Before I got my secondary teaching job, I was able to go to Russia and teach English. I was actually quite lucky because I wasn't required to have a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or English as a Second Language (ESL) certificate. Why didn't I need them? Because my particular program was a volunteer program.



If you are looking for a more stable or permanent position, you will want to get certified. The demand is huge all around the world for teachers who are ESL certified. You will be able to get a job very quickly pretty much anywhere you want to go.

Depending on where you want to end up, the most common qualifications needed are a bachelors degree and TEFL/ESL certification. Once you have these taken care of, you can pretty much write your own ticket.

Before you hop on that plane there are a few things you will want to consider. First, can you speak or at least understand the language of the country you are going to be teaching in? If not, make sure you study up on it. You will also want to become familiar with the culture.

Realize that you will be eating most likely very different food and become familiar with different customs. In some cases you may experience some culture shock, which incorporates your body getting used to a different way of eating, climate, altitude, etc. You may get sick for a little while, including diarrhea or constipation.

To help make the transition easier on yourself, make sure to bring some familiar items from home that will help you feel more comfortable.

What is so great about teaching jobs abroad is that you can see the world. You can experience different countries and cultures and get paid at the same time.

If you don't have certification yet, you may want to test the waters and try out a volunteer program overseas, like the Peace Corps. Some colleges and universities also offer great oversea teaching experiences.