Teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) is a highly rewarding experience. It enables you to contribute positively to other people’s learning and practice your teaching skills.
As amazing as teaching the English language to students abroad is, it requires a significant amount of planning and preparation. There are many things to organize before you can go to your chosen teaching destination, and forgetting just one thing can cause significant delays in starting your exciting new role.
To make your move abroad to become an English teacher to foreign students as smooth and simple as possible, we’ve covered our top planning and preparation tips in this article.
Research Potential Teaching Destinations
You can teach EFL in hundreds of different countries across the world, so you’re not short on potential choices. As great as it is to have plenty of choices, it can also make it difficult to decide where to go.
Conduct in-depth research to identify potential areas where you can teach foreign students how to speak, read, and write English.
Find information about which countries have a high demand for English teachers so you can maximize your chances of securing a job when you move. Using job scraping tools can help you discover teaching opportunities that may not be widely advertised.
Learn About Your Destination Country
Once you have chosen where you would like to teach English, it’s worth learning a few basic phrases in the local language of your chosen destination.
This way, you can communicate with the people you’re teaching in their own language, as well as in English, and cater to your students’ preferred learning styles. You can also communicate the most basic things, such as the alphabet, as well as more complex phrases, in both languages to ensure your students understand the things you’re teaching.
You should also learn a bit about the social norms and local traditions in the area where you will be teaching so you know how to act appropriately when you move. Learning about the culture will also enable you to show respect for the individuals you’re teaching and those within your local community.
Organize Health Insurance
Moving abroad to teach EFL requires you to get health insurance. Having a valid health insurance plan in place before you relocate means you can access healthcare services in your new area, including both primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities.
International health insurance for expats provides you with access to prescription medications, hospitalizations, and routine health check-ups. Many policies also include emergency healthcare, and you can get specialized plans that include dental care or mental health services if you think you will need to access these when you move.
With health insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that you will be able to get medical treatment if and when you need it during your time teaching English abroad.
Obtain the Necessary Licences
As an expat, you will need to obtain various licenses and fill out several legal forms. Depending on where you decide to move to, the exact forms and documents you need will differ, so it’s important to research the specific requirements of your chosen country.
Generally, you will need a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certification to prove that you are qualified to teach English to those who don’t already speak it. You may need to send your certificate to the relevant governing bodies for approval alongside the documentation showing your qualifications, such as your teaching degree certificate.
Most countries require their expats to get a working visa in order to live there and teach English to the native population. You can apply for a visa, which is usually valid for between six and twelve months, on the official government website of the country you want to move to.
Your employer might be able to provide you with the relevant visa if you’re already employed as a teacher in your home country. Speak directly with them to see what they can do for you.
Organize Your Finances
Moving abroad can be expensive, so getting your finances in order before you relocate if vital for a smooth transition into expat life.
Save up enough money such that you have a decent emergency fund that you can dip into if you run into trouble. Ideally, your emergency fund should cover six months of living expenses, which include your mortgage or rent payments, grocery shopping, and transportation costs, but aim for three months if this is more feasible for you.
Before you relocate, open a bank account in the country you’re moving to so you can get paid easily when you start working. Opening a national bank account in your expat country will reduce the chance of foreign transaction charges and eliminate the effects of exchange rate fluctuations, both of which can reduce your total earnings.
