Teach English Abroad

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Long-Term Travel Abroad

The sudden freedom that comes with a high school or college graduation, or even retirement, makes those ideal times to spend an extended time exploring the world. When traveling, the length of your stay and the degree of your cultural integration are variables that can have a profound significance on the way you experience your destination. In this guide we'll direct you to resources geared toward helping you live abroad for a while.

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Live Abroad Programs

The Web abounds with resources for working, teaching, and volunteering abroad, and although a slew ... read more »

Work Abroad

For long-term trips abroad, the most flexible option travelers have available is to go on a ... read more »

Teach English Abroad

A popular choice among recent graduates, teaching English abroad affords you an altogether unique travel experience. It provides you a source of income sufficient to support long-term residence, an intimate perspective on the culture, the opportunity for extensive travel, and fantastic work experience. There are a number of channels through which one can find a job teaching English as a second language; use the resources in this guide to select the program that's right for you.

Dulcinea's Insight

If you're thinking of teaching abroad and lack formal training, consider registering for an ESL (English as Second Language) class. A Bachelor's degree along with TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training are really the only requirements most programs have. For an overview on teaching abroad without certification, check out the University of Michigan International Center's site. The site also has resources for those looking to teach with certification.

Many foreign schools rely on recruiting agencies to find workers. Thus, you will likely apply with and be interviewed by a domestic agency that would then assign you to a foreign institution.

Although it's possible to find a job without any background in teaching, getting your TEFL certification undoubtedly makes you a more desirable candidate, and also prepares you for the work you'd ultimately be doing.

Dulcinea's Picks

WorldTeach is a volunteer teach abroad organization with placements in a variety of exciting countries including Bangladesh, Guyana, Ecuador, and South Africa. The program fees are reasonable and are broken down in the FAQ section. Unlike many work abroad programs, WorldTeach has no age limit (other than for China placements, for which you must be under 65), encouraging retirees and professionals to volunteer.

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The Council on International Educational Exchange offers English teaching programs in Chile, China, Spain, and Thailand. Most programs require native English fluency and a Bachelor's degree in any major. Teaching experience and TEFL certification are preferred but not required. Workers earn a salary but must pay a startup fee.

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The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme places Americans (and other English speakers) in Japanese schools in villages, towns, and cities around Japan to serve as teachers and teaching assistants in English classrooms. The mission of the program is to enhance relations between the United States and Japan. On this site you'll find all the information you need about the program, including who's eligible and how to apply.

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The Fulbright Program offers grants for graduates to serve as teaching assistants in schools outside the United States. Grants are competitive, and only U.S. citizens with a B.A. (or equivalent) and some language proficiency are eligible.

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