There are quite a few teach abroad programs out there, many of which we have talked about on this blog or on JobMonkey.

World Teach is a small program with more than 20 years of experience sending volunteers abroad to teach English and other subjects in host communities in Latin America, the Pacific Islands, Asia and Africa. Read on to learn about what sets them apart from other teach abroad organizations.

WHO are they?

WorldTeach seems like it has been around forever, given it’s close community relationships and reputations. It was founded in 1986 (not exactly forever) by a group of Harvard students and has placed thousands of volunteers around the globe in teach abroad positions, but has maintained the feel of a small organization, committed to both expanding the experience of its volunteers and providing a valuable service to host communities.

WHAT do they want you to do?

WorldTeach volunteers are placed directly into the classroom – but the type of classroom varies from country to country. A typical placement might be teaching English to to younger children, or to adult businessmen and women. However, WorldTeach volunteers might be doing more than simple teaching English. Holding classes about HIV/AIDS awareness, computer skills or basic math and science can also be involved in the life of a WorldTeach volunteer.

I will disclose upfront that WorldTeach does require that you pay to volunteer – but only for some programs. Unlike most volunteer abroad programs that offer extensive staffing in the host country, WorldTeach has actively looked to programs that are of little or no cost to the volunteer by working with local governments. A number of WorldTeach programs, including those in Bangladesh and Micronesia, are free while other programs can cost up to $5,500.

WHERE might you go?

WorldTeach partners with educational institutions on the ground in countries including: Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Micronesia, Namibia and Thailand. Some placements occur in U.S. held territories like the Marshall Islands and American Samoa. Volunteers apply directly to projects in one of these locations.

WHEN can you go?

WorldTeach has three types of programs: year, semester and summer. Year programs are typically 11 months in length, while semester programs are five months and summer two months. Depending on the needs of the country and the length of the program, there are various “launch dates” throughout the year (while summer programs typically begin in June). Many of the year-long programs begin over the summer as well, but Thailand and Namibia (for example) depart in October and December respectively.

WHY are they awesome?

In my experience with WorldTeach, what really sets them apart is their training and ongoing support.

Each placement area has a program coordinator whose job it is to make sure that the volunteers can do theirs – this includes holding trainings about teacher effectiveness and skills, organizing social events and troubleshooting if need be. These program coordinators are typically former volunteers and/or former teachers themselves, and most of them have extensive experience in the host country.

I also love that the have trips that begin at various times throughout the year, and for varying lengths of times, which means that they are not only sending volunteers to foreign countries based on the country’s schedule and needs, but that volunteers can choose the commitment that works best for them.

But without a doubt, my favorite part of WorldTeach is their comprehensive fundraising guide for volunteers. Most programs cost somewhere in the ball park of $5,000 for a one-year volunteer experience, but WorldTeach hits the ground running with tools to help defray some of these costs – WorldTeach does not assume that volunteers will just pay these costs out of pocket, but rather encourages volunteers to involve family, friends and the community in not only the fundraising experience, but in the service experience as well.

HOW can you apply?

Before you apply, you should take advantage of the “How to Decide” feature on the WorldTeach website, which gives you short overviews of the programs organized by location, and includes departure information and cost. This is a great “at-a-glance” reference for those who are interested in teaching jobs abroad, but don’t really know where to begin. You can also read through the volunteer testimonials to get a sense of what day-to-day life is like for a WorldTeach volunteer, in their own words.

The application can be completed and submitted online at the WorldTeach website, and most programs (especially the year programs) require a deposit to hold you spot.

Have you worked or volunteered with WorldTeach? Do you have anything to add?

This is the second in a weekly series of spotlights. Some will focus on organizations and businesses, others on locations and cities, and occasionally people who have lived and worked abroad and can offer advice. We hope that you find them as you learn more about work abroad and volunteer overseas jobs.

Earlier this week we talked about non-teaching jobs abroad, for all of those who want a job that involves something besides teaching English as a foreign language. While there are plenty of those types of jobs out there, the most popular overseas job remains teaching English, and with good reason! Teaching English in a foreign country has many benefits: flexibility, competitive wages, and using a skill that you already have.

Teaching English abroad also provides tons of interaction with locals – you’d be surprised at how much you can learn about a foreign language just by teaching someone English. Things like slang, history and culture all come through when you are talking with someone about what to say, and what not to say, in both social and business situations.

To many, the key to teaching English abroad is certification. The easiest way to give someone your credentials and make them feel comfortable about having you as an instructor is to explain that you are either certified in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or TEAL (Teaching English as an Additional Language).

That’s a lot of acronyms! It might be difficult to make sense of all of those letters, so we’ve compiled from frequently asked questions about teaching abroad certifications to make the process easier for you to begin. So if you’re looking for or securing a teach abroad job for the summer, look no further for answers!

1) Which certification do I need?

The truth is, you don’t “need” any certification at all (see question 2 below). But it is a good idea to look into some sort of certification if you want to fall into the English teaching abroad world more easily,. If you are looking into a specific program abroad, they might even require that you are certified before you can be deployed.

The TEFL is the standard certification for English instructors abroad (and in the United States).  It can be completed either in person or online. You will have to complete a course (which can also be done online) to qualify for the TEFL certification.  There are many (many many) online resources for the TEFL course, most of which will charge you are pretty penny to take the course and become certified.

2) Can I teach English abroad without any certification?

The short answer to this question is YES. But you should be award of a few things as you try to find a job. The first is that teaching at any of the major English language schools will be close to impossible While teaching English abroad is very lucrative, it is also very popular. Students studying abroad, and those working in other jobs may teach English on the side to make extra money, leaving the market saturated with potential teachers and tutors. Those with certifications can stream line the process of applying for jobs at the major schools by using their certifications to prove credibility.

If you don’t have TEFL, don’t worry! There are opportunities for you. There are many people who are looking for a more casual learning experience, or just a conversation partner to learn English with. You’ll have to do a little more work to find them, but Craigslist (and similar marketplaces abroad) are full of people requesting English tutoring. It is generally cheaper for them to find someone outside of an English school, and you get to keep more of your wages (and decide how much to charge, for that matter) than you would if you were working for a school.

3) Where should I take the TEFL course? How much should it cost?

This is where things get tricky. There is now official TEFL certification. There are simply schools (or online course providers) that offer ways to earn a certificate. The key to making the best use of your money with TEFL is to make sure that your course if recognized by a reputable external organization, UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate).

Another important component to TEFL is real-world experience. While many can get everything they need from an online course, only in-person courses can offer classroom observation and hands-on experience.

TEFLCourseReview.com and TEFL.net host forums where you can rate the different TEFL courses (both online and in-person). Consult the boards on those sites (or other similar review sites) before you commit to any TEFL course financially.

The cost for a TEFL course will vary from school to school, with the average cost for an in-person class (and I would recommend in-person over online classes) at about $2,000 (longer for longer-duration classes) and online classes at about $500. If you find a deal that is much lower than that, beware – extremely cheap classes are likely not recognized by employers abroad.

4)   How long does TEFL certification take?

A good course should last for no less than 4 weeks.

A great course might be closer to three months. Some schools offer a weekend class that packs in close to 18 hours in just two days – this may sound attractive, but I would only advise taking part in accelerated courses as a refresher class, not as your only experience with TEFL or teaching English.

TEFL and other courses are only part of the teaching abroad experience. Great English teachers are passionate about language, interested in meeting new people, and are extremely patient. If you posses these qualities, the teaching abroad experience might be the right fit for you.

School’s out for summer! But learning never stops, does it? Even if you are off to the beach for a little R&R, you can stay current on all the latest trends in career development by tossing one of these page turners into your bag. Read all five of them by August for extra credit!

1. The Ultimate Camp Counselor Manual: (How To Survive and Succeed Magnificently at Summer Camp) by Mark Richman

Be the star pupil of your counselor orientation this summer by doing your homework. Learn that you need to know about being a great summer counselor from this fact-filled book that covers everything from discipline to motivation and more.

2. Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments
by Jenna Glatzer

Always dreamed of seeing your name in print? Check out Jenna Glatzer’s step-by-step how-to book for earning top dollar by writing for magazines.

3. Survival Kit for Overseas Living, Fourth Edition: For Americans Planning to Live and Work Abroad by L. Robert Kohls

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Living and working abroad is an incredible, life-changing experience, but it does take some planning. Robert Kohls’ common sense guide is a great place to start this exciting chapter of your life.

4. Walt Disney’s Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park by Jeff Kurtti

Nothing says “summer” like a trip to the theme park… and it doesn’t get more themed than the original Disney World. Five decades ago, Walt Disney utterly transformed outdoor entertainment from seedy traveling carnivals to the get-away destinations now known as theme parks. If you’ve always dreamed of landing a job at a Walt Disney resort, spend a few hours boning up on history of these groundbreaking parks.

5. I’m on LinkedIn, Now What??? A Guide to Getting the Most Out of LinkedIn by Jason Alba

No matter what kind of job you are in the market for, you have to know how to network. And in today’s world, that means social networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and even Twitter. Learn more about making the most of your online presence with Jason Alba’s definitive guide to LinkedIn.

What’s on your must-read list for this summer? Spam us with the book titles and share the wealth of knowledge!

Have you dreamed about becoming a teacher? Do you want to shape the lives and futures of young people? Do you have a passion for science, mathematics, or art that you want to share with others? Maybe you just always liked playing school as a kid and think that might be a good career for you now that you’re an adult. No matter what has inspired your interest in school teaching, the JobMonkey’s newest section on education careers is a great place to get started on your newest career. Come learn about the types of schools — from public and private to charter, magnet and even online schools — and the wide variety of teaching jobs.

Do you find yourself longing for new horizons? Are you happiest when packing up a bag and planning a big trip? If you want to ditch the 9-5 job search and head out on the open road to adventure, here are 10 great resources to help you plan the experience of a life time — working (or volunteering) abroad.

1. International Jobs Center is a comprehensive source of international careers for professionals, including international development jobs.
2. DevNetJobs is the #1 online source for finding international development jobs; international consulting jobs with NGOs; international non-profit work; and jobs with the UN, aid groups, charity organizations, multilateral organizations and development banks.
3. UN Jobs is a source for job opportunities through the United Nations and the Hague.
4. WorkPermit is a great site for navigating the ins and outs of required work permits and other immigration regulations for nearly every country around the globe.
5. Cross Cultural Solutions places 4,000 volunteers every year in the fields of caregiving, teaching, healthcare and community development. Volunteers are assigned to communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
6. Transitions Abroad is a comprehensive web portal, offering articles, planning tips, classified ads and more to help you navigate your travel/work abroad experience.
7. Peace Corps, aka the toughest job you’ll ever love, is the quintessential volunteer abroad organization (and hey, two years of service might just get a significant part of your student loans forgiven.)
8. Jobs Abroad is a online database with thousands of work abroad jobs, searchable by country.
9. Country Studies is a project of the Library of Congress and the perfect online destination for learning everything you need to know about over 85 countries around the world.
10. JobMonkey — Have you checked out our Work Abroad section yet? If you are planning to spend anywhere from a few weeks to a lifetime working and living abroad, JobMonkey is your essential first step. We cover everything from teaching English as a Second Language jobs to au pair jobs to resources for ex pats.

What great work / volunteer / live abroad resource have I missed? Leave me a comment with your best online resource for adventure abroad.

Hey college grads, I just came across this great article from Transitions Abroad on how to kickstart your resume by working.

Given the rather soft job market in America, the time has never been better to live out your dreams to work, volunteer and travel abroad. Author Nora Dunn’s article includes tips for everything from getting a work visa, to finding work, to keeping the travel budget to the bare minimum. She also has plenty of words of encouragement, including my favorite:

Critical capabilities, such as interpersonal and communication skills, managing finances, and problem solving are touched upon in school, but frequently not in a comprehensive or applicable way. These are examples of true life skills—those that are acquired and applied with experience [like working abroad].

For more information about working abroad, be sure to read the full article and then check out JobMonkey’s section on Work Abroad Jobs.

Are you an adventurous spirit? Do you want more out of job than punching a clock and getting your paycheck?

I read in the Boston Globe today about an interesting new program between the United States and Ireland to approve work visas for college graduates. The program is designed to support recent grads who want to spend a year or more in each others’ country.

That article inspired me to write a post I’ve had on the back burner for a while now: Where and how to get a job in Europe. Let’s take a little trip around the Continent…

Ireland, England and Scotland
The unemployment rate in Ireland is at nearly 10 percent — even worse than here in the U.S.

There are still opportunities, however, for those of you interested in working in tourism or high tech. The Green Isle also hires experienced miners. Temporary American workers can find work in the U.K. at places like pubs or summer camps. Longer-term opportunities are available in the IT sector.

France & Germany
Both France and Germany offer opportunities to English-speaking au pairs, so if you want to work in English nanny-ing is a great way to see central Europe. Other opportunities for English-speaking professionals include military bases or high tech companies in Germany, and the resort industry in France. If you currently have your own business and want to take your show on the road, France is a great place to do that. The country has some of the most favorable laws for consultants in the EU.

Italy, Spain & Greece
Tourism is the name of the game in the Mediterranean, especially in the summer. There are also great opportunities for teaching English and working as an au pair in both Italy and Spain.

Eastern Europe
Opportunities abound for entrepreneurs in Eastern Europe, including those who want to start a business or work as a consultant. Eastern Europe also has English teaching opportunities, including at the college and professional level.

Now once you have found a job or settled on a country you want to work in, it’s time to look at the logistics of this adventure.

•    Do you have a current American passport? If not, now is the time to apply for one.

•    Do you know the visas and work permits for Europe? Each country sets its own guidelines. Check out JobMonkey for a country-by-country list of visa regulations.

•    Do you know where you will live? You will need to line up a place to stay when you first land. In the summer, many colleges rent out dorm rooms. The local U.S. Consulate should have a list of reputable apartment brokers. Or if you can check the city’s Craigslist.

Every Thursday, I spotlight a different career path. Given the job crunch that so many of us are experiencing, I’m doing my best to pick areas that are and will continue to be in high demand. Nothing can be 100 percent recession proof, but our Thursday spotlights are areas that still offer a lot of promise — even in these trying economic times.

This Thursday, the focus is on Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). As far as recession-proof jobs, it doesn’t get much better than teaching, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  ESL is a particularly promising field, given that:

• 10 million immigrants have come to the United States since the year 2000
• 1 in 4 people in California alone is currently learning English
• 27 percent of all schools with bilingual/ESL teaching vacancies found them very difficult or impossible to fill, according to the National Center for Education Statistics http://nces.ed.gov/
• From 1989 to 2000, the number of non-native English speakers in the United States grew by 104.7%, according to a survey performed by the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition

What does an ESL teacher do?
ESL Teachers help non-native English speaking students to develop their English-speaking and writing skills. Along with teaching grammar and vocabulary, many ESL teachers also assist their students in acclimating to American culture.  ESL teachers may teach in elementary, junior high or high schools, or they may teach adults (typically at a local community college).

What education and certification is required to be an ESL teacher?
ESL teaching requirements vary from state-to-state. Various schools also have their own additional requirements.  Typically, an ESL teacher is required to hold:

• Bachelor’s Degree in English or a related subject
• Specialized coursework in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
• Specialization in bilingual, cross-cultural coursework
• Teaching credential or certification

As a rule, most entry-level teaching jobs require a Bachelor’s degree plus a teaching certificate. If you wish to teach at a college or university, you will need to hold a minimum of a Master’s degree, even for an entry-level position.

What is the earning potential for an ESL teacher?
In 2004, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that K-12 ESL teachers earned a median salary of $41,400-$45,920. Some states even provide a financial bonus, like the $20,000 "signing" bonus in Massachusetts. Rutgers University in New Jersey recently advertised a full-time ESL teaching position for an 11-month work contract at $45,000/year.

Where can I learn more about ESL jobs?

Aside from the JobMonkey’s extensive Teaching English as a Second Language section, you might want to check out the following ESL sites:

• The About.com guide to ESL Jobs
• The English Club’s guide to ESL Jobs
• ESL USA
• ESL Teacher’s Board

By the way, if you’d rather travel abroad to do your teaching, opportunities should also be plentiful. 

• English is the third most spoken language in the world, after Mandarin Chinese and Spanish (www.cia.gov)
• 5% of the world’s 6.6 billion people are native English speakers
• The British Council estimates that 1 billion are currently learning English as a second language
• English is the international language for academics and the Internet

Stay tuned next week for more on how to land an ESL job abroad.

Did you know that JobMonkey has one of the most extensive free databases of continually updated job openings? The database is searchable by region, by field or by key word. Every Wednesday, I will post three of the newest and hottest jobs on our database. Maybe your next dream job is right in front of you. (If not, be sure to check out the database.)

1. Apparel Product Developer, Nike, Beaverton, OR
Are you tired of work being a daily drudgery? Do you wish you could have a little fun at work, not just off-the-clock? If you think you’re more productive when you’re having fun (who isn’t?), you might want to consider joining the creative team at Nike. The team that manufacturers the world’s best selling running shoe — not to mention every other imaginable sport show and apparel to boot — is looking for an Apparel Product Developer.

The Product Developer will be responsible for product commercialization of assigned and ensuring that the prototypes accurately reflect construction specifications. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree in Apparel/Textile Design, Technology, Merchandising, Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related field and at least two years’ apparel textile industry experience. In addition to generous salaries, Nike offers a robust benefits package with a stock purchase plan and a 401(k) retirement plan. Not to mention the casual work environment, on-site sports complex, childcare and a host of other perks we don’t have room to mention here. I gotta say after reading this job description, I was thinking I should try to get a job at Nike! Go to Nike’s Career page to apply on-line.

2. Senior Network Systems Specialist, Alaska Airlines, Seattle, WA
Alaska Airlines is looking for a Network Systems Specialist to work out of their Seattle office and be responsible for all aspects of the airline’s Corporate Network Environment, including Enterprise firewall Management, Network Security, Datacenter redundancy, disaster recovery, and overall network health. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background and extensive experience in complex networking environments. Well-developed interpersonal, verbal and writing skills are also a must. Upload your resume and apply on-line at Alaska Airlines.

3. ESL Teacher Job, British School of Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
Do you want a job? Or do you want an adventure? If you want to travel, see the world and make a difference in the lives of other people, how about considering a teaching job at The British School of Guangzhou. Go to the school’s website to find out about current positions and hiring requirements.

If you’ve got the travel bug, you probably already know that there is no better way to learn about another culture than by immersing yourself in it. Of course, not everyone has the budget to spend several months or more at a time just drinking coffee and soaking up the local flavors. If you want to enjoy the adventure of life abroad, but need some cash to fund your trip, there are numerous teaching abroad jobs that just might meet the bill. JobMonkey’s section on Teach Abroad Jobs offers information about training, employment conditions and foreign customs in three different areas: Eastern Europe English Teaching Jobs, Asia Teaching Jobs, and English Teaching Jobs in Greece.