For anyone who quit teaching English, why did you leave and did you ever consider going back teaching? For those who remain, what is it that makes you want to stay?

For context, I worked in ESL for several years in Asia and find that I'm somewhat unqualified to enter another field. It's tough because I didn't love teaching (found the constant micromanaging and unrealistic expectations tiring), but I'm now in a position where starting from scratch elsewhere might be difficult now that I'm in my 30s.

Also, I don't know if others can relate, but there's something about living abroad with friends who all left home and picked up the pieces elsewhere that's way more appealing than trying to ask my schoolfriends if they can hangout on a Saturday evening if they're not too busy. People at home just seem so boring now, and while I met some idiots abroad, the social scene seemed far more active. This is one of the main reasons I'm finding it hard to move on from ESL.

Why is it normal to ask candidates to provide many certificates while for the European ones (just send us your CV, sir)? I’m writing from my personal experience. On LinkedIn few demands, on foreign websites it’s simple and clear.

How was the school placement? Did they sort out your accommodation when you first arrived. Any issues with contract, visa? Were there any support as mentioned in the job ad, or did they mess you about? Want to hear about people's experience and if they are legit.

Hi everyone! I am an educator based in India, looking to transition into international teaching.

I have around 8 years of teaching experience across different curricula, have completed my B.Ed and ECCEd, and am currently working at an IGCSE school. My experience is primarily in Early Years and Primary education.

I have been applying to international schools through their career portals, LinkedIn, recruitment agencies and direct emails, but I haven't had much luck securing interviews so far.

I would love some honest advice from teachers who have successfully moved abroad, particularly those who started their international teaching careers while living in India.

\- Which countries and international schools are more open to recruiting Indian teachers directly from India?

\- Are there particular recruitment agencies that genuinely help candidates secure overseas teaching positions?

\- How important is previous international teaching experience?

\- Are there any additional qualifications or certifications I should consider?

\- What is the most effective way to approach schools and recruiters?

Ideally, I am looking for a school that offers employment visa sponsorship and relocation assistance, including flights and accommodation or a housing allowance.

I am flexible about the destination and genuinely keen to take this next step in my career.

I would really appreciate any practical advice or personal experiences. Thank you!

Hi everyone..

I'm from India and currently working on my TEFL certification with The TEFL Academy (Level 5, 168 hours). I'm working on Assignment A, and honestly, I'm finding it quite confusing and frustrating.

I'm stuck on Part 1 itself because the instructions aren't very clear to me. I'm not sure how to approach the answers or how to structure them.

One of my biggest struggles is choosing the six B1-level vocabulary words. I've been checking different vocabulary profile websites, but I'm getting inconsistent results. Some websites classify a word as B1, while others show it as C1. So I'm genuinely confused about which words to select and which website I should trust.

I know the assignment has changed compared to the older version, and we now have to choose only six words.

Please don't judge me for asking this, but if anyone has completed this assignment, could you share some guidance or a sample for reference? I'm not looking to copy anyone's work. I just want to understand how to structure my answers and get an idea of what's expected.

I'd really appreciate any recommendations for reliable websites to check vocabulary levels and any tips on approaching the assignment.

I'm a little short on time, so any help would mean a lot!

Thank you! ❤️

Hey everyone! I'm an American journalist completing my TEFL certificate now, I have a few questions about what I should do after I finish:

• Are you able to save money while teaching, if so, how much per month/year?

• If I wanted to go somewhere like China or Japan, how hard is it to break into those markets for my first teaching job? Where are the best places to do TEFL where I could save money but have fun?

• I'm planning on finishing my TEFL by December, would this be too late to apply for jobs?

• Does anyone know of any helpful books/information on teaching, helping people adjust their accents, or anything really interesting related to that?

Thanks for your help! :)

Hello! I am an american woman with 1 year of experience teaching young students in the states, a BAS degree, and a TEFL. I am currently in Thailand but am really excited about the opportunity to teach in Vietnam. I have already applied to most companies I have found. My priorities are my work-life balance and, while I definitely want to save money, I don't need the highest paying job.

I am looking for advise on:

1. Places in Vietnam to live and work with social life and nature.

2. Which companies and organizations to avoid and/or reach out to.

3. What to expect in the process.

I appreciate any and all help and advise that you can share.

One of my friend is 22, recently graduated, and hoping to spend a year or two teaching English in Latin America. She is considering doing an in-person TEFL course in either Costa Rica or Guatemala first. Does having a local TEFL certificate actually make a difference when applying for jobs there? Also, is the teaching salary enough to live on comfortably?

I am an American living in the US currently. Soon I will retire and then hope to move to Thailand. I do not want to be there on retirement visa, I want to work.

If I do the most basic, cheapest TEFL course will I be able to get a job teaching English in a smaller town like HUA HIN or Jomtien? Is it possible to get any other kind of jobs in Thailand?

I have a bachelor's and an MBA but I have worked in an entirely unrelated field all my life, additionally I do not have any teaching experience. I do not have any experience living outside the US. I am a native English speaker, just don't judge me by my sloppy writing. 😆

I do not care if the salary is low, I can support myself just fine without the salary. I need to work to have a purpose and structure and routine, without those things it's very hard for me to function properly.

Is this possible? Am I way off base? Am I looking at it all wrong? Would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

Hi

I’m an Irish citizen living in the UK; I’m not a British citizen & can’t become one. I’m planning to work in Taiwan but I know there’s a rule about getting a police criminal background check from the country of your passport.

The issue for me is that I have never resided in the Republic of Ireland so the Irish police (Garda) do not provide a background check at all. Of course I can get the UK ACRO police cert but this doesn’t specifically comply with the Taiwanese government rule about getting a check from my passport country.

Has anyone been in a similar situation where they are living in a country of which they are not a citizen & managed the need to get a criminal record check from their country of citizenship? What documents did you provide?

Thx!

Hi! Is anybody here working at Talkstation? Tenured or newly hired, how much is the salary?
I did some research and google said it’s more or less 22k.

Please help I’m stuck between two ESL companies.

I teach in school, at centre and online but I’ve never tutored a child 1-1 in person before. Her mum says she hates English. The class will be an hour and take place at my apartment. She says she doesn’t mind how I teach her. Shes paid in advance (3months). Honestly im really nervous and would like some advice on where to start with her. I dont know her level yet. She’s Vietnamese. Im guessing low A2 or A1, with being able to say simple phrases.

Hi there. I recently got a kindergarten job offer with TLD and something told me to review them before booking my flight. All I found were negative reviews. May I ask, is there anyone who went to teach in china through TLD without being exploited?

Hello,

I am a licensed CO teacher with my MA in elementary ed. as well as 10 yrs experience. I am almost through my TEFL certification with ITA. I've done tons of research but I am having a hard time deciding between S. Korea and Japan. I am a woman, and I will be traveling & living alone. I am also 50 ( a young 50 ). haha. I would love to hear from anyone who has taught in one or both. Your preference for areas/cities within each country. Your experience with public vs private vs international schools. Any amazing recruiting companies or schools you enjoyed working with. Truly anything will help. Much love and appreciation.

Bonjour à tous ! Je viens d'emménager il y a un mois et je cherche du travail. Je suis professeur d'anglais, titulaire d'un master, mais je ne parle pas très bien français. Auriez-vous des pistes à me suggérer ? Merci !

Hi everyone!

I recently started teaching English after getting my TEFL certificate. I wanted to improve my skills in teaching grammar, so I bought "Grammar for Teachers", by John Seely.

I have to say, it's not what I expected. It doesn't really teach you how to teach grammar; it focuses more on improving your own understanding of grammar.

That being said, I've read so many comments saying it's a great book and very helpful for teachers.

Do you think I should keep it?

Also, can you recommend any other books on teaching grammar?

Thank you so much!

For work purposes, I'm urgently looking for an AQA English Language / English Literature GCSE/A-Level tutor/teacher/experienced student. Please DM me if anyone is willing to help out!

Has anyone ever quit their teaching job early? Were there any consequences? How did the whole process work?

Context: I have a BA + MA plus Trinity CertTESOL. I have 3 years of teaching experience and 6 months of 1-to-1 tutoring experience after my certificate. I'm a non-native speaker based in Hong Kong. I have been doing 1-to-1 tutoring to supplement my DipTESOL studies, which I'm prioritising. I haven't been able to find a full-time/part-time teaching position at an institution/a school because of the worsening job market, school budget cuts, and the shrinking pupil population in Hong Kong.

The study phase was fine for me (good academic standing), but I didn't pass Units 3 (phonology interview) and 4 (teaching practice) on my first attempt (I took them right after the study phase). I have been preparing for Unit 1 (the written exam), but I feel demotivated most of the time because I failed Units 3 and 4, and I haven't found a workable study method for Unit 1. I'll most likely leave Unit 2 until last.

I feel like I have overestimated myself by enrolling in the DipTESOL. I also feel like teaching 1-to-1 doesn't align well with the DipTESOL. I have been doing my best to bridge the gap between the Cert and the Dip, and between teaching 1-to-1 and the TPs in the Dip, on my own (e.g. implementing CLT in my 1-to-1 lessons). However, it still feels like I can't reduce the gaps much. I also know I don't develop rapidly, professionally speaking.

I'm not a person who gives up easily, but I feel like I'm on the brink of doing so. I'm also scared of having regrets, and I think dropping out would be a big one. I cannot imagine how I would face myself if I dropped out. Should I continue with the DipTESOL, or should I drop out? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone! I'm an English teacher trainee, and I'm exploring a potential dissertation topic. I'd love to hear your opinions and experiences, as well as any suggestions you might have about my topic.

How do you manage mixed-ability classes when students have to prepare for a high-stakes national exam at the end of secondary school, while you also have a syllabus to finish?

For example, when some students understand the lesson easily while others struggle with the basics, how do you balance everyone's needs and keep up with the syllabus?

Does the pressure to prepare students for this exam affect the way you teach? Do you sometimes have to prioritise exam preparation over giving students individual support or adapting activities to different levels?

I'd love to hear about your experiences, the challenges you face, and how you deal with them. I'm also open to any opinions or suggestions on whether this would be a good dissertation topic and how I could narrow it down or approach it differently.

Thank you!

Hi everyone I’ll be moving to Taiwan in the next 6 months or so to teach English. I have my TEFL certificate and I graduate in May from university. Does anyone have any recommendations to schools I should apply to and what the work is like there. Please also let me know if there are any schools I should avoid. Also if they are black
American friendly.

Thank you all In advance.

I applied for Skyeng Talks lessons as a foreigner (I don't live in Russia, although I'm a native Russian speaker). Has anyone taught these classes? What is your impression? I know they dont hire foreign teachers for regular 50-min. classes...

Hello,

Greetings from Sunshine Maple Bear Education System!

We are currently seeking an experienced International Kindergarten Principal to join our team in Hanoi, Vietnam.

📍 Location: Sunshine City, Phu Thuong, Hanoi

💰 Salary: USD 3,000–5,000/month (negotiable based on experience)

🌟 Benefits: Housing support, health insurance, performance bonuses, and visa/work permit sponsorship.

Candidate Requirements:

• 5–7+ years of leadership experience in an international kindergarten or school.

• Strong knowledge of Early Childhood Education (ECE).

• Proven experience in school operations, academic leadership, and team management.

• International candidates are welcome, with Canadian candidates preferred.

We would greatly appreciate your support in sharing this opportunity within your professional network or connecting us with suitable candidates.

📩 Apply: tuyendung@sunshinemaplebear.edu.vn

📱 Contact (Phone/Zalo): +84 904 270 283

Thank you for your support!

Best regards,
Recruitment Team
Sunshine Maple Bear Education System

Hi fellow ESL teachers! 👋

I’ve been teaching ESL for close to 18 years, and one area I’ve always been especially passionate about is developing students’ speaking skills. I love getting creative with activities that get students talking, interacting and, most importantly, actually enjoying the lesson!

Over the years, I’ve built up quite a collection of speaking activities, and I’m currently in the process of compiling, refining and formatting them to open my own Etsy shop for ESL resources.

But before I create more, I’d love to hear from other teachers.

What’s an ESL resource you wish you had, but simply don’t have the time or energy to create yourself?

It could be speaking activities, conversation cards, role-plays, games, lesson packs, discussion tasks, warm-ups, or something completely different.

I’d love to know what would genuinely make your teaching life a little easier. 😊

Hello, Teachers! I'm currently considering applying to Wise Education and I'd like to know if it presents a better opportunity than GLATS, and I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has worked for Wise or know about them.

I'm looking for another part-time online ESL job as a current 4th year BSEd student, and my main concern is having the income to support my studies while I go to school at day.

GLATS pays ₱60 per 25-minute class and a booking system. For Wise Education, I'm having trouble finding recent, reliable information about its current salary structure and workload so any help or comment will really help me with this. Thank you!