Sitting in my cubicle each day reminds me of the movie Office Space and the line about how humans were not meant to sit in cubicles all day, staring at computer screens. That statement really hits home because that is literally what I do all day. I know I shouldn’t be complaining; having a job right now is something to be thankful for. But sometimes I feel like up and leaving the job and I know I’m not alone.

The sense of hopelessness created by the current economy has definitely fostered a bleak outlook for anyone entering the job market, especially those recently canned or graduated. However, there is hope for those of you who loathe their jobs or are sick of the “Don’t call us, we’ll call you” routine. If you feel like your back is against a wall, you hate your job, want to go back to school or just want some time to think about your future without going bankrupt in the process, teaching English abroad may just be the remedy to your predicament. It may sound risky, slightly irresponsible and downright mad, but before accept your current job or job search as the status quo give the idea consideration. As crazy as the idea sounds, it may just be the thing to get a break from the 9-5 grind, give some thought to your career or prepare to go back to school - God knows the last thing I want to do when I come home from work is study for the GRE.

Teaching English abroad is a great opportunity at any point in your life to take a break from your career or to transition between points in your life without the indelible mark of unemployment for an extended period of time. Let’s face the fact: We all sometimes want to up and leave it all, travel to some location we have dreamed about but hesitate because it is often risky and not prudent. Anyone can hop a plane to Bermuda and drink Piña Coladas for a month on the beach until the palm trees are telling you you’ve had enough, but if you can do that while being productive teaching, well now that’s not alcoholism; that’s career building! Intercultural experience widens your horizons and expands your contacts. Employers prefer candidates that are flexible, take initiative and can adapt to new situations.

There are an abundance of these jobs globally and they are not that hard to obtain. You do not need a BA in English or years of experience teaching with a network of connections. Additionally, the most common jobs available are through language institutes/language companies run by locals or American expatriates. They thrive on English speakers’ desires to spend a year living abroad and teaching English to make ends meet, so you will not find yourself as the sole English speaker in a public school or private institute. They are used to high turnover, so you won’t encounter employers waving a multiyear contract in your face. So, now it seems that wall you felt you were up against is no longer as solid as it once was.

Before you book your flight on Air Chavez and find yourself in downtown Caracas, saying good riddance to the Old World, you have to take the first big step: research. Once you have decided on your destination (don’t pick the U.K., they might not needs your teaching skills), it’s the next and toughest step because it’s hard to know where to start and what questions you need answers to. One great place to start your research is Dave’s ESL Café (www.eslcafe.com). This community forum holds a wealth of knowledge for teaching English in almost every region of the world. From job opportunities to local customs, to neighborhoods to look to live in, this Web blog has it all. So, cover your bases. Each country has its own standards of pay, cost of living, social structure, tourist and guest visas laws, and demands. What flies in New York City may not go far in downtime Seoul. Pick this Web site clean for information. It’s limitless and you can post your own questions concerning almost anything.

Some businesses may hire you on the spot if you travel there, though this depends on the country and how you carry yourself (when in doubt dress classy).

Often, the safest route to go is obtaining certification to teach English. Two of the more common certificates are TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and CELTA (Certificate in English Teaching to Adults). They can be earned through a month-long course in the U.S. or in the country with which you intend to teach (the institute you decide on may not offer a program in the country of your choosing). Both types are expensive ($1,400 - $2,000), CELTA being more so. Some companies offer online courses for the certificate, which are faster and cheaper, but do not include class room teaching and critical analysis, which often makes your transition into teaching English more bearable. Additionally, taking the certification course in the country you choose is a great way to get a feel for the atmosphere before you start teaching - some courses even offer free classes in the native language.

All programs offer job search assistance and those you take in country offer or assist you in finding housing. For those who may feel overwhelmed by the prospect, taking a course - especially in the country - will most likely make your experience less overwhelming. Taking a certification course in the U.S. may enable you to land a job in the country before you go, but as you’ll soon learn from researching, it is better to travel to the country and begin your search.

There you are. Once you have chosen the country and made your decision on getting certification or not, you can delve into the minute details of such things as housing, budgeting and planning side trips. Often courses offer free tours of the city you will be in and information on the country as a whole - some even sponsor day trips. It is suggested that you bring some savings with you to pay for weekend trips and to make your stay comfortable. These jobs are not lucrative, but normally pay enough to get by. Also, keep in mind student loans. You may be able to ask for a forbearance, but you may also want to budget in your monthly payments.

Though teaching English may seem like an intimidating prospect, it can be a life changing and unforgettable experience. It may just be the thing you need in these tumultuous, post-College times. Good luck!

Doug Sampson - July 22, 2009 - 3:37 pm
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