If you want to know how to teach English abroad, you should first know where it is you want to go. Different countries have different requirements, so it is essential that you do your research beforehand. Still, there are some general rules that apply to the majority of places, and I will give you other advice to go alongside that, so read on to get the basics down, then follow the related links to learn more.

How To Teach English Abroad - General Requirements

Most, but not all, countries require you to be from a native English-speaking country, such as The US, UK, Canada, and so on. This is usually part of the visa/work permit application process, so isn't something that can be avoided.

You will also in many cases need to have a basic teaching English certificate, such as a TESOL, CELTA or similar. While this is not essential for every country, the ones with the better paying jobs definitely want it. It is not incredibly expensive to get certified either, and is a qualification that you can take around the world, so I would absolutely recommend getting one. Do some research first to find out the basic requirements.

Additionally, you may need to be a university degree holder too. There are some countries in Europe and South America that don't always state it as mandatory, but this trend is changing and in any case, the more qualified a candidate is, the more likely they are to get hired.

Working abroad is becoming more competitive in the current economic climate, so it is always best to make sure you are as hire-able as possible.

How To Teach English Abroad - Finding Work

Once you are sure that you meet the employment criteria of your chosen country you can start looking for work. The best thing to do is approach a recruitment agency that specializes in the place you want to go. Their job is to be the middle-man between the school and the teacher. Schools pay them to find the best candidates, so this service will cost you nothing.

Once you have found a suitable agency, you can fill out the application form, and if your resume is satisfactory and your e-mail/application letter is professional, you are likely to have a telephone interview arranged.

Bear in mind that the more successful agencies receive many applications per day, so they have to filter out a lot of them. If your application looks too informal, unprofessional, or you have misread something in the application procedure, you may not hear back from them.

The interview is usually to check how you are as a person, and not to check your teaching skills. If you are qualified with a CELTA, the school is usually happy and will train you themselves upon arrival, so their main concern is that you are committed, dedicated to working, and are likely to be worth their time.

They aren't likely to be interested in somebody who wants to party and have a vacation, so make sure you understand that teaching will be your job. You might only have to work 20 hours per week, but you need to be professional during those hours.

Further Research

The above mentioned recruitment agencies usually have a lot of additional information on their websites, so that is the best place for you to go. They want to get to know their potential candidates, so they are always very helpful and informative. Good luck!