How to Get Paid for Your Summer Teaching Abroad

From Europe to Asia, there are tons of opportunities to get paid teaching abroad. And although many teaching jobs abroad require a commitment of at least a year, there are resources for teachers looking to spend a short summer term in a foreign country. Here are just a few suggestions on how to find available paid job opportunities in a few different categories.

Paid teaching abroad programs for students, graduate students, or recent graduates

• The British Universities North America Club (BUNAC) works with undergraduate students, graduate students, or those whose graduation was only one semester prior to the beginning of the work experience. Work visas can be obtained for a number of countries, and the list of available countries changes from time to time. Some countries offer jobs and lodging, but others issue the work visa and require applicants to find their own jobs and a place to stay.
• Almost all universities have summer teaching abroad programs. Many are volunteer programs, but a paid summer job could also be available. Check with your own school or alma mater to see if there is a program available.

Summer teaching opportunities at schools abroad available to certified teachers

• English language schools abroad often offer paid jobs for one month or for the entire summer. Run a Google search for these types of schools and check their employment pages, or reach out to their HR contact (if it’s listed) directly to inquire.
• Although public school teaching jobs generally want teachers who will make a commitment of nine to 12 months, short-term summer teaching jobs are available in many countries. Take a look at teachaway.com to search for opportunities.
• Footprints recruiting also offers a list of summer paid teaching job opportunities across the globe  for certified teachers.

Summer camp teaching opportunities abroad available to everyone

There are quite a number of paid teaching jobs abroad in summer language camps for children—particularly for native English speakers to teach English in summer day and outdoor camps.

• At Village Camps, overnight camps are conducted completely in English. Campers, usually between the ages of 8 and 18, may be involved in activities like swimming and horseback riding, but the entire camping experience is conducted in English. Camps are usually about two weeks long, and they offer excellent opportunities for short-term teaching.
• Teaching in adult summer camps is another option. These opportunities are often on university campuses, where you may even be expected to live in a dormitory with the students.
• TEFLTEMP assists people in finding short-term jobs in teaching English as a foreign language around the world, with positions in China, Korea, Spain, and more.
• Another helpful organization is Traveler’s Quest, which assists people in finding both long-term and short-term teaching jobs abroad from more than 110 countries. The organization also provides volunteer opportunities.

General tips for finding a summer teaching abroad paid job

• Begin the job search early! There will be phone interviews and visas to obtain, in addition to a passport. Obtaining a passport and a visa can take weeks, so give yourself enough time to prepare.
• Review teaching requirements. All countries have their own teaching requirements. If you have a list of possible cities or countries you want to teach in, make sure you research their requirements to see if you’re eligible.  
• Prepare for interviews.. These are generally conducted by phone, but with present-day technology, many are now conducted by Skype. The main purpose of the interview is to verify you’re a native English speaker, but make sure you’re ready to talk about your goals and passions.
• Research culture and customs. Depending on the teaching job, applicants may not be required to know the language of the country where they plan to teach. However, you should become familiar with the culture and customs of the country you’re going to. Final helpful hint: Enjoy the summer!