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Category: Getting Started

New to ESL teaching? Start here — first steps, requirements, and how to land your first teaching job abroad.

45 posts

Culture Shock: What Every New Teacher Should Know

Every ESL teacher experiences culture shock. It doesn't matter how well-traveled you are, how much you love the destination, or how prepared you think you are…Read more
Bryan Whitman
9 min Jul 14

Accredited vs Non-Accredited TEFL Courses

Every TEFL course provider uses the word "accredited." It's plastered across every homepage, every sales page, and every certificate. The problem is that not…Read more
Bryan Whitman
7 min Jul 14

Preparing Your Teaching Portfolio

A teaching portfolio is the single most underused tool in ESL job applications. Most applicants send a resume and cover letter and stop there. But a…Read more
Bryan Whitman
7 min Jul 14

How Much Does a TEFL Certification Cost?

Ask "how much does a TEFL cost?" in any teaching abroad forum and you'll get answers ranging from "$20 on Groupon" to "$2,500 for a CELTA." Both are real…Read more
Bryan Whitman
8 min Jul 14

How to Get Professional References

References are the quiet workhorse of an ESL job application. Most applicants treat them as a checkbox — "2 references available on request" — but…Read more
Bryan Whitman
8 min Jul 14

Best Countries for First-Time ESL Teachers

Choosing your first ESL teaching destination is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your teaching career. The right country can give you a smooth,…Read more
Bryan Whitman
8 min Jul 14

Best Countries for Experienced ESL Teachers

Once you have a few years of ESL teaching under your belt, a different tier of opportunities opens up. Experienced teachers can command higher salaries, better…Read more
Bryan Whitman
7 min Jul 14

Best Countries for Non-Native English Teachers

The ESL industry has historically favored native English speakers from a handful of countries, but the landscape is changing. For qualified non-native English…Read more
Bryan Whitman
7 min Jul 14

Best Countries for Teaching Couples

Teaching English abroad as a couple is one of the most rewarding ways to experience a new country together. Dual incomes, shared housing, and a built-in…Read more
Bryan Whitman
8 min Jul 14

Highest Paying Countries for ESL Teachers

For many ESL teachers, the goal is not just adventure but also financial reward. Whether you are paying off student loans, saving for a house deposit, or…Read more
Bryan Whitman
7 min Jul 14