The big question is: can you teach English abroad even if you are a non-native English speaker? YES. People from non-Native English speaking countries can work overseas as English teachers while earning and saving money and at the same time exploring and enjoying a new culture.

It is only a matter of having skills and earning certifications to back it up. If you can speak, write, and read fluently in English, then that is a fantastic start. Some more work is needed though to ensure you are able to land a position overseas. Study the discussion below and start your preparations today!

Step-by-step Guide on How to Teach English Abroad as a Backpacker

1. Obtain a TEFL certificate.

Speaking great English, complete with the standard American accent, does not qualify you to teach English abroad. You need a certification called TEFL, which stands for teaching English as a foreign language.

This certificate demonstrates that you have taken a recognized course that ensures you have all the tools, skills, techniques, and strategies that allow you to teach English to foreign students.

This is a comprehensive course that walks you through the nuances of the English language and equips you with specific abilities to transfer your English skills to students. The courses vary from 20 hours to 200 hours, though most employers specify a minimum of 120 hours.

The beauty of TEFL is it can be taken online. You can enroll in a TEFL course here. Take your lessons and pass the exams and walk away with your certification.

IMPORTANT: An IELTS (International English Language Test System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) certificate cannot be used as a substitute for a TEFL certificate. These two measure your fluency in English, not your ability to teach it. While it may be good to supply your application with these certificates, they only function as a supporting document to back up your English language ability and not as a qualification to teach.

What can you expect to learn in a TEFL course:

How to plan and prepare lessons well
How to pick activities to engage students
How to facilitate class interaction
Basics of grammar and the foundation of the English language
How to effectively correct and guide students

2. Create a good TEFL CV.

Just like applying for any job at home, a CV or resume is indispensable. It shows your prospective employers and students who you are, what you have done, what you can do for them, and how you plan to do it. Remember, even if in your head you know you are a good teacher, the money lies in demonstrating it and providing proof.

There are a lot of TEFL teachers out there so you need to differentiate yourself from all the others. Put the destination into consideration. Think about the country you are going to work in and how that might influence the design and structure of your CV. For example, if you are trying to secure a teaching position in Spain or Peru, look into submitting your CV in Spanish. Talk about customizing and standing out!

How to design a good CV:

List all qualifications to highlight your abilities. Add certification degrees, grade average, and any teaching experience.
Provide all documents to support your claims. Make every skill verifiable.
Format your CV in clear, concise, and segmented sections. Do not overload it with information. If you have loads of experience, pick the best and most recent ones to highlight.
Include related work experience and qualifications. If you are a fresh English teacher, include previous volunteer work and any relevant training, network, or speaking and lecture engagement to beef up your CV.
Let your resume be a summary of your skills. You can discuss this more during the interview.

Here are sample resumes for you:

TIP: Start sending your CV and look for jobs at Teach Away, Reach To Teach Recruiting, and Foot Prints Recruiting.

3. Get a professional profile photo.

In developing countries, especially in South America and Asia, photos in resumes are acceptable, even encouraged, as opposed to western countries where it is avoided to rule out discrimination.

Make sure you attach a professional-looking headshot to your CV to increase your chances of getting hired. Dress appropriately, look smart, make an effort to put your best teacher-face forward, and show them that you mean business!

4. Prepare teaching materials.

Gather and organize teaching materials, books, and video or audio files that will help you in your teaching role. Given that you are backpacking, consider putting all these in a suitable computer file format.

If you decide to be a TEFL teacher in a school or language center, chances are, all teaching materials will be provided for you and you will be expected to create lesson plans in advance for each lesson. Put to good use what you learned from your TEFL course!

On the other hand, if you are teaching privately, you need to provide and create your own materials for your students. It can be extremely time-consuming to create 100% original materials for each class so invest in good textbooks, at least one for each level you plan to teach. You can then build your lesson plans around the syllabus in the book and integrate your own materials, worksheets, and games to keep things fun and interesting.

5. Advertise.

Sell yourself! How will students know about you? Why should they choose you to be their teacher rather than someone else? Keep in mind that plenty of competition is out there. Get your name out there and be seen.

Advertise through the internet, social media, and old-school mediums. Create your own Facebook page. Start a Twitter and Instagram account. Host monthly English discussion groups in your house. Put posters of your face on people’s cars. You can also add yourself to websites, which are specifically designed to help students and teachers connect with each other.

6. Build your experience and confidence.

Some people love to jump in headfirst and that is great: trial by fire, fake it till you make it! However, it is not for everyone. If you prefer to ease yourself into your first teaching position and build some confidence to start, then look for volunteering programs for charitable organizations in the area. It is a much more relaxed way to test your mettle in the classroom and try out your lesson plans and terrible teacher jokes.

IMPORTANT: Never pay placement fees for a volunteer position. The work is already your end of the bargain. In exchange, there are organizations that provide volunteers with free accommodation and food.

7. Build your student base and reputation.

Often, students spend a large portion of their income to learn English in order to better themselves and their families. For such a great effort on their part, surely, so they do not deserve unplanned lessons and poor quality teaching.

Look after your students well. Give them what they need and help them realize their goals. It will all come back to you anyway. One happy student could easily recommend you to 10 other friends or family members. Before you know it your schedule will fill up and students will be the ones seeking you. Naturally, you should make it easy for them to find you so continue to strengthen your online presence even if you are getting a steady stream of students.

8. Specialize.

Once you have some experience under your belt and you feel like taking your TEFL teaching to the next level, you can start to offer intensive exam preparation courses for international exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, FCE, and PCE.

Students take these exams for all sorts of reasons, but the most common include work, study, and travel. Naturally, they need help with preparation and practice including completing the exam requirements.

Specializing in great if you particularly enjoy one-on-one sessions. Also, satisfaction as a teacher is immediate once you hear news of your students passing their English proficiency certificate exams! Suddenly, it makes everything worthwhile.