How do I go about moving to Czech Republic or Japan to teach English as a second language?

Question

In a year's time, I will have earned a MFA degree from a graduate English program here in the United States. I'm thinking of going to either Japan or Czech Republic to teach ESL. I have experience tutoring college students, working as a TA, and working as a substitute high school teacher.

I know you need a minimum of a bachelor's degree, so will holding the master's degree help my chances of landing a job? And what other information do I need to know as I begin looking into this process?

Answer 1

Go on a website like Monster.com or Careerbuilder.com -- you can put in a quick search to find companies that are looking for people.  I see those types of jobs frequently.  Even though you aren't ready yet, you can get the info you need.

Answer 2

I can't say anything about teaching ESL in the Czech Republic, but I can speak from experience about the situation in Japan.  Firstly in Japan the field of ESL is becoming increasingly competitive. This means that many schools are becoming more selective in who they hire.  For example, at the University I currently teach at, I am one of the only staff members with out a certificate or degree in either TESOL or applied linguistics.  When I was hired two years ago that was not the case.  Today I would not even been granted in interview.  Other  Universities and High Schools are a mixed bag with some valuing people from a wide variety of fields and others demanding TESOL certification.  

Secondly, much of the hiring is based on who you know.  In order to get an interview it helps to already know someone on staff at either a university or high school.  Thus it can be good to come to Japan take a job as an ALT in public schools or getting on at a private language school.  I can't speak from experience but I have heard the former often has better working conditions than the latter.  Of course there are exceptions. Since you don't specify what kind of work situation your after I have tried to assemble a variety of sources to help in locating a position and information about the field.

www.jacet.org

Japan Association of College English Teachers

www.eltnews.com/ETJ/

English Teachers in Japan

www.jalt.org

Japan Association for Language Teaching

http://www.ohayosensei.com/

a newsletter listening jobs

Answer 3

The page below has some useful information on teaching in Japan: