How to Teach English in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with shimmering beaches and a laidback lifestyle. You can spend significant time in this paradise while teaching English. Sri Lankans who speak English can better compete for jobs. Despite the demand, because Sri Lanka is small, good teaching opportunities are hard to find. However, there are several avenues open to interested, dedicated people.
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Instructions
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Evaluate your finances and see if you can "afford to pay" for the pleasure of teaching (i.e, volunteer). A round-trip plane ticket to Sri Lanka is going to cost you at least $1,500, your passport will likely cost $100, and your visa's cost depends on your country of origin. Volunteer organizations will also charge you various program fees, sometimes up to $10,000.
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If you can afford to volunteer, research organizations that sponsor volunteer English teachers.
Travellers Worldwide offers Sri Lanka positions for anywhere between 2 weeks to 1 year, depending on the type of visa you can obtain. This program doesn't require any particular background: you're qualified if you want to help children learn. However, Travellers doesn't offer plane fare or the cost of a visa, though they will help you obtain the paperwork. Travellers does pay for your accommodations, food and offers various other services, like meeting you at the airport. However, you have to pay between $2,000 and $10,000 just in program fees to teach. I to I offers a similar program in terms of the cost to you and the experience you get.
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If you are interested in a paying position, register for classes to obtain a Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate (TEFL). This certification typically takes about 120 hours of coursework. Courses are available at various locations where you to become certified in as little as a weekend. The TEFL institute offers online classes that allow you to complete the course in 2 months.
Although the cost is between $1,300 and $2,000, certification is good for jobs in many countries. The program also helps with job placement.
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Once certified, apply for teaching jobs through the TEFL institute.
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Apply for a passport and visa. Submit your passport application at least 2 months before your expected departure, because it can take 6 weeks to process. You will have to contact the Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate to obtain an entry visa since you will be working (even if you're classified as a volunteer). Do this at least 2 months in advance. If you attempt to work in Sri Lanka with the automatic visitors visa issued to tourists, you risk deportation.
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Once you have accepted a position, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Your organization will tell you what shots to request. They'll also likely give you a questionnaire about your health for their own insurance purposes. Submit this information to them in a timely manner.
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Tips & Warnings
Research any program you apply to very thoroughly.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit ready for school image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
