President's
Message

Opportunity in the Midst of Crisis:
The Booming World-Wide Demand for Qualified English Teachers

by Kerianne Panos, Cross-Cultural Consultant and TEFL Trainer.

With over one billion people learning English around the world, the need for qualified English teachers remains high.  While opportunities in other sectors may be dwindling, English language instruction remains relatively immune to current market conditions.  Students continue to flock to North America to study English in order to improve their chances in the job market.  English is the working language of business, law, medicine, science, technology and almost every other field and students know that their comparative advantage lies in their ability to communicate effectively in English.  Professionals understand that in a tight job market those with better English skills have the advantage, so many are taking the time to brush up on their language skills.  Governments around the world are also making investments in English language education by sponsoring programs that hire qualified English teachers for K-12 and post-secondary instruction.  A quick search on the internet reveals the amount of opportunities available for those wanting to teach English, but it is important to remember that finding the right position entails doing some homework. 

What are employers looking for?
While job requirements will differ depending on the position, employers are looking for at least a Bachelor’s Degree, and in many cases a TEFL certificate as well.  Currently, there are more opportunities open to those job seekers who have obtained their TEFL certificate, in terms of types of positions available and their corresponding benefits and remuneration.  Also, in those countries and cultures where education matters, having the right qualifications and the necessary degree(s) are essential to landing the job.  Russia is mentioned below as one example, but this can also be seen throughout the Middle East and parts of Asia.  Experience is another factor to consider, with those teachers who have taught in a classroom able to use this to their advantage in their job search.  Newer teachers, who may lack the classroom hours of their more experienced counterparts, most likely have taught in some capacity -- perhaps as a tutor or mentor. It is important to include this and all other relevant information during the job application process.

What are my options?
For those job seekers with some flexibility as to location, there is the advantage of being able to choose a position after comparing certain criteria, such as: salary (Will I be able to live comfortably and still have some savings?), benefits (Will I be provided with air fare and housing?), working hours and conditions (How many hours will I teach per week?) and types of students (Will I teach children, adults or both?). 

For those job seekers who would like to live in a specific area or region, there may be more or fewer opportunities available depending on how saturated the market is.  Positions for teachers without an EU passport in Western Europe will be harder to get, but demand is increasing in Central and Eastern European countries, especially in the Baltic states and other former satellite republics of the Soviet Union.  Russia is another emerging market, and the demand for qualified teachers is expected to grow over the next few years.  Education is valued and so are the credentials required to teach English, meaning that employers will look for candidates with an internationally recognized TEFL certificate. 

Where are the opportunities?
Positions for qualified teachers in East Asia, in particular Korea and China, continue to be posted daily.  There are many positions open at language schools, but it is important to do plenty of research on these schools before making any solid agreements.  There is a wealth of information online, but the Career Center at The Boston Language Institute has already done much of that research for you.  In addition, there are new schools being built, especially in the larger cities in China.  One such school is Disney English, which is recruiting graduates of The Boston Language Institute’s TEFL Certificate Program.  There are also state sponsored programs (JET in Japan, EPIK in South Korea, PNET in Hong Kong) that employ native English speakers to teach at public schools around the country.   There are also positions in post-secondary education, particularly as part-time lecturers in the public and private university systems. 

While East Asia may be the most popular destination, there are also opportunities in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand and Vietnam.  The Middle East, where postings for K-12 and post-secondary schools are common, is becoming a popular destination as well.  Due to the strong commercial links between North and South America, there is a demand for American English instruction, particularly in Mexico, Chile and Brazil. 

What about the US job market?
As long as English is the lingua franca for all major business communications, students will continue to come to the United States to improve their language skills.  For newly qualified teachers, there are opportunities at language schools in cities across the US, with both part-time and full-time options.  The demand for qualified teachers will continue to remain high, especially in major cities.  Areas with large immigrant communities need teachers as well, both in paid positions and as volunteers.  For those with a TEFL certificate and an advanced degree (Master’s or PhD), university positions are available throughout the country. 

Whether teaching abroad or in the United States, it is important to realize that preparation is key to finding the right position and, luckily, there is plenty of information on the web about teaching positions at home and around the world, as well as the types of positions and additional information to help you make an informed decision.  The Career Center at The Boston Language Institute is another resource that is available to all graduates of the Institute’s TEFL Certificate Program.  In addition, The Boston Language Institute has a community of hundreds of graduates who teach in about 20 countries around the world, many of whom have expressed readiness to guide more recent graduates.  With one-sixth of the entire world population currently learning English, the market for qualified and talented teachers continues to grow with no end in sight.

Comments: kerianne@bostonlanguage.com

President's
Message