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Teaching in a foreign country can have a significant impact on one’s life. So the question is, why haven’t you already done it? Were you thinking to yourself, “If only someone could tell me nine reasons why I should teach abroad…” If that’s the case, you’re in luck today!
1. Move around freely and often
There are numerous benefits to teaching English in a foreign country, not the least of which is the ability to pick up and relocate to a completely new location. Depending on where you choose to teach, you may find yourself in a region with countries that are very close to one another. This would enable you to take more frequent and less expensive vacations. Many schools will even pay for your transportation as well as provide you with significantly more vacation days than you would receive at a typical 9 to 5 job in the United States or Canada.
2. Learn to Speak Multiple Languages
To speak from personal experience, there is no easier way to learn a language than to immerse oneself completely in the culture of that language. Students in Canada are required to study French until the ninth grade as part of the national curriculum.
That means I spent approximately nine years studying and practicing French at a rate of one hour per day, and guess what? I am not fluent in any sense of the word; in fact, I am only partially fluent. However, if you read and listen to only Korean for an entire year, learning a foreign language like Korean will be much easier. As a learning tool, nothing beats actual hands-on experience!
3. Make a Difference by Acting
Because English has only recently emerged as the de facto global language, there is no room for debate about the language’s growing importance to people all over the world. Those who are confident and fluent in English will have an infinitely greater number of opportunities to improve not only their own lives but also the lives of others in their communities. You’ll discover that being able to contribute directly to this process can make a difference not only in the process but also in your own life.
4. A Low Monthly Average Wage
Jobs in Asia and the Middle East are typically appealing options for people looking to increase their income while also receiving additional benefits such as free housing and transportation. The majority of English teachers in these countries earn enough to save between 30 and 50 percent of their monthly income after paying their expenses, which can range from $200 to $400 in Thailand and China to $1,000 or more in South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. Schools frequently provide housing, flight reimbursement, and even an additional transportation stipend on top of the salary, allowing you to keep 100% of your earnings.
5. Extensive Demand
Every year, over 100,000 opportunities for people to work as English teachers in other countries become available because nearly half of all English teachers working in other countries leave their jobs and return home. Every month, about a thousand new English teachers are hired in China and South Korea, respectively. This figure is expected to more than double in China over the next few years.
6. Become Self-Reliant
Moving to a new location is stressful no matter where you go, even within your own country; therefore, imagine the surge of bravery you’ll feel while unpacking your belongings in a completely foreign location. Your ability to use the strange washing machine and order the food you want in a restaurant will significantly contribute to the significant boost in your self-esteem that you will experience. When you are forced to handle everything on your own, you will realize how capable you are!
7. Live Like a Local
While working and living there as a teacher, you will have frequent opportunities to interact with members of the community. In all honesty, there is no better way to experience a location than to immerse yourself in it, even though the culture shock is a very real symptom of living in a new place.
You won’t have to crowd into tourist traps or rush through overcrowded itineraries; instead, you’ll have room to breathe and the opportunity to take your time discovering hidden gems known only to locals. There are few things more satisfying in life than discovering a new bar or café in a foreign country and making it your regular hangout. This is especially true when traveling internationally.
8. Your Curriculum Vitae
There is no better way to make your resume stand out from the crowd than to include some international work experience. Not to mention that having contacts in other countries can be extremely advantageous for your future career opportunities. You may decide to change careers, look for an internship, start a blog, or help a friend relocate overseas in the future. Consider having dozens of people come from all over the world to help you on your journey.
9. It Is Easy to Complete!
A degree in education is not even required to become a teacher in another country. In most cases, you will be expected to complete some basic certification that is not only simple to obtain but also reasonably priced. Because there is such a high demand for teachers, you won’t have to wait long after submitting your application to hear back from schools. In many cases, the question isn’t whether you’ll be able to find work; rather, it’s which job, in which country, will be the best fit for you. So, are you ready to teach in a different country?