Teach Overseas from South Africa

Teachers who love teaching, teach children to love learning. Unknown

This is so true! If you love and enjoy teaching and opening up young minds to the wealth of knowledge out there, you pass on that passion to the young, pliable minds in your care.

Sadly, today, not many people are interested in embarking on a career in teaching.

What many people lose sight of is that you can teach anywhere in the world, with your teaching qualification, in a sense, acting as a visa or passport. If you’ve ever considered entering this extremely rewarding career, this article is for you!

Teaching Overseas: What Language Level?

It doesn’t matter whether you plan on teaching geography, history, English, chemistry or physics, you have to be aware that teaching in a foreign tongue is not easy. It takes quite a bit of adjusting to. Foreign teachers mostly teach:

• English
• Economics
• Foreign languages
• Hard Sciences
• Marketing
• Mathematics

Some subjects are, of course, easier to teach than others, especially if you do not have to learn a foreign language to be able to teach them. This is true, for example, in the case of teaching Spanish in a place like Miami, as opposed to trying to teach German there.

The country which you decide to visit, will, to a large degree, be determined by the language which you teach. If it is a foreign language, you would want to go somewhere where it is commonly spoken or taught. If you teach English abroad, you would choose a language school, which specialises in English teaching or a country where English is used as a foreign language.

This is why many South African teachers apply for jobs teaching abroad, in countries where English is spoken and taught, even if it’s only as a foreign language. When considering to teach English abroad, it would be helpful for you to be aware of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):

• C2: Mastery or proficiency
• C1: Effective operational proficiency or advanced
• B2: Vantage or upper intermediate
• B1: Threshold or intermediate
• A2: Waystage or elementary
• A1: Breakthrough or beginner

Generally, for you to be able to teach a language, your proficiency has to be, at least, at B1 level and you should be able to provide proof of your ability, with the necessary qualifications varying by language.

However, if you’re in possession of a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate, you would not necessarily be required to speak a foreign language. The requirement, across the globe, generally, is that you should speak English to your students.

Your TEFL course will prepare you for what is required, before you embark on your adventure of being a teacher abroad. It would be useful, however, to know a smattering of the local language to assist with everyday living.

So, what are the steps you should follow to teach overseas?

Administrative Steps to Take to Teach Overseas

First, you will have to know about getting yourself vetted to teach English abroad.

The Post-graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is not always accepted overseas. If it is, it normally has to be translated. A teacher can work abroad in one of four ways:

• Working overseas temporarily
• Living abroad permanently
• Being recruited in SA and then working abroad
• Procuring a job overseas

Notwithstanding, if you want to land a job overseas, there are at least two things that you should do:

• Obtain a TEFL certification or a recognised teaching qualification; and
• Acquire at least two years of teaching experience.

You will also require language skills. The level you require will depend on the post you’re applying for. Make sure that you compare it to the CEFR levels.

When you do apply, make sure that you follow the application procedure meticulously:

• Complete all application forms in full
• Ensure that you include all relevant qualifications.

Also, add in your previous experience, which will help you secure a better salary.

Include also your CEFR level, as well as proof of your language skills.

It may be requested that you attach copies of your qualifications and, in some cases, translations thereof. Other documents may also be requested, such as your TEFL certification, especially if you’re are applying to teach English abroad.

The application procedure can vary widely, depending on the level of the post you’re applying for and whether you’re applying to a state institution or a private one.

Procedures for teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) and TEFL will vary from country to country. A school in Cambodia will not follow the same procedure as a school in Spain, Korea or Thailand. Also, certain institutions may require a CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) instead of an online TEFL certification.

Finally, bear in mind that there are still a few other things which you have to put in place to be able to work overseas, such as acquiring a passport and a visa:

• In some countries, you will be required to register yourself on arrival;
• Researchers may require a very different visa to the normal one;
• You will need to open a banking account and know how to use it; and
• You may need to acquire an international driver’s licence, if you expect to drive in the foreign state.

Still considering being a teacher abroad?

Below we have 10 tips for people considering jobs teaching abroad, not only for those teaching English!

Teaching Abroad: Several Tips

We’ve kept our advice for being a teacher abroad very simple.

The first decision you need to make is whether you’d like to teach in a state school or in a private school. Following that, here are a number of important considerations:

• Readiness: With the experience which I have, am I ready to embark on this journey?
• Feasibility: Are my skills at the requisite level to apply for a teaching post?
• Facility: What am I currently equipped to teach?

There are many countries which are actively employing South African teachers, especially in the Near East, including Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and in the Far East, China and South Korea.

It’s a good idea to plan your move overseas way before you actually intend to leave your current job or post. Inform your current employer timeously (at least 3 months in advance for teachers in state employ) as you will be expected to give fair notice and work out your notice period.

Your employer will be more inclined to give you a good reference, to present to your prospective employers, if you give them fair warning. It stands you in good stead to get them on your side way before you leave.

Also, ensure that you know at what level you will be employed – teacher, Head of Department or Deputy – since that will influence the salary that you’ll be paid. It should also be clear whether your years of experience (say, 10 years) will be taken into account to ensure that you are paid a fair salary.

Finally, persevere: apply for more than one post and never short-change yourself; you will never know whether you’re the best candidate for a post (even a senior post) if you don’t try! Set several goals for yourself and remain flexible!

Apply to Work Overseas: Here’s How

Are you keen to work overseas?

Simply apply! As a teacher, you could work in one of a number of situations:

• In a private school;
• A state school; or
• A British or American school abroad

When you first contemplate going to work abroad, you need to seriously consider whether your stay is going to be long-term or short-term.

First, have a look at what posts are available. Nowadays, it’s as easy as typing a few key words into an Internet search, such as “teaching posts in Taiwan”. At this point you may strike upon agencies which regularly help to place teachers in specific countries. They would, thus, be conversant with the procedures which you are to follow in terms of getting your qualifications recognised and they may be of great assistance as sponsors (in certain cases), when you apply for a visa.

Whether you’re applying on your own or not, you will have to provide proof of your qualifications and work experience. Once you’ve applied for the post, the relevant authorities will start reviewing your application. At this point, they will be one of two outcomes:

• Your application is rejected; or
• You will be contacted for an interview.

Once you’ve progressed beyond the interview, the institution will select its preferred candidates. Following this, if you are one of those candidates, you will be offered a contract to sign and be given a commencement date. Some agencies even assist with the booking of flights, as they may make use of one particular travel agency.

Have you considered teaching abroad?

Well, teaching may just open a whole new world for you, with your imagination setting the limit for you, in terms of destinations!

Which one catches your fancy?

Whether you’d like to teach in South Korea, take a gap year in Japan or become an ESL teacher in some other far-off land, your TESOL certification is bound to secure you a placement almost anywhere around the globe.

There’s no time like the present: take the plunge!