How to Become an Elementary English Teacher in Foreign Countries
If you're a native speaker, teaching English in a foreign country can be a rewarding venture. Teaching abroad allows you to learn about and experience another culture, while working with bright minds. This is especially beneficial if you have teaching experience or would like to further your teaching career. A number of companies offer programs that allow you to teach abroad. They facilitate the hiring and moving processes, and can help you make the international transition.
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Instructions
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Attend an accredited four-year college and finish your degree. Depending on the country and program you wish to teach in, it may not be necessary to receive the degree in English, but if this is the direction you choose, it certainly will help your chances.
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Add some teaching experience to your resume. This can be in the form of a teaching program during your degree process that allows you to teach at local schools, or you can substitute or teach at a variety of learning facilities in your free time. Anything that lets a potential employer abroad know that you have experience teaching in a classroom setting will enhance your case greatly.
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Gain certifications to teach English to people who are not native speakers. A variety of certifications are available that potential employers may look for, including TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Few employers will absolutely require you to have these certifications, but many postings state it is desired or preferred. If an employer has to pick between two candidates that appear to be equally qualified on paper, the person with a certification or two will likely get the nod.
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Apply for a passport. You cannot travel outside of the country without a passport. The passport must be presented any time you wish to enter another country, so it's an integral part of this process. You must apply for your passport in person. This can be done at most post offices throughout the United States. Be sure to bring identification such as a driver's license, as well as your birth certificate. Also be prepared to take a photograph, which will appear on your passport for the next 10 years.
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Search for a company that places teachers into foreign countries to help teach English. There are a variety of companies that can be found through a search engine inquiry. Most require you to upload a resume and fill out an application, and shortly after, you'll be able to be part of a phone interview. After successfully completing the phone interview and being welcomed into the company, you are eligible to browse listings and begin applying for jobs through the company.
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Apply for an elementary school English teacher in a country that interests you. Countries such as China and Japan always need English teachers for elementary school children as well as adults.
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Schedule and undergo interviews with the schools that are interested in hiring you. Most schools will conduct interviews over the phone and the Internet, as opposed to having face-to face-interviews. Since a number of people apply to these jobs, it'd be too expensive to fly candidates to multiple interviews. During this interview period, continue to apply for more positions so that you can line up backup interviews in case a particular school doesn't hire you.
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Accept the job. If all goes well with the interview process, you will be offered a position to teach. Before you can begin work, however, you must complete the visa process. The hiring company will help with this, and may request some additional information or identification from you so that you can be cleared to receive a work visa. Your teaching job is contingent upon receiving this visa. Barring any complications, you can begin the relocation process and teach English in the foreign elementary school for which you were hired.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can afford it, it is a good idea to travel to the country you'll be living in prior to formally accepting the job. This way, you'll have a better sense of what to expect.
References
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