Government Sponsored Programs
Highlights
- Teach in public schools for 1-2 years.
- Typically strong support network, including post-service job placement assistance.
- Placement, housing, and work permits provided.
- Typically apply one year in advance.
- Extensive application process, more selective.
- Sustainable programs.
- Includes salary and/or living stipend (pay is typically higher in more developed countries)
Popular Programs for St. Olaf Students
- China Fellows at East China Normal University in Shanghai Deadline: March
The Fellow at ECNU will serve as university level instructors in a variety of departments such as English, Computer Science, and International Finance depending on need. On campus housing and a monthly salary are provided. Contact St. Olaf Professor Ka Wong (wongk@stolaf.edu) for more information. - English Opens Doors Program in Chile Deadlines: February-April
The EODP is a branch of the Ministry of Education designed to improve English language education in schools throughout Chile. Volunteers teach 35 hours a week at public schools under the supervision of Chilean 5th-12th grade teachers. Students live with a host family for the duration of the program. - English Program in Korea (EPIK) Deadline: February or August
EPIK is a national English teaching program sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education. Responsibilities include assisting Korean teachers with their English classes, and/or extracurricular activities or English camps. Students will also conduct English conversation classes for Korean students and teachers. The program provides housing and allowance pay for the full year of teaching. - Fulbright, English Teaching Assistant Grant Deadline: October
Grantees are placed in schools overseas to supplement local English language instruction and to provide a native speaker presence in the classrooms. See the Fellowships Page for more information on this program. - Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) Deadline: October-November
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, sponsored by three Japanese Ministries, is a large-scale exchange program aimed at promoting grass-roots international exchange between Japan and other nations. For one year, participants are employed as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), Coordinator for International Relations (CIR), or a Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA). Housing is not necessarily provided, but participants do receive a living wage. - North American Language and Culture Assistants Program in Spain (NALCAP) Deadline: April 7, 2022
NALCAP is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain to provide native English speakers the opportunity to assist a teacher in elementary, secondary or language schools. The academic year of service runs from October to May. Assistants will stay with a host family or in a shared apartment. - Peace Corps Deadline: October 15 & January 15
The Peace Corps is a two-year volunteer program sponsored by the US government. It is one of the best-paid volunteer jobs: all expenses paid, extensive training, and a resettlement allowance after completing the assignment. There are placement opportunities in over 70 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, the Pacific Basin, and Russia. Math and science teachers are especially in demand. Applicants select a program area in education, youth and community development, health, business, environment or agriculture. U.S. Citizens only. - Teaching Assistant Program in France Deadline: January
Teaching Assistant Program, sponsored by the French Ministry of Education, offers you the opportunity to work part-time in France for 7 months, teaching English to French students of all ages. Each year, over 1,100 American citizens and permanent residents teach in public schools across all regions of metropolitan France and in the overseas departments of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. - Teach and Learn with Georgia (TLG) Deadline: Before June
This progressive education movement, initiated by the Georgian government, recruits native English speakers to co-teach English alongside local English teachers in public schools throughout the country of Georgia. The program provides a stipend, housing with a host family, travel to and from Georgia, medical insurance, and more. - Teach English in Austria Deadline: January 15
Since 1962, the US English Language Teaching Assistantship Program in Austria has provided US College and university graduates with opportunities to work at secondary schools throughout Austria as teaching assistants. US teaching assistants not only enhance the instruction of English as native speakers; they also are important resources for first-hand information about the United States and the “American way of life.
*More Teaching English Abroad opportunities can be found on the International Career Search website.
Teaching Placement Programs
Highlights
- For a fee, ranging from $300-$1,500, organizations match students with public or private schools for a year of teaching.
- Most include a yearly stipend.
- Logistical and in country support varies, often you are responsible for arranging housing and obtaining your visa.
- May need a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification, you can receive these in-country, online or at home. (sometimes provided by program)
- Many short-term volunteer opportunities for less experienced applicants.
- Apply from December to early Spring, due dates greatly vary by country.
Popular Programs for St. Olaf Students
- Chiang Mai University (CMUTEFL):
For 4 weeks students immerse themselves in classes and teaching sessions through TEFL Certification program in Thailand. The TEFL Certificate is accepted in Thailand and across the globe. Graduates of the program will receive assistance in finding teaching positions. If students already have an Education credential from St. Olaf, they can teach in their subject specialty and earn about $1000+ per month over their living expenses. Contact Mike Leming (leming@stolaf.edu) for more information. - Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) Teach Abroad:
The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) offers paid and volunteer teaching positions around the world for university graduates looking to teach English abroad and immerse themselves in a foreign community. General requirements for Teach Abroad programs are a bachelor’s degree in any subject, native English speakers, and a kind, patient, and enthusiastic attitude that will inspire students. CIEE provides job placement, visa assistance, and 24 Hour In-Country support throughout your program duration. - English First (EF):
EF is the world’s largest privately-owned education organization. Current year long job openings include placement in China, Russia or Indonesia. EF staff work closely with you to ensure that you are equipped with the teaching resources and knowledge to feel confident in the classroom. - Teach for China:
Teach For China is a program of the Beijing Lead Future Foundation, a nonprofit foundation registered in Beijing, China. You will be placed in a cross-cultural team of Teach For China Fellows in a high-need school. Throughout the two-year Fellowship, you will work in collaboration with a Teach For China Program Manager, who will help you design lesson plans, provide feedback from classroom observations, and track student achievement. There are 4 deadlines from September to March. - World Teach:
WorldTeach offers teaching programs in several different countries. WorldTeach bases each program model on what the host country (usually the Ministry of Education or a sponsoring institution) has requested. In most countries, WorldTeach volunteers have been asked to teach English at the elementary, secondary, or college/adult level. In others, volunteers may teach subjects such as math, science, computer skills, HIV/AIDS education, or general elementary education. Housing and a living stipend are provided. - Other Programs:
Additional programs can be found on the Internship Career Search page.
Independently Arranged Positions
There are several opportunities to arrange a teaching position independently. This requires you to research available positions and contact English language schools or private language institutes directly. Start this search by using a job placement program, recruiter, online search engines or your own networks. The options range from unpaid, short term volunteer programs to long-term teaching jobs.
You are responsible for negotiating the terms of your contract with the school. Benefits and compensation will vary greatly by position type. Typically these opportunities have less training and on the job support, but the higher degree of independence is attractive benefit for some students. A teaching certification is not always required, but it may give you more options.
Highlights
- Research positions, contact and negotiate terms with schools directly.
- Do your research! Not all programs are reputable.
- Options range from unpaid, short term volunteer programs to long-term teaching jobs.
- Benefits, compensation, and support will vary greatly by position.
- High degree of independence.
- Be aware of work permit and/or paperwork fees.
Popular Search Engines (these have not been vetted)
- ESL WorldWide:
ESL-Worldwide is a global job board for anyone seeking part or full time internships and jobs. You can teach English as a Second language in all regions of the world. - ESL Jobs:
An online job board where teachers can post their job offers, and native English teachers can post their resumes. Their staff is very knowledgeable in the ESL field. - Spotlight on Careers:
In addition to having resources on TEFL certification programs and country-specific resume advice, this website has a large listing of job databases that you can search.