Browsed by
Tag: english teaching

Teaching English Abroad (and Why I Don’t)

Teaching English Abroad (and Why I Don’t)

Prague seems to be one of the TEFL (“Teaching English as a Foreign Language”) capitals of Europe, and since moving here, I get asked all the time if I’m an English teacher. In fact, for many, it seems out of place that I’m an American living in Prague that doesn’t teach English. A native-speaking expat in their 20’s or 30’s that isn’t teaching English abroad is somewhat of an anomaly in this part of Europe. I’ve often been told that I should start teaching English on the side for some extra money or experience, and I have actually thought about it. How hard can it be, right? Except, all you really need to do is speak to one language teacher who spends an entire day traveling between schools and the entire evening preparing lessons to realize that there’s a ton that goes in to teaching a language that native speakers just aren’t qualified to do without some extra training.

Don’t get me wrong; teaching English abroad is an absolutely incredible way to move to a new country, have the ability to travel and explore the world, and to gain some great experience. But just like with any other job, especially one that is responsible for teaching an important skill to someone else, most people can’t just jump in and start doing that job without some prior training and experience. In my opinion, this mindset is similar to that of the “voluntourism” problem that’s currently sweeping the Western world. This post isn’t about volunteering abroad, specifically, but if you’re new to the idea, I suggest going here, here, or here to learn more about the problems associated with and created by voluntourism.

Essentially, as it relates to teaching English abroad, why, as a native speaker, would I assume that I’m qualified to teach English even though I have never learned how to be a teacher? To put it in perspective, consider how much teachers in public schools have to do to be allowed their own classes in those schools. Where I’m from in the US, my friends who have become teachers have completed at least one degree in education, have had to take certification tests, and go through background checks to prove that they’re safe to be in schools with other people’s children. I have done none of those things, so what right do I have joining a classroom in Prague to teach other people’s children?

I’ve asked some ESL teachers to help answer some of these questions and to expand on what is actually necessary before a teacher steps into a classroom. Elise from Travel, Work and Play has taught English in Cambodia and worked for an NGO providing education to vulnerable communities. Here’s what she has to say:

The idea that as a native speaker, you are capable and qualified to teach the language is prevalent throughout developed and developing worlds. At my last school, I saw a steady stream of unqualified and bewildered travellers arrive to teach English to high-school aged students. Some of them had their TEFL qualification and others didn’t. Technically it’s required by most schools here, but rules are regularly bent, depending on how urgently they need teachers. Too many of these travellers lasted a few days or a few weeks before realising they were wildly out of their depth. I have a bachelors in English and a TEFL qualification with about five years of English tutoring experience from the UK, and it still took some serious adapting to teaching in a classroom. My advice would be to ask yourself the following questions to decide if ESL teaching is for you:

Why do you want to do it? What skills or qualifications do you have already? What skills or qualifications are you willing to learn? Do you enjoy public speaking? Do you enjoy teaching or training? Are you confident, quick thinking, patient? How much time can you commit? At the very minimum, are you available for one full school term? (Most credible schools ask for a year commitment.) If you feel like you fit the bill and this is something you’re genuinely passionate about then take some time to research where and how you can teach ESL abroad. Teaching English in other countries is billed as an easy way to travel while earning, but it actually takes a significant investment of time and energy to do it justice.

For some further information about teaching ESL English in Southeast Asia head over to her blog!

Unfortunately, there are a lot of “come teach English in XYZ country, and change the lives of local people” advertisements for schools all over the world. A lot of these “schools” are willing to take native English speaking people, stick them into a classroom with little or no actual teaching experience, and give them the responsibility of teaching a language to (most often) children. I’ve heard about this in Prague, and I’m always disappointed when I hear my fellow Americans talking about landing a job at a school without actually having gotten a TEFL certificate or having any other experience. While I can appreciate that some of these English teachers will work hard and learn quickly in order to become effective teachers, there are many who don’t put in that requisite effort and may end up doing more harm than good. I believe that I speak English fairly well, but I certainly wouldn’t know how to teach complex grammatical structure to a class of non-native speakers without doing a significant amount of prior research, and I’m certain that some of these teachers are in a similar boat. When looking into the possibility of teaching English abroad, it’s important that you be honest with yourself regarding your level of experience and qualification, and find the appropriate training program before picking up your own classes.

Elise explains that this is also an insidious problem in the volunteering sector:

“Many non-profits are unregulated and accept volunteers to ‘teach’ English abroad, with only their native language to qualify them. Many volunteers pay a fee to spend a few weeks teaching in a classroom, many of them repeating ABCs and basics that the students have already been taught by the last unqualified volunteers in their classroom. With no syllabus and prior training, how can their presence be anything but damaging? I would urge anyone interested in volunteering abroad to sign up for projects that they are genuinely qualified for. No teaching qualifications or classroom experience? Sign up for a community project to help farm or clean. Volunteer at a hostel or somewhere that needs help doing work that doesn’t require extra training. Websites like Workaway and HelpX help match volunteers with projects where they can make a real difference.”

I also reached out to a fellow blogger, Mariza from HopOnWorld, to explain her journey to teaching English abroad. Mariza is from South Africa, and comes from a publishing/advertising background. In her early 30’s she decided she wanted to explore the world and travel, so she earned a TEFL certificate, and has been teaching in Taiwan for six years. She’s been kind enough to explain the in’s and out’s of her journey to becoming an English teacher abroad! Here’s what she has to say:

English teacher in Taiwan

Teaching English in Taiwan

During my university years, I often thought of just packing my bags and going traveling. But after my graduation, I soon found myself in the corporate world – hooked to the fast pace of the media and advertising world. Somehow, I still felt something was missing in my life. So, a few years later, I finally mustered up enough courage and started planning the adventure of a lifetime.

After considering many options to fund a traveling lifestyle, I finally decided to teach English abroad. Being a teacher might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it does have some pretty great perks:

  1. You get to really immerse yourself in a culture.
  2. You get to make a difference in someone’s life.
  3. You get to travel.

It sounded like a match made in heaven! So, I got online, did tons of research, had endless conversations with family and friends, compared pro’s and cons, and finally decided to teach English in Taiwan. Six years have past since I took that leap of faith, and I have never looked back.

Life in Taiwan

Taiwan might not be on top of everyone’s list when considering a teaching career in Asia – most people choose South Korea, Japan, China or even Thailand. But, if you did a bit of research you will soon realize that Taiwan is the perfect place to kickstart a career in ESL teaching.

Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan is home to almost 23 million people, making it pretty populated for its small size. However the island has plenty to offer, which is most probably why so many expats enjoy living here. From gorgeous scenery – beaches, mountains, waterfalls, jungles…you name it, Taiwan has it all – to bustling neon-filled cities, a highly efficient public transportation system, low crime rates and extremely friendly people. If you are a foodie, you are in luck too! Taiwan has some of the most incredible dishes and street food you will ever come across. Not to mention, a great healthcare system, lucrative salary packages, affordable housing and super cheap utilities. But, the best part about living in Taiwan, is its location. Want to hop over to Osaka, Ho Chi Minh City or Hong Kong for a long weekend? Guess what…you can!

So, how do you do it? The first thing you need to do, is find out whether you actually qualify to teach in Taiwan.


In order to teach in Taiwan, you need to meet the government’s requirements. These requirements are non-negotiable. So, even if you are a native English speaker, but you don’t have a degree, you have zero chance of finding a job legally here.

Cram school requirements:

The easiest place to land a teaching job in Taiwan is at a cram school, more commonly referred to as buxibans. Buxibans are privately owned after-school schools, where you mainly teach elementary students. Depending on the school, you might have one or two older classes. Buxibans generally offer 20-30 teaching hours a week on a full-time contract. In order to work at a buxiban, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be a Native English Speaker.
  2. Hold a valid passport from USA, CAN, UK, IRE, SA, AUS, or NZ.
  3. Have a Bachelors Degree (in any field) from an accredited university.
  4. A minimum 120-hr TEFL/TESOL certificate, with some practical hours – some schools might accept online course certificates, but if you want to improve your chances of landing a job, do a proper TEFL course.
  5. A criminal background check from your country.
  6. Be able to produce certified copies of your qualifications and transcripts.
  7. Often, little or no experience is needed.

There are a couple of good chain schools in Taiwan. With Shane English School, American Eagle, Joy English and Giraffe being among the most renowned.

Public/ Private School Requirements

If you are an education major, you can easily land a job at a public/private school. These schools offer loads of benefits, such as housing allowances, flight reimbursements, paid summer vacations and more. Salaries are usually fixed and the hours are 8am-4pm. Here’s what you need:

  1. Be a Native English speaker.
  2. Hold a valid passport from one USA, CAN, UK, IRE, SA, AUS, or NZ.
  3. Be a licensed teacher.
  4. Hold either a BA, MA or higher qualification specializing in Education.
  5. A criminal background check from your country.
  6. Certified copies of your qualifications and transcripts.
  7. Some schools require at least one year’s teaching experience.

If you qualify to work in Taiwan, the next step is finding a job.

Finding a job

To legally work in Taiwan, you must have a work permit stating that you are permitted to accept employment. Obtaining a work permit can only be done with the help of a potential employer. The easiest way to go about this, is to have a job before you move to Taiwan. Once you have a job, your employer will help you with all the necessary steps to obtain a work permit.

Taipei, Taiwan

Do research

There are tons of websites with useful resources and job offers, but I found to be the most comprehensive and user-friendly. The process of landing a job is pretty easy, but choosing the right school can be tricky. Be sure do do your research. It’s best to stick to the bigger chain schools offering some form of training.

Applying for a job

Once you have applied, a recruiter/the school will contact you to setup an online interview. If your application is accepted, your school will send you a step-by-step guide on what do to next. From getting your transcripts, doing a criminal check to getting a visa.

Getting a visa

Depending on your nationality, you might need a visa to enter Taiwan. Ask your recruiter or check your country’s visa requirements for Taiwan.

As a South African, I had to apply for a three month multiple-entry visitor’s visa. I had clear instructions not to tell immigration that I am planning to work in Taiwan. Only that I was traveling. The reason for this is due to a weird glitch in Taiwan’s visa laws. You can’t work legally in Taiwan without a working permit. And, you can only get a working permit, when you have proof of employment (such as a contract). It sounds very complicated, but don’t worry too much. This is an everyday practice and most teachers enter Taiwan this way.

To read more about the visa requirements for Taiwan, visit

The entire process can take anywhere from 1-3 months depending on the school’s specific needs. Most schools start to recruit in May for the upcoming new school year.

Final thoughts

Teaching abroad is not easy. Especially when you just start out. You will feel homesick and stressed out. You will need to cope with the language barrier and with the culture shock. They might seem like obstacles, but they are all part of the adventure! Once you find your feet, you will soon find that teaching, is a wonderfully rewarding experience.

Teaching English abroad is an excellent opportunity, particularly for young university graduates who are looking for some international experience. While Mariza moved to Taiwan and has remained there to teach for several years, many English teachers decide to stay only for one or two contracts before either moving on to a new place, or going home. Either option is fine so long as your preparation for your time teaching English includes appropriate training.

For better or worse, English is now an international language, and those of us who are native English speakers have an immense amount of linguistic privilege that isn’t afforded to people from non-English speaking countries. While we were listening and singing along to the radio one day, I once had a Czech friend ask me what it was like growing up and understanding the lyrics to the songs we were listening to. It absolutely blew my mind that day that I hadn’t realized how lucky I was to actually understand what the Spice Girls were singing about while I was growing up! Imagine having the responsibility of being part of a team of teachers that will teach a child a language that will help them navigate the world outside of their home country. If a native English speaker were to teach that child incorrect grammar, for example, it will be very difficult for that child to un-learn those errors later. Language teachers, in general, have a huge responsibility that I believe is under appreciated, and I think that as native English speakers, we owe our potential students the time and effort to become a properly qualified teacher prior to stepping foot in a classroom.

Teaching English Abroad


Like this post? Be sure to follow me on Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram to see all of my latest content!