Teaching English in the Philippines

Types of teaching Jobs

English teaching jobs are available in over 80 countries in the non-English speaking world and several English speaking countries to accredited teachers.

You can work as a volunteer in rural elementary schools for a few hours assisting the local teachers with their English classes and other subjects.

The ESL market in the Philippines is mostly concentrated in the central Visayas province of Cebu, mainly in Cebu City. These ESL schools have sprouted like mushrooms across the metropolis which opened up a whole array of opportunities for aspiring ESL teachers, both Native and non-Native English speakers. A number of ESL schools are also starting to operate in various provinces way up North of the country e.g. Pampanga, Pangasinan and other neighboring provinces including the city capital of the Philippines, Metro Manila.

A large number of Korean learners come to the Philippines to study English. Quite a few universities and language schools catering to the locals also offer teaching jobs to Native speakers however it pays to teach in the Korean language schools since they offer the best compensation for ESL teachers.

Most ESL schools hire full-time conversational English instructors. Most don't provide housing, and some don't provide the same benefits that are standard for English instructors although they normally process and most of the times pay for your work permit. Instructors teach between 12 and 18 hours each week.

Salary and Benefits

Being a well qualified teacher in the Philippines, you earn a minimum of $700/month and a maximum of $1200 a month. There are some other benefits that may balance the salary. Some schools will provide an apartment, or at least will have already paid the deposits. Some schools will sponsor the teacher for a work visa, and pay all the necessary costs. Some will sponsor, but not pay the costs, and some won't sponsor at all. Some schools also provide meal allowances or at least provide meal for you at the school.

Expectations of teachers

New teachers are taken in anytime of the year which means they hire year-round. Contracts are usually for one year with the option to extend for longer at the end of the contract term. Interviews are often held in person, though in some cases telephone or overseas interviews are also conducted. Accommodation, Insurance and the setting up of facilities such as phone, electricity etc are in most cases provided for by the employers. Usually these are paid monthly by the teacher.