So, you\u2019ve decided that you\u2019re ready to take off on a journey to go teach English as a second language overseas? Not everyone has the courage to step out of their comfort zone and commit to living and working in a new and likely unfamiliar country. Deciding to make this move is the first of several major decisions you will encounter when preparing to travel and teach abroad. From there, the next big choice to make is determining where exactly you want to teach. This may seem like a daunting task, but there are many ways you can approach this decision that will help you pick out your ideal teaching destination.<\/p>\n
1. Look for the Highest Demand<\/strong><\/p>\n Some countries have very large, booming ESL markets, and others may not have such a strong need for foreign English teachers. As a result, one way to choose where to teach abroad is to go where the most jobs are! Pursuing a market with a high demand for ESL teachers will typically make the job search process easier. Also, if many teachers have gone there before, you may find that there is easy access to information about living and teaching in these regions. There may also be larger communities of fellow ESL teachers already in the country, which can be comforting if this is your first time working overseas.<\/p>\n As a tip, you can search countries by Top 10 Job Opportunities<\/a> on our website to help start your research.<\/em><\/p>\n 2. See Where You Are Qualified to Teach<\/strong><\/p>\n Different countries will naturally have different requirements for ESL teachers. In some countries, a certain level of education is required, while others may require previous teaching experience. Some may only be able to offer visas to people who hold a passport from a specific area. Looking at the minimum requirements for possible countries of interest can be a great way to figure out the area you should pursue, as you will typically need to meet these in order to find success in your job search. Although this may sound overwhelming, it doesn\u2019t have to be! A good starting point for your research is the Country Profiles<\/a> on our website where minimum market requirements are listed. There is also the option to contact individual consulates and embassies for specific and up-to-date information on visa or entry requirements.<\/p>\n 3. Weigh Your Priorities<\/strong><\/p>\n We all look to teach English in another country for various reasons. For some, paying off student debt is the main goal, while others may be more interested in improving their skills in a certain language or learning a new one altogether. The benefits you can expect from each ESL market will vary, and sometimes a location that initially catches your interest may not offer the kind of position that best suits your needs. Listing your priorities and putting them in order from most to least important can be a good exercise to figure out what you want to get out of your teaching experience. From there, you can look for what countries will likely meet the most important items at the top of your list, which can help narrow down the choices.<\/p>\n