The employers on the Best TEFL Jobs in the World List were chosen because of salary and benefits. Some people might not have to worry about money for a bit and a few lucky people might not have to worry about money at all, but for most of us, it's a concern. Even if you don't have to worry about money, it's nice to be paid a good salary and not work for a pittance.
All the employers listed are reputable and legit. That is to say, they will get you a proper working visa, pay you on time and what you've been promised, they won't farm you out to other schools, they won't fire you unjustly, and they keep their promises. If you know of any employer listed that is not repuable or legit, please let me know ([email protected]) and I will remove them from the list.
Here are some other things people consider besides money when looking for a great job. You can find more info in how schools can motivate teachers.
Career
- Academic freedom
- Possibility for advancement
- Prestigious school
- Stability
- Well-developed curriculum and materials
- Access to a shopping centre, gym, library, meeting rooms, etc.
- Car and petrol allowance
- Chance to learn the language
- Club membership
- Dental insurance
- Flights home for you and your family once a year
- Free or subsidized childcare
- Free or heavily discounted international schooling for up to 2 (sometimes 3) children
- Furnished housing (or a housing and furniture allowance)
- Good expat community
- Livable city
- Long vacations
- Medical/health insurance
- Shipping/baggage allowance
- Storage allowance
- Utilities allowance
- How many days a week you teach
- Few meetings
- Few office hours / desk warming hours
- Little paperwork
- Number of teaching hours
- Possibility for overtime
- Possibility for outside work
- Helpful faculty and staff
- Honest management
- Ethical conduct
- Fair treatment / no favouritism
- Getting paid on time
- Keeping promises
- No micromanagement
- Transparent evaluations
Students
- Small classes
- Student motivation
- Student age
- Classes are not cancelled often or if they are, enough notice is given
- Computer (hard to believe that in this day and age some places don't give you a computer).
- Contract completion bonus
- Contract re-signing bonus
- Copyright laws are respected
- Great retirement package
- High (tax-free if possible) salary
- Free gourmet meals
- Free gourmet coffee, teas, juices, etc
- Free snacks (Google states that employees should be within 150 feet of food)
- Language classes
- On the job training
- Sports facilities: pool, bowling alley, table tennis, screen golf
- Stock options
- Teaching facilities
- Your own office
- Teaching interesting classes
- Visa support
- Yearly bonus
However, there are still well-paying jobs with great benefits out there. While they traditionally are in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Qatar, Saudi, and UAE you can find good paying jobs in many countries around the world. Check out the Best TEFL Jobs in the World and be sure to read why I decided to make this list.