FAQ ESL Jobs

Are there many ESL jobs?
English has now become a lingua franca, thus the demand of English teachers are also high. Everyone wants to speak good English now as it is has become necessary for a successful career. Teachers who are native English speakers have a chance of getting an ESL job easily provided they have a degree and an accredited TESOL certificate.

Where are the ESL jobs?
ESL jobs are there are mostly in the countries where the English is not commonly known, mainly in the continents of Latin America, Asia and Europe. There is a demand in Africa also but due to the socio-economic situation in the most of the countries there the supply in low.

Where are the best paying ESL jobs?
The ESL teachers in the Middle Eastern countries are given great salary. The Middle Eastern countries and Asian countries like Japan, Korea and Taiwan pay very well.

Is a degree mandatory to get an ESL job?
No, A degree is not required but often it gives you an edge over other teachers and helps you in getting a better job. TEFL or TESOL certificate is however more important. Some countries like Thailand, however, do not give work permit to the teachers without a degree.

Can I take my partner with me?
Yes, you can take your partner along with you if you have a legal job with a work permit and proper Visa. It would be better if your partner can also teach English.

Can I take my kids with me?
If you have legal job you can of course get a resident’s visa for the kids. However, getting good education facility in these countries are quite expensive.

Is it important to look for a job before landing in the foreign country?
It is you personal discretion. If you are confident of getting a job and love adventure you can always do so. Sometimes it helps, as the schools often love to see the teachers personally before hiring them. You can also be hired through agents and then get a job before landing in any foreign location.

How do I for an ESL job from my home country?
There are various advertisements on the Internet from where you can contact your employer. You can also post your resumes and covering letter on various websites. Many companies offer a package of TEFL Course and a guaranteed job. You can also check out those.

How will I be sure of the reputation of my employer?
If it is an international organization you will known it from its name. Otherwise, you can also go and check out various discussion forums and websites and also ask past employees.

What is the session for ESL job recruitment?
It is a year round affair and there are no particular dates. However, the teachers are generally recruited at the beginning of the ‘academic year’ or a ‘academic session’.

What kind of commitment is expected?
If you are serious about your ESL career and have a good employer, be sure to sign a contract for a year at least. Other contracts can be from four months to two years.

Is a work permit and residence visa mandatory?
If you want to work legally in a foreign destination then a work permit is necessary. It is usually a criminal offence to work without a proper work permit.

How can I get a work permit?
The teachers can only get a work permit after they have a job or a job offer. The employer usually takes care of the paperwork.

What kind of students can I expect?
The ESL teachers mostly have to teach both adults and kids. It usually depends on the school where you get employed. The language schools or institutes have both adult and children as English students whereas in the schools you can expect to teach students in the age group of 3 to 18. The level of English, in the most of Asia, Latin American and European countries are low.

What are the usual working hours?
The regular schools are usually open five days a week and the teachers usually have to teach students for 20 to 25 hours a week. In the language schools the working hours might be same but the timing may be different as these are attended mostly by professionals in their spare time, which is mostly after work or during weekends. In some countries in Asia, the working hours might be more than 25 hours per week.

How much are the ESL teachers paid?
A career in ESL teaching is definitely not going to make you reach but most of the times the teachers are paid just enough to survive comfortably. In some of the Middle Eastern countries the teachers are paid good salary. In few countries you can also save money provided you get used to the local lifestyle. Japan and Taiwan are the two Asian countries, which gives the teachers a handsome salary.

What is the currency in which the salary will be paid?
The salaries of the teachers are usually paid in local currency.

Can I save and send money home?
It depends on your own lifestyle and the kind of salary you are getting. In the Middle Eastern countries and some Asian countries the teachers are paid enough to save and send back home.

What about taxes?
Most of the countries deduct tax from the salaries of the teachers. However, in the Middle Eastern countries the salaries are not taxed.

Will the schools provide accommodation?
Mostly the schools provide accommodation to its teachers. Sometimes they might have to share it with other teachers of the school. If the schools are unable to provide accommodation they give extra allowance to the teachers.

Will the school pay for my flight ticket?
Usually when you get a job from you home country the travel expenses are covered by the schools. The airfare is often reimbursed to the students.

What about medical coverage?
Again it depends on the schools and the countries. Mostly a part of the insurance is covered by the school and rest in the responsibility of the teacher.

Can I do private tuitions?
Generally, private tuitions are done by majority of the teachers for earning some extra cash. If you are good with your job in the schools, the school authority might not mind it.

What will happen if I cannot adjust to the job or the country?
You employer might not let you go easily until they find a replacement. Try to do prior research about the country before taking up a job there. if the school has paid for your travel and Visa you might have to pay them back the money.