One of the most frequent questions I get is “How can I teach abroad?” Well, my fair readers, you asked, and now I have answered- in video form! Check out my video where I talk about how to break into the business, and outline the differences between ESL teaching and teaching in institutions that are known as international schools. Would you ever teach abroad? Why or why not? Also, for you Americans out there, can you hear my Canadian accent? I was listening to the playback and definitely felt that I had a few “oot and aboot” moments… LOL! Any more questions? Just feel free to ask in the comments!
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you sound just like me 🙂
Loved the video…teaching ESL for me is a soul sucking job that I happen to be good at, but hate. I'm hoping France won't pigeon hole me into being a teacher for as long as I'm here!
What program did you use to edit this video? The beginning with the cork board stuff was really cool!
Thank you SO much for this! Its so funny because I was actually going to ask you for teaching advice when I emailed you the other day! But then I figured I could pick your brain when I see you in NYC this summer. And then here you come with this video 🙂
I've thought about teaching abroad but none of my friends who teach ESL seem to like it. An int'l school job sounds fantastic but since I don't know if I would like it its hard to make that kind of investment (going back to school for another degree). lol so I guess that means I have to keep searching for a job that will take me abroad! 🙂
Thanks again for the great video! It was super helpful!
Hi Oneika!
I really enjoy reading your blog! Thanks for posting this video. I'm certified in Ontario and am interested in teaching at an international school. How did you find your current job (online, word of mouth, recruitment fair, etc…)? Do you need to have a certain number of years of experience before applying for international schools? This is my first year supplying in Ontario. Thanks!
I didn't think you sound particularly Canadian.
But I live only an hour from Canada and have been told that occasionally my outs and abouts and are a little oot and aboot-ish.
Thanks for the tips! That's awesome.
@Crystal: Awesome!!! I find these days that I can pick up a Canadian accent right away… It can be comforting 🙂 Glad you liked the vid! I hope I didn't speak too many untruths about ESL teaching as I'm not an expert on it. Hopefully with you transition to the South you'll be able to expand your job opportunities- maybe work in tourism?! I actually used iMovie on my Mac to make this video.. It's an easy program to use and I love it!
@Stacy: No worries, lady! As for not liking teaching ESL, sometimes it's a means to an end… A viable way to live abroad and make a living at the same time. For int'l schools, I think a degree in Education would take an extra year (in Canada there are some programs that are as short as 8 months), but I understand that it's a time/money investment that not all can/want to make… There's always the possibility of getting a transfer abroad with your current job, though!
@Kate: So glad that you stopped by and commented, fellow OCT (Ontario Certified Teacher)!! Which board are you in? I worked for PDSB. You know what? I was actually thinking of doing another video talking about the recruiting process for international schools. Basically, I went a int'l teaching job fair held at Queen's University (it's called the TORF). There are a number of recruiting agencies (like Search Associates or ISS or CIS) that hold fairs around North America and Europe. A whole bunch of international schools attend these fairs in the pursuit of elementary/secondary teachers who want to teach overseas. Most int'l schools like to see at least 2 years of teaching experience, but I got hired for my job in Mexico with no teaching experience, so it's possible. Email me if you have more questions!!
@Deidre: A lot of Americans seem to think I am from California, actually, but then they catch me saying "eh" and my cover is blown…:-) Funnily enough, I have always found that Minnesotans and mid-Westerners have a bizarrely similar sounding accent to Canadians! Same with some Michanganders. I lived on the border of Michigan for a year (in Windsor, Ontario) and couldn't tell some of the Americans from the Canadians!
hi oneika, nice video. i think you should definitely post the links to iss and search and perhaps in a future video explain how they are helpful and about the job fairs.
i am about to embark on my first int'l teaching job. so excited!
@SinglePAP: How exciting! Where are you going, if you don't mind me asking? Yes, another video strictly about how to find international teaching jobs is in the works!
Thanks so much for this post!!! With the job climate many of my friends have found work teaching ESL overseas.
Anywho, since I would have to return to school who do u think gets more pay/benefits; ESL, certified teachers, or specialist (such as Speech Pathologist, Media Specialist, etc.)?
P.S. I didn't hear an accent. But there are SO MANY different accents in America ppl. usually don't notice unless your visiting a region where your speech stands out from the crowd.
Thanks again for this post!
@Rene: Thanks for the comment! I'm not too sure about the salary scales of Speech Pathologists and the like, but international teachers usually make more money. The salary package of a good international school almost always includes round-trip airfare from your home country to where the school is, a shipping allowance, paid vacation, professional development opportunities (I got sent to a conference in Australia at no expense to me), and a bunch of other perks like school field trips (I got to accompany students to Beijing, Nepal, and Cambodia).
International school teachers also usually receive housing benefits like rental subsidies or free housing. When I taught in Mexico I lived rent free and received food credits from my school so that I didn't have to pay for my groceries. It's a pretty sweet deal!
Great information! Posted it on facebook for friends. Sounds fun to me, but teaching wasn't what I got my degree in so it prob. won't be on my path. Enjoyed it anyway though.
Hi Oneika:
Thanks for replying to my comment! I think making a video about the recruitment process at international schools is a great idea. It would help me (and other teachers interested in international schools) a lot! I live near Kingston now, so I'm interested in the recruitment fair you went to at Queen's since it's not too far away. I look forward to any upcoming posts/videos about the recruitment process. Thanks!
@Gia: Thanks so much for spreading the word! You can still teach ESL if you don't have a teaching degree, though… So teaching abroad might still be an option for you. 🙂
@Kate: Going to the fair in Kingston would be so convenient for you then! I will definitely make a vid about my experiences there.
How cute are you?! 🙂 I think Canadian accents are cute, and they do resemble a Midwestern accent.
My aunt has been trying to go abroad to teach TOEFL but has been having a hard time of it. She prefers Asia, but she was actually told that it would be hard for a Black female teacher in Asia! Ouch! Also she's in in her late 40s early 50's and programs seem to prefer younger teachers, I guess. Either way, I think she is still looking into it. She lives in Canada, so if you have any suggestions that would be great.
Ladies and Gentlemen, THIS is how you run a blog! You give so much, you will reap everything that you deserve. Girl, your mama must be so proud of you!
@Terri: Put her in touch with me! Tell her to shoot me an email. I'm not surprised about the age thing, but am surprised that they told her as a Black female she wouldn't be able to find a job- that hasn't been my experience.
@Tanya: Awww, thank you so much for your lovely comment!! Glad you liked the vid. Thanks for your continued support!! 🙂
Hi Oneika,
am a bit of a late-comer to your blog and especially to this piece i read. Right now, i have so much encouragement to go ahead and try. I was almost giving up with the idea of ‘ESLing’ abroad, because of all the ‘dark-skinned thing’ I read from so many other posts online. I am ‘African-African’, and may go for a ‘non-native speaker’. I have a degree in English, and currently teach ESL in an African University, where i reside. I have seen that apart from South Africa, other African countries are not recognized for ESL. Do you have any suggestions for me? I really want to teach abroad!
Thank you thank you thank you for the video!
One question….do you have any idea how being a certified Substitute Teacher is weighed for jobs abroad? I’m not a full-on teacher, but i’m also not without certification/experience, either. It’s something that has been confusing me..
While schools value the experience of having your own class, substitute teaching allows you to work in a variety of setting with a diverse range of students, so I would play that up in your resume/covering letter! Good luck!
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