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It can be a great way to see the world without it costing you anything. Depending on where you teach, you might even be able to save some cash.
But teaching overseas can be a daunting prospect and raises all kinds of important questions from, "What experience do I need?" to, "Will I be able to buy my favourite cheese in Outer Mongolia?". Here's what you need to know before you book your flight.
What qualifications do I need?
The basic qualification
By far the most common route into teaching abroad is to teach English as a foreign language (EFL). It might seem like a bit of a stretch from that degree in physics, but if your native tongue is English then you're already most of the way there.
Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to speak a foreign language to teach abroad and a background in education or professional teaching experience is not required for most jobs. Although it's possible to find jobs teaching EFL without any experience or qualifications, the majority of language schools require a university degree – in any subject – and a Tefl (teaching English as a foreign language) certificate.
Tefl certification can be found cheaply online, but many recommend investing in a 120-hour Tefl course such as the Celta (Certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages) qualification, which is offered by more than 300 centres around the world.
Piers Lloyd, who is currently teaching at a private English school in Burma, says: "It's easy to find cheap Tefl courses – before I got my Celta I completed a weekend-long crash course in EFL teaching," says Lloyd. "But the Celta course prepared me better, as I had to teach assessed lessons."
The professional qualification
Teaching abroad is also a popular choice for qualified teachers with a PGCE (postgraduate certificate in education).
Raj Ladva completed a PGCE in early years education at the University of the West of England (UWE) before moving to Bangkok, Thailand, where he teaches at a top international school. Ladva recommends getting some teaching experience at home before looking for work overseas.
"I taught for two years in the UK after completing my PGCE. The best international schools, and the ones with the best expatriate packages, prefer candidates to have at least two years of teaching experience after they qualify," he says.
He sees many advantages to teaching abroad over the UK. "I received an increased salary, housing allowance, bonuses, flights home and of course the full school holidays," he says.
Teachers with a Bachelor of Education or PGCE aren't limited to teaching English. Rachel Eastwell completed a PGCE in the UK before moving abroad to teach in Bogota, Colombia.
"I work in the pre-school section of a large, private bilingual school which follows the International Baccalaureate curriculum," she says. "Although almost all of my students are Colombian, the language of instruction is English so I also teach subjects like maths and science."
How much can I earn?
Teaching abroad is one of the most cost-effective ways to live and travel overseas for an extended period. Even as a first-time English teacher, you can expect to earn enough to pay your rent and live comfortably.
Some of the best deals can be found in Asia, where teachers can earn enough to save a proportion of their salary each month.
"Teachers can easily leave South Korea with £5,000-6,000 in savings, depending on how they live throughout the year," says Carrie Kellenberger, owner of international recruitment agency Reach to Teach. She also recommends China for graduates looking to save money during their first year abroad. "Schools in China typically offer flights and accommodation, among other perks," she says.
For even better salaries, consider countries in the Middle East, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. However, be aware that some of these positions require professional teaching experience or an advanced degree in education.
What can I expect?
The only way to know what to expect when you move halfway around the world is to make sure you've done your research, according to Eugene Quah, chief executive officer of Edulink Australia, a private English language school based in Burma.
"We have had teachers who were unhappy because they came to Burma thinking it would be a tropical paradise where people all live in bamboo huts. They end up leaving because their expectations are unrealistic," says Quah.
"Ask the school to put you in touch with a current teacher so you can find out what it's like to work there. If someone asks for a job at our school, and they don't ask questions, I get nervous about employing them," he says.
Although it can be a life-changing experience, living overseas can also be challenging. Anna Felgenhauer, who has been teaching in South Korea for over four years, admits there are some down sides to living abroad.
"Of course missing friends and family and dealing with homesickness can be hard, and I also miss things like good cheese! Getting used to the culture in a different county can be difficult," she says.
The work can be tough too. Lloyd says that a heavy class load, difficult students and a demanding boss were some of the issues with his job teaching in Thailand.
"I was teaching 18 different classes every week, all with between 30 and 40 students. A lot of my time was spent dealing with difficult students, which wasn't very rewarding. I got no support, which was difficult as a first-time teacher. You have to have a strong character," he says.
However, most agree that teaching abroad is a rewarding opportunity to see the world, experience other cultures, and learn about yourself.
"Think about the stories you will have to tell," Ladva says. "Whether you're in it for the money, the opportunities for travel or just for the pure fun of living somewhere you have only seen on a map, teaching abroad is nothing short of an adventure."
(Source: TheGuardian)
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