Yes – it can be done. You need to prepare the ground carefully, but there are a massive number of jobs available around the world and there are not enough English teachers to fill them. If you want to teach abroad quickly, you are pushing at an open door.

The 10 steps for finding a teaching job in 10 days or less are listed below. But beforehand, you need to meet two basic conditions:

1: Make sure you are either a native English speaker, or a very good one. You will usually need to be fluent in both written and spoken English.

2: Obtain an Internationally recognised TEFL Certificate

If you have one, you are ready to proceed. If not, then you must obtain an internationally
recognised TEFL Certificate before you start. You can no longer secure a decent teaching job in
most countries without a recognised Certificate. It’s much better to take a TEFL course in, or near, the country where you would like to begin teaching. The course fees, accommodation and living costs will be much cheaper than at home. You can immerse yourself in a new culture and share your experiences with a bunch of like minded people. You will also get the opportunity to teach local students. By the time you’ve completed your TEFL course, you will be settled in your new environment and will be able to hit the ground running!

DON’T BOTHER WITH WEEKEND TEFL COURSES, THEY WONT PREPARE YOU FOR THE
REAL WORLD OF TEFL TEACHING AND MOST EMPLOYERS AROUND THE WORLD WONT
ACCEPT THEM. MAKE SURE YOU ENROLL ON A 4 -WEEK TEFL COURSE WHICH INCLUDES
6 HOURS OF OBSERVED TEACHING PRACTICE WITH REAL STUDENTS.

This cannot be emphasized strongly enough. Few people can stroll into a classroom and begin
teaching without any prior training. Any assumption that you can speak a language – therefore
you can teach it, is a false one

Even if you have had experience of teaching ‘one on one’ lessons to private students, are you sure you can stand in front of a classroom of 20 or 30 expectant faces? Can you manage the classroom, keep discipline, plan enough material for 4 x one-hour lessons per day?

And how is your grammar? In all likelihood, it will not half as good as many of the students you
will be teaching. Most Students can spot an incompetent teacher a mile away, and when they do,
their life can be hell. I have seen it happen too many times.

You do not need a BA Degree to teach English abroad unless of course you want to teach at a
university or government school. Some countries may require a degree for work permit
purposes but many employers just require a recognised TEFL certificate. This issue remains a
grey area in most countries resulting in the majority of English teachers working semi illegally.

A good TEFL course will provide you all the basic skills you’ll need to start your career abroad as
an English teacher. You will learn how to:

o plan lessons

o engage your class

o keep discipline

o teach grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Most of all, you will be able to walk into a room full of expectant faces and conduct a lesson with
confidence.

OK – you are a good English speaker, you are armed with your TEFL certificate. You can now go
about finding a teaching job abroad in 10 days or less by following these 10 simple steps.

Step 1: Decide where you want to go

Reasons for wanting to teach in a particular country (or countries) will be many and varied. It may
be somewhere you have always wanted to visit, or one that you know well and want to settle in for a while whilst earning a living, or possibly because it presents a challenge.

Whatever your chosen country, and whatever your reason for going there, you will find receptive
pupils who are wiling to learn and who will be grateful to you for teaching them English. It is no
exaggeration to say that most of them will remember you for the rest of their lives.

Step 2: Book a flight

You can find cheap flights online or try one of the many student travel agencies
important as the price. Book a room for one night then you can negotiate a good monthly rate
once you have arrived and are happy with the room.

If your chosen country requires a visa, travel on a tourist visa. When you find a job, your
employer should be able to arrange a work permit (see ‘Step 9’).

Step 3: Sell yourself

Put together a professional resume or curriculum vitae before leaving.
save a copy in your iPod, or Gmail, Hotmail email folder.

Don’t Forget:

– your TEFL Certificate

– college diploma/degree if you have one

– any other relevant certificates

– a summary note which emphasises any teaching or training experience you may have,
lists everything you have learned on your TEFL course

– your references

Most employers will ask for references. Arrange these before departing. Former employers,
teaching colleagues and co-workers make the best references. Ask each to write a brief letter
which recommends you as a teacher. Ask them to leave the letter undated – so that you can use
it for a long time into the future. But each letter should include an address, phone number and
email address for the person writing your reference.

If you do not have any relevant teaching experience, ask your TEFL trainer to write a reference
about the skills you have learned.

Take at least two paper copies of all this with you with you in a protective case. Where
possible, save everything in your email account and keep a back up copy in your email folder
or on your iPod/Phone.

Step 4: Pack Nice Clothes

Your employers may well be more impressed at an interview by your appearance than your
qualifications. Dress like you would for a job interview at home.

For men, this means a shirt & tie, dark pressed trousers and polished shoes.
For women, long dark skirt, white blouse and covered shoulders. Go easy on jewelry.

Earrings are normally considered acceptable for women, but nose and other visible body
piercings (for both sexes) are generally seen as setting a bad example to the students and
should be removed.

Step 5: Arrive – and hit the ground running

If possible, ask your hotel to pick you up at the airport. Alternatively you should book a taxi
from the taxi desk inside the airport arrival hall. You might pay a bit more, but it is safer and
less troublesome. On the first day in a new country, this can really help to set you on your way.
It’s best not search for jobs on your first day. Take a stroll, and let your body and mind adjust
to the new environment.

Unpack your interview clothes. If they are wrinkled, find a laundry service to have them ironed
(your hotel or guest house should be able to help). Once ironed, hang up your clothes. Polish
your shoes and prepare your resume. Finally, have a beer, or other drink, and relax.

Step 6: Buy a mobile phone

Prospective employers will want to call you. Asking them to leave a message at a hotel or
guesthouse is unreliable and the employers will not be impressed. It is best to get a mobile
phone with a local number. Mobile phones in most places are cheap and easy to find.

Before leaving the shop, ask the staff to switch your language options to English.

Step 7: Find the job;

There are three basic methods you can use (though these are not the only ones)

(i) Internet Search.

Search for Dave ESL cafe and apply for any jobs that sound promising. Email a cover letter
and your resume (from your email account) to each employer. It may be better to paste the resume into the body of the email rather than attach it as a file (many schools will not open attachments).

Send one personalized every email address they could get their hands on.

TIP: Call first and get the head teacher or school directo.............