Ask for my Free E-Book on Teaching Overseas!

When I first began teaching overseas, I quickly realized that there were many things I wished I had known before getting on the plane. I started keeping track of these and also gained a lot of insight into teaching in a foreign country. Later, I put this all together in an e-book to help other people benefit from my experience, avoid the same problems and head out to their new adventure in teaching better prepared. I called it “Introduction to Teaching Overseas”.

It’s yours for the asking. Just email me.

Bob

(Dr. Robert Taylor)

I don’t have a degree. Can I still teach overseas?

 I just completed a second article on the topic and had it published by Ezine Articles.com. Click on this link to read it.

Basically, it is a case of supply and demand and being willing to go where the jobs are. Be flexible. Once you start teaching you will quickly find out if you want to make a career of it. If you do, then it is definitely in your best interest to complete your degree. More, better paying opportunities open up. Similarly, if you want to change the country where you are teaching once you have some experience, fine but initially you want to gain teaching experience.

For the moment there are still opportunities out there to teach without having a degree but authorities are getting tougher all the time. How much longer you will be able to so that is anyone’s guess. My recommendation is to enroll for your degree. At least then a school knows you are working towards it.

Bob

Should I apply from home or go to the other country first?

If you are really interested in teaching in a particular country, you might consider taking a vacation there. While you are there, you could check out teaching jobs. However, there are good reasons for applying from home.

If you apply from home you are in a better position to ask for reimbursement of your airfare – and a return ticket when you complete your contract. You can also ask for a ‘settling in’ allowance. Usually this is a one-shot payment to help you to buy necessities. It won’t be a huge amount but it will buy dishes, etc.

If you apply from within the country, schools will most likely consider you a ‘local hire’ and be reluctant to pay anything other than salary.

Another reason for applying from home is because one of the documents many schools are asking for now is a police certificate showing that you do not have a criminal record. This is easier to get while you are still at home.

Bob

Experience a Totally New Culture!

Teaching is a great way to broaden your experiences. I’ve taught English in Thailand for half of the past 25 years or so and I can tell you it has enriched my life immensely…not the least of which is due to my wife, Nong, who is also a teacher. The first time I ever came to Thailand, I could not understand a thing. The language and the alphabet were so strange that nothing made any sense. The Thai alphabet has 44 consonants, 33 vowel sounds, tone markers and five tones. Vowels can be in front of, behind, above or below the consonant to which they refer.  I loved every minute of it. It was, and still is, a challenge.

If you have ever though about teaching overseas, all you really need are a degree, a TESOL certificate, an enthusiastic attitude and a willingness to experience a new culture. Would you like a copy of my e-book ‘Introduction to Teaching Overseas’? I’ll be happy to send you one. Click on the TESOL course link above and scroll down on the page! Send me a comment if you have a problem getting to it.

Bob