How to Find 
English Teaching Jobs

You've worked hard and qualified to teach English and now you need to know how to find English teaching jobs.

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

There are lots of jobs out there, so let's look at some of the ways you can find one.

1. TEFL websites

(TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language.)

The market for English teaching jobs is worldwide so the internet is a great resource for finding jobs.

There are many excellent job search sites online, but one of the best is www.tefl.com.

There are advertisements there for jobs all over the world, and as the advertisers have to pay for their ads, they are serious jobs.

It is also possible for job seekers to complete an online resume on the site so potential employers can search the database and contact them.

2. Sending speculative resumes

Even though there are thousands of language schools and thousands of English language teaching jobs worldwide, only a small proportion of vacancies are actually advertised.

The rest of the vacancies are filled by people who contact the school directly.

If there is somewhere you particularly want to work, use the internet to research the language schools there.

Prepare an up-to-date resume and mail it to every school in the region you want to work.

The success rate for this strategy is surprisingly high and it shows a potential employer that you are confident and proactive.

3. Networking

If you can, try and meet as many other English language teachers as possible.

Let it be known that you are looking for a position.

This way you may hear about vacancies before they become public knowledge and you can get an application in quickly.

4. Course employment services

Many English language teaching qualifications also include an employment assistance service. Make the most of this.

5. Volunteer

Although you won't get paid if you volunteer, it will give you invaluable experience and will look great on your resume.

Volunteers often hear about paid opportunities while they're volunteering, so it can be an excellent way to find a job.

6. Newspapers

There are certain newspapers, for example the TES in the UK, which carry ads for English language teaching jobs.

Bear in mind though, that jobs advertised in newspapers – like jobs advertised online, often get many applicants.

You will need to have a great resume, tailored for each application, to be in with a chance of getting a good advertised job.

7. The old-fashioned telephone

People often forget the telephone when they are job hunting. If you are trying to find an English teaching job then don't neglect this valuable tool.

Telephone directories will list language schools.

Call them up and ask if they have any vacancies. They will probably appreciate your initiative.

Interviews

If you are invited for an interview, whether face to face or over the telephone, be prepared to answer questions about yourself, your experience and your knowledge of English grammar.     

You may be asked to prepare a short "micro teaching" session, or to give the school a sample lesson plan.

Don't worry about these – it is pretty standard practice.

If you follow the advice on how to find English teaching jobs, and are friendly, polite and professional in the interview, you shouldn't have too many problems finding a great job.

Please share this page with others: