So, do you want to teach abroad, possibly in South America, considering Ecuador, but don’t have the slightest idea where to start?
The following is a comprehensive article containing relevant information for “newbie” prospective TEFL teachers who are considering the idea of working abroad as an English teacher and really have no idea where to start. Having worked in Asia and South America, I fully understand that it is a large, daunting and intimidating field to venture into, but don’t panic! There is a wealth of information out there that offers detailed step-by-step instructions on how to get started and eventually land a solid job. Like other big decisions one has to make in life, it requires a lot of patience and research both before and after landing your job. It will certainly all be worth it as there can be nothing more special than the experiences you will have inside and outside of your classroom while living and working abroad.
Due to the global economic downturn, the field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is booming. Why? Not only are more people around the world using their newfound free time (read: laid off or unemployed) to study at language institutions, but native English speakers around the world are also more willing (read: laid off or unemployed) take a risk and seek international employment.
Yes, the TEFL industry is “booming”, and there are some places in the world where one can make a lot of money (Asia), while in others, one is more likely to make enough to stay afloat. Unfortunately, this is the case in most South American (SA) countries. However, there are exceptions: if you are a highly experienced credentialed teacher, you may be able to get jobs at international universities or schools that offer respectable salaries. However, if you arrive in SA armed with little experience and some sort of basic TEFL certificate, you can expect to earn an average of $5/hour (US). Now keep in mind that this kind of salary (about $300/month) is pretty much survivable, but if you want to take some trips and dance on the weekends, you might as well come in with some savings, because your teacher salary will only cover your basic living expenses.
But don’t need freight. Don’t let low pay keep you from coming to SA! There are many other ways one can supplement their salary while here. Once acclimated to your new environment, it will be quite easy for you to get some side jobs as a private tutor or work in another field where you have prior skills. And the intangible advantages of working in SA vs. Asia are abundant.
First, learning Spanish will come relatively quickly if you put an honest effort into studying in your down time. And having a working knowledge of Spanish is obviously a great skill for your future. Second, the SA culture, while likely to have its fair share of differences from yours, is not going to be much different, as Asian cultures will be. The acclimatization process and culture shock factor will therefore be much less overwhelming. It is for these reasons that you will make more money in Asia: companies must offer more benefits and higher salaries so that people come and stay for a while.
So where to start?
1. Choose a country: If you’re choosing a country completely blind, then all you can really do is read about it. There are a plethora of blogs and websites dedicated to helping you choose your country wisely. Obviously salary, cost of living, weather, and general safety are things to consider, but unless you’re going to a politically unstable country, there aren’t many countries in SA that are “unsafe.” It could be argued that Los Angeles and New York are much more dangerous than the vast majority of SA cities. Don’t let your parents’ stereotypes or excessive concern scare you away from a country of interest. To put this in perspective, before I came to SA, I was constantly warned not to go teach at Columbia, not even to travel. After mingling with tons of travelers, I quickly learned that Columbia is not only very safe, but also a top destination for many travelers, all of whom rave about their visits there.
2. Be qualified: It is important to realize that each continent, country, and sometimes city has different government regulations and requirements. Also, different schools will require different qualifications. It should be a red flag if a school doesn’t seem to require what you would consider “basic” or “industry standard” qualifications. Remember that some schools will hire “warm bodies” just to have a foreign face in their classroom. Spend time researching different TEFL certifications and make sure they are accepted around the world. Take this seriously, as you don’t want to find yourself unprepared or feeling unqualified when you suddenly find yourself facing a group of professionals who have paid a lot of money to be taught by you. However, just like any other new job, confidence in the classroom comes with time and experience. You will be nervous for the first few weeks or months, but that is completely expected. If you plan to be employable, confident and in the field for a while, a CELTA certificate is highly recommended.
However, in general, you should expect to have the following qualifications before applying:
-native English speaker
-a four-year degree (of any type, but English or teaching-related careers are preferred)
-a TEFL certificate (an in-person certification class is highly recommended, as many accredited schools these days won’t simply accept a basic certificate online. The “rock star” of all certifications is CELTA, which can set you back) both like $2,000)
-Experience in teaching or tutoring (preferably, not a must)
-have at least 2 years since you graduated from university at the time of application (this is negotiable and varies)
-willingness to sign a contract from 6 months to 1 year (also negotiable and variable)
What about having to speak the local language? NOT! Don’t worry. While having a basic understanding of the native language of the country you are in is obviously an advantage, you are expected to speak ONLY English in your classroom as it is more beneficial to your students.
3. Choose a school: In addition to the obvious decisions you have to make about salary and environment, you want to find first-hand recommendations and information about the credibility and functionality of the schools. This cannot be stressed enough! Many schools are shady and will try to lure you in, promising you X, Y and Z, but because there is little regulation in the industry, there is no accountability. You don’t want to find yourself contractually obligated to X amount of time at a school where you feel miserable. The best way to find this information is to directly ask (require) the person you are in contact with (principal, recruiter, etc.) to provide you with the email addresses of current and former teachers. If they’re not willing to do this, consider it a huge red flag. You need to be able to ask them their honest opinion of the school and whether they are (or were) generally happy there. Also, in the age of Facebook, many reputable schools will have a FB page. This could be a great source for you to personally try to get in touch with current teachers. Finally, there are TEFL “blacklist” blogs. Search for the school you want to see if anyone has blacklisted them.
If you feel overwhelmed at the prospect of browsing endless TEFL websites, another option is to sign up with a paid or free recruitment agency. This can offer you the luxury of sitting back and receiving job offers. However, beware of these agencies as they are essentially “headhunters” and “middlemen” looking to get a commission for their hire. So by default, they are not looking out for your best interests. Therefore, you should take all of the precautions listed above, even when researching a job opening through a recruitment agency.
4. Visa Regulations/Requirements, etc.: It is important to note that each country and school (private or public) has different regulations and requirements. It shouldn’t be difficult to find such information through online research. Generally, one has the option of taking care of most of the visa requirements before arrival (which could be much more convenient and less stressful) or (depending on the country) one can enter the country on a tourist visa and update it to a work visa at the moment. arrival. Your prospective employer should provide you with detailed information about the current requirements for you to work legitimately. The key word is “legitimately” as there are still plenty of schools out there that will hire and pay you under the table, which again should be considered a huge red flag as it lowers their credibility and accountability. In general, one should never sign a contract online. Finally, some schools will offer to foot the bill for your visa costs, but usually under the guise that you will be signing a one-year contract. (In SA, you won’t find many schools that offer benefits like “visa fee coverage” or others like “free accommodation” or “free round trip airfare”).
5. Accommodation: Your school should offer you accommodation options, be it homestay, help finding your own flat, or a shared living situation with other teachers. Depending on where you are working and what the accommodation is like, finding accommodation can be quite stressful at times, but it is all part of living abroad. Patience is key. Also, you can expect “below average” living conditions compared to your home country, unless you have the resources to pay more than your salary allots. Homestays can be a wonderful experience and will quickly improve your Spanish, but of course you sacrifice a certain amount of privacy. You can always do a short-term stay at home and opt for something more long-term.
6. Why Ecuador? While I can’t personally vouch for working and living in other SA countries, I have over a year of experience living and teaching in Ecuador, specifically in Cuenca and Quito (I recommend the former). I highly recommend Ecuador because of its beautiful year-round weather, low cost of living, use of the US dollar (especially for Americans), great geographic diversity (for trips and excursions), general safety (although one still must be vigilant and intelligent), warmth of its people, affordable Spanish classes, a very “neutral” Spanish that foreigners find easier to understand, job opportunities, lively nightlife and cultural diversity. With an open mind and patience, I can hardly understand how anyone could have such a “bad” experience in Ecuador. I suppose, however, that this could be the case with many South African countries.
To conclude, teaching in China and Ecuador are very different experiences (each in their own good and bad ways), which makes it almost impossible to compare them fairly. However, both experiences have left me with a lot of insight and knowledge of the TEFL world, and I know exactly what it’s like to immerse yourself in this field for the first time. In hindsight, I wish I had done more research and exhausted more resources before diving in for the first time, so hopefully these ideas might offer some harm reduction and stress relief for future TEFL teachers.
