Embarking on a journey to teach abroad is an exhilarating and life-changing experience. It offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, make a positive impact on students’ lives and grow both personally and professionally. This comprehensive guide to travelling to teach will walk you through the essential steps and considerations for those looking to travel and teach in a foreign country.
Choosing Your Destination
Choosing the right location is fundamental to your teaching tenure overseas. Consider language barriers, cultural differences, climate, living expenses and job availability. Some countries will ask for special qualifications or conditions for foreign teachers. Keep in mind these points when you are narrowing down your options:
USA
The United States is very highly rated in terms of huge educational variety and holds so many teaching opportunities. It contains metropolitan cities in which teachers can find a position to suit their taste and specialty, and quiet rural towns which will offer more multifaceted positions. The education system in America crosses many cultural and economic backgrounds; it gives teachers full scope to experiment with new methodologies and technologies in classrooms. Cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Chicago have diverse and varied environments to house being home to students from many different backgrounds, fostering a global mindset for teachers. On the other hand, smaller towns and suburbia allow for immersion into close communities that can create very deep connections with students and their families.
Canada
Across the border in Canada, a warm reception awaits prospective teachers. Together, a very strong orientation toward multiculturalism combined with the highly reputed and looked-up-to Canadian education system, teaching in Canada is a prospect envied by many teachers across the world. It is an environment keen on learning inclusively. In places such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal travelling teachers will find a vibrant, diverse community where they may hone their skills in multilingual and multicultural classrooms. From the beauty of the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic coastline, outdoor pursuits are never too far away both during the working day and in your own free time. This results in a good balance of work, social life, mental wellbeing and physical fitness – meaning a move to Canada could benefit both your quality of life and teaching career.
Japan
Travel across the Pacific to Japan, and educators will find a culture that is very respectful toward education and its teachers. The Japanese schooling system is founded on discipline and structure, so it presents a worthwhile challenge to foreign-born educators. Teaching English is extremely popular, and programs like JET or Japan Exchange and Teaching, give structured opportunities to work in schools within Japan. Outside the classroom, Japan’s combining of ultramodern technology and ancient tradition allows one to find a setting for interesting personal exploration. From neon-lit streets in Tokyo to the calm temples in Kyoto, teaching in Japan offers a unique juxtaposition between old and new, increasing teachers’ cultural underpinning and adaptability.
South Korea
Another dynamic setting for international educators is South Korea. The current wave of “education fever” in the country requires top-notch educators, especially in teaching English. Students in South Korea can be very highly motivated; therefore it would not be a taxing position for dedicated educators to do their work. Cities like Seoul and Busan rank at the top in technological innovation, thus equipping educators with contemporary teaching resources. The fast and headlong development of the country within the past few decades has converted this place into a rich mixture of traditional Korean culture with modern global influence. Teachers moving to South Korea will be able to feast on the country’s famous foods, explore ancient palaces, and feel the warmth of Korean hospitality.
China
In China, the country’s sheer scale means teaching experiences can differ dramatically depending on one’s location. Major urban cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou offer an international environment with state-of-the-art facilities that are fast-moving. On the other hand, teaching in smaller cities or rural areas could mean being deeply immersed in traditional Chinese culture. While the demand for English teachers remains high across the country, there are also opportunities in international schools teaching other subjects. China’s rapid economic growth and growing influence on the world make this the place to see history being made while making a contribution to the education of the next generation.
Europe
In Europe, a whole spate of teaching opportunities await would-be educators right across the continent. They could well find themselves within the shadows of history while engaged in teaching assignments in Western European countries, such as France, Germany, and Spain, either in international schools or language academies. The European Union takes care to foster language learning and cultural exchange, thus providing an enabling environment for foreign educators. Countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary provide development opportunities for teachers of English with a lower cost of living compared to their Western counterparts.
Scandinavia
In Europe a wide variety of teaching opportunities awaits educators right across the continent. They could well find themselves within the shadows of history while engaged in teaching assignments in Western European countries, such as France, Germany and Spain, either in international schools or language academies. The European Union takes care to foster language learning and cultural exchange in turn providing an enabling environment for foreign educators. Countries like Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary provide development opportunities for teachers, while enjoying a lower cost of living compared to their Western counterparts.
