensure that you do not encounter any surprises before beginning your work abroad. This will help you be fully prepared to embark on your new adventure!

“I worked at a private company in Japan called NOVA after college, and then at Kanda University of International Studies also in Japan after my Masters. They both worked very well for my goals at the time. I got a ton of teaching experience, they led directly to future opportunities, and my colleagues from all over the globe were a blast to hang out with.

In my case, yes, I was ‘teaching English abroad,’ but I was also reconnecting with my heritage culture and language, which was really important to me. You are often in a bubble when you are with your workmates, but there are still plenty of opportunities to break out of that and immerse yourself in the local people and culture. So I would say to be open to all sorts of experiences, and observe the people and culture around you with mindfulness. Oh, and be strategic about when and how you use the local language ;)”

-Julie Matsubara, ELI Director

Final Takeaways

Regardless of whether you choose to pursue a public sector position or a private sector one, it is imperative that you do your homework on any potential jobs abroad. Research the place you want to go to, the program you want to work for, the history of the program, how you can obtain a visa, how you can obtain insurance, and how you can find housing. Be sure to ask others for advice! Not all public sector or private sector jobs are the same, so it’s important to hear first-hand accounts from people who have participated in programs themselves. 

If you are interested in exploring jobs teaching English abroad, a good place to start is Dave’s ESL Cafe. Here you can find a variety of different possibilities for teaching English in another country. 

*All photos provided by the relevant staff member.