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Pivot Point: Exploring Overseas Options: Single Professional, Professional with Family, and Retiring Professional
11/09/2018
Julius Pañares
Pivot Point is a four-part series on 21st Century Employment Resiliency for ESL teachers marketing their skills beyond the classroom. This is the fourth post in the series on Exploring Overseas Teaching Opportunities. The ability to teach overseas may seem like a logist...
Pivot Point is a four-part series on 21st Century Employment Resiliency for ESL teachers marketing their skills beyond the classroom. This is the fourth post in the series on Exploring Overseas Teaching Opportunities.
The ability to teach overseas may seem like a logistics nightmare and cost prohibitive when you are juggling multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Finding a teaching position abroad may seem out of reach when faced with job insecurity, but may be worth exploring.
The Basics
Depending on where you choose to teach overseas, the contracts and benefits are distinct. A general rule of thumb is that teaching positions overseas for professionals from North America provide accommodation and airfare for the teacher and often dependents in addition to the salary. Most often a one year contract is offered initially, so that you have opportunity to try things out. If you like the job – and the employer likes you – then there may be an opportunity to renew your contract.
Resources to Get Started
If you haven’t stopped by TESOL’s Career Center recently, go check out their EFL positions which are updated regularly.
Also check out Teachaway.com, a site that posts current openings and connect with teachers overseas.
Dave’s ESL International Job Board offers a range of up to date vacancies across the globe, from China, to Chile, to Myanmar and beyond.
EFL Skill Set
Single Professionals
For single professionals, there is the perception that the EFL world offers endless opportunities, with little concern for dependents, health insurance coverage, or financial obligations. Yet determining where to begin the search can be overwhelming if you don’t know anyone who has taught overseas and who can offer sound advice and recommendations. EFL professionals may choose to teach in a particular country for various reasons) , from salary level, to lifestyle preference, to cultural or geographic considerations.
Professionals with Family
Do you dream of raising your children to be bicultural and bilingual? Countless EFL professionals with families have found fulling work opportunities overseas. Of course, teaching abroad with family brings with it special considerations, for example: childcare, schooling, openness to foreigners, housing arrangements, and cost of living.
Retiring Professionals
Are the kids finally out of the house? Is the mortgage paid off? Time for travel! For our colleagues who are ready to start a new chapter after retirement, dusting off that passport might be just the thing. Check out this TEFL Online article that explores different options for EFL professionals retiring abroad.
Are you currently teaching overseas? How did you find your position?
Share your experiences below!
Kara Mac Donald works as an Academic Specialist with the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Connect with her on LinkedIn or via Email
Erin O’Reilly works as an instructional systems specialist with the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Connect with her on LinkedIn
Julius Pañares
Pivot Point is a four-part series on 21st Century Employment Resiliency for ESL teachers marketing their skills beyond the classroom. This is the fourth post in the series on Exploring Overseas Teaching Opportunities. The ability to teach overseas may seem like a logist... Pivot Point is a four-part series on 21st Century Employment Resiliency for ESL teachers marketing their skills beyond the classroom. This is the fourth post in the series on Exploring Overseas Teaching Opportunities.The ability to teach overseas may seem like a logistics nightmare and cost prohibitive when you are juggling multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Finding a teaching position abroad may seem out of reach when faced with job insecurity, but may be worth exploring.
The Basics
Depending on where you choose to teach overseas, the contracts and benefits are distinct. A general rule of thumb is that teaching positions overseas for professionals from North America provide accommodation and airfare for the teacher and often dependents in addition to the salary. Most often a one year contract is offered initially, so that you have opportunity to try things out. If you like the job – and the employer likes you – then there may be an opportunity to renew your contract.
Resources to Get Started
If you haven’t stopped by TESOL’s Career Center recently, go check out their EFL positions which are updated regularly.
Also check out Teachaway.com, a site that posts current openings and connect with teachers overseas.
Dave’s ESL International Job Board offers a range of up to date vacancies across the globe, from China, to Chile, to Myanmar and beyond.
EFL Skill Set
Single Professionals
For single professionals, there is the perception that the EFL world offers endless opportunities, with little concern for dependents, health insurance coverage, or financial obligations. Yet determining where to begin the search can be overwhelming if you don’t know anyone who has taught overseas and who can offer sound advice and recommendations. EFL professionals may choose to teach in a particular country for various reasons) , from salary level, to lifestyle preference, to cultural or geographic considerations.
Professionals with Family
Do you dream of raising your children to be bicultural and bilingual? Countless EFL professionals with families have found fulling work opportunities overseas. Of course, teaching abroad with family brings with it special considerations, for example: childcare, schooling, openness to foreigners, housing arrangements, and cost of living.
Retiring Professionals
Are the kids finally out of the house? Is the mortgage paid off? Time for travel! For our colleagues who are ready to start a new chapter after retirement, dusting off that passport might be just the thing. Check out this TEFL Online article that explores different options for EFL professionals retiring abroad.
Are you currently teaching overseas? How did you find your position?
Share your experiences below!
Kara Mac Donald works as an Academic Specialist with the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Connect with her on LinkedIn or via Email
Erin O’Reilly works as an instructional systems specialist with the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Connect with her on LinkedIn