A number of areas need to be covered with regard to TEFL jobs and teaching English abroad. Fortunately, most of these areas are covered during the job guidance and support sessions within the TEFL course and are a fundamental component of the course itself. Interview techniques are covered along with resume building. A variety of potential questions and answers are discussed in relation to interviews. Positives and negatives for TEFL in different countries are considered and discussed as well as salaries, working conditions and employment benefits. What to expect from your employer and what your employer will expect from you. Lastly and perhaps most importantly: where and how to locate TEFL jobs.

The internet has quickly become the main source for research into TEFL jobs and teaching English abroad. There are a plethora of forums, TEFL job databases and directories offering or advertising teaching positions in countries all over the world. Simply type ‘TEFL in Thailand’ into a search engine and you will receive thousands of results. Two of the most popular directories are ELT career portal and Dave’s ESL cafe which both list thousands of jobs. Dave’s ESL café also has many, many forums that cover most topics relating to teaching English abroad. Another good source for TEFL jobs is the classified ads in newspapers both in print and online.

The variety of teaching jobs continues to increase with TEFL jobs available in areas such as schools, colleges, universities, language centers, businesses and companies, hospitals, hotels and tourism generally. TEFL in Thailand for example, businesses, hotels and hospitals employ English language teachers to train their staff to communicate with customers from overseas. This has become big business in Thailand due to the generally lower costs of living and especially in terms of lower medical expenses. For those wishing to teach English abroad there really is a great variety of locations and teaching positions to choose from.

Salaries, conditions and benefits vary greatly from country to country. TEFL in Thailand for example, salaries range from $800 to $2000 USD per month depending on qualifications and experience. Salaries are high in Thailand where a typical salary for a Thai person is about $200 USD per month. Living costs in Thailand are low and salaries afford the opportunity to live well, save and travel. Employers in Thailand provide all working papers which are renewed every 12 months. Health insurance is arranged automatically through monthly contributions. Teachers will have on average 20 to 25 contact hrs per week with their students. Students in Thailand are respectful and are keen to learn.

Approximately 80% of TEFL graduates teach English abroad for between one and 3 years before returning home to pursue other forms of employment. This is not surprising as TEFL tends to be the spring board for travel and employment on a limited basis. Employers at home look favorably on applicants who have spent time overseas training, teaching English, gaining new skills and qualifications. Approximately 20% of TEFL graduates go on to gain advanced TEFL qualifications and continue with TEFL jobs. Advanced level qualifications include Diploma in TEFL and MA TEFL. With these advanced level qualifications the types of TEFL job options increases with positions such as Director of Studies, Teacher Trainer and Curriculum Developer become available.

Weather you choose teaching English abroad as career, a conduit for travel and experience or as a stepping stone to other things, you will have a wealth of choice in terms of location and type of TEFL job. Teaching English abroad will provide you with an unforgettable experience and also provide you with an opportunity to help in the lives of others through education.

Teach, Travel, Live and Work Abroad.

TEFL in Thailand and TEFL International provides TEFL courses and TEFL certification leading to TEFL Jobs and Teaching English Abroad. English teaching jobs are available in countries all over the world.

TEFL International: Where the world is your classroom.

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I talk with many foreign language students who want to travel and study or teach abroad. Sadly, most of them will never actually leave the country. Most have no idea where to start and the process of finding a school and moving to another country seems too overwhelming. Others are on the verge of leaving the country but someone in the family convinces them that living abroad is too dangerous. Still others are excited about the idea but it seems to them that the financial and educational sacrifices are not worth a stay overseas. It is exhausting for me to think of all of the enthusiastic people that I have talked to who have decided that studying or teaching abroad is just too difficult. It is sad to think of all of the people who I have talked with who wished they had studied abroad when they had the chance. If you have the chance, do not waste it. While it is important to contemplate the potential risks of traveling abroad, sometimes you just have to do it.

I have never used recruiting agencies. In principle, I do not like them. Many of them will take your money as well as the control over where you teach and how much you are paid. People often ask me where I found such good teaching jobs. They assume that I had connections in Mexico and China or that I used a recruiter to help me. In truth, I found my own jobs by doing a simple search on Google and Yahoo. If you do not know where to start, simply pull up your favorite search engine and type in ‘Teach English Abroad.’ You will be shown listings linking to large websites that recruit teachers as well as small private schools that are seeking to make direct contact with potential teachers. There really is no better way to find teaching jobs than to perform your own search.

Even if you do not know where you want to teach, looking at job opportunities is the best way to learn more about different regions. For example, if you see a school that interests you, look up some information about the location of the school. You should find out about the size of the city, the weather, the nearest embassy, sites in the area, and whatever else you want to know. It is also important to see what others are saying about the school. You can use a search engine to gather all of this information.

I have always preferred to teach in smaller cities and in private schools. The less foreign contact that you have, the more immersed you will become in the culture. If you want to learn Spanish, or any other language, you need to be in an area where you will be forced to use the language. Teaching in a large university can be fun but spending all of your time with people who speak English is not going to help you pick up another language. Choose a location where you feel safe but where you can benefit the most from your experience abroad.

In closing, do not let people convince you that traveling abroad is too dangerous for your own good. Remember that every time you step out of your front door, you are risking your life. Driving a car on your local highway or taking a jog through your city all involve potential hazards. While it is important to be careful and alert wherever you are, it also important not to let paranoia control your life. Sometimes the best experiences in life require us to step out of our comfort zones and do something that others consider to be crazy. Do not be afraid to follow your heart’s desire. Do your research and find the place that is right for you and then just do it and never look back.

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Nathan Ryan is webmaster at the Spanish Help Net [http://www.spanish-help.net/]. He has taught English and Spanish around the world. For more information, visit Nathan Ryan’s Website . This blog can also be found on The Spanish Help Net Website Blog [http://www.spanish-help.net/myblog/index.php?blog=2].

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- Length of program
- Geographic location
- Language of host country
- Academic standards and structure
- Academic curriculum choices
- Immersion in host culture
- Interactions with locals
- Housing
- Safety and emergency services
- Orientation services
- Utilization of host country resources
- On-site staff
- Cost

There are currently no “certified” or “accredited” study abroad programs per se. The Forum on Education Abroad is a professional organization authorized to establish “best practices” that will distinguish programs that operate on the highest standards? Familiarize yourself with these standards and ask program directors and/or providers how they measure up to best practices for responsible study abroad programs.

Just as there is not one ideal location for a study abroad experience, there is also not one ideal structure for a study abroad program. There is a time and a place for various types of structures in developing various student outcomes. If the priority of your institution is to promote and develop foreign language proficiency, then it goes without saying that you would not limit your students’ options to programs in the U.K., neither would you put much of your efforts into short-term faculty-led programs.

It is crucial to determine the appropriate methodology to produce the intended outcomes. There are valuable and consequential learning outcomes from a two-week international experience, however, a two-week experience cannot be considered an appropriate methodology for developing an adequate level of intercultural competency. Thus, the type of program should be appropriate for the intended outcomes.

Unfortunately, some institutions operating without explicit intended outcomes can look to the “number of study abroad enrollments/participants” as their measure of success. However, the “number of study abroad enrollments/participants” does not indicate the quality, relevance, or learning outcomes of the international experience. Even with the best of intentions, it is actually possible to generate learning outcomes that initiate and/or reinforce negative stereotypes and enhance discomfort of intercultural interactions if programs are not developed and facilitated appropriately.

As education abroad enters the arena of public scrutiny and administrative importance, institutions are being compared and ranked.

Unfortunately, to date, measures are limited to comparing mere headcounts. And thus, there is a threat that number crunchers will emphasize volume at the expense of quality. It may be necessary to remind someone that just as universities are not ranked by U.S. News and World Report by enrollments alone, similarly schools should not be ranked in international education by enrollments alone.

Quality of education is measured by relevant and measurable intended outcomes. Similar and appropriate measures of quality should be applied to education abroad.

About the Author:
Study Abroad Programs – Global Learning Semesters offers study abroad programs for American and Canadian students. Our study abroad programs include courses in Belize, Cyprus, UK, France, Spain, Europe, Mexico, Argentina, India & China.

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There are literally hundreds of different study abroad programs available right now. Some of them are focused on experiential learning and community service, and others are focused on simply studying in a foreign country. Some are for a semester, and some are for a year. Others are just short stints over spring break or the holidays in between semesters, too. Besides this, study abroad programs are available for just about every country in the world – at least the ones that are considered fairly safe for American college students to be in.

Before you apply for a study abroad program, look at it really hard to decide whether or not it would be a good program for you. If you want to really experience a new culture, you might want a program where you stay with a host family, but if you simply want to meet other students, you could choose to live in a dorm or with your fellow Americans while taking classes with students from another country. Each study abroad experience will be totally unique, and you need to decide which programs will best suit you before you fill out any applications.

You’ll also have to check out exactly how the study abroad program will fit your course requirements. If you don’t mind taking a semester off track and tacking an extra one onto your senior year, this won’t matter as much. If you’re determined to graduate in your four-year limit, on the other hand, you’ll want to look at the program credits with a discerning eye. If you have questions, you can always talk to your advisor, too. Sometimes a class that doesn’t seem like it will meet a certain requirement can be pushed into that slot if you talk to the people in the registrar’s office.

It’s tempting to totally forget the cost of a study abroad experience when you’re preparing for it. After all, you might think that your student loans will cover it. This isn’t always the case, though. If for nothing other than plane tickets and administrative costs, study abroad experiences are usually more expensive than stay-at-home semesters. You may not get enough government financial aid to cover the semester, which means taking out a private – and higher interest – student loan. Studying abroad may be one of the greatest experiences you can have, but it’s probably not worth paying for until you’re forty.

Even though you may think that spending three months away from both home and school will be a great idea, it can be pretty difficult. Most people who study abroad have such a great time that it flies by, but if you tend to pine for home and people you know, you may have trouble adjusting. This isn’t really a reason not to study abroad, since the experience can help relieve you of some of your homesickness, but it is something to consider. Before you decide to go, talk to other students who have been on study abroad programs to see how they communicated with home and dealt with homesickness; their advice can help give you some great ideas for your time away.

Crystal is the owner of GreekForMe – a licensed fraternity and sorority Greek merchandise store that features Alpha Kappa Alpha Merchandise.

In her free time, she volunteers at her kids’ school and also actively supports Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.

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A study abroad South Korea program is a fun yet amazing experience. So many students dream of leaving the country, but a study abroad Asia program is your chance to just that. However, these programs are more than getting on an airplane and arriving.

Here are a few pieces of advice you should think about before signing up to study abroad Hong Kong:

Your visas, passports and official documentation – It doesn’t matter if you are part of a study abroad Asia program or signing up for a school-sponsored exchange program, you will need a valid passport as well as specific documents mandatory for certain countries. I recommend visiting the U.S. Department of State’s travel portal for a list of documents you’ll need in order to study abroad in Asia. It’s a good idea to apply as early as possible for a visa if you don’t have one already.

Currency exchange rate – It doesn’t matter where you are going to study abroad in Asia. You better know what type of cash you’ll need. Look up the exchange rate for that specific country and try to get a basic understand of what their currency is worth compared to the U.S. dollar.

Stay safe – Be sure to check out the U.S. Department of State’s list of travel warnings for Americans abroad. It provides information about potential threats to Americans overseas. True, you won’t need to worry to much when you study abroad in Hong Kong but you still don’t want to wander in or near an unsafe area. My rule of thumb is to avoid any political demonstrations while you study abroad in Asia, even if your inner activist aches.

Living arrangement – I know a study abroad Asia program takes up a lot of your free time with classes or a enjoying a fun night out on the town, but you’re still going to need somewhere to sleep at night. Some schools provide residence halls, but pay attention to their rules and restrictions. In some instances, you’ll be staying with a host family. Pick a dictionary and maybe learn a few of their some basic phrases and sayings before you study abroad South Korea.

Keep in touch with family – You’re going to want to stay in close contact with your family and friends during your time study abroad Korea and sometimes e-mail just doesn’t cut it. Talk to your school or search online for international cell phones and plans. Before you leave find out if your cellphone can be used overseas and what types of fees will be charged.

Anne is a graduate student who spent time study abroad korea majoring in international studies. Study abroad south Korea program led to her experience growing in these studies, such as the study abroad in Hong Kong program.

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When you study at a language school abroad, you are immersed in the language practically 24/7. When you go out to eat, you have to order your food in the new language. You have to read road signs, go grocery shopping, ask for directions, and do just about every other activity in your daily life in the new language. This helps you learn the language very quickly because you are forced to speak it, read it, and write it on a daily basis. Furthermore, the teachers at the language school where you study will likely teach you the new language without speaking your mother tongue. This will force you to determine what the teacher is saying by reading his or her gestures and expressions. Furthermore, you will be required to speak with your classmates in the new language.

Although being immersed in a new language can be an overwhelming, difficult, and frustrating experience, your hard work and dedication will pay off tremendously in time. After just a few weeks in a language course abroad, you’ll notice a dramatic improvement in your language skills. Not only will you be able to complete daily activities in the new language with ease, you’ll actually be able to put sentences together and hold a basic conversation. This is a lot more than most accomplish after years of language study in high school or college.

The improvement of your language skills will depend largely on how much effort you put into it. If your idea of going to language school is partying all night with your fellow students and going to class with a hangover, then you probably won’t progress much. However, if you make the effort to speak in the new language every day and study hard, your language skills will improve in no time.

One way you can speed the language learning process is by living with a host family. Many language schools abroad can set you up with a host family that will serve you meals and let you stay in a room in their home. Staying with a host family is better than staying in a hotel or apartment because you’re forced to speak the language 24/7. Furthermore, it gives you the opportunity to learn more about the culture of the host country. You’ll get to eat home cooked local cuisine, meet extended family members, and maybe even attend traditional parties and celebrations with your host family members.

Some people spend years studying a language in college yet are still unable to say more than, “My name is John Doe.” They may learn the ins and outs of grammar in the new language and master the conjugation of verbs, but they probably won’t be able to hold even a basic conversation. The only way you can really improve your conversational skills is by conversing with native speakers of the language. Obviously, the easiest way to do this is by going to a country where the language you’re learning is spoken.

Whether you’re at an advanced level or you’ve never studied a language before in your life, you can benefit significantly from studying at a language school abroad. The things you learn in class will serve to reinforce everything you learn through your daily interactions living in the host country. Furthermore, you will be able to learn more about the culture if you study abroad, something which is essential if you want to understand the nuances of a language and its expressions.

If you’re the adventurous type and you thrive off of new experiences, you’ll love the excitement of studying at a language school abroad. Every day will bring with it a new challenge, whether that means ordering your food in a new language or finding your way around the city on the metro. The new people you meet and the memories you make will last for a lifetime. All the while, you’ll be able to master a new language, learn about a new culture, and be strides ahead of your peers who are studying the same language back home.

Studying at a language school abroad is about a lot more than learning a new language; it is a rich life experience. You’ll understand a lot more about the world around you and the people living in it by studying in a foreign country. Furthermore, you’ll be able to connect with students from all over the world at your language school, which is another compelling aspect of studying at a language school abroad. From complete beginners to advanced level students, there are language schools abroad that are appropriate for just about any language student. Select a language school that can accommodate your language level and learning style to ensure that it is a good fit and that you have an enriching, unforgettable experience.

Maxime Braire is passionate about education, and is totally absorbed by language travel, and immersion programs for students from all over the world. The immersion programs offered by MyLanguageTravel are some of the best in the world, and are much sought after. Log into http://www.mylanguagetravel.com to learn more.

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A Short History

The concept of studying abroad first came about in 1923 when Professor Raymond W. Kirkbride of the University of Delaware sent 8 of his students to Paris, France. Back then the idea of students studying in a country other than their homeland was highly unheard of and initially it was used as an option mainly for studying and learning foreign languages.

More recently it has become acceptable to study abroad for a variety of reasons and the scope of subjects available for study has increased significantly. For instance, it is now more acceptable for someone studying medicine to attend a Caribbean medical school during a study abroad program in order to immerse themselves in a different culture and get a feel for what it might be like for an aspiring doctor to get started in a developing country.

Some Necessary Steps to Take

The exact requirements will vary between scholastic institutions, but several steps must usually be taken in order to join a study abroad program. In addition to deciding which program holds the most interest and applying for it, you will also need to make sure you have all the necessary travel documents. These documents include a valid passport, visa, and, more often than not, various medical releases. Many times it can be a very time consuming process to obtain all the appropriate paperwork, so you’ll want to make sure you get a head start on it well in advance just to avoid any delays.

Another thing to consider is where you will be staying, as accommodations are not always provided. Some schools do maintain dormitories or other forms of residence in foreign areas for students to dwell in for the duration of the program, such as a “host family” that has agreed to provide lodging to one or more students for a time. Oftentimes participants in study abroad programs will have to arrange for their own accommodations ahead of time, whether permanent for the duration of the trip or temporarily until more stable lodging can be found.

Studying a topic you’re interested in can be a fabulous thing, but studying it in an exotic location that lets you immerse yourself in the lessons even more can be absolutely thrilling. If learning a foreign language via study abroad programs, the chances to put your new-found knowledge into effect will be invaluable to the learning process. If given the chance, everyone should one of these programs at least once.

For more student travel and vacation ideas, resources, articles and destinations visit http://every1loves2travel.com and http://tours.every1loves2travel.com

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Choosing a Summer Study Abroad Program to Apply for

While most scholastic institutes offer a variety of summer study abroad programs, bear in mind that you can usually apply for a program outside of the school you might currently be attending and still have the option of financial aide covering you. Even if you are not attending any schools, a summer study abroad program is within your reach. Local colleges and universities usually have listings of any study abroad programs they have available and if the requirements for signing up for that program are not listed then you could always check with one of the attending counselors for further information.

Passports, Visas, and Medical Releases – Oh My! Passport rules have changed recently, at least for American citizens. As of January 23, 2007 the long expected new passport rules take effect today. US citizens traveling to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean will need to show valid passports in order to re-enter the country. So when you are busy planning a summer study abroad program, remember to secure one more thing: Your Passport! These new passport rules are required to secure the borders of the United States against terrorist acts. Recent statistics show that just about one quarter of Americans hold valid passports. This is because until now most US citizens could travel to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean without passports. Showing just a driver’s license or a birth certificate was sufficient. But with these new passport regulations all that changes, effective.

So if you are planning to spend a summer studying in any one of those countries, take steps to get your passport now. While a passport isn’t usually too hard to get, it can still take a fair amount of time so you should be applying for that before or around the same time as you’re applying for the summer study abroad program of your choice. A travel visa should usually be applied for around the same time as you are applying for the study abroad program for the simple fact that they can take quite some time to be processed properly and returned to you in good standing.

Before you head off on your trip you should also be sure to check if you need any medical release forms stating a clean bill of health and/or up to date vaccinations. For instance, if traveling to tropical South America you might be required to get a Yellow Fever vaccination before being allowed to travel. But don’t let the paperwork scare you away from a summer study abroad program. The opportunities available during such a program are virtually limitless and can provide a wealth of wonderful memories.

Accommodations

A majority of summer study abroad programs will have accommodations already planned out for you, but it’s usually wise to make sure beforehand so you know where you’ll be staying during the course of your program. If lodging is not provided and you will need to make your own arrangements for a place to stay, the internet can be a great help in locating an affordable hotel room or short term apartment. Language barriers can make for a slightly sticky situation when trying to set up lodging arrangements from a distance, but it’s not usually too difficult to get around them long enough to have a place available for when you get there so that you can make some more stable plans.

A lesser known choice in summer study abroad programs includes the option to learn while on an ocean voyage that stops at various countries. Such a program can be available to anyone, student or not, and help make clear your own culture by showing you the varying cultures of other locations. So no matter what your taste is, specific language to general world interdependence awareness, or your age, there’s bound to be a summer study abroad program for you.

You can find lots of study abroad and student travel destinations, tips, and articles at http://www.every1loves2travel.com and http://vacation.every1loves2travel.com

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There are many ways to study abroad in Asia. You could select a year-long study abroad China program, or a shorter semester abroad Japan program. In either example, a quality educational liaison will help you enroll in a university located in China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand or other Asian countries. Classes for foreign exchange students participating in a study abroad Asia program are occasionally offered in English, with intensive language studies in the host country language available if you choose to partake.

The courses that you take overseas as part of a study abroad China or Japan program, because they are university credits, should transfer to your current college or university. It does make sense to check with your home university academic guidance counselor to ensure that credits earned in a study Abroad Asia program will apply to your degree program back home.

Good study abroad China programs will also ensure that you are comfortable and safe while studying away from home. You will want to seek out a program that offers guaranteed housing in your host country. It is also helpful if there is some kind of introductory period when you first arrive in the host country, so that the program advisors can offer tips and help you make the successful transition to living and studying in a different culture. For your safety, day and night emergency help should be available to not only you but also your parents and the advisors of your foreign exchange program while you are in country.

Financing a trip on a Study Abroad Asia program is not all that difficult. You may find that you can use student aid from your home university to help pay for the foreign study experience.

It is always wise to talk to students who have gone on the semester abroad Japan program, or other Asian destination program, that you might be considering. Alumni of the Asian study program should be able to share their experiences and offer good advice about the program and how it helped them after they returned home.

Anne is director, student services and programs, for study abroad Asia. Their study abroad China program led to her experience growing in these studies, such as the semester abroad Japan program.

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Spending a school semester abroad is when you, the student, pursue your education in a foreign country and transfer the credit back to your home university. The normal range of time for school study abroad Australia lasts from a couple of weeks, a spring semester abroad or full academic year, or even an entire degree. The reasons for a student to school study abroad Australia is as different as the students, but more often than not the overall theme of the reasons involves receiving a more hands-on educational experience on the subject matter.

With all of the different school semester study abroad programs available, it can sometimes be confusing and a difficult decision to narrow it down to simply one school or country. Here are some of the most common questions associated with a school semester abroad. Hopefully, some of my answers can clear up any lingering doubts you may have about this wonderful opportunity.

What is studying abroad?

The term study abroad or school semester abroad covers a wide range of educational opportunities in foreign countries from traditional classroom-based schools to internships, or independent research. Remember your goal is to study. While the idea is to have fun, your goal is to learn as part of academic curriculum during your spring semester abroad.

Where can I study abroad?

From Australia to New Zealand, there are a number of different school semester study abroad programs available with more being added every year. Before you pick a destination, do a little bit of homework and research on what types of programs can contribute the most to your future career goals.

Why should I study abroad?

A school semester abroad is a great experience in both your personal growth and your future. The world is shrinking daily thanks to the Internet and business. A spring semester abroad allows you to grow more comfortable and engaged within this increasingly small world. School study abroad Australia further allows you to understand international issues and problems and strengthen your own sense of independence and self-confidence.

When can I study abroad?

The majority of students I speak with choose to study abroad Sydney Australia during their junior year. However, that doesn’t mean you can only go then. You’ll find a there are plenty of opportunities for freshmen to graduate students to spend a spring semester abroad. Most of these programs last for a semester or year, but if that’s too long, there also programs which take place during the summer or winter break.

Anne is a graduate student who spent time a school semester study abroad majoring in international studies. Her school semester abroad led to her experience growing in these studies, such as the spring semester abroad.

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