Teaching English in Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the best places in Asia for teaching English. An interesting culture, stunning natural scenery and huge demand for English tuition make it one of the most popular destinations. Most jobs are in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and it is worth reading up on the different characteristics of the two cities in order to be able to focus on vacancies in your preferred location. Salaries are perhaps the best in the Mekong region and there is a lively expat scene in both main cities.

Salaries start at $1,200 USD per month and go up to $2,000 USD per month, sometimes a bit higher at international schools. Most jobs are found in the cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Haiphong. Hiring schools prefer for you to have a degree, TEFL certification and over 1 year of teaching experience. If you do not have a degree but have over 5 years of teaching experience then it is still possible to obtain a work permit. There is a lot of work available, so if you are not getting enough hours from your full time employer you can always teach part time for a second school or language center.

Normally teachers arrive on a tourist visa and then convert it into a business visa with the help of their employer. Unlike neighbouring countries, you do not have to leave Vietnam and return on the new visa. However, a work permit also requires a health check and a criminal records check from your country of origin. If possible, obtain a criminal records check before arriving in Vietnam because it costs more and takes longer if you try to get one once you have arrived. The work permit is valid for 3 years and allows you annual business visas sponsored by your employer.

Transport, food and accommodation are all quite cheap in Vietnam but bear in mind that you will probably be charged more for many goods because you are a foreigner. Salary tax should be taken care of by your employer. Normally you should expect to receive your salary on a monthly basis.
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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better? Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food. Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost! And a job placement program in Peru and guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!​

Teaching English in the USA

There are innumerable slices of the American pie and the country’s most visited destinations, like New York and Florida, only go some way towards characterizing this world superpower. Covering 6 times zones, 50 states and all the major climate zones from tropical to polar, America feels like several countries rolled into one. The thrill of seeing such iconic imagery as New York yellow taxis and the Hollywood sign up close is matched by discovering parts of the country and its people that are among its best kept secrets.

• Lots of jobs IF you're able to work here
• Vast country with lots to see and do
• Huge variety of students
• Easy to get around
• Less of a culture shock

Things you might not know about Teaching English in the United States

• It is estimated that a quarter of all Americans have appeared on television!
• Tomatoes were once thought to be poisonous and were 'put on trial' in 1820’s New Jersey when a man had to eat a whole basket of tomatoes to prove they were safe!
• The middle name of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president, is simply 'S'! His parents couldn’t decide between Shippe and Solomon, so they plumped for the single letter!
• The original London Bridge actually stands over Lake Havasu in Arizona.

Summary
There is huge demand for TEFL teachers here, but the market is competitive and it's very difficult to get a visa

Main TEFL regions
All major cities - particularly New York, Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Miami.

Types of teaching
ESL private language institutes: General English, Business English, TOEFL, ECCE
University language programs: General English, TOEFL, English for Specific Purposes
Migrant English programs: General English, TOEFL, English for Specific Purposes
Accommodation
You will usually have to organize your own apartment, which can be very expensive in the big cities. For example, a one-bedroom place in San Francisco will cost around $1000 per month!

Flight reimbursement
Not likely, as there are so many qualified American teachers to choose from.

Salary
$15-40 per hour. Newly qualified teachers shouldn’t accept less than US$18 per hour.

Taxes
Novice teachers will pay about 13% of their wages as tax, at the higher end of the salary range, it’ll be more like 17%.

Cost of living
The cost of living is high, but cheaper than much of Western Europe. A beer in a bar will cost about $5, a cheap fast food meal is about $3, while a loaf of bread is about $1.50.

Potential to save money
You’re unlikely to save any money unless you’re well-qualified and thus well-paid, or you’re able to get free accommodation (e.g. living at your parents’ house if you’re hail from the US)/

How much TEFL training is recommended?
As there is so much competition, you should get as much training as possible. TEFL Zorritos 120 Hour Onsite Course will provide you with the training you need to find a great job in the USA.

Common teaching conditions
A full-time position will involve about 25 contact hours per week. If you’re working for private language institutes, you’ll probably only be able to get part time hours, so you’ll have to work for multiple schools

Be aware…

Despite what you hear on the news, the USA is a safe place to visit. Just take the usual precautions when out late at night or on your own. Visas
How do I find work?
There are plenty of jobs advertised on the main TEFL job sites, as well as general job websites such as monster.com and postmeup.com.

Can I find work while in-country?
Absolutely. Obviously you can search via the internet, or you could simply look in the local Yellow Pages. There are more than 150 language institutes in New York alone!

What is the usual hiring process?
Simply send off your CV and if the school likes you, they’ll arrange an interview.

Is a work visa required to find paid work in?
Yes, but it is extremely difficult for teachers who are not citizens of the USA to find teaching work here.

Work visa requirements:

• Offer of job in a specialized area where there’s a lack of native workers (i.e. not English teaching!)

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better? Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food. Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost! And a job placement program in Peru and guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

Teaching English in the Philippines

The Philippines is a collection of beautiful tropical islands where living costs are low. The only trouble is, the local people generally speak such excellent English that there is little demand for native English teachers. However, the growing Korean population in the Philippines seek tuition at language centres and if you have a relevant MA or PGCE (or equivalent) then you may find work at a university or International School.

If you have the above qualifications then you can expect a salary of from $1,000 USD to 2,500 USD per month. The best paid jobs are found primarily in Manila, Baguio and Cebu. Again, if you do not have at least a Masters Degree, TEFL certification and over 2 years of teaching experience, your chances of finding a paid English teaching job in the Philippines is very slim. Also be sure that your employer provides you with the correct and legal work permits. Working illegally in the Philippines will get you deported, fined and possible jail time.

Unless you are working at a university or International School it’s best to arrive in the Philippines on a tourist visa and then ask your employer to arrange a work permit. There are tight restrictions on this (unless you happen to be married to a local). Food, drink and transport are all cheap but accommodation prices vary dramatically depending on on your budget and location. Your employer is normally responsible for arranging the payment of your income tax. Salary will usually be paid on a monthly basis.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better? Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food. Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost! And a job placement program in Peru guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

Teaching English in Taiwan

The island of Taiwan has long been known as a good place to teach English. The local people are friendly, there are lots of jobs, living costs are relatively low and the pay is good. It used to be very easy to find work but in recent years there has been more competition for jobs and a crackdown on teachers without suitable qualifications and experience. In addition, a low national birth rate means that the demand for English tuition is not likely to grow much further. However, Taiwan definitely remains one of the best choices in Asia.

Salaries start at $1,300 USD per month and go as high as $2,500 USD per month at some of the better international schools. Jobs are available nationwide in Taiwan, with salaries a little higher in bigger cities, but of course the cost of living will also be a little higher.

A Bachelor Degree and TEFL certificate plus 2 years of experience are required to get a good job. Typically accommodations are included as part of your benefits, so the ability to save some money is very possible in Taiwan. A Bachelor Degree or higher is absolutely required in Taiwan, so if you do not have a degree you should consider working in another country. Kindergartens and language schools hire all year round but July/August and January are the most common times of the year to begin a teaching job. Bear in mind that in recent months the authorities have been restricting native English teachers from teaching kindergarten age groups – this is in accordance with official regulations and may cause a considerable number of teachers to lose their jobs across the island.

The process by which you obtain an ‘Alien Residence Visa’ in Taiwan is relatively straightforward but it is advisable to try to arrange work before arriving in the country. The cost of accommodation, transport and food is low in Taiwan. Income tax is generally paid by the employer on your behalf. Usually you will be paid on a monthly basis.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better? Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food. Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost! And a job placement program in Peru and guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

Teaching English in South Africa

English is one of South Africa’s main official languages and is the most commonly used language in public and commercial areas of life. All of which means that you’ll probably need a high level of TEFL certification and some previous experience if you want to teach English in South Africa.

Historically, South African TEFL employers used to hire people on the spot, but increasingly they have begun to widen the net and hire people through jobs boards and overseas recruitment agencies. There aren’t huge numbers of opportunities to teach English in South Africa, but there are a growing number of language institutes across the country, and while the majority of positions go to South Africans with native English skills there are opportunities for well qualified foreign TEFL teachers too.

Neither the wages nor the cost of living in South Africa is particularly high, so the average TEFL job salary of around 10,000 Rand (US$1,400) should allow you to live relatively comfortably. If you get involved teaching English as a volunteer, the school should be able to arrange your accommodation and cover the most basic living costs.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a job placement program in Peru and guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!​

Teaching English in New Zealand

The TEFL industry in New Zealand is quite active and the greatest demand comes from a large number of Asian students who come to the country to learn English. There is also some demand for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) with Korean and Japanese high school students who are looking for exam preparation for high school. Enrolments appear to be increasing and demand is somewhat seasonal – so you will find more work between the months of February – May and July – October.

However there are very few EFL positions in New Zealand advertised online. If you wish to travel to New Zealand to look for work, the best idea would be to arrive with the February or July start dates in mind. Obviously you are in a stronger position if you are an Australian or NZ national, but there are still possibilities for those that aren’t. If you are in country and are a native English speaker, have a degree and TEFL certification then there is work available, with particular demand in Wellington and Auckland.

New Zealand and Australian residents can work in NZ without any visa documentation. Other nationalities can obtain a working visa, which last for 9 to 12 months, provided they are less than 30 years old.

Job prospects for those over 30 are not as good, as an employer has to be able to prove that there are no New Zealanders that could fulfil that position. For further details on work restrictions or conditions, see the New Zealand Immigration Service Website http://www.immigration.govt.nz/.

Teachers can earn reasonably good money in New Zealand, with around $25NZ being the basic 
hourly wage salary or more if you work privately. Accommodation is not difficult to find and is reasonably priced. Contracts are available but subject to the visa conditions mentioned above.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better? Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food. Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost! And a job placement program in Peru and guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!

Teaching English in Canada

From fairy tale landscapes to cosmopolitan cities, there’s much more to Canada than maple leafs and Mounties. It’s long been overshadowed by its North American neighbor but it stands proud as a diverse country that’s packed full of experiences to tell your grandchildren about - whether it be getting drenched at Niagara Falls or spotting black bears in the Rockies.

The clinch is that there’s also a lot of leg room. It’s the world’s second largest country, but with a fraction of the population at around half that of the United Kingdom. It even has national parks bigger than some European countries.

• Well-paid jobs for the well-qualified
• Easy to get a working holiday visa if your country is part of the scheme
• Newfoundland & Labrador – rarely visited, but beautiful. And it’s the best place in the world to see the Northern Lights
• Montréal – brilliantly cosmopolitan city with a fantastic variety of food.
• Dawson City – beautiful town set amongst some of Canada’s most stunning scenery

Things you might not know about Teaching English in Canada

• The jail in Creemore, Ontario is considered to be one of the smallest in the world, measuring only 4.5m x 6m!
• According to the UN, Canada has one of the best qualities of life in the world.
• Newfoundland in Canada has some very bizarre place names, such as Blow-me-down, Nancy Oh, Run-by-guess and, er... Dildo!
• Canada is just a huge as it seems – it’s the second largest country in the world with an area of almost 10 million square kilometres!

Summary
There are lots of teaching jobs in Canada, but there are also lots of TEFL schools, so you’ll have to compete with the thousands of locals who graduate as teachers each year.

Main TEFL regions
Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Winnipeg

Types of teaching
Private language schools: General English, Business English, TOEFL
In-company: General English, Business English
Government-sponsored immigrant programs: General English, English for Academic Purpose

Accommodation
You’ll usually be left to your own devices when it comes to finding accommodation. A small apartment in Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver will cost about Cn$600 per month. Look in local newspapers or on craiglist if you’re trying to find a place.

Flight reimbursement
Not common

Salary
Cn$25-50 per hour in Public Sector Schools, but you will have to be very well qualified to work here.
Cn$12-40 per hour in Private Language Schools. Most newly-qualified TEFL teachers will earn around Cn$20 per hour.

Taxes
Most teachers will pay about 15% of their salary as tax.

Cost of living
Costs are slightly lower than in the USA’s big cities, and much lower than most of Western Europe. A cheap restaurant meal starts at Cn$10, going to see a movie will be about Cn$8.50, while a beer in a bar will set you back about Cn$5

Potential to save money
Unless you’re very well-qualified and thus well paid, you’re unlikely to be able to save any money.

How much TEFL training is recommended?
You will need a degree and a TEFL certificate at the very least. The job market in Canada is very competitive, so you should take comprehensive training - such as that provided in the 160-hour TEFL Zorritos onsite course, that includes 10 advanced TEFL certifications. If you want to work in the public sector, you’ll either need a TESL Canada approved course or you’ll have to pay TESL Canada to confirm that your MA course is sufficient (approx Cn$300).

Common teaching conditions
A full-time position will see you working for 25 hours per week. However, it can be difficult to find these positions, so many teachers end up working for more than one school. This will involve a fair bit of travelling between classes.

How do I find work?
If you want to find a job before you arrive, have a look at the main TEFL job sites. Employers will usually only take on well-qualified teachers before they leave their home country.

Can I find work while in-country?
If you qualify for a working holiday visa, this is the best option. Simply look for language schools in the Yellow Pages or ask around once you’ve arrived.

What is the usual hiring process?
It’s the usual process of applying for jobs and going for interviews.

Is a work visa required to find paid work?
Yes. If you’re from one of the scheme’s participating countries, your best option is a 12-month Working Holiday Visa. If you’re not from one of these countries, it will be very difficult to obtain a visa. Working holiday visa requirements:

• From Austria, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa, Ukraine or the United States
• Aged 30 or under
• Have no children
• Proof of funds (approx Cn$4,000)
• Adequate travel insurance

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better? Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town at our beach-front outdoor training centre with great accommodations available, including delicious local food. Fully accredited 120 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 10 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost! And a job placement program in Peru and guaranteed lifetime job assistance waiting for you when you complete the course.

Class sizes are limited, so don't wait, make your reservation today!