If you want to teach English abroad, do your homework

Teaching English abroad has become a popular option for many final year students, qualified teachers and people looking for a new adventure.

For some young South Africans, the idea of teaching English in a foreign country also seems preferable than having a regular job in their home country.

The money that could be earned from teaching overseas also contribute to the many applications agencies receive annually. This is according to former teachers and teacher recruitment agencies threestreamsmedia have spoken to.

“The better compensation, benefits and traveling are many of the reasons why people choose to connect with agencies for teaching opportunities abroad,” said Linzetta Calitz.

A former North-West University student Calitz (26) says that finding a reliable agent is important when seeking options to teach abroad. She decided to teach basic English-speaking skills at an after-school academy for a year in Dogtan, South Korea from May 2018 to June 2019.

“A lot of people use the English Program in Korea (EPIK) that offers them the possibility to teach in South Korea. People can also look for expat Facebook groups to find more information about teaching abroad. Finding an acquaintance who has been through the process is equally important. That way you know that you end up with a reliable agent,” said Linzetta.

Jackie Etsebeth, a recruitment agent from Dynamic Personal in Cape Town, said: “I would say we receive at least between 300 and 400 applications a year, but unfortunately not all applicants are accepted. Applicants apply for their country of interest. Dubai is a popular destination for teaching abroad because a greater financial gain is offered there.”

A teaching job abroad requires varying qualifications from the applicants. A bachelor’s degree in education is required to teach in Middle Eastern countries. Any bachelor’s degree and a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate is required from Eastern Asian countries.

Rules and stipulations vary in different countries for foreign English teachers. Passport, police clearance, references and curriculum vitaes are required during the recruitment process from applicants.

Some agencies help applicants with the renegotiation of their annual contracts with schools. ESL China Global Recruitment was founded by Jacques Mouton. This agency connects applicants with opportunities to teach in China.

Jessica Russell, sales manager at ESL China, said, “ We provide support in renegotiating upgraded contracts for teachers, every year.”

After the candidates are accepted to teach English in their country of choice, travel arrangements and financial matters are handled between the candidates and their school of employment.

“We don’t get involved in the money matters, we only recruit and the candidates themselves sort out their cost. We don’t get involved. Candidates are required to pay for all documentation required in the application process. Schools that offer them employment will supply airplane tickets, accommodation and travelling expenses,” said Etsebeth.

According to Calitz, teaching overseas offers students a once in a lifetime experience, where they can experience different cultures.

“The year was filled with adventures, experiences and new friends that I think I’ll have for life but systems and customs differ in countries and you have to adjust to them,” said Calitz.

It is adviseable to do research about the opportunity, said Carla Reyneke, a teacher who is currently teaching English in China.

Reyneke states that information is found through word of mouth and through learning from other people’s experiences.

Therefore, her advice to students is the following: “Do as much research as you can about the places you are thinking of going to and use the correct methods to get the documents you need.”

Some final-year students are planning to pursue opportunities to teach abroad. Lawrence Ntsimane (22), a student currently studying education at North-West University, says he aspires to go to China to teach after completing his studies.

“I don’t want to revolve only around our education system, I want to go out and be part of other education systems of the world and experience how content is taught in different places,” said Ntsimane. — Tahlita Botha, Winnie Chirwa, Lauren Francis, Mpilo Madonsela and Sharon Matlabe