Frequently Questions by Category

Teaching Abroad

Living Abroad

Working Abroad

TESOL Certification

Answers to the Frequently Asked Questions

Teaching Abroad - Keep in mind that when you are teaching overseas, there are seldom set rules that apply in every given situation. Rules vary from country to country, and each school is different. As a result, each situation will vary from one job to another, and the following questions and answers may or may not apply to you.

What age group will I be teaching?
In schools overseas, students of all ages study English. Children as young as three go to English kindergartens, while senior citizens study English as a hobby. You might be teaching elementary school students, junior or senior high students, businessmen, housewives, other teachers, or people who need English in order to improve their chances of being promoted or to increase their ability to be hired. Most schools focus on one or two age groups, so if you have a very strong preference to one age group, make sure the school to which you are applying teaches that age group. Whatever your preferences, teaching each age group is covered in the standard sixty-hour course. We also have excellent specialization courses that focus on teaching children, adolescents and adults.

What is the average class size that I may encounter?
This depends entirely on what the school teaches and where you are teaching it. For example, in some parts of China, you might be teaching class sizes of forty students. In other parts of China, you might be teaching three or four. For class sizes smaller than this or for any tutoring jobs you might have, we recommend our Tutoring specialization course. Most schools have a limit of eight to twelve students, which we feel is the ideal number to have in a classroom. Be careful though! Those high paying college and university classes might have class sizes of over two hundred.

What resources are available to me?
Again, this depends on the school where you will be teaching. Most schools have access to a TV and a VCR, a CD player, a tape player, and at least some art supplies. Chapters 11 and 12 in the Foundation Course Manual cover audio and video usage in the classroom.

What is the dress code for foreign English teachers?
Most schools do not have a strict dress code, but be aware that teachers are required to look clean, neat and presentable at all times while teaching. If you are teaching children, however, make sure you are wearing clothes that are appropriate for teaching children. Ties on male teachers are a definite no-no when teaching younger children.

What are some of the most common classroom management problems?
Most students overseas are much better behaved than students in North America, but classroom management is still sometimes a concern. The best way to avoid classroom management issues is being prepared. We cover low-level and high-level management techniques when teaching children. You will occasionally have students who are extremely tired in your class, as well as students who clearly do not understand what you want them to do. Don't worry! We cover all this in class.
How many classes a day will I have to teach?
Again, this depends on the country and the school. Schools in countries like Mexico or China may ask you to teach three to four classes a day, while South Korean schools typically expect six classes. Most countries require at least five hours a day for teaching. We teach you in the class how to define a teaching 'hour' and how to negotiate overtime.

What kind of preparatory work is involved in teaching?
This depends on your experience in teaching. Beginning teachers might need 20-30 minutes before each class to plan the lesson. As you develop your skills as a teacher, your planning time will usually decrease, but planning is always important. We spend a great deal of time in the Foundation Course on developing great lesson plans.
Will I be observed while teaching?
Some teachers are, and some teachers aren't. Some schools will give you bonuses depending on performance, and some teachers will never have their directors in their classrooms.

What kind of report cards do the schools use?
Again, this depends on the school. Some schools use them, some schools don't. Regardless of this, you should always keep notes about your students. Remember to keep your comments as positive and constructive as possible.

Will I be teaching with another teacher?
Yet again, this depends on the school. When teaching kindergarten, some schools have a native English teacher teach with a foreign English teacher, and if you are teaching in an actual junior or senior high school you will be teaching with another teacher. Usually, however, your English classroom is your classroom exclusively.

Will there be other foreign teachers in my school?
There may or may not be, and it's definitely preferable. It is difficult to start out teaching anywhere, and it is even more difficult if you are the first or the only English teacher. One of the questions you should be asking your director is if you can have the email addresses of teachers already working in the school.

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Living Abroad

What should I pack?
Besides casual wear and clothes to teach in, it is important to take with you only the things that you need in your day-to-day life. If there is a particular brand of tea you love or pictures of your family, fine, but we don't advise packing anything that it would break your heart to lose.

Is there anything I shouldn't take with me?
To begin with, anything illegal in the country where you are going should not be taken with you. This obviously includes drugs, but may also include reading materials that would be considered inappropriate in the country to which you are traveling . Things that might also be on the prohibited list are insulin needles, birth control pills, and in the Middle East, movies and DVD's. In short, research your country before departure.

What is the housing situation like?
Again, this depends on where you are going to go. If the school offers you accommodation, it can range from a small room to a very large house. This is definitely one of the questions you should ask. If at all possible, talk to people who are living in the housing that you will have. Remember that where ever you are, apartments will never be as large as they are in the U.S.A., and in some areas, rent is sometimes very expensive if it's not subsidized by the school.

The job description says 'furnished accommodation'. What's usually included in that?
Again, this depends on the school. Be certain that what is included in the housing is clearly spelled out in the contract. This allows you to accurately assess how furnished the apartment is, but it can also act as a checkout list for your landlord so you know what was provided and what you have acquired in your stay.

Will I be able to find any (fill in your favorite item) overseas?
I would answer this with a hesitant yes. Most developed countries do have a foreign-type market store that is filled with imported coca-cola, cream of mushroom soup and all the Kraft dinner you could choke down. These types of stores are almost always located in major cities, and almost always cost up to three times as much as the same items back in your home country. Only use them when you absolutely must have (blank), but try to use local products as much as possible. A word of warning, however: I once saw a Kool-aide package on sale on the shelf that was past the expiration date. I hadn't thought that was possible.

Are English movies, magazines, and books available overseas?
Again, most countries will have English movies playing in their theatres, but the ticket price is usually twice what it costs in the U.S.A. Make sure you can read the words for "subtitled" or "dubbed" to make sure you can understand what the actors are saying. English newspapers published in your areas should have what is playing as well as the times. English magazines and books are usually available at big booksellers again in the major centers. You can either learn the words for "Do you have any English books here?" or look sufficiently stunned for a kind clerk to show you where they are. You won't be the first English-speaking person to enter the shop with that look.

What am I able to do with my free time?
Basically anything you want, within reason. With relatively few teaching hours in a week, you might find that you have more time on your hands than you are used to. You might pick up a hobby or make local friends. There are hundreds of places to explore, and thousands of shops and restaurants to visit.

How much money should I take with me for the first month abroad?
Enough to last at least a month, if not more. Ask the other English teachers working in your potential school how much money that will be. If your school has only provided you with a one-way ticket, be sure that you have enough money to get you home if there is an emergency. It is important to have that emergency fund available to you so that you will never feel trapped in your country.

Is the water drinkable?
Sometimes. But unless you know for sure, don't risk it. There are some countries that require the water to be boiled, sometimes it needs to be filtered, sometimes filtered and boiled, and in some countries, nothing you will ever do to the water will ever make it potable. Most countries have drinking water at a very low cost.

What options are open to vegetarians and/or vegans?
Only eat food that you have prepared unless you can see how it has been prepared. Learning the words "Is there any meat in this?" might help, but if the country you are in considers only beef to be meat, you will get a false positive and have a meal served to you that is full of ham, chicken, or fish. Vegans need to be especially careful, as extracts of meat are often used to flavor food that is otherwise meat-free. It is possible to be both vegetarian and vegan if you are especially vigilant. Whether or not you eat meat, make sure your diet is balanced. Teaching overseas is initially stressful, and getting sick only makes it worse.

Am I able to take my family with me?
Yes, you can. Be sure you tell your employer that you are taking your spouse and/or children with you. This will ensure that you have suitable housing for a family rather than an individual.

Is it possible for a friend and I to get jobs teaching in the same school or town?
Yes! In fact, some schools would much rather hire a pair than a single teacher. The cost for hiring, as well as living expenses, are cut in half, as well as the fact that if two people are traveling together they usually experience a less severe case of homesickness. If you will be working at different schools in the same town, make sure both of you have done your homework for each of the schools.

Will I be able to take my pets with me?
This question is again a very qualified yes. Each country has a different set of rules for importing animals, so get yourself familiar with each country's requirements. Also remember that your house may be much smaller than what you are used to now, so large pets may not be as welcome. Again, inform your employer as to what you are planning to bring with you so that they can find suitable accommodations.

Are there any English-speaking doctors in the foreign country I am going to?
If you ever get sick overseas, you want to make sure that you can communicate with the doctor that is assisting you. Joining the IAMAT before going overseas is the best way to get in touch with English speaking doctors. The information for joining the program is included in the job manual.

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Working Abroad

How much money will I mak e in American dollars?
This depends entirely on where you are living. Rich countries can pay you more than poor countries and countries with a lot of tourists don't pay as much as countries off the beaten track. What you are looking for, though, is a country that pays well when compared to the cost of living. Germany, for example, pays several thousand dollars a month, but the cost of living also happens to be several thousand dollars a month. Also, in most cases you are not exempt from local income tax. Salaries literally range between $200 dollars and $4000 dollars a month. Most countries pay their English teachers enough to live well. Most countries in Asia and the Middle East provide excellent saving opportunities.

Will I be paid in US dollars or in the local currency?
Almost without exception, you will always be paid in local currency. The sums quoted to you in the job descriptions are usually a rough estimate. Remember to send your money home over the year rather than save it up as one lump shipment, as this will cost you if the exchange rate is not in your favour. Also, some countries put a limit (for example, one month's salary) on how much you can legally send home. Sending the money home in 12 installments will also protect you if the currency exchange takes a sudden nosedive.

How often and in what way will I be paid?
Most schools pay their teachers once a month, usually on a given day. Schools will either pay you with an envelope of cash on payday, directly deposit it into your account, or issue you a check. Regardless of the method, your school may also help you with setting up a bank account and teach you how to use a bank machine.

How much money should I take with me?
We recommend taking the equivalent of at least one month's salary. You owe it to yourself to make your first month as stress-free as possible, and no one likes worrying about money.

How many holidays will I be able to have?
Most countries have one national holiday off a month, which your school will observe. Your contract should also state one to five weeks off, depending on the country. Both you and the school should agree on when this time can be taken off, but remember, if it is not in the contract and you do not ask for it to be put in the contract before you sign it, you will not be getting any time off at all.

Does my school observe American holidays?
Unfortunately, no. You will not be getting any US holidays off. You can celebrate days like Halloween in most of your classes, but yes, you do have to work on the 4th of July!

Is airfare included?
Again, sometimes. If it is in the job description that it is included, it is included. South Korea and China always include airfare. Some schools will pay for return airfare only after the contract is completed. If you need to pay, definitely do some checking around for the cheapest airfares.

How will I know if it's a good job?
By doing your research. We go through every question that you should be asking your future employer, as well as teachers who are already working for your school. If the teachers working there are happy, then chances are you will be happy as well.

What if I have to go home suddenly due to an emergency?
You must have a multiple re-entry visa on your passport. You can get this through your country's immigration office. You can't get this at the airport, so get it as soon as you arrive. If you do have to return, make sure your director knows when to expect you back. Most contracts have a clause permitting you to go home in case of emergencies.

What if my job doesn't work out?
You probably will have done your research and this question will never come up. If it does, however, and you want to quit, make sure you are familiar with what your contract states about quitting. Most countries require that you give X number of days notice before you can start working elsewhere. Others are more prohibitive than that. South Korea, for example, requires that you leave the country for the duration of your valid work visa if you quit, but getting fired means you can work the next day for another school.

Could I send money home?
Banks and post offices will wire money home for a fee. We discuss other methods in the class.

What is non-residency and why do I need to declare it?
In order not to return to the United States with several thousand dollars owing to the U.S. government, it is essential that you declare non-residency. We will show you the process in our manual.

What do I do if I get caught doing anything illegal?
Depends on what you are caught doing. Minor offenses will get you deported and fined. Major offenses depend on where you are. In some countries you will be tried as a citizen and sent to local jails. In other countries, you will be executed. All the U.S. Consulate in your country can do is give you a list of lawyers that speak English in your country.

How long does an average work visa last?
Normally one year. Each country has different visa-granting rules and regulations, and these rules and regulations change regularly. We encourage you to contact the consulate or embassy of the country in question prior to departure for exact details. Be sure to find the contact information of the American embassy in the country where you are going.

When my contract ends, how do I find a new English teaching job in another foreign country?
Email or call the TTI once you graduate from our program. You automatically are qualified for lifetime job assistance, and we would love to help you with any TESOL certification, study or work related issues.

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TESOL Certification

What, exactly, is a TESOL (or TEFL/TESL) certificate?
TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. TESOL (or TEFL/TESL) teaches people whose first language is not English how to speak, listen, read and write in English as well as dozens of other useful techniques.

Why do I need to be TESOL certified to teach English overseas?
A lot of countries require TESOL certification for their work visa. A few years ago, the only requirements schools had were that their teachers could speak English, but now they are looking for more qualified teachers. By taking the TESOL program, you are assuring your employer that you have as much invested in teaching overseas as they have in bringing you over to teach for them. It also prepares you for more than teaching. Our course has an extensive section on contract negotiations, living and working overseas, as well as an in-depth look at culture shock.

What is the difference between a TESOL course and a TESOL program?
Our standard 60-hour TESOL course contains everything a teacher would need to teach conversational English. All aspects of language acquisition are covered, as well as a detailed look at the job process. The TESOL program also includes up to sixteen specialization courses in order to prepare you for more in-demand and higher paying jobs. Our specialized English courses are listed below.

How long is the average TESOL certificate course/program?
The standard course is sixty hours long. Each of the specialization courses is sixty hours as well. There is no standard length of time required for students to complete the course; some people finish it in two weeks while others require two or more months. There has never been a deadline to complete our courses and it's nice to know that they may be completed anywhere in the world.

What are the number of hours that overseas schools look for in a TESOL certificate?
Schools have been recently asking for 100-hour plus courses. If you have already completed your standard 60-hour TESOL course and have yet to finish your specialization course, inform your future employer that you plan to have the course finished by a certain date.

What is the price range of the TESOL courses/programs available today?
TESOL courses can range between 200 and 4000 dollars. We encourage your researching to ensure that you get the best quality for your money. Our TESOL manual is over 1200 pages long and is the best teacher training manual out there.

Is it necessary to have teaching experience prior to taking a TESOL course/program?
Absolutely not. Our course is designed for anyone to complete and enjoy. Our students' age range is from 18 to 74, and each person takes something different from the course. So, if you are an experienced teacher or if you have never stood up in front of a class before, this course is for you.

How long is TESOL Training International’s foundation TESOL certification program?
The course can be taken in three different ways. Correspondence and online is completed at your leisure and should take around sixty hours to finish. The in-class version is comprised of three different parts. The first part is thirty-five hours of in-class instructor-led lecture and teacher training in class. This is complemented by five hours of out-of-class of creative lesson planning, presentation preparation, readings and exercises to be done during the week of the course. This is then followed by twenty hours of readings plus an exam to be completed after the course at student's convenience.

Does the above 120-hour TESOL Training International program guarantee me a job teaching English overseas?
We guarantee you will find a job if you follow our process. During the course, we teach you the best way to be proactive in your job search and application procedure, so that you can find a job that is the best fit for you.

I am already a schoolteacher in North America. Will I benefit from your program?
Schoolteachers benefit the most from our program, because they have the practical knowledge coming into the class. Beyond that, teaching English as a second language is completely different from any other kind of teaching. ESL requires a great deal of Student Talk Time (STT) and raising the STT takes new methods and new techniques.

What is a teaching practicum?
A teaching practicum is a volunteered length of teaching that a student does prior to going overseas in order to try out the new methods he or she has learned. In the in-class version of our course, students teach language acquisition in a stimulated ESL environment, so correspondence or online students must find a way to get some practical experience as well.

Is it necessary to partake in a teaching practicum in order to secure an overseas teaching position?
If you have not taken the foundation course in-class, it is necessary for you to complete the practicum. In extenuating circumstances where there is absolutely no way to complete the practicum in your home town, we are able to issue you a interim TESOL certificate and you can complete your practicum overseas. We also take into consideration any previous teaching or tutoring you might have done, which eliminates the need for a practicum.

How many certification and diploma programs does the TESOL Training International offer?
As of right now, we offer four programs. Program I is our Advanced TESOL certification which includes our foundation course and one specialization, Program II is our TESOL Diploma which includes our foundation course and three specializations, Program III is our Advanced TESOL Diploma which is our foundation course plus six of our specializations, and Program IV, the Professional TESOL Diploma, which includes the foundation course plus nine specializations.

How many specialization courses does the TESOL Training International offer?
We have sixteen specialization courses right now. We have teaching grammar, small or corporate business English, TOEFL preparation, teaching children, teaching adults, tourism English, tutoring English, teaching practicum and our independent study elective, to name a few.

How can I study for your programs and courses (which study options do you offer)?
We have three different methods of study. The first is our in-class course offered in the United States. In California we offer the in-class course in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.  We also currently offer the course in Portland, Oregon.  If you are near one of these cities and can fit it into your schedule, this is the preferred method of completion. Classes are fun, lively, and full of like-minded people. Students learn from each other as well as the instructor. If you cannot find the time or if you do not live in a major center, you can take the course online or through correspondence. The only difference between the two is that the online course is available through the computer while the correspondence course has a physical manual.

Is the online/correspondence foundation TESOL course equally valued by overseas schools in comparison to the in-class foundation TESOL course?
Absolutely. There is no difference in the materials covered, regardless of the method of study.

I have already taught English overseas for one year, but in order to get a job when I go back again I need a TESOL Certificate. Is this program the right one for me?
The more experience you have in teaching, the more our TESOL course makes sense to you. Many of our graduates have previously taught overseas.

I have never taught English or any other subject before, will I be able to complete this program?
Teaching is a matter of bringing what you know across to your students. We don't have to teach you how to speak English, so we teach you how to bring that across. If you attend each day, participate in the lessons, and complete your presentation, you will understand how your students feel to be ESL learners and you will know how to help them learn.

What is the difference between TESL, TEFL, TESOL and CELTA?
TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) all teach English to non-native English speakers. The only difference is TESL is for teaching in an English speaking country while TEFL is for teaching English abroad. TESOL encapsulates them both. CELTA is the British equivalent to the TESOL.

Summary

NOTE: If you have a question that has not been answered above, or if you would like to speak to us concerning upcoming course dates, registration, or any other matter, feel free to email us at: teachenglishnow@gmail.com.

You are also welcome to call us toll-free 1-888-TESOL-US in North America. If you are calling from overseas, dial the United States country code from your country plus (619)291-3321 from 9am-5:30pm Monday to Friday, Pacific Standard Time (PST).