This depends entirely on what the school teaches and where you are teaching it. In some parts of China, you might be teaching class sizes of forty students. In other parts of China, you might be teaching three or four. For class sizes smaller than this or for any tutoring jobs you might have, we suggest registering for our tutoring specialization. Most countries have a limit of eight to twelve students, which we feel is the ideal number to have in a classroom. Be careful though! Those high paying college and university classes might have class sizes of over two hundred.

This is one of the first questions to ask a potential employer. Most schools will have an established curriculum already in place for you, but they will allow you to be creative in your teaching methods, so bring along our Resource Manual. You want to avoid schools that do not have any textbooks in place, and you also want to make sure that the textbook series you do use is from an English speaking country. You may choose to invest in one of the many excellent textbook series that are available for your personal teaching library.

Again, this depends on the school you are going to. Most schools have access to a TV and a DVD or VHS player, a CD player, a tape player, and perhaps some art supplies. They may have a teaching library available as well.  Make sure you pay attention to the Foundation Resource Manual and Chapter 10 in the Employment Manual for ideas on how to convert or adapt ideas for your classroom.

Most schools do not have a strict dress-code, but be aware that teachers are required to look clean, neat, and presentable at all times while teaching. If you are teaching children, however, make sure you are wearing clothes that are appropriate for teaching children. Ties on male teachers are a definite no-no when teaching younger children. Also, take into consideration the religious beliefs in the country you are teaching. Most countries do not expect foreigners to dress the same as the citizens, but more conservative clothing will be required in some areas.

Most students overseas are much better behaved than students in North America, but classroom management is still sometimes a concern. The best way to avoid all classroom management issues is to be prepared. We cover low-level and high-level management techniques when teaching children. You will occasionally have students who are extremely tired in your class, as well as students who clearly do not understand what you want them to do. Don’t worry! We cover all this in class.

No! Not if you don’t want to. Each school specializes in a particular age group; so if there is an age group that you definitely do not want to teach, simply do not apply for that school.

Again, this depends on the country. Some countries like Mexico or China ask you to teach three to four classes a day, while South Korea expects six classes. Most countries require at least five hours a day teaching. We teach you in the class how to define a teaching ‘hour’ and how to negotiate overtime.

This depends on how much practice you have had in teaching before. Beginner teachers might need 20-30 minutes before each class to plan the lesson. The more experience you have, the less time you need to plan, but remember, planning is always important. We spend a great deal of time dealing with lesson plans.

Some teachers are, and some teachers aren’t. Some schools will give you bonuses depending on performance and some teachers will never have their directors in their classrooms. You might want to ask if this is a practice in your school.

Again, this depends on the school. Some schools use them; some schools don’t. Regardless of this, you should always keep anecdotal notes about your students. Remember to keep your comments as positive as possible.

Yet again, this depends on the school. When teaching kindergarten, some schools have a native English teacher teach with a foreign English teacher and, if you are teaching in an actual junior or senior high school, you will be teaching with another teacher. Usually, however, your English classroom is your classroom exclusively.

Hopefully there will be! It is extremely difficult to start out teaching anywhere, and it is even more difficult if you are the first or the only English teacher. One of the questions you should be asking your director is if you can have the email of teachers already working in the school. If the answer is no, it’s usually a good sign that he either knows the teachers are not going to say anything positive or that you will be working alone. For your first time abroad, maybe that isn’t such a great idea.

To begin with, anything illegal in the country you are going to should not be taken with you. This obviously includes drugs, but may also include men’s magazines such as Maxim. Things that might also be on the prohibited list are insulin needles, birth control pills, and, in the Middle East, movies and DVDs.

Again, this depends on where you are going to go. If the school offers you accommodation, it can range from a very small room to a very large house. So make sure this is one of the questions that you research. If at all possible, try to talk to people who are living in the housing that you will have. Remember wherever you are, apartments will rarely be as large as they are in North America and rent is sometimes very expensive if it’s not subsidized by the school.

Again, this depends on the school. But you want to make sure that what is included in the housing is clearly spelled out in the contract. This allows you to accurately assess how furnished the apartment is, but it can also act as a checkout list for you and your landlord so you know what was provided and what you have acquired during your stay.

I would answer this with a hesitant yes. Most developed countries do have a foreign-type market store that is filled with imported coca-cola, cream of mushroom soup, and all the Kraft dinner you can eat! These types of stores are almost always located in major cities and items almost always cost up to three times as much as the same thing back in your home country. So use them when you absolutely must have (blank), but try to use local products as much as possible. A word of warning, however, I once saw a Kool-ade package on sale that was past the expiration date. Make sure to check all the best before dates before you buy and be very wary of foreign food on sale.  Also, if you need specialized lotions or creams, they may or may not be available.  There may be a local brand that is equivalent, but be aware that you may need to ship specialized items from home.

Although you may often be out of the house exploring your host country or meeting new friends, there will be times when you want to relax at home. Most industrialized countries will have the occasional English television program on its regular channels, but make sure your television has close captioning so that you can listen to it in English. Other countries have English satellite television or cable packages that have newer shows (read last season’s) available at a premium.

Again, most countries will have English movies playing in their theatres, but the ticket price may be higher than in North America. Make sure you can read the words for “subtitled” or “dubbed” in the local language to make sure you will be able to understand what the actors are saying. English newspapers published in your area should have what is playing as well as the times. English magazines and books are usually available at large bookstores, again in major centers. You can either learn the words for “Do you have any English books here?” or look sufficiently stunned for a kind clerk to show you where they are. You won’t be the first person they would have had to help.

Basically anything you want, within reason. With very few teaching hours in a week, you might find that you have more time on your hands than you are used to. You might pick up a hobby or make local friends. There are hundreds of places to explore and thousands of shops to poke around in. Some people even take a private job or two, although this is risky and controversial. More on this in the work environment.

Enough to last at least a month, if not more. Ask other English teachers working in your potential school how much money that would be. If you are traveling under a tourist visa or if your school has only provided you with a one-way ticket, make sure that you have enough money to get home if something goes wrong or if there is an emergency. It is important to have emergency funds available to you so that you will never feel trapped in your country.

Sometimes. But unless you know for sure, no. There are some countries that require the water to be boiled; sometimes it needs to be filtered; sometimes filtered and boiled; and, in some countries, nothing you will ever do to the water will ever make it potable. Some countries that have pollution problems have heavy metals in their water, which can be harmful to your health, so be certain that you know for sure whether the water is good before you drink it. Most countries have drinking water at a very low cost, and watch out for ice outside your home.

Only eat food that you have prepared unless you can see how it has been prepared. Learning the words “Is there any meat in this?” might help, but if the country you are in considers only beef to be meat, you will get a false positive and have a meal served to you that is full of ham, chicken, or fish. Vegans need to be especially careful, as extracts of meat are often used to flavour food that is otherwise meat-free. It is possible to be both vegetarian and vegan if you are especially vigilant. Whether or not you eat meat, make sure your diet is balanced. Teaching overseas is initially stressful and getting sick will make it more difficult.

Yes, you can. But make sure you tell your employer that you are taking your spouse and/or children with you. This will ensure that you have suitable housing for a family rather than an individual.  If the housing provided is suitable for only one person, you may have to find your own accommodations, which, in some countries, could be prohibitively expensive.

Yes! In fact, some schools would much rather hire a pair than a single teacher. The cost for hiring, as well as living expenses, are cut in half, as well as the fact that if two people are traveling together they experience a less severe case of homesickness. If you are trying to live in the same town, make sure both of you have done your homework for each of the schools.

This question is again a very qualified yes. Each country has a different set of rules for importing animals, so make sure you are familiar with each country’s requirements. Check for local regulations and restrictions. There will also be restrictions and possibly a quarantine period upon return to your home country.  Be sure that you are willing to put your animal through this.  Also remember that your house will most likely be much smaller than what you are used to now, so large pets may not be welcome. Again, make sure your employer knows what you are planning to bring with you so that they can find suitable accommodations.

If you ever get sick overseas, you want to make sure that you can communicate with the doctor that is assisting you. Joining the IAMAT before going overseas is the best way to get in touch with English speaking doctors. The information for joining the program is included in the job manual.

Almost without exception, you will always be paid in local currency. The sums quoted to you in the job descriptions are usually a rough estimate. Remember to send your money home over the year rather than save it up as one lump shipment, as this will cost you if the exchange rate is not in your favor. Also, some countries put a limit (for example, one month’s salary) on how much you can legally send home. Sending the money home in 12 installments will also protect you if the currency exchange takes a sudden nosedive.

Most schools pay their teachers once a month, usually on a given day. Schools will either pay you with an envelope of cash on payday, directly deposit it into your account, or issue you a cheque. Regardless of the method, your school should also help you with setting up a bank account and teach you how to use a local bank machine.

You really shouldn’t. For every person who successfully manages this feat, there are a hundred people who return home again, broke and hungry, but we almost never hear their stories. Take enough money with you to survive the first month. This is usually between 400 USD to 600 USD. You owe it to yourself to make your first month as stress-free as possible, and no one likes worrying about money.

Most countries have one national holiday off a month, which your school will observe. Your contract should also state your personal vacation time, usually one to five weeks off a year, depending on the country. Both you and the school should agree on when this time can be taken off, but remember, if it is not in the contract and you do not ask for it to be put in the contract before you sign it, you will not be getting any time off at all.

Unfortunately, no. You will not be getting any North American holidays off. You can celebrate days like Halloween in most of your classes, but yes, you do have to work Canada Day/Day of Independence. I’m sorry. I tried arguing this to absolutely no avail.

Again, sometimes. If it is in the job description that it is included, it will be included. South Korea and China always include airfare for out of country applicants. Other countries will pay for return airfare only after the contract is completed. Do some checking around for the cheapest airfares.

We don’t send you anywhere. You apply for jobs in the regular application process by sending your resume and introduction letter. No one should find a job for you, nor should you trust anyone to know what is best for you. This is an adventure, but it is also a year or six months of your life. It is definitely worth a week or so of research to ensure you get the best position possible.

By doing your research. We go through every question that you should be asking your future employer, as well as teachers who are already working for your school. If the teachers working there are happy, then chances are you will be happy as well.

You must have a multiple re-entry visa on your passport. You can get this through your country’s immigration office. You can’t get this at the airport, so get it as soon as you arrive. If you do have to return, make sure your director knows when to expect you back. Most contracts have a clause permitting you to go home in case of emergencies.

Hopefully, you will have done your research and this question will never come up. If it does, however, and you want to quit, make sure you are familiar with what your contract states about quitting. Most countries require that you give X number of days notice before you can start working elsewhere. Others are more prohibitive than that. South Korea, for example, requires that you leave the country for the duration of your valid work visa if you quit, while getting fired means you can work the next day for another school.

Banks and post offices will wire money home for a fee. We discuss other methods in the class.

For three main reasons:

1. Your income is not taxed.
2. Your country may use standardized testing and private tutoring skews the results.
3. Your employer has hired you to do the best job you can for him. If you take a private job, all your energy might go to that instead of your full-time position.

We really don’t suggest that you do. But we do show you some ways to avoid suspicion. Remember, however, that your full-paying job always comes first.

You will be deported and fined. Please don’t get caught.

Depends on what you are caught doing. Minor offenses, such as teaching illegally, will get you deported and fined. Major offences, such as the possession or selling of drugs, depend on where you are. In some countries, you will be tried as a citizen and sent to a local jail. In other countries, you will be executed. All the Canadian Consulate in your country can do is give you a list of lawyers that speak English in your country. We cover several other things to be wary of in our manual.

Normally one year. Each country has different visa-granting rules and regulations, and these rules and regulations change regularly. We encourage you to contact the consulate or embassy of the country in question prior to departure for exact details. Be sure to find the contact information of your home country’s (Canada’s, America’s, etc.) embassy in the country where you are going.

Email or call GTC once you graduate from our program. You automatically become part of the Global TESOL family Alumni- for a lifetime of job assistance. We would love to help you with any TESOL certification, study, or work related issues.

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A lot of countries require TESOL certification for their work visa. A few years ago, the only requirements schools had were that their teachers could speak English, but now they are looking for more qualified staff members. By taking the TESOL program, you are assuring your employer that you have as much invested in teaching overseas as they have in bringing you over to teach for them. It also prepares you for more than teaching. Our course has an extensive section on contract negotiations, living and working overseas, as well as an in-depth look at culture shock.

These days, with so many fly-by-night TESOL courses, schools have been getting an influx of teachers who have TESOL certification but do not know the first thing about teaching. To combat this, schools have been recently asking for 100-hour plus courses. If you have already completed your standard 60-hour TESOL course and have yet to finish your specialization course, make sure you inform your future employer that you plan to have the course finished by a certain date.

TESOL courses can range between 200 and 4000 dollars, but you don’t always get what you pay for. Do your research to ensure that you get the best quality for your money. Our TESOL manual is over 600 pages long and is the best teacher-training manual out there. Other TESOL companies have manuals that are a couple hundred pages long or consist of textbooks you could purchase yourself from any bookstore.

Absolutely not. Our course is designed for anyone to complete and enjoy. Our students range in age from 17 to 74, and each person takes away something different from the course. So whether you are an experienced teacher or whether you have never stood up in front of a class before, this course is for you.

The course can be taken in three different ways. Correspondence and online is completed at your leisure and should take around 60-hours to finish. The in-class version is comprised of three different parts. The first part is 35 hours of in-class instructor-led lecture and teacher training in class. This is complemented by 5 hours of out-of-class creative lesson planning, presentation preparation, readings, and exercises to be done during the week of the course. This is then followed by 20 hours of readings plus an exam to be completed after the course at the student’s convenience.

In today’s economy, it is almost impossible to not find one of the 30, 000 jobs available. We guarantee you will find a job if you follow our process, but you must send out your own resumes. During the course, we teach you the best way to be proactive in your job search and application procedure, so that you can find a job that is the best fit for you.

Schoolteachers benefit the most from our program, because they have practical knowledge coming into the class. We offer so many different techniques that teachers who have been teaching ESL in particular have even learned new things. Beyond that, teaching English as a second language is completely different from any other kind of teaching. ESL requires a great deal of Student Talk Time (STT) and raising the STT takes new methods and new techniques.

A teaching practicum is a volunteered length of teaching that a student does prior to going overseas in order to try out the new methods he or she has learned. In the in-class version of our course, students teach language acquisition in a simulated ESL environment, so correspondence or online students must find a way to get some practical experience as well. Read more about teaching practicums here.

If you have not taken the foundation course in-class, it is necessary for you to complete the practicum. In extenuating circumstances where there is absolutely no way to complete the practicum in your home town, we are able to issue you a interim TESOL certificate and you can complete your practicum overseas. We also take into consideration any previous teaching or tutoring you might have done, which eliminates the need for a practicum.

As of right now, we offer six programs. Program 1 is our Advanced TESOL certification which includes our foundation course and one specialization; Program 2 is our Professional TESOL Certificate which includes our foundation course and three specializations; Program 3 is our Advanced TESOL Diploma which is our foundation course and five of our specializations; Program 4 is our Professional TESOL Diploma which is our foundation course plus nine of our specializations; Program 5 is our TESOL instructor Diploma which includes the foundation course and ten specializations; and Program 6 is the International TESOL Certificate which is a 120-hour in-class expanded course.

We have sixteen specialization courses right now. Teaching adolescents, teaching adults, business English, teaching children, teaching ESL locally, graduate TESOL course, teaching grammar, TESOL for non-native speakers, TESOL teaching practicum, TOEFL preparation, tourism English, tutoring English, and our independent study elective. We also have computer English, legal English, and medical English.

We have three different methods of study. The first is our in-class course which is offered in major cities in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. If you live in a major city and can fit it into your schedule, this is the preferred method of completion. Classes are fun, lively, and full of like-minded people. Students learn from each other as well as the instructor. If you cannot find the time or if you do not live in a major center, you can take the course online or through correspondence. The only difference between the two is that the online course is available through the computer while the correspondence course has a manual.

Absolutely. There is no difference in the materials covered, regardless of the method of study.

The more experience you have in teaching, the more our TESOL course makes sense to you. A quarter of our graduates have previously taught overseas.

Teaching is a matter of bringing what you know across to your students. We don’t have to teach you how to speak English; we teach you how to bring that across. If you attend each day, participate in the lessons, and complete your mini-lesson, you will understand how your students feel to be ESL learners and you will know how to help them learn.

TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) all teach English to non-native English speakers. The only difference is TESL is for teaching in an English speaking country while TEFL is for teaching English abroad. TESOL encapsulates them both. CELTA is the British equivalent to the TESOL, but the 80 hours a TESOL student completes at their own pace is done in a classroom setting.

This question should be why do you want a Global TESOL Certificate over all others. Global TESOL has the highest level of language acquisition of all the courses, and we prepare our students for all aspects of life overseas.