More Q&A on Teaching English Abroad

02 February 2018 • Tips

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog post that tackled some of the main questions people have when it comes teaching English in foreign countries. However, many readers contacted me with additional questions, so I wrote this one in response to their concerns.

1. Are there many English teaching jobs available in Europe?

Yes, but these jobs seem to be primarily limited to European Union (EU) workers and/or people with TEFL certificates. You might luck out and find a school in this region that’s willing to sponsor you for a visa, but those opportunities tend to be rare. Most people have better luck finding jobs teaching English in places like Asia, South America and parts of the Middle East. 

2. Will I have much free time to sightsee if I choose to teach?

TEFL teachers normally work on weekdays from 8 or 9 am to 4 or 5 pm, which leaves the evenings and weekends mostly free for other activities. However, teachers still need to plan their lessons in advance and stick to the schedules that their contract requires them to follow. Part-time and online teachers will typically put in fewer hours but inevitably would earn less salary as a result of this. If flexibility is a major component of your travel plans, being an online teacher is probably your best option since all you need to report into work is a computer and a stable internet connection. Just keep in mind that all of the aforementioned positions are real jobs, with expectations that you have to meet in order to stay employed.

3. Do teach abroad jobs involve a lot of Visa paperwork?

The short answer is that there will almost always be some paperwork required prior to your trip overseas. Many schools and businesses will take care of most of the work visa requirements for their prospective employees. However, any travel arrangements to or from the country, paperwork related to that, and the cost of required vaccines will generally need to be handled by the prospective teacher. Some schools will provide health insurance for their employees, but others insist that their teachers handle this aspect on their own. Just be sure you know what your contract entails before signing to avoid any surprises.

Good luck and bon voyage!