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Accepting that first TEFL job overseas!

What to ask - How to decide

Getting that first serious job offer is a very exciting thing!  But, after you dance around a few moments - stop and catch your breath - and start to think about things you must know before making a final decision.  This section is designed to help you know if you should take that job - or not.

Some important questions to ask:

Don't be shy - these are important things to know before moving yourself halfway across the world.  But, don't ask all these questions in one shot! You'll scare your potential employer! Spread them out a bit!

What is expected of me on a daily basis?

How many classes a day will I be expected to teach?

How long is each class?  Is each class considered "one hour" even if it is only 45 or 50 minutes long?

Will I be expected to stay at the school even when I don't have classes?

Will I have responsibilities other than teaching? (like cleaning your classroom or the school, recruiting students, evaluating students for placement, handing out flyers for the school, etc.)  Will I be paid for that time?

Does the job provide housing?  Is it furnished?  What does "furnished" include?  How are the bills paid?  How far is it from the school?  Is it easy to get to work from there?  Do I have to pay a deposit for my housing?  How big is it?  Will I have to share it?  Are there any required monthly fees I must pay for?

Who is my boss?  To whom do I report?  Who evaluates me?

What criteria is used to decide if I am successful?

How much sick and vacation time do I get?  Who decides when I can use it?  Can I use it all at one time?  Does it accrue monthly or can I only use it at the end of my contract?

Is there a bonus or gratuity payment at the end of my contract (this is common)?  How much is it?  How is it determined?

What teaching resources does the school provide?  Teacher's manuals?  Photocopy machine? (who regulates its use?), OHP?  Internet? (great for lesson plans and finding activities), Computer?  Printer?  Paper?  Chalk/Markers? (really!)

Is there air conditioning and/or heating in the classrooms? (this could be important!)

How many students are in a class?  How are they placed or evaluated for placement?

How do we decide if the students are progressing or successful?

Will I have a work space available at the school?  A desk, an office?

Are there other foreign teachers at the school?  Can I talk to them before I make my decision?

How do I check the reputation of a TEFL school employer?

Is a contract worth the paper it is written on?

It's important ALSO to check the reputation of your employer.  You can ask directly on ELT World and TESALL discussion boards, but they can't know every school in the world, so your best bet is to talk to the other foreign teachers at the school where you intend to work. 

Ask more than one teacher at that school

Remember, everyone has a different experience and while one person loves the job and employer, others may not.  Ask more than one person.  Ask specifically what they like or don't like about the employer. 

Wages and Salary!

Some employers, in some countries, are well known for not paying on time, or paying less than was originally agreed to.  Be sure to check this issue with the current employees.  A friend of the author's once worked for a school with these problems, but stayed for three years - knowing - from talking to others and over time seeing it - that the employer always made good on amounts owing - at the end of the contract.  Problem?  Yes, but she loved the job - so tolerated it, knowing the money due was coming.  And she was paid in full at the end of her employment there.

Contracts

In some parts of the world, particularly Asia, contracts are looked at as "flexible" instruments - quite a different understanding from how we view them in the West.  Once again, ask the current employees if the contract is followed - and if not, why and how it is violated.

These issues should not always be the kiss of death for a potential job.  Some small issues are not so important in the big picture if you really like a job, its location and what you will be doing - and getting paid.

On the other hand . . .

Know that probably 95% of schools pay on time, treat their employees fairly and follow the contracts that they have signed.  You just don't hear about them.