A few resources for prospective teachers of English abroad
U.S. Department of State
Peace Corps
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET)
Teaching English in France -
Teach For All (many destinations):
TeachAway (many destinations) -
TEFL International -
Transitions Abroad -
Dave’s ESL Café -
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. -
Office of Overseas Schools (US State Dept) -
Teach Abroad–
Go Overseas -
Going Global (access through BuckyNet) -
Local Resources
Madison English as a Second Language School:
U.W. Madison Workplace Learning Program:
The Literacy Network: (Contact )
Centro Hispano:
WESLI (offers TEFL training):
Steps to help figure out whether to teach abroad or not…
1) Research different countries and global regions of interest
2) Consider doing volunteer tutoring and becoming a conversation partner to try-out 1-1 mentoring/instruction, if you haven't already.
3) Consider application timelines in relation to when you might plan to teach abroad, the process often begins several months in advance, plan early to teach right after graduation
4) Research different programs and find alumni, or other connections, to learn more about inside details like personal experiences and program credibility and overall reputation.
5) Apply to more than one program/opportunity to increase your chances of getting accepted.
6) Observe ESL classes in person or on Youtube (search ESL/EFL classroom observation) to get a sense of what teaching English as a second or foreign language may entail on a day to day basis
NOTE: The information listed above is for reference purposes only.It is imperative that you research a program carefully before accepting a position.
Teaching English Internationally: Things to Consider
Choosing a Destination
Do you speak any other languages?
Where are jobs available?
Pay: where will you get the best pay?
Using a Recruiting Agency
(A company that will find you a position overseas, serves as a liaison and often times offers on-site support)
Make sure you know what they offer before you sign up
Know how they have treated past teachers (accredited?)
What are the requirements?
Will the agency help with contract negotiation?
Will your requests be taken into consideration? (Housing, City Size, Age of Students)
If a Visa is required, will they assist in obtaining?
Visas & Passport
Will you need a Visa? (
Know the rules and regulations for obtaining a Visa
GET A PASSPORT! And assure it is valid at least six months beyond your stay
Getting Paid
How much and when
Will you have to open a bank account – necessary documents
How much money can be taken out of the country?
Taxes – at home and abroad
Paid vacations
Health Considerations
Health Insurance - HAVE IT!!! Just in case.
What is the health care like in the host county?
Do you have any special medical requirements?
Research vaccinations that may be required before you travel
Housing
Where?
Transportation – to and from work
What is included?
Incentives
Will the school offer any? (Airfare or Visa)
Meals/Housing provided?
In the Classroom…
Teaching
What tools and skills can you bring into the classroom?
Do you feel comfortable teaching the subject of English? Just because you speak it does not mean you are qualified to teach it.
Getting along with your co-teachers:
- Most often times you will be making more money than local teachers, this may cause some jealousy.
- Local teachers being embarrassed to talk with you because you are a local English speaker.
- Having a local teacher in your classroom may be a great way to start out teaching the class. JUST ASK.
Age appropriateness / Level of English Spoken
Lesson Plans: Making your own / Provided
Sticking to Curriculum: Ask administration what their expectations are
What resources will be available to you in the classroom? Computers, internet, books, paper
Enforcing Rules: Gaining respect and maintaining a environment to encourage learning
Cultural Norms: Get to know how a local teacher might run a class, continuity is the easiest.
Don’t be afraid to bring your personality and ideas into the classroom…that is why you are there!
Resource from Tracy Buss, Academic Programs Coordinator, Center for International Education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Getting Certified to Teach ESL
Why should I get certified to teach ESL before going abroad?
To boost your credibility with reputable schools abroad
To ensure quality education to your students
To provide you with the skills you need to teach comfortably
What kinds of certification are available?
Local face-to-face:
Wisconsin English Second Language Institute (WESLI) TEFL Certification Program
University of Wisconsin-Madison English as a Second Language Certificate Program (21 credits)
Regional face-to-face:
CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
BRIDGE TEFL
Chicago TEFL Certification
Online & independent
International- South/Central America Maximo Nivel (Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala
Which certification process is best?
Not all certificate programs are created equal
Some programs are not reputable—especially if they are “fly by night” online programs or programs that promise you “instant” certification
Do your homework and check into a program thoroughly before choosing it
Characteristics to look for
Balance of theory and practice
Instructors with at least M.A. degree
100 hours of instruction
Required teaching practice
What resources are available online to help me learn more about ESL and ESL certification?
Center for Applied Linguistics
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL)
Content from: Lisa Walker, English Department, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Tips for Evaluating Independent ESL Certificate Programs
From Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL)
This and other articles available at
Independent TESL and TEFL certificate programs, which are programs that are neither accredited by nor affiliated with accredited postsecondary institutions, are becoming an increasingly popular way to enter the profession. In response to the numerous inquiries TESOL receives about independent certificate programs, TESOL has approved the following statement:
An independent TESL or TEFL certificate program, which is a program that is neither accredited nor affiliated with an accredited post-secondary institution, can serve as a gateway to the field and profession of English as a second or foreign language teaching for those who have proficiency in English. TESOL recommends that an independent TESL or TEFL certificate program should be taught by qualified teacher educators and offer a balance of theory and practice regarding pedagogy and methodology, including a minimum of 100 instructional hours plus a supervised practice teaching component.
Because TESOL cannot recommend specific certificate programs, TESOL has compiled the following suggestions to help you evaluate them. These suggestions are offered for informational purposes only. TESOL does not warrant that this information is comprehensive, complete, or otherwise reliable. TESOL does not evaluate teacher education programs and cannot recommend particular programs or types of programs. TESOL does not provide professional academic counseling, career counseling, legal assistance, or legal advice. TESOL hopes the information provided here is helpful to you but does not intend it to substitute for professional assistance.
- Investigate the institution. Type the institution's name into a search engine and visit its Web site. Look also at other Web sites where its name appears, such as academic organizations, research forums, conferences, government Web sites, the news media, and chat boards.
- Ask for references. Contact graduates who have received certificates from the institution and used them to obtain employment or other benefits. If an institution promises job placement, contact individuals who have used this service. Verify that graduates got their jobs because they had this particular certificate and could not have gotten the jobs on their own or without the certificate. Be cautious as well about money-back guarantees for job placement. Although this may be an excellent benefit, find out how you will be expected to demonstrate that you have searched for but failed to find employment.
- Verify any affiliations. If an institution claims or appears to be affiliated with a major university or another organization, verify this with the parent institution. Disreputable teacher education programs sometimes misuse the name or logo of another institution, or use a name or logo very similar to that of other well-respected organizations (including TESOL), to imply that they are affiliated with or accredited by that organization.
- Verify claims that a particular certificate qualifies you for a particular type of job, jobs in a particular country, or all international ESL/EFL jobs. Certificate programs are providing just that, a certificate, not certification. Your certificate verifies that you have completed a particular institution's curriculum. No single license qualifies you for all teaching jobs in all countries because no single body governs all employment worldwide. Requirements to teach ESL/EFL vary by country and by institution. Generally speaking, only the employer can determine whether or not an individual qualifies for a particular job. If you are counting on a certificate to obtain a particular job, contact your prospective employer and ask if the certificate would fulfill the job's academic requirements.
- If you are planning to teach in the U.S. public school system, be aware that independent certificates are not the same as state certification or licensure. Most jobs in the U.S. public school system require teachers to obtain an endorsement of some kind in TESOL or a related field from the state where they plan to teach. Confusingly, this license or endorsement is often called a certificate, and teachers who hold such a certificate may be referred to as certified teachers. Do not confuse the certificates granted by independent certificate programs with the specific license granted by any of the 50 states' Departments of Education. None of the states' Departments of Education considers holders of independent certificates to be certified teachers. Again, an independent certificate proves that you have completed a particular institution's curriculum. It is not a license. If you plan to teach in the U.S. public school system, contact the Department of Education in the state where you plan to teach and verify that the teacher education program you are taking fulfills the academic requirements for state licensure.
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