Steps to Becoming a Teacher
Teaching overseas attracts all walks of life - from those fresh out of university, to tired lawyers looking for a change and newly retired senior citizens. Teaching seems to attract a wide age group of potential applicants.
We all know the ideal situation to becoming a teacher is to study a
Bachelor of Arts in Education and perhaps do a teacher training course, such as TESL or TEFL. However, some of us do not have this patience or luxury of time.
So, what is the fastest way to enter the teaching industry for someone with no qualifications or experience in the area?
By far, the fastest way to enter the world of teaching consists of only 3 steps.
- Complete a TESL / TEFL course.
- Select a country where teacher demand is highest.
- Physically move to the country you want to teach in.
If you have a university degree (any discipline ok), a TESL / TEFL certificate, age 40 or less, then you can find work relatively easy in any country. Without a university degree, then the doors start closing. Japan, Korea and Taiwan will not look at English teachers without a university degree.
Step 3 above is probably the most important. Being in the country and actively searching offers the
highest chance of actually securing a teaching job. You will also notice more recruiters and schools will then reply to your job applications.