7 Ways To Revive Your Career After Teaching English Abroad
21st March 2022
Teaching English abroad is a rewarding and inspiring journey. When you begin your TEFL research to ultimately teachin the country/ies of your choice, you'll quickly learn the ways to overcome your challenges and explore the world, building new friendships and creating memories that will last for a lifetime.
For former ESL teachers, the shift back to 'real life' after teaching English abroad isn’t always smooth, but among the ways to avoid ‘inverse culture shock’ and build a solid career is to remainon a path with a global focus. Whether you optfor diving into the workforce or choose to volunteer in your leisure, there are severalmeans to keep the experience alive. You have returned equipped with an array of skills which can be a great asset - so why not ponderon putting them to use in any of the mentioned ways? Listed here are some ideas on how you can have a smoother transition to a career after teaching English in one of these fields.
Returning to your homeland after teaching English overseas is ajourney in itself. It can also mark a new beginning in your life. Among the ideas on how you can have a smoother transition to life, you can choose to:
1. Teach at an International School
Skilledand competent teachers can keep the educational passion alive in them by applying for jobs at international schools. This is a bit different than teaching English abroad as you will teach classes based on your specialization, such as music, math or science.
Many institutions offer a professional development budget, decent bonuses and paid flights home - which translate to a great start with the career you are passionate about while seeing the world. Landing with a post at an international school is not that easy, but connecting with a recruiter like ISS or SEARCH is a good first step.
2. Become an English Tutor
Another way to continue tuning with your passion in teaching is by working with second or foreign-language learners as an English tutor. While language institutes can be found in and around big cities across the world, you can also put your skills to use online. The number of online English schools has amplifiedof late, allowing several educators to work part or full-time from their home. Community colleges can also be considered an option for English tutoring.
3. Keep Teaching English Abroad
With an online 120 hours International Certificate in TEFL, you can always jet off again to another country after grabbing an English-teaching post overseas. There are ample work for the position of Assistant Language Teachers and other type/s of English educators which also includes corporate trainers in locations like South Korea, China, Japan and other parts of Asia, as well as countries in South America and the Middle East.
It’s possible to do long term TEFL, mainly if you invest in your qualifications (e.g., consider obtaining a CELTA or DELTA). There are other ways to make a career of teaching English abroad too, including moving into the areas of teacher training or ESL/EFL publishing.
4. Working in the Travel Industry
If the adventure aspect of teaching English abroad is what you loved but would prefer to opt out of the teaching English part, a profession in the travel industry could be the option for you. While it’s often tough to break into, travel writing can be a feasibleoption for anyone with the ability to put together words in beautiful patterns masterfully. If this sounds like something you’d like to get into, it’s best to start blogging while you are still living abroad.
Though it entails some further studying, another option is to try your hand as a travel agent or tourism promotion agent. Thanks to their living and working skillsabroad, former EFL teachers are often perfectly positioned to serve travellers both in and outbound.
5. Using Intercultural Awareness & Language Skills
Teaching English abroad also positions you in good stead to work for organizations with a connection to your previous home away from home. Embassies, consulates and international companies often prefer to hire staff (for various roles) with a solid grip and knowledge of their culture -add language skills and you’ll find a sea of opportunities.
Probable career paths are as diverse as translation and interpretation, foreign language instruction, management, recruitment, localization, international student or volunteer support and many more. The Foreign Service, maybe not easy to get into, is another prospect that some ex-teachers consider after refining their intercultural awareness and foreign language expertise.
6. Going Back to School
Going abroad opens up new ways of looking at the world, and it may even open up new prospects for a career. If you’ve managed to save a few bucks, you might consider going to graduate school or pursuing another qualification. Student loans get delayed while you are in school, so that is helpful.You can even choose to attend a university in another country and bolster your language skills.
If you’re willing to stick with teaching ESL or EFL, getting a Masters or Ph.D. in TESOL, Linguistics, or a related field can be a yellow brick road to going back overseas and teachat the university level.
7. Joining a Non-profit or Volunteer Organization
Depending on where you taught English, you may have some first-hand understanding about the needs of the place (where you were) and how a lot of basic ones are not being met. There are several organizations willing to hire employees just like you; individuals able to work in a diverse, multicultural environment and willing to contribute in meaningful ways.
If helping out draws your attention, a career with a non-profit might just be the perfect route, e.g., you could be a grant writer for a small conservation organization, or a volunteer coordinator for a non-profit, focused on education or hunger eradication. English teaching skills are convenient, so merging your passions is the perfect recipe.
Final thoughts
Coming and settling back home after teaching English overseas can be challenging, but your international adventure needn’t be over. Although, the transition may take months or even years, concentrating your energy on any of the above suggestions will help you connect your experience abroad with your life back in your homeland.
Written By : Ashwini Chandra