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ESL/TEFL teacher FAQs

Why should I use ESLstarter?

ESLstarter offers a dedicated service that is based on years of experience placing native English speakers into teaching positions overseas. Every member of our team has taught English abroad and so we can provide first hand expertise, information and guidance throughout your transition overseas.

We understand that it is not always easy living and working in a country far away from home, and our job is to make your experience teaching English abroad as smooth as possible. We offer support every step of the way, from finding the right position, to booking flights, getting your visa, arriving in your host country, settling into your new environment and, most importantly, enjoying your time teaching English abroad!

Which countries do ESLstarter work with?

ESLstarter is an official recruiter for the EPIK program in South Korea. We are also an official recruiter for the Teach and Learn Program in Georgia. In addition to this, we have teaching jobs in Thailand, China and also volunteer teaching internships in India.

How long does the application process take?

This depends on which country you are applying for. As a general rule, it is always better to get your application prepared early, which will give you the highest possible chance of securing a placement in your chosen country. We would advise making a start on your teaching job application at least 3 months prior to start date.

When are the start dates for ESLstarter's teaching positions?

Start dates vary according to country and we've listed the options below:

• South Korea - Start February & August.
• Georgia - Starts ongoing throughout the year.
• Thailand - Start April & October.
• China - Start mainly September.
• India - Starts ongoing throughout the year.

What happens when I arrive in my host country?

All of our teaching programs include airport pick up and transfer so no matter which country you are travelling to, a representative will be waiting for you at the airport when you arrive.

What kind of salary and benefits can I expect from teaching English abroad?

Teaching English abroad is a fantastic opportunity to experience life in another country whilst earning a great local salary. If your goal is to save money, teaching in Korea, China or Thailand are all good options. It is possible to save around half of your salary in Korea and still have a very comfortable lifestyle. For China and Thailand, you can save around one third of your salary and enjoy a great lifestyle. Teaching in Georgia is a fantastic immersion experience and although it would not be possible to save much money, you would still earn more than a local salary so could have a comfortable lifestyle within the country.

What would a typical weekly schedule look like for an overseas teaching job?

The number of teaching hours will vary according to which teaching program you are applying for. Generally, the maximum number of weekly classes would be around 30 with the minimum being around 16. For almost all of our teaching positions, the typical amount of classes would be between 16 and 30 per week.

What should I take?

As the baggage allowance on most airlines is around 20KGs, packing for a year or longer overseas can be quite a headache! Most schools tend to favor a smart appearance for the native English teacher so we'd recommend packing formal attire for when you are teaching. It's pretty easy to pick up most of the things that you can get at home in any of our teaching locations (except India), so there's no need to over-pack on certain items! If you have any medical pre-conditions and need to take a prescription with you, please just contact one of our team for more advice.

How much money should I bring to tide me over until my first pay-check?

This depends on your spending habits and which country you are travelling to. We'd recommend taking the following amount of money to get you by for the first month or so:

• South Korea - £600
• Georgia - £300
• Thailand - £500 (£300 for spends and £200 allowing for apartment deposit)
• China - £400
• India - £200

*please note that this is an approximate guide only and it is always better to budget more in case of any unforeseen expenditure.

Will the school reimburse my airfare?

Again this depends on country.

• South Korea - Flight allowance of approximately £1400 paid in two installments.
• Georgia - Flight prepaid by employer.
• Thailand - You are responsible for your own flight costs.
• China - You are responsible for your own flight costs.
• India - Flights covered as part of the package (subject to terms & conditions).

How long are the contracts?

• South Korea - 12 months.
• Georgia - Various contract lengths available.
• Thailand - Option of 5 or 10 months.
• China - Option of 6 - 13.5 months.
• India - 4 months.

What is the housing like?

• South Korea - Single private fully furnished apartment paid by employer.
• Georgia - Live with a host family / small contribution towards upkeep required.
• Thailand - Not covered by employer. Single or shared apartments are available.
• China - Accommodation allowance provided.
• India - Private or shared apartment (with other native English teachers), paid by employer.

Will I be able to send money home from my host country?

Yes, in most cases this can be done by wire transfer from any high street bank. The typical cost is around £15 per transaction and the money usually arrives within one or two working days.

Do I need a TEFL certificate?

A TEFL certificate is required for some programs and but not for others. However, having a TEFL qualification is certainly advantageous when applying for any teaching position abroad. Contact us for more information on getting TEFL certified.

• South Korea - TEFL not usually required although this can help candidates achieve a higher salary. Depending on your qualifications, this may be a requirement for EPIK.
• Georgia - Not required
• Thailand - Required
• China - Required
• India - Not required

How do I apply?

Apply On-line here:

• South Korea
• Georgia
• Thailand
• China
• India

Alternatively, email us with a copy of your resume at jobs@eslstarter.com