Teach English Abroad
The Complete Guide
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Preparing to Teach English Abroad
There is plenty to do before you finally get on that plane and head off to teach English overseas. A little extra preparation can make things much easier when you arrive and particularly when you finally start working.
If you haven’t taught English before then one of the best things you can do to prepare is to get some ESL work experience. Not only will it look great on your resume if you are still looking for work, it will give you a good introduction to your new job. It will also give you a healthy dose of confidence. Refer back to Chapter 2: Training and Experience in the Teach English Abroad – Guide to Jobs for details.
If you have a limited knowledge of the technicalities of English Grammar then it is well worth your while getting a comprehensive book on it. For most new teachers this is the biggest concern about the job itself. It can be embarrassing getting regularly caught out by veteran pupils who are more familiar with terms than the teacher.
Taking care of any visa or immigration issues before rather than after you leave is usually simpler. Visit the embassy website and check requirements fully. For some countries it can take weeks to get the relevant paperwork through so avoid leaving it to the last minute. This is especially true if you need letters or documentation from new employers as part of a work visa application.
More and more immigration authorities insist you produce a valid medical certificate before issuing a work visa. To get a medical certificate you will need a doctor’s examination and tests for diseases like HIV. Check with the embassy to see exactly what they require. The examination and certificate are usually not free. Private travel insurance is expensive. Usually there are 2 types of coverage you can get: Standard and Extensive. Standard, costing around $30-60 a month, will cover you for medical emergencies. Extensive, which you should expect to pay nearly double for, covers the extras like lost baggage.
Social security should be covered in your contract while you are teaching English abroad but not paying it in your home country may exclude you from benefits upon your return. Check with your local authority what your status is and whether you should set up a payment scheme while away. Social security in your new country is unlikely to cover all eventualities. It is a good idea to make a trip to the dentist before you go as you will almost definitely have to pay abroad and the standards may be lower than what you are used to. Expect to pay for non-essential medicine and treatment as well.
Check with your tax authority at home before you leave on what your status will be while you are out of the country. Usually this depends on how long you are away. In the UK for example, being in the country for 62 days or less a year will mean you are eligible for a tax exemption. Some countries have tax agreements where tax paid in one country can offset tax owed in another. Failing to check may mean you owe tax in two countries and end up having to pay double.
You almost always don’t need to know the language of the country you are in well, if at all, to teach English overseas. However, a little knowledge can go a long way. On an everyday level there really is no escaping the necessity unless you are going with a partner who can already speak it well. You will need to deal with landlords, get a travel pass, go to the doctor, ask for directions, deal with the company receptionist when you arrive for a company class. The list goes on….. Furthermore, being able to speak even a little of the local language will help you to feel more integrated into the local culture.
Many people decide that they will leave the language aspect until they arrive. After all, where better to learn? You may, however, quickly find that picking up the language by ear in a total immersion environment is not that easy. Certainly at first, and probably longer, you will understand nothing of daily conversations. Natives speak way too fast and with too much variety of vocabulary for all but the most able to pick up from scratch. Study the basics of grammar and vocabulary first, then go on from there.
Enrolling on a language course before you go is the ideal option if you have the time and money. Alternatively, seriously consider an online course or a self-teach programme. If there isn’t much available for the language you want to learn, go to or email a specialist language bookstore at home. Failing that, email the embassy and explain your situation and ask if they could recommend any courses, publications or someone willing to give you classes in your area. When you leave, make sure you pack your course books, CDs, tapes etc, to take with you.
Find out more in Teach English Abroad - The Complete Guide chapter 8, "Preparation".
If you haven’t taught English before then one of the best things you can do to prepare is to get some ESL work experience. Not only will it look great on your resume if you are still looking for work, it will give you a good introduction to your new job. It will also give you a healthy dose of confidence. Refer back to Chapter 2: Training and Experience in the Teach English Abroad – Guide to Jobs for details.
If you have a limited knowledge of the technicalities of English Grammar then it is well worth your while getting a comprehensive book on it. For most new teachers this is the biggest concern about the job itself. It can be embarrassing getting regularly caught out by veteran pupils who are more familiar with terms than the teacher.
Taking care of any visa or immigration issues before rather than after you leave is usually simpler. Visit the embassy website and check requirements fully. For some countries it can take weeks to get the relevant paperwork through so avoid leaving it to the last minute. This is especially true if you need letters or documentation from new employers as part of a work visa application.
More and more immigration authorities insist you produce a valid medical certificate before issuing a work visa. To get a medical certificate you will need a doctor’s examination and tests for diseases like HIV. Check with the embassy to see exactly what they require. The examination and certificate are usually not free. Private travel insurance is expensive. Usually there are 2 types of coverage you can get: Standard and Extensive. Standard, costing around $30-60 a month, will cover you for medical emergencies. Extensive, which you should expect to pay nearly double for, covers the extras like lost baggage.
Social security should be covered in your contract while you are teaching English abroad but not paying it in your home country may exclude you from benefits upon your return. Check with your local authority what your status is and whether you should set up a payment scheme while away. Social security in your new country is unlikely to cover all eventualities. It is a good idea to make a trip to the dentist before you go as you will almost definitely have to pay abroad and the standards may be lower than what you are used to. Expect to pay for non-essential medicine and treatment as well.
Check with your tax authority at home before you leave on what your status will be while you are out of the country. Usually this depends on how long you are away. In the UK for example, being in the country for 62 days or less a year will mean you are eligible for a tax exemption. Some countries have tax agreements where tax paid in one country can offset tax owed in another. Failing to check may mean you owe tax in two countries and end up having to pay double.
You almost always don’t need to know the language of the country you are in well, if at all, to teach English overseas. However, a little knowledge can go a long way. On an everyday level there really is no escaping the necessity unless you are going with a partner who can already speak it well. You will need to deal with landlords, get a travel pass, go to the doctor, ask for directions, deal with the company receptionist when you arrive for a company class. The list goes on….. Furthermore, being able to speak even a little of the local language will help you to feel more integrated into the local culture.
Many people decide that they will leave the language aspect until they arrive. After all, where better to learn? You may, however, quickly find that picking up the language by ear in a total immersion environment is not that easy. Certainly at first, and probably longer, you will understand nothing of daily conversations. Natives speak way too fast and with too much variety of vocabulary for all but the most able to pick up from scratch. Study the basics of grammar and vocabulary first, then go on from there.
Enrolling on a language course before you go is the ideal option if you have the time and money. Alternatively, seriously consider an online course or a self-teach programme. If there isn’t much available for the language you want to learn, go to or email a specialist language bookstore at home. Failing that, email the embassy and explain your situation and ask if they could recommend any courses, publications or someone willing to give you classes in your area. When you leave, make sure you pack your course books, CDs, tapes etc, to take with you.
Find out more in Teach English Abroad - The Complete Guide chapter 8, "Preparation".