Continuing our series on teaching English overseas, we’re going to our attention to other parts of the world. In part one, we talked about the various jobs you can get. In part two, we discussed what you need, and in part three, we discussed teaching in Asia.
Since Asia tends to be the primary focus for ESL teachers, I devoted more attention to it than other regions in the world. However, teachers are needed all over the world. Here’s a run down on the other major teaching regions of the world:
Europe
Finding a job in Europe can be difficult, especially for those with little experience. Stiff EU visa rules keep many people out and countries typically try to hire EU natives (i.e. UK citizens) first. That being said it’s not impossible to do so, as Gypsy Princess(Germany) and Monna (Spain) show us. They’re both non-Europeans who found work in Europe.
Salaries in Europe tend to be lower than Asia. Though actual real money value might be higher, your earning power is a lot less. Not only is Europe more expensive but taxes are also very high. Teacher salaries vary a lot from country to country but, on average, you can earn around $2500 USD a month in Western Europe. In Eastern Europe, salaries are lower but so is the cost of living. Salaries are usually about $1000 USD a month in Eastern Europe.
Demand for teachers varies from country to country as some countries put a lot more emphasis on learning English than others. Countries like France and Germany don’t make it a high priority while Holland, Scandinavian countries, and Eastern Europe place more emphasize on learning the language.
Though salaries are nothing to write home about, the standard of living in Europe is very high. You’ll love comfortably and let’s face it- you’re in Europe. That’s why you’re teaching there. You’ll eek out a middle class lifestyle and be comfortable but you’re not going to get rich! However, the reward is you get to be in Europe and another culture is a simple flight away.
The Middle East
With the rapid growth in the Middle East right now, there is a huge demand for English teachers, especially in places like Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. They are all in desperate need of teachers and a trip to any ESL site will show a lot of listings.
Salaries in the Middle East tend to be very high. Teachers can earn $30,000 dollars or more (sometimes as high as $60,000) per year and it’s all tax free. All the benefits you normally see in Asia are also included. A year teaching in the Middle East can leave you very well off.
Though teaching jobs are abundant, don’t expect to walk right into one right out of university. Countries here prefer older, licensed, and experienced teachers. They aren’t looking to hire young backpackers looking to make a few bucks but legit mate people with experience. Because of that, teachers here tend to be older (30s), more settled, and more family oriented. You won’t find the crazy, young, ex-pat teacher scene here like you would in Asia.
Living in these countries is very expensive. Dubai is not cheap. Doha is not cheap. You’ll need a car, and since most everything is imported, your food and goods will also be pricey. Oil money and a new found consumerism mean that everyone knows they can charge a lot here and people will still pay. However, you can save a lot of money here if you are frugal. This part of the world tends to be better suited for those looking for a more older crowd, a couple, or someone more settled down in life.
Central Asia
Jobs in Central Asia tend to pay about the same or less than Eastern Europe. In some cases salaries can be high but it’s unusual. Living conditions in Central Asia tend to be pretty low and the standard of living isn’t great. There’s problems with transportation, roads, technology, etc. While many of the cities have plenty of modern amenities, much of central Asia lives an agrarian lifestyle and you will probably long for many of the comforts of home.
However, you aren’t going here to be rich and live in luxury but to immerse yourself in a different culture. These countries are culturally very rich and teaching here offers an amazing chance to sort of step back to a more simpler time. People here are very friendly and usually happy to show you their part of the world. Moreover, the landscape here is beautiful and pristine. You’ll avoid the tourists, the crowds, and the chaos in what is a fast growing part of the world.
Latin America
Teaching in Latin America is a cultural rich but momentarily poor experience. Salaries in Central America rarely tend to be high than about $700 US dollars a month, with South America not much better. The upside is that cost of living is ridiculously low across Central and South America.
Some of the schools here prefer someone with a TEFL degree or experience but, typically, as long as you speak English, you’ll be hired. The international or private schools here pay the most. Public schools pay nothing all across the board. Many of the rich families will hire you to tutor on the side and that’s where the real money is.
When working with the younger kids, it helps to know a little bit of Spanish but classes are all taught in English for older students. Working conditions tend to be pretty good and, while problems can occur, employers are pretty good about honoring contracts.
But the culture of Latin America is very vibrant and “fiery.” Great food, great people, dancing, and excitement- Latin America has it all. No matter where you go from Brazil to Costa Rica to Honduras to Argentina, culturally you are in for an amazing time. You just won’t leave with much savings.
So true about it being hard for non-EU citizens to get work in the EU – I was lucky to get work in Germany but my boss had to go through an incredible rigmarole to get my visa, including proving there was nobody else in the country to do that job. I disagree though that Germany doesn’t emphasize learning English – there is a massive English teaching industry but most teachers are either locals who’ve studied abroad or are British, and tend to stay for many years, or even forever – so Germany doesn’t pop up on job boards too often. Great place to teach though – all the students are always on time!!!!
Matt,
Thanks for mentioning me in your post. For certified teachers, there’s (literally) a whole world of international and American schools out there and a real shortage of qualified teachers at the moment. These gigs tend to be more stable than ESL schools although you always have to do your homework when looking for work overseas.
A quick note about teaching English in France: the French Embassy in DC recruits Americans under the age of 30 to teach in schools across France. I did this in 2003 and the process is fairly easy and most people get accepted, no experience needed, but the ability to speak some French is desired. I would definitely recommend this program!
I taught English in Greece post-graduation through a fellowship program at Athens College (a private, K-12 school). They pick 6-8 Americans every year to teach there, providing housing, daily lunch, Greek lessons, and access to a gym and pool, as well as paying the Fellows. You’re not going to come home rich, but you have more than enough money to live comfortably and travel on weekends/breaks/at year’s end. Additionally, there are tons of tutoring jobs available that pay about 50 euros/hour. Most of the Fellows are straight out of university, but a couple are a few years out. I highly recommend it. Information on the program can be a little hard to come by, but here’s a brief description and some contact info: http://www.athenscollege.org/html/teaching.htm
happy bday!
I would also add if your willing to work freelance and do your own paperwork then working in Germany is easy so long as you have proof of insurance. Getting that contract job is – as Amanda said – really really hard. Few employers are willing to do it. And the freelance jobs expect you at act like a contract worker. The good news is that they are desperate for freelancers so if you can deal with the guilt tossed your way then your hours will not suffer for it.
But you are right, you dont do it for the money, you do it because Europe just rocks. Plus the money really improves after 4 or 5 months. The problem with that is of course, LIVING those first months. But I have been able to pay off one student loan and my credit cards (though the cards I did through accepting paid postings on my blog), while still traveling a lot on the cheap. (and by a lot I mean 7 countries in the past year, including one trip to the Caribbean.) But if it wasn’t for my partner supporting me those first 4 months I would not have been able to stay in Germany. but then I would also say a lot is luck. If your paperwork breezes through and you get with the right school at the right time, you start right away at a good salary.
But I would recomend counting on that only if you have the back up cash in savings should it backfire.
This is great information! Thanks!