Teaching Abroad Requirements

By teaching others, you will learn yourself. G. I. Gurdjieff

For many South Africans, teaching overseas is merely a dream! Many young teachers may feel overwhelmed and unappreciated here in SA. They still have the desire to teach and, so, the flame may be ignited to take their passion elsewhere!

Have you ever thought about becoming a teacher in a foreign country?

Today’s article takes a look at how to become a teacher abroad and how you can find out more about educational systems around the globe.

Here are some useful points for you to consider, whether you tackle this endeavour all on your own or whether you contact any one of a number of teach abroad agencies.

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Make the Decision to Work Privately or Publicly

It doesn’t matter which subject you teach or which language you speak, your work will differ depending on your country of choice. When considering how to become a teacher in a foreign country, you will have to decide, early on, the type of situation you would like to work in.

If you’re thinking of teaching overseas, you will have to carefully consider the type of teaching position which you would be best suited for.

There, for example, would be certain considerations, for you to take cognisance of, if you want to teach in a high school that you wouldn’t have to think about if you chose to teach at a primary or middle school.

Some of these considerations would include:

• Readiness: Do I have the necessary experience or do I need to upgrade my skill set?
• Feasibility: Do my skills match the post’s requirements?
• Facility: Can I teach at this level with my qualifications and experience?

You, also, must think about professional protection. While in the good old RSA, you may have a number of teacher unions to turn to, there may not be such protection in the country you’re choosing a destination.

Interestingly, the World Federation of Teachers’ Unions has a presence in about 40 countries. Research whether they are active in your country of choice and if they will offer you some form of protection there.

Have you thought about all of this?

Consider Various Academic Institutions

Do you lecture at a university or teach at high- or primary school level? Are you a physics teacher or is maths your forte?

Each teacher out there is different and, so, will be their choices in terms of what kind of school they would like to teach in. So, too, will no two schools be the same and they will, therefore, be looking for a specific kind of teacher.

This is why you need to carefully consider the establishment that you would like to teach in when thinking about overseas teaching jobs.

The different kinds of institutions you could teach in include:

• Commercial language schools;
• Private academies and schools
• British or American schools abroad
• Secondary schools
• Primary and nursery schools

Also, remember that, if you don’t speak the language of your host country, you will encounter difficulties when communicating with your learners. How can they learn when they don’t understand you?

Oral English classes are included in the curriculum of many countries, particularly for the higher grades – say, secondary school and higher.

Learners in these classes, in all likelihood, understand and speak a fair amount of English, so, your lessons will focus on listening and speaking skills.

Programmes, with such a focus, will be best for you to pursue when seeking overseas teaching jobs, especially if you do not speak the native tongue of a particular country.

What Certification is Required to Teach Abroad?

Nowadays, it’s not easy to land a top-notch teaching post without a proper teaching qualification and some classroom experience. However, if you delve a bit deeper, you will find that schools around the world, don’t all expect you to have a fancy degree and many years of teaching experience, especially if it’s your intention to teach English.

Cities in Asia, like Seoul, Shanghai and Beijing, Jakarta, Delhi and Dubai, will all demand top-quality credentials, with some teaching experience.

Contrastingly, you may decide to teach outside of these main centres, wanting to sample a rural, slower-paced environment or to immerse yourself in the people or culture of your chosen land. You could then get by with just being an English native speaker who has a smattering of teaching experience – albeit in cooking or basket-weaving.

A word of guidance: find out as much as you can about what you’re getting into!

There are many stories of disillusioned teachers who have landed in accommodation that they considered to be unfit for human occupation or have fallen foul of unscrupulous headmasters, who have withheld their pay or retained their passports.

Another point to bear in mind is that over and above your teaching qualification, where required, you will also need to be in possession of a TEFL, TESOL, DELTA or CELTA certificate. This is because you will require specific skills and knowledge when engaging with students whose mother tongue is not English.

The training, which you will receive, will target classroom strategies which are specific to non-English speaking students, rather than the curriculum of regular teacher training.

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Discover More About Various Places

It is important for you to find out as much as you can about the country you plan to spend an extended amount of time in, not merely a holiday week or two. Research as much as you can about things like the weather, modes of transport and the different kinds of foods that are available.

Also, it would be crucial for you to be knowledgeable of the social norms and customs that you will encounter in your new place of work. In countries like Kuwait or Egypt, for example, depending on your location, there may be restrictions placed on the way that females dress. Uncovered arms may be frowned upon in certain parts of the country and scarves may be required to cover the hair. These restrictions, however, do not apply to men.

Also, in places such as China, Japan and South Korea, it is viewed as a sign of disrespect if children make eye contact with the teacher, the very opposite of what applies in Western countries. It would save you a lot of pain and discomfort to be cognisant of this fact!

Trustworthy Sources

While there may not always be South African assistance overseas, you can research the Internet for helpful, trustworthy organisations. The British Council is one such body, and, with offices around the globe and a presence in more than 50 countries, you will not be far from help anywhere in the world.

Additionally, you can consult forums and websites:

• Forums for teachers of your chosen subject
• The South African embassy
• Facebook groups for expats where you reside
• Websites for South Africans living abroad
• com connects people working and living abroad

Of course, these are not the only avenues for you to pursue. There are others too.

Start to Prepare Sooner Than Later

Once you know how to become a teacher abroad, start to find out as much as you can about the whole process. Your preparations should commence at least a year before your planned departure date.

There are many aspects for you to consider and numerous arrangements for you to put in place before you depart on your overseas teaching adventure.

Know that your visa application and the vetting of your documents can take quite a bit of time. The former may take a few weeks, while the latter make take up a month or two. Very importantly, so can procuring the necessary documentation which will allow you entry into the country of your choice. So, make allowance for this waiting period and plan ahead.

Also, bear in mind that most countries would expect you to have travellers’ insurance, a record of your financial status and proof of accommodation. If you have certain products with your bank, you may be offered travellers’ insurance free of charge. If you have a valid job offer, proof of accommodation will not be called into question.

On the home front, you have to consider what happens to your car and home or flat (apartment) while you’re away. Will you sell your car and will you let or sell your home? If you sell it, how much of the proceeds will you be allowed to take off-shore? This also brings into the picture your tax obligations, while you’re earning a salary outside of the country. What, if any, taxes are you liable for in good, old SA?

Also, find out how to look after your bank accounts and how to connect them to your foreign source of income. You will, in all probability, need to make regular payments into one of them to keep them active. That is also necessary, unless you have a large bank balance, to ensure that any debit orders (for life insurance, for instance) will still be honoured.

No matter how young you are, it is a good idea to have a will drafted, which will ensure that whatever you own is distributed the way you would’ve wanted and leave your family and close friends with little to concern themselves over. At the same time, draft a legally binding power of attorney document, for a trusted individual to take care of your affairs while you are away.

Inform Your Employer That You Intend to Leave

If you’re currently employed, ensure that you inform your immediate superior timeously. For teachers in state employ, do so at least three months in advance so that your affairs, within the department of education, SARS (SA Revenue Service) and your medical aid, can all be wound up.

Another reason to inform your employer, way in advance, is to ensure that you depart on a good note. This will give them fair warning of your intention and provide sufficient time to find someone to fill your post. It may also encourage your boss to provide you with a positive letter of reference (testimonial).

Prepare Your Application to Teach Overseas

What you want to teach may be very clear to you. However, you may not know all the steps necessary to put together a solid application which will lead to a successful interview.

You must remember that the application process for every job will be different, so, your application for each position has to be specific to that particular advertisement and post. Also, know that many teach abroad agencies will guide you through almost every step of the application process.

When you put together your application package, ensure that you have the following:

• Original copies of all application forms
• Certified copies of all your required qualifications (language-, teaching qualifications, etc)
• A covering letter
• Any other requested documentation

Factor in the amount of time it may take to procure any documents which you do not have in your possession. Also, ensure that you have read through the advertisement carefully and provide all the relevant documents.

So, you know how to become a teacher in a foreign country, all the paperwork has been attended to and you’ve received the nod to assume a teaching post overseas. Do consider learning a bit of the language of your host country.

While you may have signed up to teach English, you may land in situations, where knowing a smattering of French or Japanese, may be beneficial – asking directions on the street or asking for something at a store or restaurant. Therefore, out of expedience or regard for your hosts, learn at least enough to be able to hold a very brief conversation.

Best wishes!