• The ability to speak a second language is not essential when teaching English overseas. It will help you socially, but teaching English in total immersion is the norm.
• Volunteer or work at any school, church, immigrant centre, or institution that is teaching ESL. Experience will help you get a job overseas.
• Check in the Yellow Pages under "Schools" or "Languages."
• Check newspapers. (See "Newspapers" below)
• University and public libraries may have information on teaching overseas.
• Write to recruitment agencies, teacher referral exchanges, and schools. They will gladly send you information.
• Consult or subscribe to ESL publications, journals, periodicals, and vacancy bulletins, and books on teaching ESL overseas.
• Write to the embassy, or consulate, of the country you would like to teach in and ask them for information.
• Minorities, women, and people over 35: be aware of discriminatory hiring practices.
• Go to the country of your choice with your passport and university degree (BA, BS, or B.Ed.), and CTEFLA in hand. School owners are more inclined to hire someone if they have the chance to meet them. (And they don't have to pay your airfare.) This is RISKY and EXPENSIVE so be prepared.
• Be careful about sending money overseas. Some schools and recruitment agencies require you to send money for registration purposes, but please do not do that unless you are certain of the good intentions of the school, and are willing to accept the loss of that money.

Interviews: dress conservatively. Act natural and show some personality. Recruiters believe that a lively person is better motivated to teach ESL. Know a bit about the country that you plan to teach in, e.g., history, famous people, past and present leaders, language, etc. You may be asked questions on English grammar or ESL methodology, so be prepared.

Questions About the School:

• What is the student enrollment?
• What are the physical facilities, particularly in my field/occupation?
• What is the student/teacher ratio of the school?
• Who publishes the major texts in your subject area/grade?
• How long is the school day? What is the school calendar?
• Are extra-curricular activities provided?
• What type if curriculum is followed? What standardized tests are administered?
• What nationalities are represented in the student body? Faculty? Administrators?
• Are foreign languages other than English part of the curriculum?
• Are there resource people to help with special-needs students?
• Is there a library? Are there book collections in each room?
• Are the teachers in a union or association?

Questions About the Country and Life in General:

• What is the native language and how much of it will I need to survive at first?
• What are the climate and terrain conditions?
• What social life is available for single persons? Married Persons? For this location, which is better?
• How accessible is the locale? Is travel easy?
• How would you describe personal security? How secure are your possessions and home?
• How stable is the local government? How are Canadians (and Americans, because most people will assume that you are from the US) perceived?
• Are there shortages of necessities or items that are just not available?
• What are the local health problems and how good is the health care? What vaccinations, if any, are needed?
• Are visas, entry permits, and residence/work papers necessary? Who is responsible for getting them?

Questions About Contracts. NOTE: READ YOURS THOROUGHLY!

• In what currency is the salary paid? Can I live on the salary?
• How stable is the local currency? What is the inflation rate?
• Are there restrictions on international transfer of funds?
• Is the salary taxed? At what percent? are there exemptions?
• Is housing provided? Is it furnished? What is the local definition of "furnished"? If housing is the individual’s responsibility, will the school assist in locating it? What is the average cost of an apartment or house?
• Is health insurance coverage international, regional, or local?
• Is there a policy for emergency (i.e., death in the family) leave or medical leave? Is there any employer assistance with travel in these cases?
• What benefits are available for dependents? Free tuition? Travel? Moving?
• Is there a retirement fund? What system?
• What is the length of contract? What are the provisions for contract renewal, and are there any bonuses or extra benefits?
• What happens if a contact is broken by either the employer or the employee? Are teachers expected to supervise extracurriculars? Are there supplemental contracts for extracurriculars?
• What country’s laws govern the terms of the contract (Canada, US, or local government), and does it include an exact job description?

Disclaimer: The compilers of this guide assume no responsibility for this material. Though we have tried to use only recent and accurate information, some of it may be out of date. Going overseas to teach is a rewarding experience, but it is not one you should undertake lightly. Most schools and institutions are reliable, but a few have been known to take advantage of foreign teachers. Act like a professional, use you common sense, and good luck in finding employment.