Traveling around the world can be such a wonderful experience. However, staying in certain cities for a few days at a time often isn’t enough—being able to live in another culture for a more lengthy period of time can be a great way for you to expose yourself to new scenarios, make friends, and seize the opportunity to learn a language that is new to you.
For many young people, certain international cities are hotbeds for those looking to expand their horizons. For example, Berlin, Germany has recently entered a new era of scenes that attract people from all over the world, embracing multiculturalism in new ways. The EU isn’t the only place that you can teach English, though—many wonderful countries in Asia have opportunities to teach (Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, etc.), among other continents.
However, being able to pick up everything and move to another country is certainly easier than it sounds. While it is possible to visit many countries, being able to work and live somewhere is another story entirely.
There are some things that you should keep in mind, though, if you want to teach English and travel the world. It isn’t a matter of simply deciding where to go and relocating, though; to begin teaching English abroad, there are some things you should know:
1. TEFL c is key.
Being certified according to the TEFL(Teaching English as a Foreign Language) regulations is the most important part of teaching English. The test will prove that you are competent at teaching English in different countries. It is not only to help you to get paid more but it also helps you to get yourself ready for what you will teach in the class.
Getting your certification from a TEFL course is also a requirement at a vast majority of language learning institutions around the world, meaning that it will be much more difficult to find a place to teach without this under your belt. Preparing for the test will also mean that you have to work with a TEFL teacher, so we recommend that you look into local opportunities to adequately prepare.
2. Research specific cities.
Understanding the programs of the country you want to teach in is incredibly important for those who think they might want to teach English as a foreigner. Once you decide which city you want to teach in, it is essential to familiarize yourself with local schools and programs before you decide to move somewhere. Certain cities might be easier to move to than others, so we recommend you look into places that are internationally recognized and multicultural. University professors or facebook friends that you’ve seen do similar programs will have a lot of insight into reputable schools to teach at as well as places to live. So, having the right contacts will help your next teaching easily.
3. Be flexible.
Chances are, you’re not going to find the perfect opportunity immediately. It’s also very likely that you won’t find a job that 100% matches your specifications or wishes. Because of this, we recommend you keep an open mind with your job search and be prepared to compromise in certain moments. That being said, you’ll be surprised at how things always seem to work out in the end—opportunities that you aren’t expecting to be wonderful can end up being ideal, meaning that you should keep an open mind no matter what!
4. Save up money before going abroad.
Though you will have a job before you leave the country, it’s important to have savings to hold you over upon arrival. This is because you never know exactly how living in a new country will be, which precautions you’ll have to take, and what types of last-minute configurations can happen. For example, housing in Berlin is notoriously difficult to find and typically requires at least a month of visiting locations in-person. Because of this, having some savings to tide you over can allow you to be entirely flexible while you find a more permanent place to live!
5. Know your visa requirements!
Before you begin applying to a certain job, you should familiarize yourself with the associated visa requirements for the country you will be teaching in. Some countries require you to figure visa things out before you enter the country, while others let you make your appointments once you arrive—knowing these specifications can save you from some truly tricky situations!
We hope this guide has been helpful—it can be a wonderful thing to have a job that pays you to travel! Moving overseas is a challenging experience but also incredibly rewarding. You will learn a new culture, wisdoms and locals perspective. Teaching English as a foreigner is one of the best ways to live the life you want and also help others in the process!