Resources for Finding Work Abroad

by Jeannie Barry-Sanders LOOKING FOR INTERNATIONAL work, whether abroad or in the U.S., can be daunting--and downright frustrating without good resources. Fortunately, there are now many useful guides for job searches in almost any field or discipline in almost any country. However, you won't find many of these published resources in your local bookstore. Some of the best guides, published by small organizations, lack retail distribution. Even books by major publishers may not be stocked. To help you in your search, we've provided a list of the top resources available along with complete contact information. *Resources of broadest interest--and thus essential--are marked with a star. **Best resources to start with are marked with two stars. Teaching Abroad: K-12 and University-Level *Fulbright Scholar Program: Grants for U.S. Faculty and Professionals. Free information from Council for International Exchange of Scholars, 3007 Tilden St. NW, Suite 5L, Washington, DC 20008-3009; 202-686-7877; fax 202-362-3442; scholars@cies.iie.org, [www.cies.org]. Program offers university-level opportunities for lecturing and research abroad; most positions require doctoral or master's degrees and/or equivalent professional experience. Application deadlines are May 1 (distinguished chairs program); Aug 1 (lecturing and research awards); Nov 1 (international education administrators); Jan 1 (NATO scholars) Rolling deadline (senior specialists). *Fulbright Teacher Exchange: Opportunities Abroad for Educators. Free application from the U.S. Department of State, Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, 600 Maryland Ave. SW, Suite 320, Washington, DC 20024-2520; 800-726-0479; fulbright@grad.usda.gov, [www.grad.usda.gov/info_for/fulbright.cfm]. Program descriptions and application for direct exchanges in over 30 countries for currently employed K-12 and community college faculty and administrators. Application deadline for 2002-2003: Oct 15. *Overseas Academic Opportunities. Monthly bulletin. $42/year from Overseas Academic Opportunities, 72 Franklin Ave., Ocean Grove, NJ 07756; Tel./fax 732-774-1040. Openings primarily for new teachers in all K-12 subject areas for jobs where the only language needed is English and state certification is not required. Positions are regularly available in over 50 countries. *Overseas Placement Service for Educators, Univ. of Northern Iowa. (UNI). To order registration materials for the oldest and one of the largest U.S. international recruiting fairs for K-12 teachers, send $5 to Overseas Placement Service for Educators, Univ. of Northern Iowa, SSC #19, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0390; 319-273-2083, fax 319-273-6998; overseas.placement@uni.edu, [www.uni.edu/placement/overseas]. The Fair, held each February, attracts over 100 American international schools. Fact book and newsletters are included with registration (also available as separate purchases). *The ISS Directory of Overseas Schools, edited by Gina Parziale. 1999 (revised annually). 560 pp. International Schools Services. $34.95 from Peterson's. The most comprehensive and up-to-date directory to over 580 overseas American and international K-12 schools that hire certified teachers. For other publications and services contact: International Schools Services, 15 Roszel Rd., P.O. Box 5910, Princeton, NJ 08543; 609-452-0990, fax 609-452-2690; iss@iss.edu, [www.iss.edu]. Available directly from ISS: NewsLinks , $20/year, a bimonthly news magazine for the international school community; and Teaching and Administrative Opportunities Abroad , free, application to ISS job fairs (apply by Nov) for teaching overseas. Friends of World Teaching. Friends of World Teaching maintains updated listings of English-speaking schools and colleges in over 100 foreign countries where educators may apply throughout the year. For a free brochure, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Friends of World Teaching, P.O. Box 84480, San Diego, CA 92138-4480; 800-503-7436, fax 619-224-5363; details@fowt.com, [www.fowt.com]. Overseas American-Sponsored Elementary Schools Assisted by the U.S. Department of State. Free pamphlet available from the Office of Overseas Schools, U.S. Department of State, Rm. H328, SA-1, Washington, DC 20522-0132; 202-261-8200, fax 202-261-8224, [www.state.gov]. Information on 192 private overseas K-12 schools. Fact Sheets, provide more detailed information. Complete information free on web site [www.state.gov/www/about_state/schools/index.html]. Overseas Employment Opportunities for Educators. Annual. Free from Department of Defense, Office of Dependent Educational Activity, Office of Personnel, Dependents Schools, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr., 6th Fl., Alexandria, VA 22203; 703-696-1352; [www.odedodea.edu]. Application for K-12 employment opportunities in over 200 schools worldwide serving U.S. military bases. Minimum academic requirement is a BA or BS with at least 18 hours of education courses. Teaching English Abroad *"Teaching Abroad Without Certification," by William Nolting. Available free on the Univ. of Michigan Web site, [www.umich.edu/~icenter/overseas]. A well-researched listing of U.S.-based organizations which can place teachers of English abroad. **French Cultural Services: English Teaching Assistant Program. Applications available from: Cultural Services of the French Embassy, 972 5th Ave., New York, NY 10021; fax 212-439-1455; [http://info-france-usa.org/culture/education/index.html]. Several hundred academic-year positions available for Americans under 30 with a college degree and working knowledge of French. Stipend covers living expenses. **Japan Exchange Teaching Program (JET). Free applications from Office of the JET Program, Embassy of Japan, 2520 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008; 800-INFO-JET or 202-939-6772, [www.jet.org], or contact any Japanese consulate. This is the largest program for teaching English abroad, with more than 6,000 participants annually. Offers 2 types of paid positions in Japan: English-teaching assistantships in secondary schools or Coordinator for International Relations (latter requires Japanese proficiency). Application deadline early Dec. **Peace Corps. Peace Corps, 1111 20th St., NW, Rm. 8436, Washington, DC 20526; 800-424-8580; [www.peacecorps.gov]. Peace Corps sends substantial numbers of teachers of English and other subjects such as math, science and business to regions including Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Russia, Latin America, Middle East and the Pacific Basin. See Peace Corps entry in the Volunteer section for more details. **Teaching English Abroad: Talk Your Way Around the World, by Susan Griffith. Vacation Work (U.K.). 1999. 415 pp. $16.95 from Peterson's. The only book with extensive worldwide coverage (including Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and other regions left out of other guides), this outstanding volume gives in-depth information on everything from preparation to the job search. Many first-hand reports from teachers. Extensive directories of schools. **Work Abroad: The Complete Guide to Finding Work Overseas. Transitions Abroad's book includes over 80 pages of first-hand reports on teaching abroad, with information on placement programs for teaching abroad of most relevance to Americans. *Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships. Applications free from Dept. of State, Fulbright, IIE/ U.S. Student Programs Division, 809 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017-3580; 212-984-5330, [www.iie.org/fulbright]. Enrolled students must apply through own college; graduates apply "at-large" to regional IIE offices. English teaching options for graduates in Belgium/Luxembourg, France, Germany, Hungary, Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey. Application deadline for current students is in mid-September (or mid-October "at-large" applicants) the following academic year. *Make a Mil-Yen: Teaching English in Japan, by Don Best. 1994. 176 pp. $14.95 plus $3 (book rate) or $3.95 (first-class) shipping from Stone Bridge Press, P.O. Box 8208, Berkeley, CA 94707; 800-947-7271, fax 510-524-8711; sbp@stonebridge.com, [www.stonebridge.com]. Guide has info. on everything from the job search to settling in. The experts at O-Hayo Sensei consider this to be the best book on Japan from an American perspective currently available. *More Than a Native Speaker: An Introduction for Volunteers Teaching Abroad, by Don Snow. 1996. 321 pp. (Order #641). $29.95 (member $24.95) plus $4.50 shipping from TESOL. Covers classroom survival skills for teaching English as a second or foreign language from lesson planning to adaptation to life in a new country, with detailed discussions of how to teach listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and culture. *O-Hayo Sensei: The Newsletter of Teaching Jobs in Japan, edited by Lynn Cullivan. Twice-monthly by e-mail, $12 for 12 issues. Single issue free, check web site. To subscribe, send check or money order payable to O-Hayo Sensei, Subscription Dept., 1032 Irving St., PMB 508, San Francisco, CA 94122; fax 415-731-1113; editor@ohayosensei.com, [www.ohayosensei.com]. Lengthy lists of current job openings for English teachers, university-level teachers and others. Classifieds, Japan info and list of school. The ELT Guide. 1999. 9th ed. 271 pp. TESOL. (Order #683GAZ). $28.95 (member $24.95). Comprehensive reference for English language teaching worldwide. Primarily intended for ESL teachers with professional credentials. Country-by-country guide with recruitment information, school listings, and training courses. Native Speaker: Teach English and See the World, by Elizabeth Reid. 1996. 96 pp. In One Ear Publications. $7.95 plus $3 s/h from Book Clearing House, 46 Purdy St., Harrison NY 10528, 800-431-1579. A basic guide to teaching English as a second language, finding a position, and setting up private classes, by an American who taught in Latin America. Teaching English Guides (Passport Books/In Print Publishing series). Books in this British series offer extensive advice by professional teachers on teaching and living abroad for the specific regions covered. Available in the U.S. from Passport Books, 4255 W. Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood, IL 60646; 800-323-4900. Available elsewhere from the original publisher, In Print Publishing, U.K. *Teaching English in Japan, by Jerry O'Sullivan. 1996. 227 pp. $14.95. Most useful for its extensive suggestions for teaching English to Japanese speakers. TESOL Placement Bulletin. TESOL members: $28/year, nonmembers $38/year. Monthly bulletin lists position openings for qualified ESL/EFL teachers and administrators. TESOL, 700 South Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-836-0774, fax 703-836-6447; info@tesol.org, [www.tesol.org].