Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in Uruguay

Uruguay is a great country for the adventurous. The level of demand for native speakers in Uruguay is moderately high and the crime rate is one of the lowest in Latin America. Unfortunately, TEFL salaries are relatively low and despite low living costs you certainly won’t be able to save much, if at all. As in most Latin American countries the students are lively and sociable and therefore a pleasure to teach. Employers at some language centers can be unreliable and have unreasonable demands such as the common one that you are effectively ‘on call’ from 8am to 8pm or similar. You are rarely paid for travelling from one location or class to another and this can take up a significant chunk of your daily schedule. If you are experienced and hard-working then you may be lucky to find one of the few well-paid positions, such as those at bilingual schools. For the majority, however, TEFL in Uruguay is a fun experience for a short period of time but only rarely a serious long-term career option.

Type of Institution	Typical salary (USD/month)	Typical hours	Typical annual leave
Language centers	500 – 1,000	Various split shifts and evenings and weekends	2 weeks plus national holidays
International schools and universities	2,500 upwards	9am – 4pm Monday to Friday plus some weekend work	10 weeks plus national holidays

Main places for jobs

Montevideo.

Typical requirements

Degree, TEFL preferred, local interview preferred.

Tips

1. A TEFL certificate is not strictly necessary, but you will find that if you have one you are eligible for better jobs and better pay. You’ll also be a more confident teacher.

2. Given the low salaries, you may need to supplement your income with extra, private one-to-one tuition. Contacts are essential and found via word of mouth and through local adverts and websites. Bear in mind that punctuality is less important in Uruguay than in the West so it is quite common for students to turn up late!

3. American and Canadian teachers may be at a slight advantage. Teachers with Spanish language skills will find settling in a lot easier.

Red tape

Your employer is responsible for obtaining your work permit. However, in reality, many work illegally. Despite the flexibility this allows, this is not recommended for obvious reasons. Most teachers arrive on a tourist visa which can be converted into a work visa without having to leave the country.

Cost of living

The cost of living is low but you will probably have to share accommodation with another teacher to begin with. Transport is especially cheap and efficient in Montevideo.

Tax and salary information

You should expect to be paid on a monthly basis. Make sure you actually have a contract or else you may have problems when it comes to payday.

References

http://worldoftefl.com/teaching-english-in-uruguay/

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Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in Turkey

TEFL in Turkey is a still thriving industry, though not quite as big as the boom years of the 1980s. There are of course many new private language courses opening, but the real growth area is private English-medium high schools and universities. There are also positions in state schools and universities, but these are hard to get and, furthermore, do not usually pay well.

A degree is a minimum requirement for any teaching job, but the subject of the degree is not important. Nearly all schools also require a TEFL certificate.

Visas are something of a problem. In the past, the usual procedure was to get a tourist visa, which you can buy on arrival in Turkey, then the school would get you a work and residence permit. However, the laws have changed, and you now have to apply for a work permit from your home country. Consider this before leaving! The truth of the matter is that most schools want you to stay for one year, but few schools are willing to pay work permit fees, or do the required paperwork. This means that you must leave the country every 3 months to renew your tourist visa. This is crucial, if you try to leave the country with an expired visa; you will be charged a hefty fine. However, without a proper work permit, your contract is not valid and you can leave at any time. It sounds a bit dodgy, but it happens all the time.

Most schools provide furnished accommodation or a living allowance for teachers, in fact you should insist on it, as rents can be very high in the big cities, especially Istanbul.  Generally the pay is not wonderful, but enough to live reasonably well on. About the maximum you can hope for is about 1000 US per month (after tax) in a good private university, going down to about half that for a small language school. As for saving money, only the most stingy teachers manage it, since the exchange rate is poor and inflation is high. One thing you must definitely ask about is whether your school gives a mid-year pay rise in line with inflation – if not you will need to convert some of your earlier pay packets into foreign currency to tide you through the lean months later. You can open a foreign currency bank account, which will pay a fairly good rate of interest. Some of the better schools will pay some or all of your salary in foreign currency, which is a definite advantage. In short, don’t go to Turkey to teach English expecting to make a lot of money. The salaries are reasonable, and the cost of living is very low, but you aren’t likely to leave with a huge savings account.

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Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in Mexico

Teachers are generally expected to live in the country for at least a year, and many choose to stay beyond that because Mexico is a truly beautiful place to live. Whether you're teaching in a major metropolitan area or a small rural city, you'll find the Mexican experience uniquely enlightening and enriching.

In order to teach English in Mexico, you must be certified in TEFL. These certifications qualify native English speakers to teach in a classroom setting.

You will be required to get a work permit in order to work in Mexico. It's vital to make sure your immigration papers are in order, because working illegally in Mexico leaves you open to deportation. Keep in mind that most Mexican work passes are good for only up to six months; at that point, you will most likely have to cross back into the US. Even entering the US for a matter of hours will reset your pass, and you'll be able to re-enter for another six months.

Application requirements in Mexico are sometimes inconsistent, and it's best to be over-prepared. Arrive with all possible paperwork in hand- bring your birth certificate, college transcripts, reference letters, and anything else you might possibly need. It's difficult to predict what you'll be asked for, and you'll want to spare yourself the expense and trouble of having to return home for something you didn't bring.

Those who plan to teach in Mexico should not plan on being hired before they arrive. Although in other countries you can often find a job before you head over, this is not common in Mexico. Your best bet is to research possible employment before you leave, and then get ready to interview once you arrive in Mexico.

Most English teachers in Mexico are employed by schools. English is taught from elementary school on up through college, and native English speakers are always in high demand as teachers. However, you do have other options. Some companies will hire English teachers to train their employees in English communication. There are also numerous private language institutions that hold English classes, which any citizen can attend.

Depending on what type of teaching you wish to do, you may want to centralize your job search around a particular area. Mexico City and other large metro areas are the easiest places to find English teaching jobs. This is also where you're most likely to find good pay, decent hours, and acceptable housing.

There is honestly no real shortcut when it comes to finding a teaching job in Mexico. So prepare yourself to do some legwork once you arrive.

Teaching English in Mexico will not offer as much money or as many benefits as an ESL job in China or Korea. Those teaching English in Mexico can expect to earn $3,000 - $18,000 MXN per month.

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Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in the Dominican Republic

As a popular tourist destination, the Dominican Republic has seen an increase in English speakers. Teachers are needed, especially in poorer towns, as inequality between the urban and rural areas increases.  There are three types of English teaching jobs in the DR:

International schools

Most international schools follow an American curriculum, so typically American teachers are preferred.  Primarily teachers are needed for elementary-aged children, learning beginner's English.

Volunteer work

EFL teachers are needed in low-income areas, as volunteers for primarily young students. These programs do not look solely for TEFL certification, but rather prior experience working with children and/or some knowledge of Spanish to help in the classroom. In addition, there are short-term opportunities to volunteers in summer camps, teaching not only English, but art, sports, or music for example.

Government sponsored jobs

The Ministry of Higher Education actively seeks English teachers for university-aged students at immersion schools. Many of these students have zero to little background in English language education. In addition to teaching EFL, teachers would help instruct a bit of computer literacy (i.e. basic computer competency).

When and Where to Look for Jobs

International schools are primarily located in the larger cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago. Though, volunteer programs are widespread in rural and low-income areas. These programs hire year-round.

Qualifications

Most schools and programs require some sort of teaching certification in order for instructors to teach English. However, if you are volunteering at a school or summer camp that offers arts or music classes, then you are not required to have TEFL certification.

Salary & Cost of Living

Volunteer teachers may receive a stipend of around $200-400/month, or expect around 200-400 Dominican Pesos per classroom hour (about $4-10/hour).

Aside from rent, cost of living in the Dominican Republic is quite affordable. If you eat locally, you will be able to save part of your stipend. Many people do not spend money on activities (e.g. movies, attractions), but prefer to use their free time to see friends and family. Keep in mind that imported items, such as clothing and gas, tend to be expensive.

Classroom & Work Culture

Some knowledge of Spanish might help in the classroom. Although, you may develop a slight Dominican accent! In addition, avoid speaking about Haiti. Even though conditions between the two nations have improved, it remains a touchy subject given the two countries' turbulent history and recent issues of illegal immigration (from Haiti to the D.R.).

• Peak Hiring Times: year-round
• Average Monthly Salary: $400-600
• Average Cost of Living: $300-500
• Save or Break Even? save a bit
• Work Visa: Dominican Republic work visa needed for those staying in the country for over 1 year

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Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in Poland

If you are a native speaker of English or speak English at an advanced level, you can probably find a job teaching English in Poland.  You will need to have at least a Bachelor degree and a TEFL certification to find a good teaching job in Poland.  

It is possible to find jobs in Poland before traveling to Poland, and if you are not the holder of an EU passport it is best to arrange a job before departing for Poland.  You will need to get a work permit in your home country at a Polish embassy or consulate and the required paperwork needs to be provided for you by your employer.  This is the legal way to teach in Poland; that is not to say that people do not teach on tourist visas and resident cards, but to be safe you should get a work permit before traveling to Poland.

Some things to remember when looking for a job:

• Start searching as early as possible: It’s not uncommon for schools to interview and hire for fall semester starting in May or June. You can still find jobs at the last minute, but it will likely be just a few hours here and there.
• Private schools will only give hours in the very early morning or from 4pm to 8pm: For many, that means teaching only 1-3 classes a day, which might not be enough to survive. Teaching children at a public school or teaching in a business (some businesses provide language lessons for their employees), is the only way you’re going to get hours in the middle of the day. Also, classes on Friday are rare — they will usually only happen if you teach children.
• You may need to work at 2 or more schools: It’s not uncommon that a school will only offer you a couple teaching hours, so you may need to work at several schools to get enough hours. That said there is generally more work than teachers, so you won’t have any problems finding schools that need you!

Some salary and benefit facts:

• Average teaching hours per week: 20-30 hours of classroom & extra prep time
• Types of Students: Business professionals
• Cost of Living per Month: 2,500-2,800 PLN, $ 800-900 USD
• Average Monthly Pay: 2,500-2,800 PLN, $ 800-900 USD
• Start-up Cost: $ 1,350-1,500 USD
• Potential to Save or Break-even: Break-even
• Accommodation/Housing Benefits Paid: No
• Flight Reimbursement: No

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town, free surfing lessons, great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 160 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 5 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

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Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in Russia

There is a strong demand for English-Foreign-Language Teachers in Russia at the moment, especially in the larger cities. With the opportunity to earn on average between $500 and $2000 a month and some schools even offering reimbursed airfare after the completion of your contract, which is generally a twelve-month commitment, Russian larger cities are expensive, so unless your employer is providing accommodations, you will need to ensure your salary is on the upper end of the pay scale.  The cost of living is much less expensive outside of the bigger cities, but western amenities that you may be use to, will most likely not be available.

Most jobs can be found via online job boards and it is best to arrange a job before traveling to Russia.  As with any ESL teaching job be sure and do your research and make sure this is the type of job you are looking for.

If this sounds like something that you might be interested in, then you will require a Bachelors degree and a TEFL Certification. You’ll also need to get your employer to arrange a visa for you.

If you’re looking to experience the cultural and architectural highlights of Russia, then stick to the European cities, west of the Urals. However, if you’re looking to get off the beaten track to experience Russia’s great outdoors, then make sure you make time for the immeasurable spaces of Siberia and the Far East.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town, free surfing lessons, great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 160 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 5 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

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

Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in Saudi Arabia

The highest TEFL salaries and the best benefits in the world are in Saudi Arabia.  If you can handle living in such a place for a length of time you can certainly save a lot of money.  The ultra-strict Muslim way of life is not particularly compatible with other belief systems and therefore many Westerners will require considerable time to adjust to what can be a stifling and rigid cultural environment. 

Experience is essential and many employers require at least three years previous teaching experience.  You will also need at least a Bachelor degree and a TEFL certificate. 

Despite the large expat community and great salaries, life here is hard for Westerners and the rigid laws make it quite difficult to enjoy yourself in your spare time. Western women may finds things especially difficult.

Salaries range from $2,500 USD to $4,500 USD per month and even higher for certified teachers with a lot of experience.  Teachers can typically expect ten weeks of vacation time plus national holidays.  You can expect a 40 hour plus work week and there is nothing easy about teaching in Saudi Arabia.  Your students and the school will have very high expectations and the demands on a teacher can at times be unrealistic.

Consider a move to Saudi Arabia very carefully. Can you really handle the considerable cultural restrictions for a year or more?  Be sure that medical insurance, accommodations and flight allowances are included as part of your benefit package.  Work permits should be arranged before you arrive in Saudi Arabia. This must be done in conjunction with your employer.

The cost of living in Saudi Arabia is high. However, the fabulous tax-free salaries mean that you ought to be able to save a good portion of your salary each month.  Your salary is tax-free. You should receive your salary on a monthly basis unless otherwise stated in your contract.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town, free surfing lessons, great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 160 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 5 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

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

Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in France

Get a TEFL Certificate

 The first thing you will need is an accredited TEFL Certificate to be considered for an English teaching job in France.  Some schools will consider a teacher with a lot of experience that do not have a TEFL certificate, but the better and more reliable schools will insist on a TEFL certificate.

Choosing the right school

There are plenty of academies or private language schools out there, including around 300 in Paris alone, but the reality is some are much better than others, and some are worth avoiding completely.  Do your research and ask to speak to other teachers before accepting a teaching position.  Look out for corporate crooks. Chains of language schools are usually an easy option for getting a quick teaching position, but will not necessarily be the most intellectually stimulating, and will often work out as the worst option financially.  It’s easier to concentrate your job searches around the established academies, as they often have the biggest staff numbers and turnover of teachers. However it might pay off to spend some time looking elsewhere.

Know your salary

In terms of pay, €1,200 after tax per month is the absolute minimum wage you should envisage in Paris, although slightly less could be feasible elsewhere in France.  Make sure the job you get allows you this salary, or the time to do other teaching work to supplement your salary.  Remember that the French take, on average, 5-10 weeks holiday each year and you may not be paid during the time your students are on holiday, depending on your contract.

Consider travel time for classes you will be teaching

A love of travel is why most English teachers end up doing what they do, but travel can also cause many to give it up.  Paris and the surrounding Île-de-France region is a huge area, and academies will soon have you travelling to teach at companies far and wide, and your time spent on a [regional] RER train will normally not be paid.  Make sure you find out during the interview how much travel will be required and how it is remunerated. If you teach for three hours but have to travel for five, your day works out much longer, and your hourly rate takes a big blow.

Get your CV out there

Sending a CV is still the best way of getting a job at a language school. The best time to send them off is June and July, before the new term starts. This is when a lot of teachers move on and schools are desperately hunting for new recruits.

What about a work visa

France is a country in which many ESL teachers envision themselves teaching. Although France appears to be the ideal teaching location, its inclusion in the European Union (EU) makes obtaining a work visa quite difficult for non-EU citizens and the process is lengthy. Typically, a sponsoring employer must prove that there are no qualified EU citizens who could fill the position in question. Given that the UK and Ireland are members of the EU, native English language ability alone is usually not sufficient to support this claim. Applicants must prove that they have additional expertise that makes them unique among EU candidates.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town, free surfing lessons, great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 160 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 5 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

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Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in Italy

Get a TEFL Certificate 

The first thing you will need is an accredited TEFL certificate to be considered for an English teaching job in Italy.  Don't bother showing up without it, you will have a sad trip home a few weeks later as no school will hire you without it.

You Need to Go to Italy to Find a Job 

The vast majority of language schools interview and hire new English teachers locally in Italy. Each year, thousands of foreign English teachers across Italy leave their jobs, creating a strong demand for new teachers.

When Do Schools Hire English Teachers  

It is highly recommended that you arrive in September. A second major hiring period begins in the second week of January and runs for several weeks.

Getting a Work Visa 

A work visa is hard to come by for Americans and other non-EU citizens looking to teach English in Italy, so thousands of Americans and other non-EU citizens simply teach English on tourist visas "under the table." This is not legal, but it is so common as to be routine and in the open.  However, it is possible for Americans to work and teach English legally in Italy on a student visa. This typically entails enrolling in language classes or other courses approved by the Italian government.  Citizens of the UK, Ireland and other EU countries do not need a work permit or visa to teach English in Italy.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town, free surfing lessons, great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 160 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 5 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

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

Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in Spain

Reputable schools

There are around 6,000 private language schools in Spain, but only about 5 percent are registered.  If you don’t want your salary to arrive in a “brown paper” envelope at the end of each month (if it arrives at all), do your best to ensure the school is a reputable school.  Some of the people running schools don’t know anything about teaching but will place very high demands on their teachers to be everything to everyone, so it is always best to work for a registered school.

Qualifications

The days when simply being a native speaker of English was enough to get you a TEFL job are long gone. Nowadays you almost always need to be trained and qualified.  Good schools in Spain will now ask for teachers to be a native speaker of English, have a university degree and possess some kind of English teaching qualification. Ideally, they will also want you to have some experience and to speak some Spanish.

Workload

Most Spanish contracts involve working 24 to 26 contact or teaching hours a week. The actual contract will, however, be for 34 hours a week. The extra time will be given over to preparation, marking, exam marking, parent meetings and training. So if you sign on to 30 hours a week, you won’t have much of a life.  25 hours is the maximum workload recommended for a new teacher.

Pay

Most good schools in Spain will offer a monthly salary of around €1,200 to €1,350 a month before tax.  That’s for about 25 contact hours per week.  Madrid and Barcelona are quite different. The vast majority of people in those cities are working as freelancers and getting paid an hourly wage. Many of these people will be travelling around and giving in-company classes and perhaps working for two or three different schools.

Consider jobs outside of Madrid and Barcelona

Some people who think about teaching in Spain end up in Madrid or Barcelona just because they've heard of these places.  Choosing to live in a small place can have its advantages. Small schools can offer a lot more support. If you need resources, you can go straight to the source and cut out the middle man.  There's also the satisfaction that comes with getting off the beaten track and immersing yourself in Spanish culture. You might find a Spain you never knew existed.

Apply early

The academic year at most of Spain's private language schools runs from late September through to the end of June the following year. But don't get caught napping. Many schools are already advertising for the 2014–2015 school year.   May and June are the right time to start applying for jobs.  But if you want to boost your chances, start sending out those resumes now.

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town, free surfing lessons, great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 160 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 5 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

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

Some Things You Should Know About Teaching English in Singapore

English teachers in Singapore can expect to find jobs throughout the year, as this is a wealthy nation with a high need for qualified native English speaking teachers. Interviews here are conducted well in advance, both over the phone and via e-mail. Instructors are responsible for airfare and housing expenses.

A solid hourly wage affords English teachers a comfortable lifestyle, with the possibility to save up to 500 USD per month above the cost of living. English language schools in Singapore typically offer around 20 to 25 hours of work per week, leaving plenty of time for you to take advantage of your location and explore. English teachers need to have a bachelor’s degree to teach in Singapore, and TEFL certification is required.

English Teaching Requirements in Singapore

• Education: BA/BS is required; TEFL TESOL Certification is required.
• Citizenship Requirements:  USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa.
• Typical hiring process: via phone in advance
• Average teaching hours per week: 20–25 hours of classroom plus extra prep time
• Type of students: Business professionals, children in public schools and private language schools
• Cost of living per month: 2,100–2,500 USD; 3,000–3,500 SGD 
• Average monthly pay: 2,400–3,000 USD; 3,300–4,200 SGD  
• Start-up cost: 2,100–2,500 USD 
• Potential to save or break even: Save 300 - 500 USD/month 
• Accommodation/housing benefits paid: no, employer will assist to find
• Vacation: Paid 2 weeks
• Flight reimbursement: no

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TEFL Zorritos: What could be better?  Study in a beautiful Peruvian beach town, free surfing lessons, great accommodations available, including delicious local food.  Fully accredited 160 Hour TEFL course with a practical approach that provides you with 5 advanced certifications at absolutely no extra cost!  And a guaranteed job waiting for you when you complete the course.

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