International Language Teaching Programs

Are you a native English speaker and/or educated in English?
Do you feel lost in your current career?
Are you a student or recent grad and not sure which direction to take?
Think you might want to teach but not ready to commit?
Do you want to experience a new language and culture for a short period of time?
Do you want to immigrate for the long term but don’t have the money or qualifications for a visa?

If you answered yes to any of those questions teaching English abroad through a government-run language assistantship could be a great option for you!

Most people know there are plenty of ESL jobs around the world. Fewer people know that there are a number of government programs for teaching English. After having personally done two of these programs, one in France and one in Spain, I highly recommend these types of programs over private language schools and non-governmental exchange programs. Why? Simple. They’re less work, more pay, safer, cost the applicant little to nothing beyond the cost of the flight, and are open to people with little or no ESL experience.

They offer opportunities to test out the teacher life before you commit, get paid to live abroad, fill out your resume during a gap year (or five!) and even be a backdoor into permanent relocation.

Although each country’s program is slightly different, the general job is pretty consistent. You work in one or more schools as native language support. You are a language and culture assistant, not a full teacher. In most programs you do not give or mark exams, you do not plan entire lessons, you do not discipline students, and you are not alone with the children.

You do have to show up for your hours, use and share resources from your home country, speak your native language, and lead certain games and activities. You will likely have some basic teacher training and/or observation before starting work though the amount and quality of training varies by program.

Spain: Auxiliares de conversación

The Spanish program is great for a variety of reasons. 1. It doesn’t have a language requirement. 2. You get a student visa without having to show the proof of income and housing normally required. 3. You can renew in-country and switch to a different type of visa (work, family, etc.) without returning to your home country. This makes it a good option for people trying to immigrate long-term or pursue other projects in Spain.

Plus you get to live in Spain! Sunshine is everywhere, siestas are built into your work schedule, and public holidays are frequent.

WARNING: Spain has a number of other “programs” that pretend to be or be affiliated with the official Auxiliares de conversación program. These are NOT good programs. Some charge application and service fees and/or require more hours of work for less money. The official auxiliares de conversación program does not charge an application fee or require you pay anything besides the student visa fee paid directly to your Spanish consulate.

Basic info

Contract: October 1 – May 31
Location: Spanish public school(s); primary to secondary; each autonomous community determines which countries of origin are allowed
Hours: 12 hours per week (except Madrid, 16 hours), 4 days a week (English assistants almost always given Monday or Friday off);
Pay: 700€ net per month (1000€ in Madrid)
Housing: not provided
Renewal: Yes; 2 renewals available officially but not uncommon for auxiliares to be renewed more
Visa: applicant pays; student visa, renewable in-country, can be changed to work/family visa in Spain, can be renewed for another education program (eg. MA/PhD programs, some language programs), counts for establishing permanent residency in Spain

Eligibility

Eligible countries: varies by year and autonomous community; here’s the 2020-2021 list of countries and application links
Age limit: 21-60; schools themselves decide whether to take an assistant older than 35
Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Language: None

How to apply

Select your country’s link on the pdf and follow their application procedures. For the Philippines click here. There’s also a great blog that goes through the entire process for Filipino applicants.

The application period starts January 1 and runs until early April.

Japan: Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET)

JET has three different exchange jobs: Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), Coordinator for International Relations (CIR), and Sports Exchange Advisors (SEA).

ALTs are the most common and are language assistants that teach English or other foregin languages in Japanese public schools. CIRs work in offices and agencies translating, teaching employees, and helping with the company’s overseas guests. CIRs require a high level of Japanese while ALTs do not. SEAs are sports professionals who work specifically in sports-related activities.

Compared to the European language assistantships JET is more like a fulltime job. You have more hours, more responsibility, and more money. Unlike most other assistantships, JET pays for your flight to Japan.

ALTs Basic info

Contract: varies by country; participants from Brazil, China, Korea, and Peru come in early April and participants from other countries come late July/early August; contract lasts for 10 months
Location: Japanese school(s); primary to secondary
Hours: 35 hours per week at the school split between teaching, after school activities, and other duties
Pay: Year 1: ¥3,360,000 then increases for renewal years
Housing: Depends on placement
Renewal: can renew 4 times
Visa: Participants issued a 3-year working visa; not valid for jobs outside the JET programme

Eligibility

Eligible countries: JET country list; if your country is not on this list but you were educated in English or and English-speaking country you are encouraged to contact your embassy and may still be eligible to participate
Age limit: None
Education: Bachelor’s degree or certificate of at least 3 years completed study
Language: None for ALTs

How to apply

JET’s application instructions direct candidates to contact the Japanese embassy in their country of origin. Some countries have dedicated application portals and some are run directly through the Japanese embassy’s website.

Application deadlines vary by country. According to the JET website, applications open in October and run until late November/early December. Those who make it past the initial round will have an interview at the embassy in February. Accepted applicants will be notified in late March or April.

Georgia: Teach and Learn with Georgia

The country of Georgia is actively recruiting native English, French, or German teachers to co-teach in Georgia public schools. While this program is off the beaten path, it does offer incentives such as paid flights and a cellphone. Adventurous teachers looking for a truly immersive cultural experience may also appreciate living with a host family.

Basic Info

Contract: September – June
Location: Georgia public schools
Pay: 600 GEL net if living with host family; 500 GEL net if living alone
Housing: most assistants live with host families
Renewal: yes

Eligibility

Eligible countries: no specific countries listed; native English, French, or German speakers
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Language: none

Chile: English Opens Doors National Volunteers

Volunteers with the English Opens Doors program are placed all across Chile and work with public school children aged 10-18. The pay for this program is very low, only 10,000 CLP or about $130USD and volunteers must cover all travel costs and arrive with sufficient savings to live in Chile. Beyond the stipend and host family placement, volunteers also receive free access to a full online Spanish course.