:: Working in the US vs. Working Abroad

UNITED STATES

For US trained teachers heading out to teach English around the world, Central & South America remain the easiest countries to find work in. The European Union doesn't officially accept American teachers, but if you manage to secure your work visa with one school, you're pretty much guaranteed work from the other schools in town too. Many US TEFL teachers do manage to pick up work, paid cash in hand and unofficially, but strangely we don't have many statistics on this!

Studying in the US:

In order to work in the public or state school systems many employers insist that trainers have an MA in TESOL; however, the SIT TESOL and CELTA are much more practical and classroom based: there is regular teaching practice compared to an American MA in TESOL. The courses are expensive, but less so than taking the MA. The SIT TESOL and CELTA carry a lot weight because of their hands on communicative and practical methodology. These certifications are very well-known in Europe and the Cambridge CELTA (in particular) is becoming more and more accepted in the States as there are a number of centers opening up around the nation. Employers in the US tend to look for quality and the online and weekend TESOL courses are not generally viewed favorably due to the lack classroom training.

For all TESOL courses in the US please click here.

Working in the US:

The majority of trainees with 4 week course certifications like SIT TESOL and CELTA tend to work in private ESL schools or community based programs for immigrants. ESL to immigrants is always more prevalent is areas where there are the highest number or immigrants. Tourist cities such as New York, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Border States like Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California are always a good bet.

EUROPE

It can be very difficult for a non-European to get a work permit and find legal employment in the Western Europe; unfortunately, they do not have labor agreements with non – EU countries. Schools are often reluctant to employ non-EU teachers because work permits may be refused, even if a teacher has been given a job contract and has applied for the necessary.

Getting a work permit as non-European Union citizens is extremely problematic. The authorities may well refuse to grant a work permit even if a job contract has been given, and the necessary visa applied for, so schools are often reluctant to employ non-EU teachers. Another way to look for work in Europe would be to take a TESOL course in that country and research employment while you are there. Eastern European cities are usually a better area when looking for employment; however a few courses in Europe that offer especially good opportunities for securing work include Chania and Corinth, Alghero, Florence, Brno, Milan, Madrid Zurbano and Madrid Plaza Colon.

Schools which take on successful course trainees for (summer) work in the UK and Ireland are based in Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Canterbury, Cheltenham, Dublin, Eastbourne, London Earls Court, London Russell Square, London Hammersmith, London Highgate, London Covent Garden, London South Molton Street, Newcastle and Norwich.

There have been many American trainees who have successfully completed the course and gone on to work legally in Western Europe; however, there are also many teachers living without visas and working without contracts who are being paid cash in hand, but strangely we don't have many statistics on this! Americans looking to find employment abroad are more likely to find it in Latin America and Asia.

SOUTH AMERICA

Courses in South America with good options for paid work afterwards include Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, San Jose, Guayaquil and Cusco.

ASIA

Courses in Asia where you are very likely to secure employment include Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Phnom Penh and Suzhou.

AUSTRAILIA

Courses in Australasia include Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Christchurch.