Can I Really Teach Overseas? What You Need (and Don't Need) to Qualify

We all have things that we would love to do, but the direction of our lives has just closed those doors. It's like the famous Robert Frost poem: 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, 
and sorry I could not travel both
and be one traveller long I stood…

And we all chose one path or the other, and we rarely get the opportunity to go a completely different direction once we've started down one path in life, especially in our careers. To do something new, you'd practically need to start your education over (and it was expensive enough the first time!). Then there's always the challenge of needing experience to get the job, but needing the job to get experience… time, money, and other obligations can seem like nearly impossible barriers. 

But there are exceptions. 

So, if you've ever wondered what life would have been like down the other path (the one where you travel the world, learn another language, experience something completely different, and make an impact in a global community), here's your chance to find out.

To join us teaching English overseas, there are a few things you need, and a lot of things you don't: 

You Need

• A bachelor's degree (in any field)
• To be a C2-level English speaker
• A passion for helping others

You DON'T Need

• An English, TESOL, or linguistics degree
• To be bilingual
• Prior teaching experience
• International work/travel experience
• Connections to overseas schools

Of course, we still value the items on that "don’t need" list. We have a long history of being invited back by governments and universities year after year because we send well-equipped, competent, and effective English teachers who work to honor the local culture and language.

A huge priority for ELIC is making sure that, wherever you start, you’re set up for success when you step into the classroom, and we’ve spent the past four decades finding the best ways to accomplish that:

• No English/TESOL degree? Your extensive pre-field training includes a master's-level TESOL certificate program, and we prioritize ongoing education even once you're overseas. 
• Don't speak a second language? You'll be learning by both immersion and dedicated study with local native speakers in your host country. Many countries even offer a period of full-time language study as an option for teachers who want to be sustainable long term. 
• No teaching experience? You'll be trained in classroom tools and methods, and you'll join a team of experienced teachers who can help you jump in with confidence. And if you're a recent college grad, you can join the Global Ambassador Program (GAP) for nine months of dedicated mentoring and hands-on classroom training in one of our host countries before you jump into full-time teaching.
• Never travelled overseas? You're not going alone! We've helped thousands of teachers get visas, book plane tickets, and find housing. And you'll be joining a team that already knows the ropes. They can help you learn to navigate everyday life, from buying groceries to the best spots in town to grab a coffee and prepare lessons or meet with students after class. 
• No connections to help you get a teaching job? We've got you covered there, too! ELIC has relationships with the governments and educational institutions where we work. With our reputation for excellence and the networking already in place, you'll be set up well to find a teaching position with our partners.

So, what do you think—are you interested in exploring that second path less travelled by? We have long-term programs starting at one year of teaching, the mentoring-focused GAP program, or even a wide range of amazing short-term trips if you want to get a glimpse of what life overseas could look like for you! We can't wait to see where your journey takes you.