College Students & Grads: Teaching Abroad

Teaching abroad gives students and grads practical classroom experience, often without requiring extensive prior experience or credentialing. This can be extremely valuable for students who want to give teaching a try but aren't sure they're ready to commit to a full degree program, prospective teachers who need to get classroom hours for licensure or credentialing and students who are looking to gain professional skills in a unique environment.

While many teach abroad opportunities don't require proficiency in the local tongue, most international teachers aren't going to lock themselves away once they're done with work. Talking with coworkers and locals, exploring their surroundings and going through the motions of day-to-day life allows teachers to tighten up their foreign language skills–or learn the language for the first time.

Teaching abroad also lends itself to improving interpersonal and improvisational skills. Instructors may not have access to the resources they are accustomed to, and teaching norms vary widely across the globe. Being flexible and making an effort to communicate with those around them is important.

Some prospective international teachers may hope to incite change and progress by teaching in impoverished areas with limited access to education. This is a rewarding endeavor that can bring personal growth and opportunities to see the world from a new perspective.

However, prospective educators working in depressed and developing areas should be prepared for frustrations as well. Many impoverished regions come with educational roadblocks, like lack of resources, bureaucratic mazes, corruption and differences in ethics and cultures. These roadblocks can keep teachers from feeling they are doing everything they can to help students. But whether they're in low-, middle- or high-income areas, teachers can take heart in knowing that they can have a positive impact on students and communities by adding structure and routine to daily life and serving as mentors and friends as well as educators.

Teaching internationally exposes educators to different parts of the world, which allows them to learn about other cultures firsthand while gaining professional experience. Because international teachers live and work within their communities, they live the culture and are affected by the area's politics and social intricacies in a more meaningful and impactful way than if they were vacationing. This deeper understanding of other people, areas and ways of life helps build a global community and gives college students and grads a fuller awareness of their place in the world.

It's something Pat Mills, an experienced international educator, notes as one of the best parts of teaching abroad: “Immersing yourself in a new culture, learning about the world in a way you can't really do stuck in your hometown, meeting people from around the globe… If that's what you're after, you won't fail to get it.”

Usually traveling abroad means paying for airfare, a place to stay, food and activities on top of having to take time off work. Those who take on paid teaching positions abroad earn a steady income while traveling, which helps offset–or completely takes care of–these expenses. Some teach abroad programs even cover the cost of travel and rent, allowing educators to pad their savings accounts or stay on top of student loans while teaching.

While working and living abroad, international teachers are bound to build relationships with coworkers, members of their program cohort, students and locals. Teaching abroad puts people in a unique position where the combination of wanting to explore and needing to be an effective educator pushes them to reach out to those around them for assistance and companionship. Sharing experiences and cultures is an excellent way to foster lifelong relationships.

Chris Backe, a former computer teacher who discovered teaching abroad when looking for a change of pace, says that meeting so many awesome artists, musicians, poets and travelers was one of the high points of teaching abroad.

Between a large, growing population and a trend in schools requiring English language training, China has a high demand for English teachers. Not only does this mean that prospective educators can afford to be a bit more selective, it usually means that teaching jobs in China come with some great perks. The low cost of living paired with relatively high wages often allows international teachers to save a little money while abroad. Some programs will even cover the cost of airfare and provide housing or a stipend to help with rent.

Education requirements for teachers in China used to be fairly lax, but it's increasingly common to need at least a bachelor's degree. A TEFL certification may be required by law in some areas.

While most of their teaching will be done in English, life outside the classroom will likely call for some understanding of Mandarin or Cantonese, which are notoriously difficult languages to learn. However, those who dive in and give the local language a try will better experience the deep history and rich culture China offers.

Programs Available

• Teach Away
• CIEE
• English First
• Chinese Culture Center

Spain has been gaining popularity amongst international teachers. While the compensation likely won't rival that found in some Asian countries, Spain offers an extremely dynamic experience thanks to the country's mix of cultures, cuisines and landscapes. Government-sponsored language schools offer designated areas for international teachers to find work. And outside the classroom, educators can expect an active, enriching life. The visa required to teach in Spain is also handy for seamless traveling throughout Europe on days off.

Teaching jobs in Spain don't have the highest wages, but they also tend to have fewer education requirements. A TEFL certificate is typically all that is required to teach in Spain, and prospective educators can even find TEFL programs on site and jump straight into looking for teaching positions.

Getting the permits necessary to teach in Spain can be a challenge, however. Those who aren't citizens of the European Union need both a living and a work permit before they can teach in an institution. If possible, prospective educators should look for teach abroad programs that sponsor these permits or help teachers acquire them.

Programs Available

• CIEE
• Meddeas

South Korea has a long history of hiring foreigners to teach English, and the country shows no signs of ending that tradition. Prospective educators can find myriad teaching opportunities–there are over 1,000 language schools in Seoul alone–in both public schools and private hagwons.

The compensation is usually great, too. Low taxes and�salaries�ranging between $1,800 and $2,000 a month make South Korea a nice choice for teachers looking to save some of their earnings while gaining work experience. Many teach abroad programs in Korea also cover airfare and housing.

All these perks aren't without a cost, though. Current college students can almost certainly cross South Korea off their list since teaching positions require a bachelor's degree. A TEFL or TESOL certification is also generally required, along with a background check, which can take 3-4 months to obtain. Backe, who taught in Korea for five years, says that getting the background check was one the biggest tripping points in preparing for his teaching position abroad.

Prospective teachers should also note that they are usually required to work a specified number of hours a week, even when there is no work to do. This can be a frustrating issue and is something grads should take into consideration when comparing work requirements of other countries. Cultural differences, both in schools and out, may also be a bit shocking for American teachers, so reading some accounts from those who have taught in South Korea may be helpful.

For instance, Backe was surprised by the politics of hagwons in which he taught. “The paramount concern of hagwon is to keep the kids happy,” he says. “If the kids are happy, the parents are happy, and if the parents are happy, their kids keep attending. This changes the role of the teacher from 'educator' to 'entertainer' on a fundamental level.”

Programs Available

• EPIK
• GEPIK
• ETIS

Because of education requirements for many paid positions, those still in college may be limited to volunteer teaching positions and overseas internships. These organizations can give students a good start to their teach abroad research.

• The English Camp Company
  Summer camps are great places for students to get experience teaching English abroad. The English Camp Company hires English-speaking tutors as camp counselors for children in Italy and Austria. Students will need to be TEFL-certified.
  
• Global Vision International (GVI)
  GVI offers a variety of volunteer and intern opportunities, including ones for those interested in teaching. Students can gain professional skills and college credit while seeing different parts of the world. Plus, they don't need to make a lengthy time commitment or have their bachelor's degree.
  
• Greenheart Travel
  While most of the paid teaching positions offered by Greenheart Travel require a bachelor's degree, this organization also offers volunteer, internship and TEFL certification programs for those who haven't yet finished their college coursework.
  
• iSpiice
  ISpiice, or Integrated Social Programs in Indian Child Education, is a volunteer program that focuses on education efforts in rural India. Volunteers can engage in teaching projects, women's empowerment, childcare and more. Stints can be as short at two weeks or last for multiple months.
  
• LanguageCorps
  LanguageCorps offers short-term volunteer and TEFL/TESOL training programs around the world for students who want to teach English abroad.
  
• WorldTeach
  Students can find year-, semester- and summer-long volunteer teaching programs in developing areas across the globe through World Teach.

Those with a college degree, TEFL certification, teaching experience or any combination of the three will likely have more options to choose from when it comes to teaching abroad programs.

• CIEE
  CIEE offers extensive support to teachers who go through their programs. Find teaching positions in Spain, China, Chile, the Czech Republic and more.
  
• English First
  English First specializes in placing educators in ESL programs around China, Russia and Indonesia.
  
• Greenheart Travel
  Graduates can find volunteer, TEFL certification, internship and paid teaching opportunities through Greenheart Travel. All teaching positions through this program require a bachelor's degree.
  
• JET
  Founded in 1987, JET is a longstanding and very popular exchange program in Japan that has placed over 32,000 Americans in educational positions. JET's focus is English language learning, so many international educators are placed as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs).
• Peace Corps
  The Peace Corps is a government organization that places volunteers in countries around the world to help build and support communities and promote better understanding between cultures. Many volunteer positions involve teaching and require a bachelor's degree.
  
• TravelBud
  TravelBud is another great option for those looking for programmatic support throughout their teach abroad experience. This organization offers TESOL training, assistance with visas and other documentation, excursions and job placement help.
  
• WorldTeach
  Along with short-term opportunities with fewer education requirements, World Teach also offers year-long volunteer teaching programs that require certifications or some prior professional experience.