10 Hoops To Jump Through to Get Renewed at a Korean University

Image source

Anyone who has taught in Korea knows that there's a lot of paperwork to go through to get a job. Nowadays, more and more universities are making you do lots of paperwork just to keep your job, especially for those people who have some of the best TEFL jobs in Korea.

Even if you do everything they ask and pass all their tests with flying colors, it's may not mean anything. They can fudge the results or decide they want to have retroactive job requirements. While I don't want to say that it's a farce, most of it is just a formality. They are going through the motions to show their higher ups that they did what they had to do. More often than not it comes down to them liking you and them having the budget to hire you. Below you can find somethings that people have had to do to renew.

1. Sign a document saying that you know your contract is up: this is just a legal formality. They need to tell you that your contract is finishing.
2. Sign a document saying you want to renew: this usually states that this is not an offer of employment, but they just want to know if you want to renew. You can always decide later not to sign the contract.
3. Verbally tell them you want to renew: and you might have to tell multiple people, such as your head teacher, boss, secretary, and/or dean.
4. Email them and tell them you want to renew: they cover all the bases and this is just another one of them.
5. Interview: you might have to have an interview with people such as the head teacher, your boss, and/or the dean. It's usually short and less stressful than an actual job interview.
6. Self-evaluation: this can get lengthy so be sure to ask if there are guidelines. Some places think the more the better, while others think that less is more. 
7. Achievements: You'll have to list any awards, publications, new degrees or diplomas, committees, or workshops you gave or attended.
8. Submit proof of your achievements: you'll have to provide originals or copies to show your awards, publications, committees, TEFL certificates like the CCELT or the University of Toronto, new degrees or diplomas, or workshops you gave or attended.
9. Student evals: You usually just have to list your score but you might have to print off a copy of them as well.
10. Have your class observed: unfortunately this is not that common since students really don't know much about methodology and most places completely rely on students to decide which teachers should stay or go (based on popularity). If it's done it's usually internal and the people observing you might not know much about methodology either. 

This is not an extensive list since all places are different. This is just a list of some of the more common things that you might have to do to get renewed. Contracts may be signed early, but more often or not they are signed a few days before the semester starts and it's not unheard of for teachers to sign contracts after the semester has started.

NB: I'll be on vacation in January and February and will be publishing guest posts. While I'm gone you can read posts my other blogs. I will start posting again at TEFL Tips in March.

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How to Apply for Jobs When Your Current Boss Doesn't Like You

From V Productions

Getting reference letters can be stressful and it can be even more difficult if your current boss doesn't like you. There are a few things that you can do in this situation.

• Write your own reference letter. It's really a lot more common than you think. Even when your boss likes you they may ask you to write your own reference letter.
• Ask for proof of employment. Just the facts. Your name, date you started working there, and your responsibilities should be listed.
• Ask someone else to write a reference letter. It doesn't have to be your direct supervisor. Try to find other people who can vouch for you.

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How Important Are Interviews Anyways?

From Experience Factor

My post about TEFL interviews and demo lessons is one of my most popular to date, but exactly how important are interviews really? Some people will say that they're not that important and in a way I agree. Networking (ie wasta or guanxi) and being recommended for a job can work wonders.

I also believe that employers have a good idea about who they want to hire before the interview takes place. Although, due to logistics they have to interview people that they may not want to hire. Their top picks may take a job elsewhere or turn out to be crazy. I personally think that interviews are important, but not the end-all to getting a job. 

This doesn't mean that you should walk into an interview without any prep. There are a ton of good books about interviewing tips. If you haven't read any books on how to ace an interview, I highly recommend doing so.

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What Employers Are Looking For

First Impressions
The obvious place to start is with your CV. It should get the employers attention fast, ie. about 10 seconds, so make sure it's impressive. Try reading teaching CVs to find out more.

Perhaps more important, but often overlooked, is your cover letter. Personalise it, get the name of the person you're writing too and tailor it to each job. Don't press send too fast - you'll end up sending it Mr Smith when you're applying to Mr White's job advert. Find out more about cover letters by reading teaching cover letters.

Secondly, when applying via email, try putting this in the subject line: Your name, highest degree held, and years of experience.

Show Me The Money!
So if you've got a professional CV and cover letter, the next step is to know what you're worth. Forget about the whole cost of living thing. Don't buy what some employers are telling you about how you'll make two, three, or five times as much as the locals. That's completely irrelevant since you're not going to live like a local. You probably won't speak the language, and even if you do, you won't have a network of friends and family like the locals do. Nor do most locals want to fly halfway around the world to visit family. Higher salaries often mean more serious teachers, so if you negotiate the employer will know . . .

• you're not desperate (even if you are)
• that you know what you're worth
• that you've spent time and money getting the qualifications and experience necessary.

Jump Through Hoops
I honestly think that one reason why employers create application forms is to cut down on the number of applicants. It's super easy to shoot off an email, but it takes time and effort to fill in an application form, even if you are copying and pasting from your CV. Employers want someone who will go the extra mile for a good job. FYI: jobs that have you fill out application forms are usually pretty good.

Dress To Impress
If you have an interview, dress well and smile. Employers will decide if they want to hire you or not before you even open your mouth. You have about 10 seconds, yep count 'em, to impress them. Here are some tips on how to make a good first impression.

Have Good References and Originals
It goes without saying that you should ask your references' permission before you give their email and phone number out. You should also pick good references. Directors or head teachers are good. Make sure they'll say good things about you as well.

Having your original degrees, certs, and transcript on hand is an absolute necessary with all the fake junk out there. If you don't want to bring your originals, make sure to get copies authenticated or apostillised.

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What To Do When Your Boss Won’t Renew You

From best-career-match.com

It’s hard to find out that you’re not going to get renewed. I always tell people to look for a job when their contract is up, even if they’re sure they’ll get renewed. Until they sign their new contract, they shouldn’t count on anything.

If your boss won’t renew you and legally they should, like in the case of maternity leave, then you have two options: fight it or accept it. If you fight it, you may get renewed or paid a settlement, but you also may . . .

• End up paying a lot in legal fees 
• Be working in a very uncomfortable environment where you’re not wanted 
• Be treated badly 
• Not get renewed next year 
• Get blacklisted or labeled as a difficult teacher 
• Not be able to teach extra classes, such as overtime or those during breaks 
• Lose the legal battle 

Obviously only you can weigh the pros and cons of fighting your boss in order to get renewed. The bottom line is that many TEFL teachers have no job security. Looking for jobs when your contract is up is useful.

• It allows you to keep your CV up-to-date 
• It lets you practice writing cover letters 
• You get interview and demo lesson experience 
• You can network with other teachers 

If your boss doesn’t renew you, it’s not the end of the world. There are probably better jobs out there and it’s not fun working somewhere you’re not wanted. There are lots of good jobs out there. Chances are your new job will be better than your current one.

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Do You Recommend People for Jobs?

I've given tips on why you should network, attending conferences to network, as well as networking your way to a good job, however, I look at networking as a way to make contacts and find out about employers. I personally don't feel comfortable asking people to personally recommend me for a job. It doesn't matter if it's a friend or just an acquaintance. It can all to easily come back and bite you.

Let's say they recommend you for a job, but the admin doesn't like you, it comes back on the person who recommended you. Or the admin doesn't like that person and they recommend you, meaning that you'd be less likely to get the job.

For the same reasons that I don't ask people to recommend me, I don't feel comfortable recommending anyone else. I will tell people about job openings or let them know about different employers, but I will not give a personal recommendation.

I do believe that networking is super important. While I won't ask to be recommended or recommend other people, through networking I can find out who is hiring and where they advertise. I will also happily tell people if my employer is hiring and answer any questions they have about the job. 

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Hearing Back From Interviews

After recently having gone through the interviewing process this winter I was a bit surprised about the lack of etiquette on the employer's side.

I was always taught that it was polite to send a thank you letter / email within 24 hours of having the interview. I would have thought that interviewers would try to let you know as soon as they made their decision.

Whether they decide to hire you or not, it's common courtesy for them to let you know. If they have decided not to hire you, it's nice to be able to know this so that you can cross them off your list. If they are going to hire you then it's also great to know so that you can stop looking for a job.

A common problem here in Korea is that places take a while to get back to you even when they do want to hire you. They might wait a couple weeks or even months. Then many people have already accepted other jobs and the school has to go through the process again.

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Quality, not Quantity, is Important When Applying for Jobs

Updated 2 December 2014

Applying in 2009
The first time I applied to universities in Korea I my motto was "beggars can't be choosers" because I wanted to get out of Peru. I really didn't have any job requirements other than working in Korea and applied to every university that didn't require . . .

• an application form to be filled out (I changed my mind about not filling out application forms)
• an in-person interview (since I was in Peru and couldn't afford to fly there)

From revaxmedia.co.uk

I posted on Dave's Korean forum and was told by most people that there way no way that I'd get a university job even though I had a MA in TEFL and 3.5 years university teaching experience.

However, I figure that I had nothing to lose, everything to gain, and it was free to apply. I only looked at job adverts on Dave's ESL Cafe and there are a lot of job adverts there for Korea. I really don't know how many jobs I applied to: 50, 60, 70, 80? I applied starting in August 2008 and that's when the main hiring season starts since the school year starts on March 1st.

Out of the many, many universities I applied to, 8 got back to me and wanted to do a Skype interview. One of them (Ajou) later cancelled the interview because they decided to do in-person interviews only. (FYI: Ajou seems like a great uni gig, if you can get it. Turnover is super low and that's probably due to the 80 mil key money, 3 mil a month, 15 hours a week, 4 days a week, and 5 months paid vacation. I spent hours pouring over job adverts and they were on my list of the few good Korean uni jobs out there, but they weren't hiring when I was looking.)

Here's the places I interviewed at in fall 2008 and the results . . .

• Woosong University: offered a job
• Soonchunhyun University: offered a job
• Sungkyunkwan University: offered a job
• Honam University: offered a job
• University of Ulsan: offered a job
• Chonbuk National University: not offered a job
• Hanseo University: not offered a job

5 job offers out of 7 interviews or 72% success rate. Seems pretty good, but numbers aren't everything. I'm not a rating's snob. I don't need to work at a top 10 university where I'm a small fish in a big pond. I'd rather work for a university that offers a better salary package, good vacations, and a fantastic work environment. Many times those can be found at the lesser-known universities. 

As I said before ratings nor contracts mattered to me then as I just wanted to get out of Peru. As luck would have it I tentatively accepted the first offer that came my way, but they didn't send me my contract right away. While I was waiting I got 4 other offers and turned the first 3 down. The last offer came on the last day of the year and I didn't know if the first offer was going to really come through. I accepted it and got the best of both worlds: a job at a top 10 uni, great salary package, good vacations, and a fantastic work environment.

Applying in 2012
The second time around my motto was "quality over quantity". For the past couple of years I had been scouring job boards and copying and pasting job adverts from around the world. I knew which universities in Korea I wanted to apply for and watched for those job adverts. I even emailed Ajou in spring 2012 and was told that they'd really like to interview me, but didn't know if a position would open up. Incidentally they did have an opening for fall 2012, but I wasn't available until spring 2013. Oh well, everything happens for a reason. 

I had pretty high job requirements this time. I wanted 3 mil plus free housing or 3.5 mil without housing. I also wanted 5 months paid vacation and to work around 15 hours a week. I didn't care about ratings. In fact some of the top Korean universities out there are increasing their hours, decreasing vacations, and salaries aren't moving. I figured that I had another 3 years teaching experience at a top Korean university as well as another master degree and some presentations and publications. Jobs weren't as good as they used to be though and you can see that in this article about the quality of jobs in Korea. Seems like people were hanging onto their jobs or hiring within. I only found a few jobs that were worth applying to for me.  

Here are the places I applied to in fall 2012 and the results . . .

• Keimyung University: didn't get an interview
• Inha University: their advert was taken down and they told me that it had been put up by mistake since there were no openings.
• Inha Technical College: didn't get an interview
• Hanyang University: got an interview but didn't get a job offer
• Dongduk University: got an interview and a job offer
• Xi'an Jiaotang-Liverpool University: got an inverview and a job offer 
• Yeungnam University: got an interview but didn't get a job offer
• GIFLE: got an interview but didn't get a job offer
• Korean University in Sejong / Jochiwon: didn't get an interview

1 job offer out of 4 interviews or 25% success rate. Seems pretty bad doesn't it? But again numbers aren't everything. The universities I applied to paid well and had 5 months vacation. They only required 9-15 hours of teaching a week and most of them had you teach 3 or 4 days a week instead of 5. Although I only got one job offer that's all you need. It's like being second choice, it doesn't matter as long as you get the job.

Waiting Time for an Offer
Some people have asked me how long it takes for employers to get back to you and make a job offer. Usually, the longer you have to wait the less likely you'll get the job. Hopefully you'll hear from them within two week. That being said, there's always hope! Some universities dilly-dally and take forever to make their decision often because they need the president of the university to sign off on it. Others offer jobs right away even before the president has signed off, and will tell you that there's no guarantee that the president will approve (though usually it's just a formality). 

According to Korean law, universities have to interview 3 people for every position. Few people will put all their eggs in one basket and usually apply to more than one job. This means that if there are 5 positions, they'll interview 15 people and offer 5 people the job, right? However, it doesn't mean that those 5 people will accept the position (especially if the university takes a while to get back to them). That means they'll move on to their second choice, which could be you. You shouldn't care if you're second choice, because it really means that you're their first choice at the moment; they've written the other people off. Speaking from personal experience, I knew that I was second choice for a job when they called one university on December 31st and offered me a job. I happily accepted (as it is a top university in Korea) and signed the contract a couple hours later. 

More info
If you want to teach at a university in Korea, I'd definitely recommend Jackie Bolen's book, “How to Get a University Job in South Korea: The English Teaching Job of Your Dreams.” She wrote a couple of guest posts here at TEFL Tips, How to get the university job in Korea that you want and why I love working at a Korean university. She's been in Korea for over a decade and really knows her stuff. 

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Can You Apply to Jobs You've Previously Turned Down?

As with most things it depends. It can be awkward to apply for a job that you had been offered but for some reason decided not to accept it. There are a couple reasons why I think it's ok to applied for a job when you were previously offered it but decided not to accept it.

Things change and even though you didn't accept the job, there's still a chance that you might be offered it again. Below are some situations that might cause you to re-apply to the job that you turned down.

1. Your situation has changed

• Maybe you turned down a job in order to study.
• Or possibly because your partner was unwilling to move.

2. The job you actually accepted isn't as good as you thought

• You might not have accepted the job because it was your second choice and your first choice offered you your dream job. All that glitters isn't gold though; the job you accepted might not have turned out the way you thought it would.

3. The job itself changed

• Maybe the pay they offered you was too low but now they're offering more.
• The benefits package might have changed: less hours, a bigger bonus, housing or an allowance, or the vacations are longer.

4. The Director Of Studies or Hiring Director has changed

• In the TEFL world DOSes come and go. If there's a new DOS you've got a better chance of being asked for an interview even though you turned them down before.
• If you turned the job down because the previous DOS wasn't good, then you might want to accept the job with a new DOS.

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Employers Should Have FAQs at Interviews

From fotosearch.com

Of all the interviews I've ever had, some of the best ones were those that had taken the time to put together a list of FAQs for prospective teachers. It doesn't take much time on their part and reduces the likelihood of interviewees asking the same questions over and over.

FAQs don't need to be complicated either. Here's a list of questions interviewees often ask. Employers should simply choose ones that apply to them and draw up a list. They can then either print it off or email them.

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Skype Has Started to Replace International Schools Recruiting Fairs

Teachers can spend a couple thousand dollars flying to recruiting fairs, paying for food and accomodation. Many times job offers have been filled before you get there and schools that previously said they'd be there aren't. It's a great way for the coordinators of the recruiting fair to make money, however, for teachers and employers it can be a waste of time and money. With Skype teachers can bypass all that.

ISR wrote an article in May 2009 about Skype and Recruiting Fairs. YoYoMe's theory is that the directors like them since they get a free vacation, are lazy, and technically incompetant. My1cent believes that recruiting fairs' days are numbered. Schoolwatcher and Jot disagree with him and say that although recruiting fairs work, they expensive, time consuming, and not always necessary. Gadawg enjoyed the fairs he went to (ISS and AASSA), but said he currently got his job due to Skype and phone calls.

In December 2011, 2xaround said that he often spends about $4000 just to go to a job recruiting fair. Although you may be able to have a couple interviews, things may not turn out according to plan.

Hopefully Skype interviews will become more common for international school teachers and TEFL teachers. Take Saudi Arabia for example, if a teacher wants to work there, Skype is the way to go since getting a Saudi visa is a nightmare. Let's hope employers embrace technology since it can benefit all of us.

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Writing Your Own Reference Letters

From finkorswim.com

A couple of years ago I wrote about how to get a good reference letter from your employer. What I've noticed is that more and more DOSes and head teachers aren't willing to write reference letters.

While I understand that non-native speakers might shy away from writing reference letters in English (however, there's nothing stopping you from proof-reading their reference letter before they sign it), I don't understand why native and near-native English speakers don't want to write them. First of all, it's part of their job. I understand that they're busy, but as part of the management or admin team, they should fulfill their responsibilities. I also understand that they might not know you that well, especially if you're in a big school, however, they could still write a simple recommendation letter with your help.

What I've found is that people are being asked to write their own reference letters. This can be good and bad.

Pros

• You can write wonderful things about yourself (Some employers won't even read them before they sign).
• It'll have perfect English.
• It'll have all the info that you want it to have.
• You can write a bunch and personalise them for different employers and all your boss has to do is sign.

Cons

• Reference letters aren't worth much.
• If you have to write a lot of your own reference letters, they can look very similar.
• It's more work for you.
• You won't know what your boss really thinks about you.

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Examples of Comprehensive Teaching Interviews

Over the years I've had some great interviews, some horrible interviews, and some downright weird ones.

Weird Interviews
I'll never forget the interview I got at 2am from China while I was living in Peru. Being woken up in the middle of the night makes your heart race. You think something's wrong, maybe someone died. But no, I had an impromptu interview from someone who didn't realise that the whole world isn't on Chinese time.:/ It basically went like this:

• Interviewer: You apply to China job?
• Me: Yes. (still groggy with sleep).
• Interviewer: You native English speaker?
• Me: Yes. (now annoyed that I'm being interviewed at 2am)
• Interviewer: Ok, you start next week.
• Me: No! No, I'm not going to start next week.
• Interviewer: Oh. . .
• Me: I cannot start next week. Goodbye.

Horrible Interviews
I've also had interviews where the interviewer was a tad bit condescending. They asked (in a voice that you use when you talk to children) me things like how I learned English. I'm a native speaker for the record. Born and raised in the US. Although technically my mom is an immigrant, she came to the US when she was 16 months old and since her mom was born in the US and they wanted my aunt and grandfather to learn English quickly and assimilate, they only spoke English to her. It was their way of practicing. She doesn't speak her father's native language. English is the only language she speaks.

Fantastic Interviews
I always prepare for interviews, but some of the best interviews I've had they've asked off-the-wall questions. Not inappropriate, but just questions that you wouldn't expect. I think one of the reasons they do that is to see how creative you are, how well you think on your feet, and how well you deal with the unexpected. Of course I won't post examples of the questions I've had because they're supposed to be unexpected. ;)

Fantastic interviews are often composed of a couple parts. There are two universities in Korea that I've heard about that have comprehensive interviews: Ewha Women's University in Seoul and Yeungnam University in Daegu.

• Ewha: In addition to a panel interview, you'll have to grade an essay, and give a demo class that you've planned in advance.
• Yeungnam: You'll be given 30 minutes to type the answers to 4 questions about teaching, then 10 to plan a 30 minute demo lesson, and then finally you'll be interviewed by a panel.

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Last Minute Jobs

Why you might need a job right away

• Your job fell through
• Your visa was rejected
• You were forced to resign
• Your school fired you without reason, warning, or notice
• There's political issues in that country

Advantages to getting a last minute job

• The good news is that there are jobs available and one of them just might be the fantastic job you've always dreamed of.
• You can often negotiate. You're not the only one who's desperate Schools are pressured to find a teacher and if you aren't desperate to get the job, you could ask for a higher salary and benefits. If money is an issue, there are grants out there for people who work abroad, such as the Christianson Grant, which offers between $2,500 to $10,000.

How to get a last minute job

• Network: Any and all jobs use networking. Use your friends, co-workers, and even online sources to help you out. For more information read, using connections to get a great job.
• Go to conferences: Conferences are a great way to smooze and meet people. Some conference even have a room for interviews.
• Use recruiters: they often have local contacts with schools that don't hire online. In addition, recruiters usually have a couple of last minute jobs that other teachers have backed out of due to things such as family issues, money, or visa problems.
• Apply: If you're in need of a job now, then you really can't be picky. Look at adverts and start sending your CV. Beggars can't be choosers and you're no exception. If worse comes to worse, look for a job with a short contract, such as one with six months. This will allow you to have a job and income while looking for another position.
• Be ready: Many countries require you to have your original degree as well as sealed transcripts. Recommendation letters might be required as well. If you don't have these, start gathering them.
• Don't be picky: Maybe you wanted a job in a big city, but were offered one in the country. Or you wanted one in China, but were offered one in Japan. Even if it's not exactly what you wanted, you still might want to consider signing a contract. Things don't also goes as planned, but they often turn out better than you thought they would.

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Quick Tip: Talk to Teachers Before Accepting a Job

When getting hired from abroad it's hard to know if the school you'll be working for will be good or bad, since chances are you won't be able to visit before you start working. One thing that you can do is do your research before you go. Do a search or go to forums, such as Dave's ESL Cafe and see if you can find anything.

Another thing you can do is ask the school to put you in touch with past or present teachers. Granted, the school isn't going to put you in contact with teachers who hate working there, but if they downright refuse to put you in touch with anyone, don't consider taking the job. By talking to teachers you can learn about the school, city, school, and other people at the school.

Got an idea for a quick tip?
Email me with your quick tip, name, and website (if you have one) and I'll post it ASAP.

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My Favourite TEFL Tips Posts

Over the years I've written a lot of articles about teaching but I have my favourites which I update the most often. Here are my favorite posts in no particular order.

• Is a degree necessary to teach English abroad?: This question comes up so often on TEFL forums. While it would be ideal that everyone had a degree, university is so expensive nowadays that not everyone does. This article tells you which countries you can legally teach in without a degree and also lists some specific employers that will hire you. It also tells you how you can get your degree online from legit universities as well as explains ways to fast-track your college career via testing out of classes, using work experience, and more.
• Choosing a TEFL course: There are tons of TEFL courses out there it's hard for a newbie to know which ones are worth the money. This article will compare and contrast the advantages of doing an online TEFL course vs. an on-site TEFL course. It also tells you about the top 3 TEFL courses, what good TEFL courses should have, as well as provides resources (such as the Peace Corps) for you to find out about TEFLing for free if you can't afford a course at the moment. 
• How to write a TEFL CV: Having gotten hundreds of CVs over the years I'm always surprised at how many people can't write a good CV. Your CV is how you sell yourself to an employer and you should put a decent amount of time and effort into writing it. CVs for teaching jobs overseas are a lot different from those back home, for example, you'd probably include a photo as well as your birthday and other personal information. This article will tell you what you should include and gives you tips on how to write a good CV (such as looking at teaching job adverts to find out about key phrases).
• How to write a TEFL cover letter: Just like CVs, it's amazing how many people don't put a lot of effort into their cover letters. This article will tell you what you should and shouldn't include in a cover letter as well as provide a cover letter template. Most people know that they should be personalised, but few actually do it. Some people are even guilty of emailing a cover letter addressed to the wrong person. 
• What's the best country to teach English in?: This article will tell you which countries are the best for saving money, for living well, a mix of both, teaching in Europe, and teaching in international schools. You'll find out about the most popular countries for TEFLing and why people go there.
• Europe without an EU passport: Some people wrongly believe that they can't legally live, work, or teach in Europe without an EU passport, but there are programmes that will allow you to do so. For example, France and Spain's Ministries of Education have special  teaching assistant programmes for native speakers that provide them with a visa, stipend, and on occasion: housing. This article also discusses citizenship, residency, has country specific info for Europe, and a whole lot more. At 3,000 words this is one of the longest articles I've written.
• TEFL job sites: Not so much an article as a list of places to look for teaching jobs, this post breaks job sites down into categories such as chain schools and recruiters, higher education job sites, international school job sites, general TEFL job sites, and a whole lot more.
• TEFL interview and demo lesson: Interviews can be stressful and demo lessons can be especially nerve-wracking. This article gives you interview tips, suggested answers, tips for asking the interviewer questions, as well as links to other teaching job interview sites. The demo lesson section will tell you how to prepare, what to expect, and more. This article will provide you with tips so that you can ace your next teaching interview and demo lesson.
• Sites for lesson planning: tons of links that will help you plan your lessons and make them fun and exciting. From beginners to advanced as well as specialised classes, you'll find tons of links here.  
• Furthering your education: TEFL certificates, diplomas, master degrees, and PhDs: This article explains about some of the most popular TEFL certificates and diplomas. You'll also find a comprehensive list of master degree programmes related to teaching, TEFL, and linguistics around the world that can be done entirely online or only require a minimum amount of time on campus.
• Working holiday visas and short-term jobs: While most jobs last for a year, this article will discuss WHV (working holiday visas) and short-term jobs. You'll find out what type of jobs offer short term contracts, how to get a WHV, specific employers that offer shorter contracts, and which countries often have short-term teaching contracts.
• FAQ for Latin America: This article has FAQ for many countries in Latin America. Find out about visas, salaries, how to get work, border hopping, and who the best employers are. I've complied info from teachers who have lived in this counties and put them into one easy-to-read article. At 5,000 words this is one of the longest articles I've put together.
• International schools: Some of the better jobs are at international schools. Find out what the requirements to teach at international schools are, recruiting fairs, how to get a good job, how to become a licensed teacher, and more. You'll also learn where to look for jobs, about international school recruiters, as well as where to look to find out if an international school is good or bad.
• Saving for retirement and where to retire: Many TEFL teachers spend so much time abroad that it's only logical that they retire overseas. This article will list some of the most popular countries around the world, tell you what their requirements are, and explain where you can get more information about their retirement visas.

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Quick Tip: Attend Conferences

You've been told that networking is key and one of the easiest ways to network is to attend conferences and workshops.  Not only will you learn about the latest topics and new teaching methods, but you'll also get the chance to hand out your business cards, meet new people or even have a job interview.

After the conference don't forget to follow up with the people you meet.  You might want to send them a quick email or use Linkedin.com to keep in contact with them.  Remember, you never know who will tell you about your next job.  It could be your friend's cousin's boss, so network like crazy!

Got an idea for a quick tip?
Email me with your quick tip, name, and website (if you have one) and I'll post it ASAP.

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ESL EFL Roadshow: Job Interview Tips

TEFL Tips is hosting the first ESL EFL Roadshow this month: a group of bloggers from around the world. Lots of experience, tips, and ideas to help ESL and EFL teachers out. This month's topic is job interview tips.

From TEFL Newbie
Most people approach TEFL interviews the same way they would an interview back in their home country. Two problems with that. First, many of us are hoping to escape that uncomfortable and degrading process in a new world overseas. Second, more often than not your interviewer is not from that Western world and has distinctly different ideas about who they want to hire and why. Here's how to win that job!  Find out by reading Ted's blog TEFL Newbie.

Ted Tucker is a retired TEFL educator and TEFL Teacher Trainer. With an overseas career that started as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana in 1989 - he has been abroad ever since working in countries throughout Asia and the Middle East. You can find him at TEFL Newbie.

From Istanbul's Stranger
Remember, you're interviewing them too. Four tips about weird job interviews that might be telling you something is seriously awry. Find out more by reading Istanbul's Stranger's blog.


Istanbul's Stranger is originally from Reno, Nevada and most recently from Portland, Oregon. Stranger came to Turkey almost 10 years ago. She had all kinds of education before that, which she's still paying for. Stranger's been working in the former Byzantium since she arrived, teaching adults at language schools and universities. She also did some freelance writing while on work-hiatus for baby-raising, and currently babysits grown-up children in the English prep department of a large university.

From Teacher in Mexico
Congratulations! You just finished your EFL teacher training, those grueling four weeks of sweating over coming up with interesting ideas for classes, of pouring over page after page of theory, of juggling type three conditionals. Well you're all done. So what’s next? The job interview. Find out more by reading Guy's blog Teacher in Mexico.

Guy Courchesne, TEFL course instructor, Teachers Latin America. Guy is a journalist and and EFL teacher that has lived in Mexico for 11 years. Guy has been teaching business EFL and TEFL courses for the last 9 years in Mexico City, Acapulco, and Guadalajara. Guy is a member of Mextesol and also gives English teaching workshops to language institutes around Mexico. You can find him at Teacher in Mexico.

From TEFL Tips
Interviews can be daunting but if you're prepared and know what to expect you'll have no problem acing your interview. Don't forget to ask questions as well! Find out what questions you'll be asked and what questions you should ask the interviewer by reading TEFL Tips.


Sharon de Hinojosa is your host here at TEFL Tips. I've been teaching English since early 2003.  I got started posting on Dave’s ESL Cafe shortly after and found myself regularly helping out other people and giving advice to newbies.  Over time, things progressed and I thought it would be a good idea to compile answers to FAQ that newbies often have about TEFLing and that’s how my wonderful TEFL Tips got started.

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Things to Consider Before Accepting a Job

Updated 8 September 2013

TEFL Jobs Aren't Just About Money
Remember that money's not everything. If you budget and supplement your teaching income then you should do pretty well. Who you work with, potential for professional growth, pay rises and other benefits are also important. If money's an issue, there are grants out there for people who work abroad, such as the Christianson Grant.


Recommended Questions

• 10 tough questions you may or may not want to ask
• 20 questions candidates may want to ask 
• Ask the right questions
• Questions to ask Chinese employers
• Warning signs of bad language schools

Basic Questions To Ask About TEFL Jobs

Duties

• Who makes the quizzes? How often are they?
• What other responsibilities are there?
• How much freedom do teachers have over the syllabus, lessons, curriculum, etc?

Flights

• Is there reimbursement for flight? When is it given?
• Is there airport pickup?

Holidays

• Paid or unpaid? Can you take them when you want? How many days do you have?
• How many sick and personal days are given? Do you need to have a doctor's note to be excused?
• Do you have to make-up the classes for holidays or are they cancelled?

Hours

• What's the maximum hours a day/ week you'll have to work?
• Do you have to keep office hours?
• Will you ever have to make up classes on your days off?
• How many days a week do you have to work?
• Are extra hours / relief compulsory? If so how much notice is given?
• Morning or afternoon shift? Split shift? Weekend work?
• How long is each class?
• What's the maximum number of students per class?
• What about overtime?

Housing

• Is the water and electricity in your housing reliable? Does it get turned off often?
• Is there helping find a flat? How much is the rent / utilities typically? Is it necessary to put down key money? How much is it usually?
• Is there housing or a housing allowance?
• If housing is provided what's included? How many bedrooms? Is there a balcony/parking/AC/internet?
• Will you put new wallpapering up and new flooring down? 
• How far is the housing from the school?
• Is it shared housing?
• Is it close to stores, bus stops, etc?

Insurance

• Is medical insurance provided? Is it private or public? If you're going to be paying into insurance, make sure you get proof of that insurance. Many teachers have found their "insurance payments" go directly into their boss's pockets.

Money

• How much are taxes?
• Is there help with opening a bank account? What documents are needed?
• Can you freely exchange money?
• Are there bonuses? What are they based on? Student surveys / re-enrollment / hours / qualifications?
• How is salary decided? How will it differ with a certificate/degree and/or work experience?
• Are there raises? How are they given?
• How often is the pay?
• Is there a contract completion bonus?
• Is there relocation allowance?
• How are you paid? Cash/direct deposit?
• Is there overtime? How much is it?

Perks

• Is transport provided or is there a transport allowance?
• What other facilities are provided? Pool/library/gym/internet?
• Is there a pension plan? How much does your employer pay? If you're going to pay make sure you get proof. Some have found their "pension payments" to go directly into their boss's pockets.

Resources

• Are there books or are teachers expected to make their own material? What books are used? Do they come with the teacher's resource book, workbook, and CDs for listenings?
• How much freedom do teachers have over the syllabus, lessons, curriculum, etc?
• What's the photocopying system? Is there a copier or do you have to request copies to be made?
• What facilities are available? Library/Computers/Interactive Whiteboards/Video camera?
• Is there a mentor or buddy system for new teachers?

School

• Is there a particular methodology or pedagogical philosophy to be followed?
• How is management structured?
• Will you have to teach a summer or winter camp? Is it optional or mandatory? Is there extra pay?
• How old is the school?
• Is there training? Is it paid?
• Are there free or discounts for language lessons for teachers?

Students

• What’s the typical student like?
• How many students are enrolled at the school?
• What level are they?
• How many per class?
• What is the school's discipline policy?

Teachers

• How long do teachers usually stay at the school?
• How many foreign teachers are there?
• What percent sign on for a second year?
• What percentage of teacher renew their contract?
• How many years of experience do they have?
• What qualifications do they have?

Vacations: see Holidays

Visas

• How long does it take to get the visa? Will you enter the country on a work visa?

In-depth Questions To Ask About TEFL Jobs

• What are the three best things about working at your school?
• What are the long and short term goals of the school?
• What's a typical day like for a teacher at your school?

Go to their website and find specific things that to ask about. If they don't have a website, look over their advertisement again.

Questions To Ask Teachers At The School
Keep in mind that the school isn't going to put you in touch with unhappy teachers. Some schools go as far as to offer cash bonuses for teachers they recruit.

Duties

• Are duties fairly divided between foreign and local teachers?
• What's the hierarchy like? Can foreigners hold management positions?
• Do you often have to work overtime? (meetings, English corners, subbing). Are you paid fairly?

Money

• Can you teach private students/work at another school?
• Are you given the benefits you were promised when you were promised?
• Do you always get paid in full and on time?

School

• How modern is the school?
• Is student limit maintained? (if they have a max of 25 do they add more?)
• What percentage of teachers complete their contract? renew? quit?

Students

• Are students divided by level?
• How involved are the students' parents? Do they pressure you outside of class? Can they sit in on classes?

Also published in . . .
This article has also been featured in the ELT Times.

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TEFL Interviews and Demo Lessons

Updated 23 January 2015

Want the Job? Ask for It.
A while back I came across a newspaper article that said one of the best interview tips was to actually ask for the job. They said that people who asked, "Are you able to offer me this job?" were more likely to get the job than those who don't. US News has 10 ways to ask for the job at the interview. Some other people have asked how they measure up against the competition. If the interviewers say that they're lacking certain skills, they give examples of how they have those skills.

Things to Remember While Interviewing

From janeteresa.com

• Look over your CV
• Know about TEFLing
• Think back to your TEFL course
• Do research
• Practice
• Ask questions: check out Things to Ask Before Accepting a Job.
• Dress appropriately and make sure your shoes are shined as well.
• Open body language
• Be honest and be yourself
• Don't be negative
• Smile
• No bad habits: don't chew gum, bite your nails, or crack your knuckles.
• Teaching portfolio
• Expect the unexpected: interviewers are asking non-typical questions

More Tips

• Business Balls' comprehensive article
• TES also has some good interview advice
• This article has some ways to make a bad interview better

Questions You Should Ask
An interview is a two way street. You also get to ask questions to see if you'd like to work for them. Do your research and be prepared. Go to the interview with a few questions written down that you'd like to ask. Ask about a typical work schedule (both daily and weekly). You'll also want to find out about meetings, professional development, extracurricular duties, overall work environment, and communication style. It's also good to know how long the typical teacher stays with that school. You could also ask what teachers say is the best thing about working for them. Here are some more questions you may want to ask.

• 20 questions candidates may want to ask
• 10 tough questions you may or may not want to ask
• Ask the right questions at your interview
• Art of Manliness 10 Questions to Ask

Typical Interview Questions

• 50 common interview questions
• Describe your teaching experience.
• What levels have you taught?
• What course books are you familiar with?
• What are your long term plans?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• What are your three best qualities?
• What are your three worst qualities?
• What was your best teaching moment?
• What is the most difficult problem you've had to overcome?
• How do you discipline students?
• How are you a team player?
• What's your favourite age group / level to teach?
• Do you use the students' native language in class?
• How do you keep up to date with teaching methodology?
• What professional journals are you familiar with?
• How would you go about teaching (passive voice, the difference between X and Y)?
• How would you deal with a supervisor if you knew they were wrong?
• How can you contribute to the school?
• Why should we hire you?
• What can you bring to this organization that no one else can?
• Describe a situation in which you had to (disregard your lesson plan, deal with an unruly student, confront a supervisor, etc)
• Why do you want to live in X country?
• What do you want to work for this school?
• How are you going to deal with culture shock?
• What do you do in your free time?
• How are you going to adapt to a new culture / language?

Delicate Questions and Suggested Answers (Also published in ELT World)

• What religion are you?/ Are you X religion? This could be a legit question if you're applying to a religious school. If you don't practise the same religion, say that while you are not X religion and you will respect their practises during class time. If the school isn't religious simply say that you believe in keeping your personal beliefs personal and out of the classroom.
• Do you have a boyfriend / girlfriend? This could also be legit if the school is religious or if you are being placed by a recruiter, since they try to place partners in the same school or city. Realise that you might have to live apart while working for the school. Some places are very strict. If the school isn't religious or you're not dealing with a recruiter then say that you believe in keeping your personal life separate from your work life.
• How much are you earning now? Bad question. Even worse if you answer it. Money isn't the only thing you need to take into account. Let's say that your current school is only paying you $500 but you get free housing, lunch, medical insurance, and pension which is worth about $600. They also paid for your flight and will give you an end of contract bonus which is worth about $2000. However, this school just gives you $900 usd. This means your current job is probably better. When asked this it's probably best to say your employer doesn't let you discuss your salary.
• How much is your expected salary? They're really asking you what you think you're worth. Say that you would expect to be paid what their going rate is. If you have lots of experience say that you would expect to be paid in the upper salary range.
• Why did you leave X job after only 3 / 6 months? If you pulled a runner or were fired, take that job off your CV. If you quit, and remain on decent terms with your employer, you might want to leave it on your CV.
• Why do you want to leave your current job? Say that you're looking for new opportunities. Period. Don't speak badly about your employers.

The Demo Lesson
If you're told about the demo lesson beforehand make sure you have a good lesson plan and bring it with you to the interview. Below are some tips to make sure you have a good demo lesson. I use a light yellow colour. It helps makes my worksheets stand out.

Use Power Point: If they say it's optional, do it. Always prepare a PPT. It just looks better.

Use a clicker: You can download apps for your phone that will work with PPTs. Or you can buy a PPT clicker. It looks more professional, plus they usually come with a laser so you can easily point things out on the slides. Treat the interviewers like students: This seems to be controversial. Some people walk the interviewers through their lesson plan. Other people pick one part and teach it to the interviewers as if they were students. The best advice I have for you is to talk to other people and ask what's expected.

If you're asked to do a demo lesson on the spot, see if they'll give you ten minutes or so to prep. It's nerve racking, but remember to relax and speak slowly enough for students to understand, move around the room, look at each student, and check for understanding, etc. Remember to smile!

If you live far from the school you might be asked to do a video demo lesson.If you're going to videotape your current class, get permission from your supervisor. Let students know that you will be videotaping during class. You'll find that they'll be on their best behaviour. Watch the video before you send it.

This article has also been featured in the ELT Times.

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