ESL Jobs
Potential English teachers can choose from a variety of ESL jobs when they are teaching English. All of these positions have their pluses and minuses. You must find the right balance for you. These are the jobs you can typically expect to get:
Government schools- These English schools are operated by the government and always pay the worst. However, the schools are reliable. You know the school won’t suddenly close, you will get your paycheck on time, you’ll have some professional support, and they won’t terminate you without cause. These schools will require you to do all the things teachers in your home country do: run classes, grade papers, make up exams, set the curriculum, and keep office hours. Most of those extra responsibilities are unpaid. The trade off is that you have a stable job for as long as you want it.
Language schools- The next step up are the language schools, such as Berlitz, Hess, AEON, or InLingua. The pay here is better and you’ll have more flexibility in your schedule and curriculum that you would at a government school. You won’t have to do prep time or parent meetings. If you do, they usually pay you a bit extra for it. However, your job less secure and guarantees by these companies don’t always appear. Some go bankrupt without any notice or bonuses and perks aren’t what they were promised. Moreover, many parents also use these schools as a form of baby sitting. They just drop them off and hope they learn something. Since many of these schools are motivated by money, they rarely discipline the students for fear they will stop coming, this is especially true in Asia. However, in Europe there is a strong desire to learn the language and so you have better behaved students. So teaching at a language school in Spain will probably be better than one in Korea. Overall, while the pay is better, the jobs abundant, and the hours more flexible, the work environment can sometimes be more difficult.
Private schools- Private schools are similar to government schools in terms of job expectations. The difference is that private schools offer better pay and support than government schools and, sometimes, a better student body.
International Schools- International schools are the best schools to teach English at. The kids are children of international expats, diplomats, or very rich locals. The curriculum is usually the same as your country of origin- it’s just like teaching at home. All the kids speak English, are usually highly motivated, and very involved. Their parents want them to go overseas for university so have high expectations. As an added bonus, you make a lot of money. A lot of money. These are the best paying English teaching jobs in the world. However, competition is very stiff and typically applicants need a lot of experience. These schools expect you to be certified teacher and are usually required to sign long contracts. Moreover, many don’t like leaving so few openings occur, especially at the better international schools.
Corporate Training- Another option is to do corporate training. Corporate training jobs typically pay very high, the schedules are flexible, the students are adults who want to learn, and the work can last a few months. These jobs are usually before or after business hours. However, these jobs, like the language school jobs, are typically hard to get and require experience, at least at the more reputable companies. If you have a business degree, you will almost be guaranteed a job.
Tutoring- No matter where you go, you’ll find people wanting private English lessons. These are a great source of extra income and pay more than the standard rate. If you can get a lot of private students, you will earn more money than a regular teaching job. The best place to find private students is via word of mouth or through local teaching boards. Moreover, during the summer time, you can find extra work teaching at an English Summer Camp. Kids are on break and it’s a great way for parents to kill two birds with one stone.
