Teach English in Other Regions
Considered “the rest of the world” by some, these less-traveled countries are truly worlds unto themselves. The Outback of Australia, the Himalayas in Nepal, the tundra of Greenland—these are places few people have the chance to visit, much less experience over a period of time. It is indeed possible to live and work near such attractions, and those who have rave about their time spent off the beaten path. Places like Uzbekistan and Mongolia will expose you to languages you’ve never heard before, while large cities like Sydney offer fascinating mixes of familiar cultures.
Lifestyle
Though the countries here are very diverse, they all have one thing very much in common: a thirst for speaking and learning English. As such, you'll find CELTA teachers in each and every one of these countries and a need for many more! But with such an array of countries here, that is where the similarities stop. Colonialism and post-WWII immigration created lasting European influences in Australia and New Zealand. As such, sports like cricket, soccer, and rugby are incredibly popular; each country has a voice in the English-speaking worlds of painting, opera, and pop music. India’s food, music, and dance are some of the most celebrated in the world, and the astonishing linguistic diversity is a dream for many linguists. In smaller countries such as Nepal, where the demand for English has skyrocketed, there is a genuine curiosity about the culture of native-speakers. Instability in Iraq and Afghanistan has in fact raised the interest in English, which many see as the key in gaining a place in the international community. The governments of these countries are very diverse, ranging from a parliamentary democracy in Australia to an authoritarian dictatorial regime in Burma.
Cultural Tips
- The customs declaration process can vary widely. In Uzbekistan, for example, you’re strictly required to declare all money, electronics, cameras, and jewelry. And don’t expect that women will be searched only by female officers, as many countries do not share this rule.
- It’s best not to shake hands, hug, or kiss people of the opposite gender in Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. If a person of the opposite gender doesn’t look into your eyes when speaking, it’s very often a polite sign of respect or modesty rather than of disrespect.
- When paying a cashier in New Zealand or Australia, always place the money in his/her hand—putting it down on a surface is considered rude.
- Indians often respond affirmatively to a question by shaking their head in a way that Westerners interpret as “No.”
- Appointments and punctuality are not stressed in Iceland; there is strong tradition of “dropping in.”
- In Nepal and Afghanistan it is considered rude to sit with your feet pointed at someone.
Recruitment & Positions
Many of the teaching positions in more remote places or off the beaten-track are taken by either adventurous travelers, people previously on exotic vacations or teachers who due to circumstances find themselves living nearby—maybe due to a loved one or just because they ended up lost! Definitely if you are on holiday in the Reunion Islands or on a safari in Tanzania or following the silk route through Central Asia and you find a place you'd like to stick around in for a while—ask around for the local English-language school, rack up with your CELTA credentials and don't be surprised if you're back there teaching on Monday morning.
Occasionally you’ll also see a job posting for one of these countries come up online. It's amazing how much a teaching job in Timbuktu can jump out of a page otherwise full of posts in Korea, China and Japan.
We are always updating these pages, and if you would like to add something or feel something should be changed, then please email us at info@teachinghouse.group.
