Institutions Types of Language Institutions

Independent language schools

These represent approximately 75% of the language institutions in the ESL market. Often run by small business owners they are the mainstay of employment opportunities for new teachers entering ESL. When considering these, there are certain pros and cons you might want

to consider:

Pros:

Often flexible regarding employment contract terms and conditions and willing to negotiate.
Relatively easy to speak with decision maker in the school (School Director) and discuss adjustments to teaching curriculum and access to teaching resources.
Frequently allow for creative freedom of teacher within the classroom.
Often not hung up on particular dress codes and methods of teaching.
Rate of pay can be above market rate.

Cons:

Can sometimes provide little in the way or structures and resources regarding what and how to teach.
Accommodation assistance varies substantially from employer to employer.
Can be overly concerned with teachers ability to keep students satisfied.
Flight reimbursement varies substantially from employer to employer.

Chain schools

Berlitz, Inlingua and Wall Street are big, multinational schools which have branches in many countries. When considering these, there are certain pros and cons you might want to consider:

Pros:

Well established reputable schools who have a track record of fairness towards their teachers.
Often provide teacher training and further professional development for their teachers.
Have pre-planned curriculums and teaching structures that make it easier for someone starting out in the teaching world to know what and how to teach.
Have access to resources such a company lawyers who can make it easier for you to get a work visa, especially in regions generally known as difficult for Americas to work in. Eg Western Europe.
Frequently assist teachers with accommodation.

Cons:

Often insist on new teachers having to attend further training (with or without pay) in order to learn their method of teaching.
Have a “corporate” approach to monitoring teachers performance and regularly conduct class observations and teacher evaluations.
Insist on teachers sticking to their curriculum and teaching methods which limits teacher’s creativity and teaching style.
Frequently ask teachers to adhere to strict dress codes which often involves wearing a collar and tie to work is male, or a blouse and smart casual pants if female.
Rate of pay is usually at or just below market rate.

Education and government institutions

When considering local colleges, high schools, elementary schools, there are certain pros and cons you might want to consider:

Pros:

Job security and benefits often offered by these institutions.
School curriculum usually pre-planned making it easier for new teachers to know what and how to teach.
Frequently offer long paid vacation periods so that teachers have the luxury of travelling and exploring a country while still drawing a salary.
College level jobs frequently pay substantially above the market rate for ESL teachers and often involve teaching graduate students.
Frequently assist teachers with accommodation.

Cons:

Class sizes in government schools are usually large. It’s not unusual to teach classes of 30 plus students at a time which is demanding and difficult to manage.
Teaching hours are often long, 30 plus a week, and usually spread out over 5 or 6 days per week leaving little time for other pursuits.
Jobs in these types of institutions can be located some distance from major urban centers.

Volunteer Programs

ESL volunteer programs are run by organizations that promote education in regions of the world where local economies are unable to support commercial educational institutions. When considering these, there are certain pros and cons you might want to consider:

Pros:

Very rewarding work often associated with tremendous thanks and appreciation from students and local community.
Frequently associated with working in remote, exotic locations around the world including India and Africa.
Basic expenses and accommodation are taken care of the program organizer.
Opportunities to do short-term contracts over a few months leaving you free to return to other pursuits afterwards.

Cons:

No income made during your contract. In some cases you might have to pay for your own flight to teaching destination with no reimbursement.
Often working in remote regions far from major urban centers.

Student Exchange Programs

When considering these, there are certain pros and cons you might want to consider:

Pros:

All aspects of your overseas experience are taken care of. You need not look for a job, worry about visas etc.
Accommodation is provided for you by the exchange program.
Teacher training is frequently provided.
Flights and expenses are frequently reimbursed.

Cons:

Rigorous application process to be accepted by exchange program.
Your teaching destination and the school you eventually work in is more or less decided for you.
Provided accommodation is ‘acceptable’ and ranges from shared apartments to dormitory style living.
Number of teaching hours per week often higher than market average.
Rate of pay frequently lower that market average.

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Why Get a 100+ Hours TESOL/TEFL CertificaThe unofficial industry standard for TESOL certification is 100+ training hours, why?The unofficial industry standard for TESOL certification is 100+ training hours, why?

100+ hour certification courses allow enough time to learn how to teach; most authoritative ESL organizations recommend it, and most reputable language schools expect it.