International TEFL InstituteSix Tips For Teaching English Abroad With A Partner
People considering teaching English abroad sometimes ask if they can teach with their partner, spouse or with a friend.
The answer is definitely Yes!
Teaching English as a foreign language is one of the most common jobs abroad for married couples. Additionally, teaching as a couple abroad, whether with a partner, friend or spouse has its benefits. For example, you can decide to share the start-up and living expenses while providing each other with needed support and assistance as you relocate abroad and settle into a new community.
Here are six tips to consider before teaching abroad with a partner:
1. Ensure You Have The Required Qualifications
Search for job markets where it is realistic to get a teaching job based on your qualifications. The requirements for hiring English teachers abroad vary from country to country. For example, you must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university to teach English in South Korea. But in China, teaching opportunities are open to those with or without degrees.
If you are both not TEFL certified, you may want to ensure that you enrol for an accredited TEFL/TESOL course.
2. Concentrate Your Job Search
Choose to work in a country with major labour markets where English teaching jobs are easy to come by. This will increase your chances of getting hired together. Major cities in Latin America, Asia and Europe such as Buenos Aires, Seoul and Madrid have many language schools that employ thousands of English teachers every year.
3. Follow The Hiring Seasons
Hiring for English teachers in some parts of the world like Europe and Latin America is seasonal. Many language schools and institutes conduct their hiring and recruitment locally. You should, therefore, pay attention to the hiring seasons and schedule to be on the ground for possible interviews. However, in countries like Thailand and Vietnam where there is a high demand for English teachers, hiring is done all year-round.
4. Don’t Necessarily Expect To Work In The Same School
Although many language schools and institutes occasionally hire couples, you should not count on working in the same school as your partner.
In most of the major cities, dozens of schools can be found within a 20-mile radius, increasing your chances of getting a job within proximity. But, working at different schools is advantageous because it allows you to widen your social network.
5. Negotiate Your Salary Packages
Bear in mind that first-time English teachers only earn enough salary to support one individual. Unless you have alternative financial resources, the salary of just one person can only sustain both of you for a short period. If you cannot get a job in a country that pays English teachers exceptionally well, then prepare in advance to negotiate your teaching salary with potential employers.
6. Consider Getting TEFL Certified
If you do not have considerable experience or an English teaching degree, then you will need to enrol for TEFL courses to receive professional training for teaching English as a foreign language abroad. Besides receiving training to furnish you with the skills needed to become an effective teacher, you will also increase your chances of getting hired for a satisfactory teaching position abroad.
Links:
TEFL Courses & TEFL Training Programmes
TEFL Jobs & English Teaching Positions