How to Teach English Overseas for Couples
- 1). Brainstorm with your significant other about countries to teach in. List the languages that each of you speak and the countries that you have visited before. Consider whether you would move to a completely unknown country of if you would prefer an area you are familiar with and can communicate in. Narrow your choices down to a region, such as South America, or a country, state or city.
- 2). Research placement programs and private schools in the area you identified in Step 1. Search online for "teaching English in" and the country or region you are interested in if you are searching a broad area. Look at the frequently asked questions page for placement programs you find to see if they place couples together. Search for "English language schools in" if you are limiting your search to a particular state or city.
- 3). Check with administrators in the program you are interested to see if it works with couples. Ask for contact information for couples who have been placed through the program in the past. Contact these references and ask about their experiences: were they placed in the same town, were they given private housing and were their work hours and the terms of their contract honored?
- 4). Enroll in a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TOESL) course if you and your significant other do not already have work experience or college-level training in education. CELT and certTESOL are two of the most well-regarded certification programs. Check the programs you have identified in Step 2 to see if they include TESOL certification as part of their in-country training program.
- 5). Apply to several teacher placement programs or nearby private schools. Send in your application as far in advance of the deadline as possible, as that will increase your chances of being placed in the same location. Compare your acceptances as they come in and choose the best teaching opportunities you both are offered.
- 6). Apply for work visas for the country where you have been placed. Check the country's visa requirements to see if you need to apply for separate work visas or jointly as a family. Ask the school representative or placement program officer for an acceptance letter, if the program does not handle the visa application for you. Locate the consulate or embassy closest to your home and make a visa appointment or send in your documents as far in advance as possible.
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