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It is no secret that English is the world’s language for business. As such, the need for students to know how to speak, read, and write in proper English has grown exponentially. Unfortunately, the number of native-level English teachers aren’t enough to cover the global demand. This is why so many people have become interested in ESL jobs abroad. If you are one of the people interested in pursuing a rewarding career in teaching English, here are some steps you can take to help you apply for teaching posts abroad successfully:
Get Your TESOL Certification
There are a lot of people around the world who are interested in teaching English in a foreign country. With so many people vying for the same positions, it’s important for you to stand out from the crowd. This is where TESOL certification courses come in. From the perspective of a hiring manager, candidates who have gone out of their way to become certified shows how serious someone is about teaching English as a career. TESOL certification is recognized worldwide, so you don’t have to worry about becoming certified in the country you wish to work.
Gain Local Experience
Although it’s true that one doesn’t need to have prior teaching experience to land ESL jobs abroad, an applicant’s experience can prove to be the deciding factor for an employer. After all, a person with experience requires less training, with some highly experienced professionals able to jump right into the thick of things. Consider taking an ESL teaching post in Metro Manila to help you practice what you’ve learned in your TESOL classes. If possible, try to request if you can primarily teach students from the country you plan to apply for a job to help you familiarize yourself with how they approach and understand English.
Study How the Locals Write Their Resumes
One thing that applicants for ESL jobs abroad overlook is how locals write their resumes. You may be tempted to think that a resume is a resume is a resume. However, resumes in foreign countries often look and read very differently from the typical Filipino resume. A quick Google search can show you sample resumes from the country you wish to teach in, so make sure you study the differences between our resumes and their resumes.
Cast a Wide Net When Applying
Lastly, make sure you cast a wide net when applying for jobs abroad. It’s easy to overfocus on the country you really want to work in, but it’s important to keep an open mind about working wherever your teaching career takes you. Many ESL teachers abroad share stories about how they weren’t too sure about taking a job in their second or third choice country. At present, however, they love those countries so much that they can’t imagine leaving. Of course, this scenario also helps bolster your resume with valuable teaching experience.