Teaching abroad is a great way to see the world, make some money, and just maybe do something good. Teaching jobs abroad can range from teaching a kindergarten class in Australia to teaching Biology to high school students in England. Teaching overseas can also mean teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) to grade school children in Italy or to villagers in Uganda. Regardless of what you teach or where, teaching abroad will be a lesson in culture and diversity that you’ll always remember.
The ABCs of Teaching Abroad
Teaching abroad is much like teaching in the U.S. Qualifications will change based on what kind of teaching you intend to do, and so will the demand for teachers in the country where you’reteaching abroad. If you wish to apply directly to a foreign school and teach a grade or a specific subject, you will need to have a B.A. or B.S. degree, teaching credentials, and possibly some prior experience before you are accepted.
Opportunities for teaching abroad also exist in American schools located on foreign soil and on American military bases overseas. These positions are sometimes easier to obtain if you’re an American citizen rather than those available directly at a foreign school. This is because many schools will prefer to hire their own qualified citizens before looking elsewhere for teaching candidates.
If you are an education major degree candidate and you’re looking for a unique way to fulfill a student teaching requirement, look into your opportunities to do so teaching overseas. Your best bet to find a student teaching opportunity will be in an English-speaking country like Australia, England, or Ireland. Not only will you be able to complete your internship successfully, you’ll also benefit from teaching abroad much the same way students who study for a semester abroad do. You’ll live and work in an interesting place with people you may not have met otherwise. And you’ll experience a foreign country and culture through working with children – which will certainly put a different spin on how you view that culture.
TEFL Teaching Jobs Abroad
The other major teaching jobs abroad are teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) positions where you will be teaching English abroad. There are many opportunities for Americans to teach English in all countries where English is not the native tongue. This means that you can teach English in a European nation where you can get a taste of old world culture in modern-day Europe. Or you can teach English to business people in Asian countries where basic English is fast becoming a business requirement. You can even do your part to better the world by teaching English in a developing nation such as Africa or South America. If you would like more information about TEFL, including information on training through a company like Companies like i-to-i, visit Teaching English Abroad.