Teaching Overseas

<p>Hello, I'm planing to major in history and minor in a language or special time period. I don't have career plans but I would like to be able to live in other countries, preferably in Europe and the U.K, and travel a lot. I'm not looking to make a lot of money in the beginning I just want to wander and travel. Would teaching overseas be a good idea and how would I go about that in college? I have posted this before but I thought parents would have more insight.</p>

<p>People who teach abroad are often… teachers. :slight_smile: They have teaching credentials and teaching experience in the US. </p>

<p>If you get a teaching credential and teach in an American school for a while you could try to get a job with an international school, for example, a school like this one in Barcelona </p>

<p>[Benjamin</a> Franklin International School BFIS](<a href=“http://www.bfischool.org/]Benjamin”>http://www.bfischool.org/)</p>

<p>In addition to being able to travel during summers/holidays, teachers at these schools often travel internationally with their students for sporting events (the barcelona school playing against its counterpart in, say, brussels) and cultural attractions.</p>

<p>If you want to teach in Department of Defense schools or in independent “international” schools, you should get a teaching certificate and work here for two or three years, and then apply.</p>

<p>If you would be happy working as a low-pay English teacher, you could enroll now in CELTA certificate course, and then start work pretty much right away, although a full BA in TESOL or an MA in that would be better.</p>

<p>There are a number of programs that hire U.S. college graduates to teach or assist in teaching English in foreign countries, and for the most part they are not teachers and do not have any teaching certificates. Check out “tapif” to read about the French program. I understand there are also significant programs in Japan, China, and other parts of Asia. I have a cousin who went to Japan and Vietnam to do this after college, and he did not speak either language when he went there; they were just concerned about his English.</p>

<p>We spent 7 years overseas when my sons were in school, and the people I know who teach overseas - love it. It’s not always easy (often lots of ridiculous bureaucracy) - but the opportunities to teach children and get to know colleagues from around the globe, immerse yourself in a new country/culture, and then explore the world is fabulous.</p>

<p>Minoring in a language is good. I would suggest doing a search for overseas teaching fairs. Maybe you could contact someone and get more information as to what they look for in applicants.</p>

<p>Keep in mind - MOST of the major/best known overseas schools generally want experienced teachers, but there are lots of small/new schools that just need qualified, enthusiastic, hard-working individuals who are willing to make a commitment for 2-3 years.</p>

<p>Also, keep in mind that the overseas teaching “world” is a small one. Everyone knows everyone else. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>Adding - you might want to look at websites at some of the major schools to get an idea of what kind of experience they are looking for in teachers. Here are some I am familiar with -
Cairo American College - Cairo, Egypt
Jakarta International School - Jakarta, Indonesia
American School of Paris - Paris, France
International School of Moscow - Moscow, Russia
Aberdeen International School - Aberdeen, Scotland</p>

<p>My friend’s S graduated w/ a business degree. During his senior year he decided he wanted to teach English abroad. He took some sort of class at Duke (don’t know the name of it) that was for students who wanted to teach English in foreign countries.</p>

<p>He was offered a position at a girls’ high school in South Korea. He apparently did well. At the end of the year was offered a position at a university (which he took). He is now into his third year of teaching English in South Korea and has really enjoyed it…and found a Korean girlfriend.</p>

<p>I have had friends whose kids have taught English in Russia and China. My friend whose younger son is now in China was not able to get the same teaching job his older brother has, as the Chinese have realized they can get people with real teaching experience or more advanced degrees than a simple BA. Her son is doing something more based on his experience working in camps and younger children.</p>

<p>I think the OP needs to clarify if the desire is to teach English overseas or to teach in an international school overseas. Both great opportunities, but very different situations, pay, benefits, opportunities, etc.</p>

<p>I would teach english overseas, but eventually I’d like to teach other subjects.</p>