Step by step guide to teach abroad

by | Jun 2, 2023 | Start Here | 0 comments

A Step-By-Step Guide to Using Teach Out Now

Teach Out Now is the perfect online resource to jump start your ESL adventure abroad.  The following is a comprehensive list describing how to navigate the platform and kick start your first international job.

  1. Qualify as an ESL Teacher

The first thing needed is a qualification as an ESL teacher.  There are two main requirements to teach ESL.  The first is a CELTA, TEFL or TESOL.  This is your most important document, as most professional schools around the world require this at minimum. 

You can get either a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), TESOL (Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages), or CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults).  All of these qualify you for a job, provided they’re over 120 hours. 120 hours is all you need to qualify for a job, some people may want more training but this does not guarantee you higher pay. Higher pay comes with actual teaching experience. 

The other document you potentially need is a Bachelor Degree.  You can have this from any field, (for example, a Bachelor’s in Engineering or Communication is still good for an ESL job) as long as it’s from an accredited university.

Not all jobs require a Bachelor Degree, but the best paying ESL positions usually need one.  

  • Getting your TEFL, TESOL or CELTA

There are many places where you can earn your TEFL, TESOL or CELTA.  Online certificates are the easiest to find.  Make sure that an online certificate has been appropriately accredited and is 120 hours or more. These are the companies that we recommend.

You can also attend an on-location class for these certificates.  This is generally the better option for people craving more peer-learning or class structure.  More information on TEFL, TESOL or CELTA programs can be found here. (https://teachoutnow.com/whats-the-difference-from-a-celta-tefl-and-tesol/)

  • Choose a Direction

When teaching abroad, before hunting for jobs, it’s important to decide what kind of teacher you’d like to be.  The most important factors are as follows:

  • Which country, region or city do I want to teach in?
  • What age range do I want to teach?
  • What classroom setting do I want to teach in (online, home tutor or traditional classroom)?

Having this knowledge before starting your job hunt will help enormously when narrowing down job options.

  • Use Teach Out Now to Find Jobs

One of Teach Out Now’s services includes employment-finding opportunities.  New teachers can look under the “Jobs” tab on the top menu or click this link. (https://teachoutnow.com/jobs/)  This will take you to job listings and opportunities.  

You can also use the “Filter” option included on the website to narrow down job choices.  This method can help teachers find jobs they’re perfectly suited for.  

  • Create an Account

If you’ve not done so already, a teacher must create an account to sign up for job listings.  Simply click register or click this link (https://teachoutnow.com/log-in-register/) to create or log into an account.  

Be sure to fill out all information and upload a resume attachment to make yourself a better candidate for prospective employers.

  • Receiving a Job Offer

You will likely receive job offers or interview offers for employment opportunities through your email address that you’ve registered with Teach Out Now.  When conducting interviews (most commonly through video calls), be sure to dress professionally, interview from a quiet environment and have questions for the company ready before calling.  Be sure to get information, such as job requirements, living arrangements, salary, cost of living and flight reimbursement (if applicable).  

Companies may contact you through a variety of social media apps for interview calls, such as Skype, Wechat, Zoom, KaKao Talk or Whatsapp.

If you are happy with the company and the company is happy with you, you may accept a job offer.  

  • Preparing Paperwork and Visas

After accepting a job offer and being given a start date, it’s time to begin the visa process.  

Some jobs may ask you to fly over and begin work on a tourist visa.  While this is known to happen in the ESL community, it is inadvisable.  It is strongly recommended to get a legitimate work visa when heading to a new country for employment.

Make sure to compile the following papers for visa purposes.

  • Passport
  • Secondary ID
  • Degree
  • TEFL, CELTA, or TESOL
  • Other relevant certifications and documents

At this point, companies will walk you through the visa process.  They will direct you towards the proper resources and embassies to obtain a work visa.  This process may take a matter of weeks or a couple of months depending on the country and how fast documents are processed.  

  • Booking your Flight

Once your papers are in order, it’s time to fly to your country of choice.  Coordinate with your new employer to set up temporary or permanent lodging and ensure you have a guide ready to help you out if need be.  

  • Other Services

Teach Out Now offers other services beyond job opportunities.  Be sure to browse the FAQ (https://teachoutnow.com/category/faqs/) section of this website to better navigate the ESL industry and common solutions to living abroad.  

Overall, we wish you the best of luck and we thank you for allowing Teach Out Now to be part of your adventure and journey.