Why Teach English Abroad?

By Courtney S. Ries
Considering teaching English abroad and you don't know if it's right for you? Here a few good reasons to go!

• A career change that costs a lot less than going back to university - TEFL programs cost around $1,500 U.S. and can be completed in a month. University costs anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000 and takes four years. You do the math.


• Learn a new skill - Me? A teacher? Learning how to teach is a valuable skill that you will use over and over throughout your personal and professional life.


• Travel more - Teaching abroad is a great incentive to travel. Go explore your surroundings!


• Pick up another language - Yes, you'll be teaching English, but that doesn't mean you won't be using the native language as well during your runs to the grocery store, post office, etc. What better way to learn another language - or cement an old one - than by living in the country?


• Experience living overseas - Life is different in other countries. You know that from reading, travelling, etc. Now, you have the chance to pick up on the subtle differences that you never would have noticed during a two-week holiday. Discover the best places before the guidebooks do!


• Just graduated from school and you don't know what you want to do - Sometimes, school doesn't have all the answers. You don't have to enter in the rat race - take some time to explore alternate routes.


• In between jobs and want to take a year off from the rat race - Teaching English is a chance to do something totally different while enabling you to explore other countries and careers.


• Learn more about life - Get away from your security blanket and you'll be amazed by what you learn about other cultures and yourself.


• It's a challenge - Most people will never live abroad, let alone work abroad. Step out of your bubble and see what you can learn!


• You can make some decent money - English teachers are in demand in some parts of the world, and teachers are compensated accordingly. If you teach in a more rural area, or a place where the cost of living is low, you can save a significant amount of money during your time spent teaching.


• It looks really good on a resume - If you know how to teach others in a classroom, chances are, you'll know how to teach others in a workplace too.