 10 Questions to Ask Yourself
When Deciding Where to Teach English |
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| EFL has grown exponentially worldwide and there are more places than ever to teach English. Deciding where to go can be overwhelming-- but rather than throwing a dart at the world map, there are some questions you can ask yourself to help determine the best location for you. |
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| 1. What types of students do I want to teach? |
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| In many Latin American locations, most EFL students are adults learning business English. In places like Asia and Eastern Europe, there is often more diversity of people learning English and, as a result, a wider variety in age and background of your potential students. |
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| 2. Do I need to save money or pay off debt back home? |
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| If money is a major concern, then you might consider taking a TEFL position in Asia or the Middle East. These jobs tend to pay the highest compared to the cost of living, and some offer free or subsidized housing and airfare reimbursement upon completion of a contract. |
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| 3. How long do I want to spend abroad? |
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| Many TEFL employers require that you commit to a full year teaching contract; however, in some countries the commitment could be as little as six months. If you would like to go abroad for a shorter period of time, we also have Volunteer Teaching and Teach and Travel Ambassador programs in some locations. The length of time you plan to stay overseas will have some influence on choosing the best location for you. |
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| 4. What is my citizenship? |
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| Citizens of certain nations may find it easier to get jobs in some countries than in others. In fact, depending on your citizenship, it may be difficult or even impossible to find work in some locations. This can be due to a government-imposed visa restriction or merely the preference of an individual school or country. Check with our job placement advisors for the requirements in each country. |
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| 5. What is my linguistic background or interest? |
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| Is there a language you'd like to practice or learn? If you have a background in Spanish, for example, you may want to consider teaching in Latin America. You'll improve your language skills and find it easier to get around your new home. Or maybe you want to learn an entirely new language like Russian. Many schools offer language lessons to their teachers, making teaching abroad a great opportunity to study a foreign language and practice it in your daily life. Our Teach and Travel Ambassador Program also allows you to immerse yourself in the language and culture of your host country while teaching English. |
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| 6. How do I like to spend my free time? |
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| While most EFL teaching positions are in cities, those cities vary in terms of size, atmosphere, social activities, and proximity to nature. For example, it's difficult to get to natural areas from Tokyo, Japan, but it's relatively easy from San Jose, Costa Rica. Similarly, Buenos Aires, Argentina is known for its wild nightlife, while Cusco, Peru, for its traditional arts and culture. It may be important for you to keep such social factors in mind when choosing a location. |
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| 7. What kind of climate do I prefer? |
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| Climate is also a factor to consider when choosing a country. If you love the sun, then Central America might be a good option for you. If you can't give up your four seasons, then consider somewhere further from the equator. If you're not used to humidity, tropical places like Thailand or Indonesia may not be your best options; on the other hand, if you don't like the dryness, consider that before teaching in the Middle East. |
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| 8. How exotic of an adventure do I want? |
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| Moving to a foreign country will require an adjustment no matter where you go, but some cultures are more drastically different from your own than are others. Determining your comfort level for cultural differences is a good way to sort through your location options. Would you prefer teaching in a country where the traditions, living conditions, and religious practices are similar to what you're used to, or are you looking to experience a culture very different from your own? |
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| 9. What kind of food do I like? |
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| Food preferences are very important to some people. It might help to learn more about-- and perhaps try-- the typical cuisine of a few different countries before determining your destination. If you are vegetarian or have specific dietary restrictions, you may want to research your options before leaving home. |
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| 10. What is my spatial comfort zone? |
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| In many countries, the concept of personal space is very different than what you may be used to. The more populated the city, the more congested it's likely to be. And in some locations, like China, the space people give each other is less than in other locations, such as Poland. |
