frequently asked questions
General Questions
International schools medium of instruction is English; most students that attend these schools have fairly good language proficiency. Language institutes have local co teachers which supports you as the main teacher.
Holidays and term dates are usually quite different to your home country and may vary by school.
Work weeks may vary, dependent on the country and institution, e.g. In Saudi Arabia and Dubai, weekends are Friday and Saturday whereas a language institute in China may operate Wednesday to Sunday.
Teaching resources may differ from what you may be accustomed to but it’s a good idea to take along your own resources that could be utilized in your new school and contribute to the international teaching fraternity.
Western foods are available in most countries however it’s a lot more expensive than local food.
Registration
Complete the basic form and upload your resume with video here.
Direct ESL recruits for positions throughout the year, teachers are to indicate when they are able to commence an overseas teaching position.
After the recruitment consultant has reviewed your resume and video, they’ll apply to positions on your behalf and we will contact you and prepare you for an interview if you have been considered.
All Middle Eastern and China positions are done free of charge
We primarily recruit TESOL/TEFL certified teachers from native English speaking countries United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Financial Matters
Direct ESL will only charge a consultation fee for resume and video compilations as well as for positions in South Korea and European language institutes.
Salary dates vary by institution, you are paid via direct bank deposit however the first month may be via cheque or cash until a bank account has been opened. Schools generally assist in this regard.
Like salaries, benefits that employees enjoy varies depending on country and school, some of the benefits that are provided include, free housing, medical insurance, round trip airfare, tuition for dependents etc.
Attestations and Visas
The cost of Visa and attestation of documents varies according to country. This process is only started once you have accepted a position and have signed a contract. Direct ESL will place you in touch with an agent that specializes in arranging visas swiftly without any hassle. In most instances the visa and attestation cost incurred are reimbursed.
This may be dependent on a number of factors, the country you will be working in, the time of year, the type of visa etc.
Qualifications
For ESL positions in East Asia a Bachelor’s degree and TESOL/TEFL certification makes one eligible. International schools may have specific requirements e.g. Bachelors in education degree, PGCE with certain specialization.
Interviews
Interviews are 25 to 50 min dependent on the school; we try to guide you as best we can in the interview prep.
Some hiring managers may travel to conduct interviews, others may just conduct interviews using video call, and teachers are to ensure they are familiar with the various video and meeting applications. A Direct ESL consultant will assist you if necessary.
About
Connecting vibrant and dynamic teachers with schools focused on delivering excellent education.
It is our mission to deliver excellence in the field of teaching English as a foreign language to the world.
Quick LInks
Contact
We’d love to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to connect with us!
- Cape Town, 8100
- +27 072-495-0646
- contact@directesl.com