 Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions |
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| 1. Why should I pay to get a TEFL job? |
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| If you research teaching abroad on the Internet, you quickly learn that there is an overwhelming amount of information, much of it conflicting. Unless you are familiar with the culture of hiring and educational practices of each country, it can be very difficult and frustrating to determine reputable schools from questionable ones.
Our TEFL job placement service offers you the security of knowing that you'll be working for a school with high standards and a good reputation. Plus, our experienced advisors do all the complicated work of finding a job overseas for you. We'll locate the schools, arrange the interviews, and even provide travel insurance. You only have to interview and we take care of the rest. |
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| 2. Do I get to choose my teaching location? |
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| Yes. Because we have an extensive network of partner schools worldwide, we pride ourselves on getting you a job teaching English in the location of your choice. However, there may not be positions available in every location at all times of the year. We recommend that you choose two or three preferred locations just in case there are no openings in your first choice. |
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| 3. Which locations have the best paying jobs? |
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| Typically, English schools in Asia and the Middle East pay the best and offer the most benefits such as free or subsidized housing, language lessons, reimbursed airfare, and bonuses. Most other areas of the world will pay English teachers enough to live comfortably, but probably not enough to save money or pay off debt. In all cases, we recommend bringing a savings as a financial buffer. |
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| 4. Do I need to be TEFL certified to get a job? |
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Although some English schools may require only that you be a native speaker, most institutions prefer to hire teachers with some training. Often the best jobs and the highest salaries are reserved for TEFL certified teachers. And in an increasingly competitive environment, it's an absolute necessity at certain schools and in certain locations.
We require a TEFL certification for all of our placements in order to maintain high standards in the competitive market. If you are not certified, then you will be enrolled in our 100-hour TEFLOnline.com course. Some of our programs include the TEFLOnline.com course for free, and others provide it for an additional fee. Please visit our Prices page for more information. |
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| 5. How long will it take to get a teaching job after I sign up? |
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| Depending on timing and location, it could be anywhere from one week to three months. We guarantee you a job offer within three months of your available start date or after completing the TEFLOnline.com certification; whichever is later. We have an outstanding track record for securing jobs on or near preferred start dates. |
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| More FAQs |
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| > I think I am interested in teaching English abroad. Where do I start? |
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To get started, there are a number of questions you should ask yourself. The first, of course, is "Where do I want to go?" Selecting a country is based on various factors, including language(s) spoken, cost of living, cultural and geographical attractions, climate, health issues, distance from home, social atmosphere, and local economic and political conditions.
Another question you should ask yourself is "How long do I want to stay?" Some schools will ask you to sign a 1- or 2- year contract, while others will ask only for a verbal promise that you'll stay for a few months. In any case, most of the schools we work with will ask for at least a six-month commitment. If you are looking for a shorter commitment, we recommend our Teach and Travel Ambassador Program or our Volunteer Teaching Programs.
The final question you should ask yourself is, "How should I prepare myself to teach English?" We offer placement plans for prospective teachers who are already certified as well as for those needing certification. Our plan for uncertified teachers includes enrollment in the internationally recognized TEFL Online.com course. If you prefer an on-site certification course in your home or destination country, please visit www.BridgeTEFL.com for more information. |
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| > What kind of students will I be teaching? |
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| Our schools offer a great diversity of students-- everything from kindergarten students to professionals learning business English. |
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| > How long is the typical teaching commitment? |
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| Most schools will want you to commit a minimum of 6 to 12 months with the option of staying longer if you like. Employers like to avoid turnover so in many cases, the longer you stay, the better pay and more benefits you will receive. |
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| > Can I teach English short term? |
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| Yes. The Teach and Travel Ambassador Program is ideal for teachers and students on who want to have an amazing cultural experience abroad for one to three months. We also have 2-week long Volunteer Teaching opportunities available. |
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| > Do I need to have a college degree to get a teaching position overseas? |
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| The majority of schools around the world prefer that you have a college degree; many will not hire a teacher without one. In most locations in Asia, as well as in some other countries, it is a requirement in order to receive a work visa. However, in some places, teachers without degrees can qualify to teach English. If you do not have a college degree, it is best to ask about the specific location in which you are interested. |
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| > I'm a non-native speaker. Can I still teach English abroad? |
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| While most countries prefer native speakers, there are still opportunities to teach abroad as long as you are fluent in English. Some schools may require proof of fluency such as a TOEFL score. |
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| > Do I have to interview for a TEFL position? |
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| Yes. As with any job, you will have to successfully complete an interview in order to be hired as an English teacher. Depending on location, you will either interview by phone, at the school, or at one of our worldwide recruitment centers. In most cases, we arrange multiple interviews for you to increase the number of options you have in finding the teaching job that best suits your personal needs. |
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| > Will I need to sign a contract, and if so, what are the general obligations? |
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| Contracts vary depending upon the organization and on the labor laws of each country. The points covered by a contract may include the minimum number of guaranteed hours, amount and frequency of pay, length of service, hours the teachers must be available to teach, whether teachers can teach classes outside of the school, and conditions under which the contract can be broken. Be aware that schools in certain countries will ask you to teach on the basis of a verbal contract only. If this is the case, be sure that you and the administration are clear on the conditions of your employment, so there are no surprises later on. |
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| > Will I be able to support myself working for only one school? |
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| This depends greatly on the location in which you are teaching. In Asia, or elsewhere if you work full-time for a public school, you are likely to sign a contract with a guaranteed salary. You should be able to live comfortably on this salary, and maybe even save some money, especially if the organization subsidizes housing. However, in many situations it is difficult to support yourself working for just one school. Teachers usually compensate for this by teaching private classes on the side, working for several schools (if permitted by local visa/contract laws), or having some money saved up before they venture abroad. |
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| > Will I save money while working overseas? |
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| A lot depends on the location you choose, the cost of living, and how you budget. The higher paying jobs are generally in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. However, the cost of living is generally higher in these locations as well. Some schools in Korea provide housing for teachers, allowing you to save extra money. To learn more about salaries and cost of living in specific locations, please visit the individual country pages. |
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| > Do schools offer health insurance coverage? |
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| Health insurance is often provided for English teachers in Asia. In other locations, most schools do not provide coverage; however, as part of the TEFL Job Placement package, you will receive Emergency & Medical Travel Insurance during your placement. |
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> Will the school pay for my flight abroad or am I expected to pay
for transportation? |
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| This also depends on the location where you plan to teach English. In many countries, you will be expected to pay for your own transportation. However, some schools and programs (primarily in Asia) will reimburse you for your airfare upon completion of a long-term (6-month to 2-year) contract. |
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| > What about visas? |
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| Work visas can only be arranged between you and the school that hires you, not BridgeTEFL. Please consult your job placement advisor about the visa situation in each country. |
