Work Abroad

Although availability of jobs and visa requirements will vary from country to country, there are a huge number of opportunities you can take advantage of. The first step is finding a country you would have the right to work within. The second step is finding and applying for jobs. Here's some resources and job opportunities you can browse to help you get started.

Finding Jobs Abroad

US Department of State Foreign Service - Careers

US Department of State - Resources for Working Overseas

Teaching English Abroad

Teaching English abroad is an easy way to keep living overseas while working. However, it does require preliminary certifications and trainings before you can apply for jobs.

How to get started

Step 1: get TEFL certified

TEFL means Teaching English as a Foreign Language. They can be earned in person or online and most employers will require a certificate that includes a minimum of 120 classroom hours (although 160 hours are recommended). Some of the certificates include observed teaching practice, which may be preferred or even required by an employer.

TEFL/TESOL, CELTA and CertTESOL are all certifications geared towards TEFL teachers. They differ in the organizations that deliver them as well as their format, curriculum and requirements.

Step 2: decide where you want to teach

There are pros and cons to living and working in every region, so make sure you're doing your research thoroughly before applying to jobs.

Step 3: explore types of teaching jobs available

You can teach English at a variety of insititutions, including but not limited to public and private schools, English teaching assistant programs, preschools and kidnergartens, language academies and universities. Do your research before applying and you may want to try a few before settling on one!

Step 4: create your TEFL teacher resume

Even if you have zero teaching experience, you can highlight transferrable skills from previous positions that will help you land the job. Be aware that CVs/resume requirements will differ greatly depending on the country and region, so be sure to tailor your resume carefully.

Step 5: start your job search

Usually, when job searching in most industries you may rely on Indeed and applying directly to positions. Teaching English overseas is a little different. You may be placed in a school or language academy through your program provider (Teaching Nomad, CIEE, Greenheart, etc.), government-sponsored programs such as in Spain, South Korea or Grance may hire you to work in public schools, or recruiters may connect you to a job. Searching for a job independently is usually easiest for teachers hoping to work in a language academy, business English organization, or university rather than in a public or private school. Jobs can be found through teaching job boards or websites.

Information pulled from Go Overseas

Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program

The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme is a Japanese government–sponsored international exchange initiative that invites recent college graduates from around the world to live and work in Japan. Its main purpose is to promote grassroots internationalisation by placing participants in local schools and government offices to support foreign language education and community-level cultural exchange. Participants typically work as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs), or occasionally Sports Exchange Advisors (SEAs), helping to foster mutual understanding between Japan and other nations while gaining professional experience and cultural insight.

If interested, please contact makiko.diehl@montana.edu for more information.

North American Language & Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP)

The North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP) is a public diplomacy initiative run by the Spanish Ministry of Education through the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain in the United States. It offers American college students and recent graduates who are native-like English speakers the opportunity to work as language and culture assistants in elementary and secondary schools throughout Spain. Participants support English language learning under the supervision of Spanish teachers, serve as cultural ambassadors, and deepen their own understanding of Spanish language and culture. Placements typically run from October to May, include a monthly stipend and health insurance, and involve around 14–16 hours of teaching assistance per week.