Teaching English: Types of Jobs
Potential English teachers can choose from a variety of ESL jobs. All jobs have the same basic requirements that are listed in the previous section, but as you move up the pay scale, the requirements also increase. The types of jobs a potential English teacher can get usually falls into one these categories:
Government schools- These English schools are operated by the government and usually pay the worst. However, the schools are reliable. You know the school won’t suddenly close, you will get your paycheck on time, you’ll have some professional support, they will fulfill their contract obligations, and they won’t terminate you without cause. (Note: In Korea and Japan, government schools pay just as well as language schools and offer a lot of vacation time.)
These schools will require you to do all the things teachers in your home country do: run classes, grade papers, make up exams, set the curriculum, and keep office hours. Most of those extra responsibilities are unpaid. The trade off is that you have a stable job for as long as you want it. Teaching at the government schools is just like teaching at a school back where you live. The expectations they have for you are the same. Your salary is being paid for your whole job, not just classroom time.
Moreover, in most countries, you will have a local teacher who will be there to help you with the students and deal with problems. They serve as your language assistant to help you understand the students when English fails.
Language schools- The next step up are the language schools, such as Berlitz, Hess, AEON, ECC, EF, InLingua, or any one of the millions of language schools around the world. The pay is better and you’ll have more flexibility in your schedule and curriculum than you would at a government school. You won’t have to do prep time or parent meetings. If you do, you are often paid for the extra time. Your salary is based solely on classroom hours. That being said I have often found that while parent meetings and other meetings get paid, the prep time doesn’t. You’ll find yourself making copies and tests on your own time, unless you have a really great school (which does happen!).
The down side to these schools is that your job is less secure and guarantees by these companies don’t always appear. Some go bankrupt without any notice, or bonuses and perks aren’t what they were promised. (When a language school went bust in Japan, thousands of teachers suddenly found themselves without pay, a job, or even a home.) You may find yourself fighting with your company for promised return airfare, work hours, or more. You’ll have fewer problems with larger, more established companies, but always check out the company’s reputation before you sign a contract.
Moreover, many parents also use these schools as a form of babysitting. They just drop their kids off and hope they learn something. Since many of these schools are motivated by money, they rarely discipline the students for fear they will stop coming. This is especially true in Asia. Overall, while the pay is better, the jobs abundant, and the hours more flexible, the work environment can sometimes be more difficult.
Private schools- Private schools are similar to government schools in terms of job expectations. You’ll be expected to perform all the functions of a normal teacher, and your salary is based on total work time, not just class hours. The difference is that private schools offer better pay and support than government schools, and sometimes, a better student body. Depending on the private school, English may or may not be the main language taught. If English isn’t the school’s primary language, there is usually a special curriculum of all English courses.
Since parents are paying a lot of money for these schools, they kids are generally expected to produce results. Think of them like the private schools in the West.
International Schools- International schools are the best schools to teach English. They are pinnacle and the most highly sought after jobs in the ESL world. The kids are children of international expats, diplomats, or very rich locals. There is usually a lot of expectations for them and pressure for them to do well. Most are looking to go to school in American or England and thus focus hard on their studies, though you do get a number of spoiled little rich kids. What this usually means is that you get a much more enjoyable and relaxing teaching experience. The curriculum is usually the same as your country of origin: it’s just like teaching at home.
International schools pay the most out of any ESL job. You’ll get an equivalent salary or more to that as you would back home but without the same prices. When you are making $3,000 USD per month in a country that costs $500 USD to live in, you can live very well and save a lot. Moreover, the better the school, the higher the pay. I know teachers who make close to $5,000 USD per month. However, competition for these jobs is very stiff, and typically, applicants need a lot of experience. These schools expect you to be a certified teacher and you are usually required to sign a one – two year contract. Only qualified teachers should consider applying to these jobs.
Corporate Training- Corporate training jobs typically pay very high, the schedules are flexible, the students are adults who want to learn (though many are forced to take classes by their boss, but most see the value in learning English), and the work can last a few months. These jobs are usually before or after business hours or during lunch. The most fun I ever had was teaching corporate classes. You could joke around with the students in a way you couldn’t with kids.
However, these jobs, like the language school jobs, are typically hard to get and usually require teaching experience. If you have a business degree, you will almost be guaranteed a job but you don’t need one as a prerequisite. Classes will revolve around teaching people grammar and communication skills as well as email writing and formal business practices. You won’t be teaching any business theory- just how business is conducted in English. However, in some low level classes, you might need to teach sales and customer interactions.